Janet Fox

Why Are You Waiting?

If you have only one book under your belt and you haven’t sold it, should you keep going? Yes. I’ve met far too many writers who write the same book over and over and over and over…revising again and again…in the hopes that this book they’ve been working on, sometimes for years, is “the” one…. Read more »

Edward Hemingway and PIGEON & CAT

“Pigeon and Cat don’t have much, but what they do have matters more to them than any material possessions. Friendship. Creativity. Love.” I have the luck to know Eddie Hemingway, author and illustrator, who lives in Bozeman MT, my home town. And the luck to see F&Gs of his newest picture book, PIGEON & CAT… Read more »

How Long Does It Take to Write a Book?

I was having a conversation with some fellow book coaches recently when one of them described a client who was struggling. But the struggle wasn’t with plot or character or voice. It was with the idea that writing is a slow process, taking as long as it needs to take and sometimes a lot longer… Read more »

Writing and Reading Empathy

Not long ago I had the fantastic opportunity to listen to and then meet Jason Reynolds. Jason is the current US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and he was in Bozeman as part of a tour in this capacity and heading out to small, rural schools, three of which he visited in Montana. He’s… Read more »

Writing Craft Tips: Character

This week – older content on character. I hope it helps! Voice Voice is such an important aspect of character so here are a few of these posts: Voice and tone What is voice? Avoid headhopping Backstory Backstory is one of the key elements to creating a rich and compelling character: Character motivations and backstories… Read more »

Writing Craft Tips: Plot

This week I thought I’d give you a few links to older content regarding plot that still may be helpful for whatever you’re struggling with. Next week, I’ll link to the tons of content on building characters. Plot One of my most popular craft links is to this plot paradigm. It’s available for you to… Read more »

The Working Writer: Systems and Processes

As a “working writer”, I’m learning that it isn’t always about the craft. It isn’t always about the joy of creativity, much as we’d like it to be. Sometimes it’s about how to manage being creative in the face of all those other things on the to-do list. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned after… Read more »

Character or Plot: Which Comes First?

I’m a fan of the Marvel Universe. I find the dialogue snappy, I love the embedded humor, I enjoy the ridiculous costumes and sets, and even the not terribly well-hidden messages. But these mindless movies beg one serious writerly question: is the plot or the characters? Do we create plot-driven or character-driven stories and why?… Read more »

KidLit Bundle Ends Tonight!

Kidlit Writers – ICYMI! I contributed to this Infostack bundle because I think it’s an incredible deal. For $67, you have access to a wide assortment of inspiring materials, gathered from talented authors, to help you write your best book. Now, to sweeten the pot I’m adding to the deal: if you have bought this… Read more »

Now Something For Writers

Teachers please note that my big giveaway of 3 classroom sets of my picture book Volcano Dreams is still running, until midnight April 8. Comment below or in the previous post to enter!!   For Writers: A Bundle of Tools   This week, for you writers I’m also participating in an Infostack.io bundle.   Order… Read more »