by T. A. Barron | Dec 11, 2013 | Blog, Books, Merlin, News
Merlin’s Seven Most Magical Words I’m excited to share with you my latest video — Merlin’s Guide to a Meaningful Life: The Seven Most Magical Words. This video is both a preview of an upcoming book… and the start of my video series that explores how...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 3, 2013 | Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Featured, For Educators, Inspiration, Interviews, On Writing
Sage Advice for Writers from T. A. Barron with Jamie Wallace Live to Write, Write to Live Blog Dec 3, 2013 Original Post Why do you write? What story are you trying to tell? What question are you trying to answer? What void are you trying to fill? These are big...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 2, 2013 | Blog, Books, Events, News
Atlantis Rising Tour Wrap Up My Atlantis Rising book tour has come to an end. From Seattle to New York, with 22 events (not including my trip across the pond to Oxford!) in almost as many cities it has been a wild adventure indeed! But I have had so much fun meeting...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 15, 2013 | Blog, Creativity, Fantasy, For Writers, On Writing
Why Do I Write Fantasy? If you imagine where I live in Colorado—beside a willow-draped creek that is home to wild coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls—you can guess how much inspiration this place gives me. And in the distance, from the windows of my writing room in our...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 8, 2013 | Blog, Books, Events, News
Atlantis Rising Tour – Colorado’s Front Range and the East Coast What a wonderful time this book tour has been! I’ve met a lot of lovely families and educators and visited some great bookstores with passionate readers. But truly, there’s no place like home! This week...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 30, 2013 | Articles & Interviews, Heroes, Interviews, The Atlantis Saga, Young Heroes
The Creation of Young Heroes:An Interview with Author T. A. Barron with Lauren Brooke Horn Ooligan Press October 30, 2013 Original Interview | PDF T. A. Barron is the award-winning author of the Merlin and Heartlight sagas. His newest release, Atlantis Rising, is the...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 24, 2013 | Blog, Books, Events, News
Atlantis Rising Tour – Festivals, Book Stores, and an Old English Village Today’s post comes to you from charming Oxford, England where I’m enjoying a rare, clear evening! The last few weeks have been hectic, to say the least, but I’m excited to be back in...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 10, 2013 | Blog, Books, Events, News
Atlantis Rising Tour Continues! It has only been six days since my last post…but in that short time I’ve been through 8 cities in 5 states, and I’ve only just begun! My week started in the Pacific Northwest with stops in Seattle and Portland. Then I did a tour of the...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 4, 2013 | Blog, Books, Events, News
Atlantis Rising Book Tour Begins! The weeks leading up to a book release are always a bit hectic. None more so than this year, when in addition to launching a new book in a brand new trilogy – and working on the Merlin movie project – I was also planning and launching...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 1, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
Part II: How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part II of a two-part series on how I write. For part I, please click here.) I need to get three elements worked out before I can start a new book: Detailed descriptions of each new character; a big idea...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 27, 2013 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, Heroes, News
Announcing Barron Prize Winners for 2013 Nothing is more uplifting than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world. So I’m thrilled to announce this year’s winners of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes! The prize honors...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 26, 2013 | Blog, Books, Fantasy, News, On Writing
Atlantis Rising – Today’s the Day! Today is a very exciting day – the launch of my latest book, Atlantis Rising. Atlantis – a name, a place, and a mystery, all in one. Like you, I’ve always wondered about this mythic isle…and dreamed of...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 24, 2013 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Conservation, Creativity, Featured, For Educators, Heroes, Nature, On Nature
Our Children, Our Planet: Raising Kids Who Can Save the Earth by T. A. Barron Parents Magazine Sept 2013 PDF We all know the bad news: The planet is seriously suffering from all sorts of environmental abuses. Some people remain stuck in denial. And kids, our last best...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 19, 2013 | Blog, Books, Fantasy, News
Introducing Atlantis Rising I’m thrilled to introduce you to my newest “baby” – my book Atlantis Rising! This will be the first book in a new series – The Atlantis Saga. When you read it, you’ll discover that it’s different...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 13, 2013 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, On Writing
How Do You Write Your Stories, T. A. Barron? (This is part I of a two-part series on how I write. For part II, please click here.) It’s the question fans always ask: “How do you write your stories?” Writers say they hate this question, and probably...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 11, 2013 | Blog, Creativity, Encouraging Writers, For Writers, Inspiration, On Writing
