About Elizabeth
Learn more about Elizabeth Raum
Welcome!
Nice to meet you. I’m a reader, a writer, and a backyard chicken farmer. I like to write about real and imagined people venturing into the unknown, whether as a first responder (Lights & Sirens) or as a fifer in the Revolutionary War (Boy With A Fife: Ebenezer Fletcher’s War of Independence). Take a minute to check out my books. Each one will take you to surprising places where you’ll meet fascinating people. Life is adventure. So is reading. Enjoy!
Questions Kids Ask
What’s a backyard chicken farmer?
I have 35 egg-laying hens in my backyard chicken coop. I often take a chicken break when I’m writing. I enjoy taking care of them and watching them as they peck and scratch, cluck and cackle. I’m becoming an expert in fowl language, but not the kind to be upset about!
When did you decide to become a writer?
I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since I was in third grade. My teacher, Mrs. Brown, assigned us to write poems. Mine was a four line verse about snowflakes, and when Mrs. Brown said to me, “You’ll be a writer when you grow up,” I was thrilled. It became my secret dream. When I meet with students, often one or two step forward to tell me that they plan to become writers, too, which makes me smile!
Where do you live?
I’ve lived in eight different states during my life: Vermont, Michigan, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Now I live in Greeneville, Tennessee, a friendly town in the Appalachian Mountains. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve discovered wonderful friends and great stories.
What’s Your Favorite Book (not one you’ve written)?
Charlotte’s Web is probably my favorite. It’s a terrific book, written in 1952, but the story never grows old. If you haven’t read it, give it a try. I never thought I’d come to love a spider and a pig, but I certainly love Charlotte and Wilbur.
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
It’s a happy day when I get a copy of the finished book in the mail. But the truth is, I don’t read it. I’ve already read it a gazillion times, so I just make sure it wasn’t printed upside down or backward, and then I put it on the bookshelf and prepare to share it with others.
I am always thrilled to see young readers delve into books and be carried to new worlds — maybe the past, maybe the present, or maybe even the future. I like getting notes from readers, too, so if you want to contact me, just hit the contact button above, and I’ll be sure to write back.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I take care of my chickens, of course, and I have a big vegetable garden that always needs tending. I read lots of books, and I go on outings with my husband, Richard. There’s a great big world to explore!
Questions Parents Ask
Why do you write for children?
I believe that our children deserve enticing stories that help them build the courage to face our ever-changing world. My books promote traditional values like honesty, commitment to family and community, an understanding that work of all kinds is important, and the belief that through creative thinking, we can solve even the most perplexing problems. I want my readers to connect with my characters, to begin to see the world through their eyes. In my historical fiction, I provide readers with a glimpse into the past, and for a little while at least, they become time travelers. In my contemporary novels, I hope readers will develop courage and resilience as they see characters experience the problems modern children face every day such as fear, loneliness, and conflicts with family and friends. I want children and teens to become lifelong readers and to find joy and hope in the written word.
Should I be concerned about the language in your books?
Absolutely not. I believe that if an author relies on coarse or crude language, they do not respect their readers. There are many creative ways to express anger or frustration clearly without resorting to cursing or using foul language.
Do your books include violence?
I do not include gratuitous violence. However, I do write about war, and war can be violent. My intent, however, is not to glorify violence, but to present a realistic, although not overly graphic depiction. Peace is always the goal.
Do you push any particular agenda?
My agenda is good literature. I do not hesitate to include characters who exhibit patriotism and faith in God. These values, along with the ones mentioned in Question #1 above, reflect the characters’ values, as well as my own.
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