What did your younger self want to be when you grew up? Elena, 6th-grade book blogger of Elena Reads (elenareads.com), wants to be a writer and is well on her way to realizing that dream. Celebrating her 2-year anniversary as a youth-book-blogger this week, Elena combines her passion for reading and writing on her avidly-read blog, where she reviews and recommends kid books, with a particular focus on diversity of race, religion, gender and abilities. She interviews authors, as well. Elena is bummed that the libraries are closed due to the pandemic stay-at-home mandate, but she sees this as an opportunity to ramp up her online presence with a “Storytime with Elena” weekly effort to read picture books to children ages 4-7. She’s definitely a self-starter! Elena joins Lynne Golodner on this episode of the Make Meaning podcast to talk about her passions, her dream to become a writer, and why diversity in literature is important. Listen here:
What drives Elena’s passion to become a writer? “Reading is like a movie in your head. I really would like other people to see movies of my words in their head.”
In this episode, Lynne and Elena discuss:
- The inspiration behind ElenaReads.com
- Elena’s vision and process for blogging
- Combining passions to realize a dream
- Why diversity is important in literature
- Some of Elena’s favorite authors
- Elena’s advice for finding purpose
Links and Resources:
- About Key West
- Author Judy Blume, In the Unlikely Event
- Books and Books
- Elizabeth, NJ plane crashes
- The Colored Car, by Jean Alicia Elster
- Author Sharon Creech
Looking to pursue your passion? Check out these episodes of the Make Meaning podcast:
- Episode 66 – Giving Voice to Underserved Communities with Aaron Dworkin
- Episode 62 – Finding “Soul Purpose” with Jen Coken
- Episode 13 – Teen Voices with the One Earth Writing Ambassadors
Coming up on the Make Meaning Podcast:
Next week, Lynne speaks with Adri Smith, founder of Moss Floral Design in Fort Worth, Texas, about how to innovate when times suddenly change and weddings are put on hold; doing right and taking action to make life meaningful; and the incredible art of floral design to make life beautiful.