Growing Your Own Story “There are three essential rules for writing. Unfortunately … nobody knows what they are.” Encouraging words? But when a good friend who was an accomplished writer said them to me, her eyes sparkled. It’s taken me several years—and several books...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 5, 2013 | Articles & Interviews, Books, Creativity, Featured, Inspiration, Interviews, On Writing, The Atlantis Saga
Interview with T. A. Barron About Atlantis Rising Hypable April 2013 Original Interview 1. Atlantis Rising is about the creation of Atlantis. Why did you feel you had to tell this story? Gaps in mythic lore always intrigue me. That was true for the lost years of...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 3, 2012 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: December 2012 Good news! Warner Bros. Studio recently renewed its option to develop this film. That’s a good sign of their excitement about this project — though still a long way from the Merlin movie we all want to see. More good news:...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 3, 2012 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: September 2012 Just received the first draft of the script. It’s coming together nicely. Most important, it remains true to the spirit of our friend Merlin. On top of that, I am delighted with the visionary leadership of my producer,...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 1, 2012 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Featured, Inspiration, Merlin, On Writing
Why Fantasy Must Be True by T. A. Barron The Horn Book July/Aug 2012 PDF Today, with the phenomenal success of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, as books and films, fantasy novels are now a major presence on the shelves of libraries and bookstores, and in the...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 3, 2012 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: June 2012 Warner Bros. has just hired a new, highly acclaimed script writer, Ed Whitworth. He brings excellent writing skills, and even more important, a genuine passion for young Merlin’s adventures. Expect a first draft of the script...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 3, 2012 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: January 2012 Excellent news! Donald DeLine, a terrific producer, has just signed onto this project. He brings huge experience as a highly successful producer – including several films that have each grossed almost $200 million worldwide (which...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 15, 2011 | Articles & Interviews, Heroes, Inspiration
The Power of Young People to Change the World by T. A. Barron Dream of a Nation Anthology October 2011 Original Article | PDF If I could give today’s young people three wishes, they would be: More hugs. More time outside in nature. More belief in their own power to...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 15, 2011 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, For Educators, Inspiration, Parenting
The Gift of Time: At Risk? by T. A. Barron The American Oxonian Fall 2011 PDF In this esteemed scholarly journal, I intend to discuss something distinctly not scholarly: the enduring importance of the wide-ranging exploration of people, places, and ideas in the Oxford...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 14, 2011 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Featured, Inspiration, Merlin
Why Merlin? by T. A. Barron Penguin Young Readers Group Blog August 2009 PDF Often, I’m asked why I chose to write about Merlin— especially before he became the greatest wizard of all times, when he was just a troubled boy growing into his amazing powers, with no idea...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 15, 2011 | Adventures of Kate, Articles, Articles & Interviews, Books, Creativity, Heroes, Inspiration, Merlin
Taking Time for Wisdom by Patricia Lee Gauch ALA Book Links March 2011 PDF The award-winning fantasy author is powerfully motivated by the idea that one person can make a difference. As an editor and teacher of literature, I have always been intrigued by what a book...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 17, 2010 | Articles & Interviews, For Educators, Heroes, Interviews, Young Heroes
4 Tips to Discover Your Child’s Inner Hero Interview by Jamie Lee BabyCenter.com November 17, 2010 PDF Jamie Lee: There are so many motivational “gurus” and personal coaches out there today, each one promising to turn lives around through productivity,...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 14, 2010 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Merlin, On Writing
Authors Carry Kids to Amazing Worlds by Lana Berkowitz Houston Chronicle October 14, 2010 Original Article | PDF Best-selling authors T.A. Barron and Tony DiTerlizzi know all about fanciful creatures and fairy-tale worlds. They follow different paths, however, to...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 2, 2010 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: July 2010 We have reached, at long last, a crucial stage — going out to directors. We now have a short list of terrific, absolutely top filmmakers. Any one of these directors would do a brilliant job. Our goal is to bring one of them onto the...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 29, 2010 | Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Heroes, Interviews, Merlin: The Movie, Nature, On Nature, On Writing, Young Heroes
