Ask the Author: Jay Ross
Answered Questions (4)
Jay Ross
I write what I'd like to read. Occasionally I sell out a little bit (like including plays in the biography series to meet Texas state reading standards). But most of the time, what I write is what I want to read about or what I want to learn about myself, and that's exciting.
Jay Ross
Lately I've started harassing my wife, which is new for me because I would never let anyone--especially her--even peek at my stuff until it was done. Now I'll just put her on the stop. "Babe, I need something funny about George Washington getting ambushed at Monogahea. What d'ya got?" More often than not, she just looks at me funny. But it gets me talking and we have a conversation about the things I'm stuck on, which usually leads to something. Although maybe not right away...I also try to give myself at least two parts of a book to think about before I fall asleep.
Jay Ross
Right now I'm working on a series of biographies about great Americans. But, of course, I want them to be different. In addition to having a biography with silly comics, each book also has a satire, actual writings and speeches by the person, a short play, an interactive/do-it-yourself part, and some other cool things. Hopefully, they're unlike any biographies you've ever seen. I've finished Abe Lincoln and Ben Franklin. George Washington, MLK, and Thomas Jefferson are coming next.
Jay Ross
Thanks, Katie! I don't know if you know this, but I am also a teacher (in the great state of Texas). As you can probably imagine, social studies isn't usually one of kids' favorite things to read about. Then I read a depressing study by the National Assessment of Educational Progress that said kids know less about American history than they do about any other subject. So, I decided to do something about it...I grew up loving Gary Larson and his Far Side cartoons. And in my classroom, I notice that students who don't usually like reading still want to read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. I wondered what it would be like if American history was presented in that format. For kids and adults. Quick, simplified snippets of information in chronological order with goofy cartoons. Nine months later, the book was finished.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more