“What’s Your Story?” is a guest post feature on BCBA’s blog. Indie/Self-Published authors are invited to write about their books, writing journey, creative process, inspiration, rewards and challenges of publishing, etc. We are excited and grateful for their willingness to share. Go here for more WYS? Posts.
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My name is Jazzmyne Townsend, and I am an urban educator by profession and a ceaseless creative by passion. I am a proud Howard University Alumna with 14 years of teaching experience in early childhood and elementary education. As an avid lover of words, I’ve combined my understanding of developmentally appropriate pedagogy with engaging literary elements to create a story where African American children see themselves represented and celebrated.
When I sat down to write Hattie Leads the Way, I had one goal in mind: to highlight the strength, resiliency, and unwavering determination of abolitionist and social activist Harriet Tubman. I wanted to tell the story of her wit, bravery, and ingenuity in the face of the atrocities being committed against her and the millions of other enslaved African Americans. During idea development, I was teaching pre-kindergarten, and I immediately thought of my students. I asked myself, how could I make such a heinous topic like slavery more palatable for young children to digest and understand? What would it take to impart the knowledge of Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy in developmentally appropriate ways? And thus, Hattie was born.
Hattie Leads the Way re-imagines Harriet as a young girl who must face many obstacles along her path to the playground promised land. Despite these daunting challenges, she employs her gumption and grit to lead her friends to a place of freedom!
Throughout the story, the reader will find elements paying homage to Harriet Tubman, such as the star pattern shown on Hattie’s clothes reminiscent of the North Star followed by Tubman and the path of tunnels emulating the Underground Railroad, along which she and others traveled. My hope in writing this story is that children are introduced to a heroine who fought to achieve liberty for herself and others. I aspire to empower children to see themselves as overcomers—against all odds!
The writing process was exciting and so much fun! I was able to get out so many creative thoughts and ideas, and I started to see my story coming to life. Once I had my ideas down on paper, it was time for editing, which served to be a little more of a challenge. Although I had read countless books before, I had never written one, so I needed to employ the help of a developmental editor who helped to ensure the story structure was intact, followed a path that was easy for children to understand, and included the elements necessary to keep children engaged throughout the entire story. For me, it was paramount that I worked with someone who understood the passion behind the project and who would provide the necessary support without editing away the most important tenets of the story. My editor brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 13-year career in the publishing industry; he worked for Harper Collins and edited some 60+ children’s books, including three New York Times Best Sellers.
During the editing process, we analyzed Hattie’s motivation as the main character, essential story elements (such as the setting and the events), and the most appropriate ways to use rich yet accessible language to tell Hattie’s story. The entire editing process lasted a few months and included countless drafts and revisions, all of which were refined to create the finished story.
Much like Hattie, I demonstrated perseverance and determination in the face of obstacles and challenges that seemed insurmountable. I borrowed some strength from Hattie and remained focused on putting the story into the world! I am proud of the final story and feel honored to know that it has touched the lives of children both near and far. Harriet’s legacy lives on in Hattie’s journey to the playground promised land.
Jazzmyne Townsend is an urban educator by profession and a ceaseless creative by passion. She is a proud Howard University Alumna with 14 years of teaching experience in early childhood and elementary education. As an avid lover of words, she combines her understanding of developmentally appropriate pedagogy with engaging literary elements to create stories where children see themselves represented and celebrated. Through her work, the California native aspires to cultivate joy-filled reading experiences that promote a lifelong love of literacy! Connect with Jazzmyne Townsend on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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