An Interview with T. A. Barron With Elizabeth Varadan Elizabeth Varadan’s Fourth Wish April 29, 2010 Original Post Part 1 | Original Post Part 2 | PDF PART 1 T. A. Barron is the author of the popular and five-book epic, The Lost Years of Merlin, which is soon to...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 19, 2010 | Articles & Interviews, Heroes, Inspiration, Interviews, Young Heroes
Meet: T. A. Barron Colorado Parent April 2010 PDF Coloradoan T. A. Barron has authored a staggering 24 books including The Lost Years of Merlin, The Great Tree of Avalon and The Adventures of Kate. Each of his books has a lesson for kids to learn about their own...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 24, 2009 | Articles & Interviews, Featured, Heroes, Interviews, Young Heroes
The Importance of Heroes Penguin Youth Voices Interview April 2009 PDF What does it take for a young person to realize that he or she can be a force for positive change in the world? Discovering the wisdom and magic they have inside themselves. Every young person is a...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 30, 2009 | Blog, Books, Merlin, Movies, News
Merlin the Movie Update: January 2009 Having just returned home from a creative meeting at the Paramount studio in California (the third such meeting in three months), I can tell you there is great excitement for this project. We still have much to do to achieve the...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 18, 2007 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Heroes, Young Heroes
Author Hopes to Inspire a Hero in Every Child from Hawkin School News March, 2007 PDF Ask a kid today to name a hero. What you’re likely to hear is a laundry list of television, movie and sports stars. Author T. A. Barron thinks it’s a travesty that heroism today is...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 19, 2004 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, For Educators, Inspiration
Creativity, Kids, and One-Eyed Ogres:How to Raise Creative Children by T. A. Barron ParentGuide Magazine October 2004 PDF “Look, Dad. There’s a one-eyed ogre on your pillow!” “A what?” I asked, still half asleep. “An ogre,” declared my seven-year-old daughter. “Right...
by T. A. Barron | May 24, 2004 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Featured, For Educators, Heroes, Young Heroes
Heroes, Not Celebrities by T. A. Barron Family Circle Magazine 2012 PDF “Weeeee!” shrieked my five-year-old niece, nearly jumping out of her sneakers because I’d just rescued her hamster from the jaws of a local cat. “You’re my hero.” Then she added, even as she...
by T. A. Barron | May 19, 2004 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Books, For Educators, Heroes, Nature, Young Heroes
Everyday Heroes by Sharon Korbeck Children & Libraries Spring 2004 Original Article (Page 37) | PDF T. A. Barron’s Trail Leads Youth to Find Their Own Strong Examples Tom Barron loves to hike. But as much as the children’s/young adult author loves to scale the...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 15, 2003 | Articles & Interviews, Heroes, Inspiration
Inner Strength: Quotations from The Hero’s Trail Compiled by T. A. Barron Family Circle 2003 PDF Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln How wonderful it is that...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 17, 2001 | Adventures of Kate, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Heroes, Interviews, Merlin, Young Heroes
E-(I)nterview: Author T. A. Barron in Conversation with Sissi Carroll The ALAN Review Fall 2001 Original Article | PDF Editor’s note: Along with the 300 or so participants in attendance, I sat mesmerized as Tom Barron discussed his art and his outlook on life at...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 15, 2001 | Articles & Interviews, Books, Creativity, Featured, Interviews, Merlin, Nature, On Nature
T. A. Barron — The Booklist Interview with Sally Estes Booklist April 2001 PDF While doing research for The Merlin Effect (1994), T. A. Barron became aware of how little had been written about Merlin’s youth. His curiosity about the magician as a child and a...
by T. A. Barron | May 18, 1999 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Conservation, Nature, On Nature
As High as the Sky By T. A. Barron The Nature Conservancy 1999 PDF As a youth, I roamed our Colorado ranch with my eyes aimed upward: to the tall ponderosas, to the gleaming mountains, and—most often—to the sky. Thanks, I am sure, to that wide blue sky, I sensed that...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 30, 1999 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Creativity, Featured, Inspiration, On Writing
Vision, Voice, and the Power of Creation by T. A. Barron Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) Magazine April 1999 PDF My children’s favorite question, beyond doubt, is “Dad, is that true?” Whenever we read a book together—regardless of the genre of the tale, the...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 1, 1998 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Featured, Merlin
Merlin’s Message by T. A. Barron Parents Magazine Nov 1998 PDF When she was three years old, my daughter, Denali, sat outside on our lawn, trying with all her might to ram a sharp stick into a stone. Soon enough, the stick shattered. She grabbed another one. The...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 27, 1998 | Articles, Articles & Interviews, Books, Creativity, Inspiration, Merlin, Nature
The Remarkable Metaphor of Merlin by T. A. Barron Book Links January 1998 PDF Wizards are full of surprises. They change faces, personalities, and forms at will. They grow younger, older, or stay forever the same age. They appear when least expected, and often vanish...
