Author Anita Ganeri responds!

Hello! I am an award-winning author of children’s information books, including the ‘Horrible Geography’ series. I studied languages at Cambridge University, but now write mostly about geography and the natural world. I am a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Q) When researching extreme weather how do you find the most reliable and accurate sources? Do you talk to the people who have been effected by extreme weather to gain more perspectives on the matter? I am asking this question because so many people read your books and so it’s important that everything is true and that the humour you add does not mislead readers. From versatile_molecule, Hammond Junior School, UK
A) Thank you for your question, versatile_molecule, you raise some very serious points. With extreme weather, as with all the subjects I write about, it's vital that the facts are accurate. It's also important to treat the subject respectfully, because often people have suffered, and even died, as a result of the event I'm writing about. In these cases, humour isn't appropriate, but I still try to keep the tone accessible and friendly, without it becoming too flippant or light-hearted. I take my responsibilities towards the people I'm writing for, and about, very seriously, and do a huge amount of research around the subject - from books, the internet, the amazing resources available to me at the Royal Geographical Society in London, and from talking to experts. I also research eyewitness accounts, from newspapers, websites, videos, DVDs and so on, to get as personal a perspective as possible.
Q) How long does it take to write your books on extreme weather, and how do you overcome the obstacles and challenges that you face? I am asking this question because I live in a place where I cannot access any internet connections or libraries. From credible_football, Irene Secondary School, Kenya
A) Hi credible_football, the second part of your question has really got me thinking, but let me answer the first part first! The books I write in the 'Horrible Geography' series take about a year to complete, from the initial idea to the finished file, ready to go to the printers. As I said in the previous answer, I do spend a lot of time on the research and on planning the books. Only when I'm satisfied that the book hangs together, and makes sense, do I begin the writing. Even then, I often end up rearranging the order and contents, and rewriting, and rewriting, and rewriting...I am very lucky to have excellent access to the internet and libraries, both on-line and physically. I think I'd struggle enormously to write these books without either of these. I'd love to hear how you cope without access to these resources. Are you hoping to become a writer?
Q) Why did you choose to write about extreme weather? I chose this question because Anita Ganeri could of chosen any genre or type of book in the world. There are many of choices of styles she could of chosen but I want to know why choose this specific one. I agree with her choice, as it is a really interesting one and teaches children new lessons. From buzzing_atom, Birchwood C of E Primary School, UK
A) Hi, buzzing_atom, thank you for your kind words. It all started when I was asked by Scholastic Children's Books to write the 'Horrible Geography' series. The editor liked my writing, and I loved the idea of writing a non-fiction book that was presented more like a fiction book, for young people to read straight through. I started off with 'Odious Oceans' and 'Violent Volcanoes'; 'Stormy Weather' was the third title. The publisher wanted the books to follow on from the 'Horrible History' and 'Horrible Science' series, so I had to choose a style of writing to match. In fact, it's a style that comes quite naturally to me, and which I really like. I am extremely proud of these books, and especially of the way they teach children new lessons, as you say, using lots of different devices, such as spoof newspaper reports, to draw readers in.
Q) My question for Anita Ganeri is How do you ensure your content suits kids? I asked this question because I noticed the cartoon characters on the covers of your books I think it will be amazing if the kids know some information about the extreme weather from a young age in a simple way that activate their minds and attract them and give them the inspiration to think creatively. From tidy_instrument, Zaitoun Prep Girls School B, Occupied Palestinian Territory
A) That's a great pseudonym, tidy_instrument, and thank you for your thought-provoking question. With any of the subjects I write about, I make sure that I get to know it as thoroughly as possible first. This is especially true of science and geography - I studied languages at university so I have had to work hard to learn the basics of these two subjects. Once I've done that, I feel more able to explain the subjects in ways which young readers will understand, with slight modifications depending on their age. I think that it's very important not to talk down to readers, and not only to provide accessible information but also to challenge their minds and imaginations. The aim of the 'Horrible Geography' books was to present the information in such a way that readers would take it in without feeling as if it was a struggle.
Q) My question for Anita Ganeri about writing about extreme weather is: Are there any types of extreme weather that not many people know about? I would like to ask this because when somebody says "extreme weather" everybody thinks of hurricanes, storms, tsunamis and tornadoes, but I wanted to know if there are any other types of extreme weather other than these and, if there is, what they are. From modest_donkey, John Ray Junior School, UK
A) Your pseudonym made me smile, modest _donkey! I must confess that I don't know the answer to your question, but it has certainly got me thinking. With climate change already having an enormous effect on the world's weather, I can only think that not only will there be an increase in extreme weather, but there may well be other types that we haven't experienced so far. What do you think? It's not exactly an answer to your question but do you know about extreme weather on other planets? For example, the temperature on Venus can reach a whopping 460 C. It's a fascinating topic.
Comments (34)
20 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is: is it interesting when writing about extreme weather or it is horrible.i ask this question because extreme weather involves death and loss of property so how come you are interested in writing about this.
20 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri is on how the hurricanes can affect our world today? I would like to ask this question because after researching for long I have not found the perfect answer and from your experience you have researched on them and you have found the answers. I will be slowly waiting for your reply.
