FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY: HOW I SURPRISED MYSELF AND BECAME A NONFICTION WRITER

By Marcie Colleen

I’ve never considered myself a nonfiction writer. In fact, major imposter syndrome has plagued me while sitting down to write this post. But while I don’t consider myself worthy of blogging for Nonfiction Fest, the truth is, I am a writer who has always followed her curiosity. And in 2016 my curiosity led me away from writing funny, pun-filled stories to write a narrative nonfiction picture book about the 9/11 Survivor Tree.

Never in a million years did I think I would write a story centered on the events of September 11^th. For one, it was too emotionally charged for me. And two…nonfiction was totally out of my comfort zone. But when I first heard the story of the tree, I knew right away it needed to be a picture book. Someone needed to write it. And truthfully, I hoped that someone wasn’t me.

I had never written a narrative nonfiction before, and I had many doubts—mainly about my skills and ability. Did I have the poetic chops I felt it needed to be told? Was it my story to tell? What right did I have?

For the better part of a year, I held onto this story. Every so often it would pop into my mind, and I would quickly squash it. There was no way I could write it. I simply didn’t know how.

One day, shortly after I had moved from New York City to San Diego, I was having lunch in Balboa Park with a writing friend who was in from out of town. While catching up, the conversation inevitably turned to “What are you working on?” I shared some of what I had been mulling about in various stages. And then I found myself sharing the story of the 9/11 Survivor Tree. I could feel myself getting more and more passionate as I went along telling her about how this Callery pear tree was the last living thing to be pulled from the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center. How it was taken to the Bronx for rehabilitation. About how workers laid cinder blocks at the base of the tree in memoriam of the home the tree once knew. How the Tree didn’t grow or bloom until a dove nested in it and then it thrived. And how it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan in time for the 10^th anniversary. 

When I finished my friend paused, tears in her eyes, and said, “You need to write that story.” I think there was a part of me that agreed but the doubts flooded back in. However, my friend wouldn’t listen to excuses.

After we finished our lunch, we exited the café. We paused to talk for another moment and that’s when I looked to the left of me and standing proudly was a Callery pear tree. The same kind as the Survivor Tree. I couldn’t believe it. I hadn’t noticed one here. Only in New York City where they often lined the sidewalks. My friend insisted it was a sign. And a part of me wondered, was it? But I shrugged it off and we walked on.

Later that night I was once again in Balboa Park on a nighttime stroll with my husband. We were recapping our day for each other, and I told him about the conversation with my friend and how she was insistent that I tell the story of the 9/11 Survivor Tree. Just as I ended my recap, we turned to head back home and that’s when I saw them. Lining the pathway for as far as the eye could see—Callery pear trees in full bloom, their white blossoms shimmering in the moonlight! Why hadn’t I seen them before? Had they waited until now to reveal themselves? Was the tree choosing me?

This time I took it as a definite sign.

From that moment on, I dedicated myself to researching and drafting a lyrical narrative nonfiction telling of the story of the 9/11 Survivor Tree.  I looked for support and resources where I could, taking classes on poetry and webinars on nonfiction writing. And through the process I cried a lot.

In 2021, in time for the 20^th anniversary of 9/11, SURVIVOR TREE, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winning Aaron Becker was published by Little, Brown. It’s a book I am super proud of. And while I still don’t consider myself a nonfiction writer, I am sure glad I followed my curiosity along that tree-lined path. I hope this post encourages you to do the same.

 

About the Author: 

Marcie Colleen is a multi-published author of picture books, chapter books, and comics. Her picture book, SURVIVOR TREE, illustrated by Aaron Becker, was her first foray into non-fiction and garnered many accolades, including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, the Horn Book, Booklist, and Kirkus. Additionally, SURVIVOR TREE was named a 2022 Notable Social Studies Trade Book from the National Council for Social Studies, a 2022 Children’s Choice book from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a Bank Street College Best Book of 2022, a 2021 Best Nonfiction Picture Book by the Nerdy Book Club, and a prestigious ALA 2022 Notable Book. Visit www.thisismarciecolleen.com to learn more.