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MEET CARL R. GREEN
by Bonnie O'Brian

What inspires you to write?

Carl R. Green

In addition to the pure pleasure that comes with constructing well-crafted prose, I find inspiration in the fact that writing allows me to share ideas and information with young readers. Writing a book such as THE KOALA, for example, lets me share solid information about this wonderful animal with my readers. Even more satisfying is the knowledge that if I do my job well, my book can enlist readers in the battle to save the Koala (and other endangered species).

What forces have influenced your writing?

Looking back, I can spot three major influences that helped put me on the path to writing books such as THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL TO GOLD. First, as a child I developed a love of books that has stayed with me to this day. Second, as I grew up, I received valuable instruction and encouragement from my teachers, family, and friends. Third, as a parent and teacher, I knew that if I did my job well I would leave a lasting imprint on my children and my students. Happily, my writing allows me to expand that legacy far beyond my own home and classroom.

Was your first book accepted immediately?

Breaking into the writing game is not an easy task. My writing partner and I started out by writing three adult mysteries. We had a wonderful time writing them, but the publishers we sent them to did not share our enthusiasm. Next, we turned to a project that as teachers we knew more about—textbooks. This time we did find a publisher, and two years later, in 1977, we had the joy of holding our first copy of BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. From there we went on to write a second textbook, PSYCHOLOGY: A WAY TO GROW, and after that we switched to shorter projects.

What are the topics of some of your books?

In addition to my two textbooks, I’ve had the pleasure of researching and writing nonfiction books that range across a whole galaxy of topics. These books, mostly aimed at middle-grade students, include topics as varied as endangered animals, American history, parapsychology, western outlaws and lawmen, sports immortals, space exploration, and Movie Monsters.

Do you use the Internet for research?

I still do much of my research at my local libraries, but I also use the Internet rather extensively. With the help of a good search engine (Google, perhaps), I can quickly track down obscure facts and up-to-date information. When I go out on the Web, however, I always check the source of the data. After all, I have to be sure that the facts I’m using are accurate and up-to-date, and anyone can post information on the Web. As the saying goes, on the Internet nobody knows you’re a dog!

What other jobs have you held besides being a writer?

As a high school and college student, I worked as a printer and linotype operator (typesetter) to help pay my college costs. After I graduated from college with a BA in 1954 I served two years in the U.S. Army before returning home to begin my teaching career. Over the next 31 years I earned MA and PhD degrees while teaching high school Graphic Arts, World History, and Psychology. Since my retirement I’ve been free to focus more fully on my writing (and on my hobbies, which include golf, photography, computer graphics, square dancing and round dancing.)

Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

After I visited a school to talk about my books and about writing, young Farah wrote to me to say, “You inspired lots of kids and one of them was me. When I grow up I want to be a writer. It is a wonderful job and I love to write.” That’s the kind of praise that writers cherish!

Do you have a writing secret to share?

Yes. If you’re like me (and like most authors), the thought of writing all those words, sentences, and paragraphs is a daunting prospect. The secret, I’ve learned, is to never set out to “write a book.” When I sit down at the keyboard, I focus on a single building block—the paragraph. Think about it. Anyone can write a paragraph. You do it whenever you work on an essay, a book report, or even a thank-you letter. And if you can write one paragraph, surely you can write two, three, four, and even more, right? Write enough paragraphs and (assuming you’ve properly organized and researched your material) you’ll have completed a chapter. Pile on however many chapters it takes to tell the story … and there’s your book!