By: Lester Holt

Most history books tell you what happened. Tim Clairmont wants young readers to ask a different question. What would you have done?

That idea sits at the center of the Write Your Own History series, a growing collection of interactive books that allow kids to step into the lives of famous historical figures and make decisions that change the story.

For Tim, the books are not just about history. They are about decision-making, confidence, and understanding how life unfolds through choices.

History Is Really About People

One of the things Tim discovered while researching historical figures is that the most important parts of their stories often happened when they were young.

We usually learn about famous people for what they did as adults. But Tim says their childhood and teenage years often explain who they became later in life.

That realization became a major part of the series. The books typically place readers into the lives of these historical figures when they are young, often between the ages of 12 and 18. From there, readers make decisions that shape the direction of the story.

The idea is simple but powerful. Before they were famous, they were just people making decisions in difficult situations.

The Story That Changed His Perspective

While researching historical figures, Tim says one of the most surprising stories he came across was the early life of Genghis Khan.

Many people think of Genghis Khan only as a conqueror, but his childhood was filled with loss, betrayal, and survival. His father was killed when he was still very young, and he was later captured by enemies before eventually escaping.

Learning about those early experiences changed how Tim saw the historical figure. It did not excuse everything he did later in life, but it made his story more human and more understandable.

That idea is important to the series. History is not just about heroes or villains. It is about people shaped by their environment, their opportunities, and their choices.

Business, Finance, and Decision Making

Tim’s professional career is in business and financial planning, and he sees a strong connection between that work and his books.

In his professional life, he helps clients understand their options and make decisions about their future. Every person has different goals, different values, and different definitions of success, so there is never just one correct decision for everyone.

He realized that the same idea applies to storytelling. In the books, every reader makes their own decisions and ends up with their own version of the story.

Two kids can read the same book and end up with completely different endings. And both endings belong to them because the decisions were theirs.

That concept of ownership and responsibility is one of the most important lessons in the series.

Why Choices Matter So Much

The books are built around one central theme. Choices shape outcomes.

Some endings in the books are very positive. Some are mixed. Some are clearly unfortunate. Reaching the best ending usually requires careful thinking, awareness, and sometimes courage.

Tim believes this mirrors real life very closely. People are constantly making decisions that shape their future, even if they do not realize it at the time.

By allowing kids to make decisions inside the books and see the consequences, the series helps them understand decision-making in a safe and fun environment. It is not about teaching lessons in a traditional way. It is about letting readers experience the results of their choices.

If He Could Talk to Someone From History

Tim spends a lot of time researching historical figures, so naturally, he has thought about which one he would most want to meet.

Right now, his answer is William Shakespeare, who is one of the upcoming figures in the series. He says writing about Shakespeare is intimidating because he is one of the most famous writers in history. If he could meet him, he would ask one simple question. Did I get close?

That question reflects Tim’s approach to the entire series. He wants each book to feel authentic and true to the spirit of the person’s life.

He hopes that if those historical figures could somehow read the books, they would recognize themselves in the story.

Advice for Young Readers Who Want to Make a Difference

When Tim talks about advice for kids who want to make a difference in the world, his message is simple.

You matter.

He believes not every person will become famous, but every life still matters. The way people treat others matters. The decisions they make matter. The courage they show matters.

He encourages young readers to dream as big as they can, and then dream even bigger the next day.

Dreams alone are not enough, but when dreams are combined with effort, resilience, and good decisions, lives begin to change. That is how people build meaningful lives and sometimes even change history.

A Very Big Vision for the Future

The Write Your Own History series is not a small project. Tim has already mapped out the series to include around 170 books.

The first group of books focuses on well-known historical figures whose stories are part of public history. Future books may include more modern figures as well.

One of the most interesting parts of the long-term plan is that the final books in the series will connect multiple characters in crossover stories featuring time-travel elements and fictional storylines.

This means the series is not just a collection of separate books. It is a long-term story world that will span many characters and years. Tim expects to be working on this project for at least the next decade.

More Than History Books

At first glance, the series may look like a collection of history books for kids. But the real focus is much bigger.

The books are about choices, responsibility, confidence, and understanding that life is shaped step by step through decisions.

Tim wants readers to finish the books feeling that their lives matter and that they can shape their own future.

In the end, the idea behind the entire series can be summed up in a simple way.

History is not just something that already happened.

It is something that is still being written every day.

If you want to explore more of Tim’s work, visit the Write Your Own History website.