20 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri is:
How long does it take you to publish a book and how many books do you write may be per month? And as well why did you chose writing? I ask this question to you because I also want to become a writer one day in my life.
20 May 2020
When you are writing about extreme weather events,do you get all the needed information or you go through many challenges before?I ask this question because extreme weather events is happening everywhere so how do you get all the information when a certain country doesn't have technology dealing with electricity.
20 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri how do you get ideas, information , stories for extreme weather do you visit people or you know they have experienced such a disaster.How do you feel when they tell you about it do you sympathys with them like the man in Haiti l could see how emotional and heartbroken he was is it always like that back to you Anita
Thanks
20 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri is why did you think to be an author and write about extreme weather? I ask this question because I want to know how you imagined to be an author to write about extreme weather 😁.
21 May 2020
Will extreme weather events be effectively prevented only by experts or with or without our handout or help?I am asking because I think only experts knows best about extreme weather.
21 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is what are the best measures to put across to prevent extreme weather events.
measures to reduce climate change and pollution, among which are:
1- Reducing carbon emissions.
2- Using modern engines for transportation that do not cause gases, such as electric cars and mass transportation.
3- Encouraging the trend towards renewable energies such as sun and wind energy in transportation and energy production.
4- Increasing vegetation because plants consume carbon and increase oxygen in the atmosphere.
5- Converting carbon dioxide into rocks.
6- Educating citizens about the dangers of climate change and integrating them in the plans devoted to combating climate change.
7 - Filtering factory chimneys, such as passing factory smoke on pools of water with algae that use carbon and produce electricity, thus reducing the temperature increase in the atmosphere by half and preventing air pollution and emissions of harmful gases that increase climate change.
8- Increasing the populated area and redistributing the population equally to reduce the population density through the creation of new cities enjoying an infrastructure and renewable energy.
9- Recycling the waste properly and transferring it to the beneficial products.
10- Carbon pricing (carbon price setting) for companies to pay for the carbon they release to the air.
11- Ending fossil fuel subsidies with the low price of oil due to the Corona virus crisis, as this is a good opportunity to phase out fossil fuels.
12- Reducing the consumption of animal products and consuming greater quantities of plant products due to the large emissions produced by the animal sector, especially cows. As for the vegetable sector, it supports increased vegetation to reduce carbon to increase oxygen in the atmosphere.
22 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri which extreme weather occurs in the oceans lam asking this because lam very intrested about it we live near the oceans so that incase it happens l will be aware about it
Thankyou
22 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri how many books of extreme weather have you written so gara
Thankyou
22 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri is which weather have you experince for long and which is dangerous l am asking this because of the hurricanes that affected people in haiti especially the man who was affected by the strong winds and destroyed alot of properties
Thankyou
22 May 2020
My questions to Anita Ganeri: Did anything inspire you to create these books?
Have you ever experienced a natural disaster?
- active_sheep -
22 May 2020
Thank you for answering some of our questions.
22 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri- Have you ever experience an extreme weather in your country or any other place.
22 May 2020
my question to Anita Ganeri is why did you choose being an author? who gave the motivation.I choose this questions because one day I would want to became an author like you
Admirable_rambutan
23 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri about writing extreme weather is;Does writing about extreme weather involves experience or only education?I ask because I think someone who haven't educated though could also write about extreme weather because he has experienced it.
23 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is;why does lightning strike a place once but not twice? I asked because I've seen whenever there is lightning it strikes different places and never concentrate on one place.
25 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is; how is writing about extreme weather helpful to humanity and how can it be improved.
25 May 2020
My question to Anita Ganeri: is it interesting to write on extreme weather and the way it's scary? because extreme weather events involves peoples life and properties are destroyed,Why don't you write about something good, because I believe there's something good that you can write
27 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is,is there any change brought by Coronavirus that could help tackle climate change?
27 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri is;in your research do you attempt to listen to other people's perspective or you just go ahead for research to write your books.i ask because I think hearing people's perspective could also provide you good information.
27 May 2020
My question for Anita Ganeri about writing about extreme weather is;as an author of children information books,one will have to acquire certain skills to write books that will be interesting to children so as for this what skill is the best.
28 May 2020
Do upcoming weather events exhibit early signs that help to predict them?I ask because if so,then one will have to plan towards them to avoid destruction.
28 May 2020
Are there any responses that contribute to extreme weather events?I ask because I think maybe some responses could be harmful.
28 May 2020
How does extreme weather affect our business and economy?
28 May 2020
Do the rate of population increase or decrease extreme weather?
How and what way can we prevent extreme Weather from happening in our country
It increases extreme weathers
28 May 2020
How do we know global warming is caused by human activities?
28 May 2020
What are we doing actually to fight climate change?
28 May 2020
Why do people seem to question the science of climate change mostly?is science the only way to fight extreme weather?
28 May 2020
How much is the planet warming up?
29 May 2020
How can earth's climate be accurately predicted years or decades in the future when weather cannot be accurately predicted more than 2weeks from now?what is the difference between climate and weather?
Thank you!
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