Meet the Blogger with Sandy Sieber

Author and Pennsylvania resident Sandy Sieber joins us for this month's Meet the Blogger. PA is near and dear to my heart, born in Lancaster, I've loved the state for as long as I can remember. :) So when I met Sandy, I knew we shared common interests.  Sandy has written numerous books, including The Flying Banana, which is a fun workbook designed to teach children the history of transportation in Pennsylvania. Her approach has kid friendly appeal, always a good thing to help the learning process.

Sandy's blog, paHis features a delightful assortment of Pennsylvania related topics - history, customs, news, and more. Recent posts include info on Centralia's mine fire, Amish customs, and products native to the Keystone State. Her posts offer interesting tidbits and links; I always learn something new.  

Hi Sandy, welcome to Write Now! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog? 

Thank you, Karen! I started my blog as a way to connect with people who might be interested in buying my books. I’ve written my blog, paHis, since September, 2011, when I wrote about Blue Jacket, a Shawnee Indian. A rumor said that he had been Marmaduke Van Swearingen, a white boy from Pennsylvania. My great-grandmother would have been a descendant of Marmaduke’s uncle. DNA tests proved the legend wrong. 

Now there's a bit of interesting history, or local lore, depending on how you look at it! What is the main theme of paHis? 

My blog is mostly about Pennsylvania, past and present, but I also write about another topic dear to my heart, homeschooling. 

Both subjects are near to my heart as well. Have you gained any benefits through blogging? 

First of all, I enjoy local people telling me that they like reading what I write. Second, I’ve gotten to connect with some wonderful people including you, Karen, as we feature each other on our blogs. I received the greatest thrill from blogging when my post about Mexico, Pennsylvania reached over 13,000 views. 

Wow, that's wonderful, congratulations on so many views! I too, am glad we met, It is good to connect with so many great people. What projects are you working on now? 

My ongoing project is to produce a full Pennsylvania history curriculum for 4th through 8th grades. I have four workbooks finished. Right now, I’m writing a historical fiction short story collection to include in the section of the curriculum about industry in Pennsylvania. The first short story is about a charcoal furnace journeyman. In the second story, a monkey boy employed by Edwin Drake’s oil drilling rig is the main character. The last story will be about the coal industry. 

The curriculum sounds great. As for including fiction, that's the icing on the cake. There's nothing like a good story to help bring history to life.  What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

They might be surprised to learn that I walked barefoot across a manure-laden barnyard to earn a dollar from my brothers when I was young. My feet sure stunk afterwards! 

Ooooh...I bet! I hope that dollar was worth it! :) What advice would you offer a new blogger? 

Read other blogs to see what you think works or doesn’t work. Choose topics that you already know or that you don’t mind researching. Also, include pictures when you can. 

Excellent tips, Sandy. We can learn so much from other blogs and from writing about topics we know. Thanks so much for joining us this week. Wishing you well with your books! 

Thanks Karen, for the opportunity to appear on your blog!

More About Sandy

After 20 years of homeschooling her four children, Sandy Sieber now works two part-time jobs, one being a substitute teacher. She and her husband Rusty go on used textbook buying trips periodically for Follett Corporation. Sandy likes to walk, write, read historical fiction, babysit her grandchildren, and visit Pennsylvania tourist sites. Her blog name paHis stands for Pennsylvania belongs to God. Purchase her books,The Flying Banana, Phacops Rana and Other Pennsylvania Symbols, Archbald Pothole and Other Pennsylvania State Parks, and William Penn and Other Pennsylvanians on her website.

Connect with Sandy

Blog 
Twitter
Website

Have you ever lived in or visited Pennsylvania? What is your favorite vacation destination?
 
Happy writing,

Karen


Photo credit: Free Images

Autumn and Writing, Perfect Together

 

"...I cannot endure to waste anything so precious 

as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house. 

So I have spent almost all the daylight 

hours in the open air."

~Nathaniel Hawthorne

What's your favorite season? I am partial to autumn. For some reason fall inspires me to write. Maybe it's the cooler temperatures and cozy evenings at home, or the inspiration I find from being outdoors and enjoying the fresh air and colorful foliage. I think Mr. Hawthorne is on to something.

Discovered these items recently - thought they might inspire some autumnal writing. :) 

How I Found the Write Path is a collection assembled by Carrie Butler and P.K. Hrezo featuring authors such as Robyn Campbell, Alex J. Cavanaugh,  Medeia Sharif, C. Lee McKenzie, and Tyrean Martinson. As I compose this post, it is free for Kindle (99 cents otherwise). Check it out here.  This is the Amazon description: 

"In this endearing compilation, over sixty authors share letters written to their past selves, candidly sharing what they might not always discuss in public. The hope is that those of you who haven’t published will learn from their experiences. And those of you who have published? Well, you just might realize you’re not alone."


Do you write for children? How to Sell Your Picture Books by Agent Lara Perkins highlights four crucial elements for success.

Historical fiction writers take note - C.S. Lakin's post, 5 How-to Tips for Writing Historical Fiction offers wonderful tips and insight.

Hop over to Rhonda Schrock's blog  for her thoughts about television remotes and mirrors. I'm pretty sure it will make you smile.

In other news...

Sandy Sieber interviewed yours truly over at PA History.

Write for Life, my latest book, is now available for 99 cents on Kindle. This is Volume One, Writing the Research Paper and it includes lessons for grades 7-12.

Congratulations to Cecelia Lester, the winner of Sarah Sundin's book. Thanks to everyone who stopped by for her interview last week.

Does one season inspire your writing more than another? What do you have going on this week?

Happy writing,

Karen