Shortly after GET ORGANIZED WITHOUT LOSING IT came out in 2006 I was asked to participate in a live drive-time radio interview. The interviewer and callers clearly didn’t know that the book was for kids, as I very quickly realized that these adult callers were asking about their own problems with too much stuff. One… Read more »
Janet Fox
Managing Your Stuff, Part 2
Managing Your Stuff
The original working title for GET ORGANIZED WITHOUT LOSING IT back in 2005 was “Where’s My Stuff?” “Stuff” is the first thing we think of when we think about becoming organized, because that’s what surrounds us and threatens to drown us day in and day out. I found two rules of stuff management that work… Read more »
Resolutions 2019: Get Organized!
Ok, yes, it’s February, and you’re probably already feeling guilty about those New Year’s resolutions. But in my view February is an even better month to change something up. The weather’s lousy, the kids are in school, the decorations are put away…and now nobody’s judging you. As creatives – or librarians or teachers or parents… Read more »
Writing Craft Books For Your Gift List
Tis the season…and if you are needing last-minute suggestions for either your own stocking or a fellow writer’s, here are my current favorites. Donald Maass, Writing The Breakout Novel Workbook. This has long been my very favorite craft book. Clearly written, with excellent examples and terrific exercises at the end of every chapter, if you… Read more »
“Best Of”…Writing Advice
So many good books to celebrate this year! I’ve been following the “best of” lists, the successes of friends, the books that are making a difference in kids’ lives. I decided to make my own “best of” list, but not of books (for those, please see the CBC lists, and NPR’s list, among others. What… Read more »
The Graveyard Hook, Part 2
As our new group of middle grade authors who write spooky stories is about to launch our website – and come visit us at https://spookymiddlegrade.com/ – I’m finishing up our shared experiences with graveyards this week. I’ll only add that I’m still surprised to find myself writing such spooky/scary stuff, since I can’t watch spooky movies…. Read more »
The Graveyard Hook, Part 1
I’m delighted to report that a bunch of us middle grade authors who write “spooky” books – from the moody to the seriously scary (I’ve been told that The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle is seriously scary) – have joined together to form a group of Monstrously Good Middle Grade peeps. Very soon we’ll open… Read more »
VOLCANO DREAMS In The News
A busy time between the book launch for VOLCANO DREAMS, and finishing a companion novel to THE CHARMED CHILDREN (more about that in a future post). I’m pleased to say that VOLCANO DREAMS has been very popular, including scoring the #1 bestselling slot at Country Bookshelf in Bozeman. In addition, VOLCANO DREAMS has been featured… Read more »
VOLCANO DREAMS Giveaway For Teachers/Librarians
I’d like to announce a giveaway as part of the launch of VOLCANO DREAMS. You MUST be a teacher or librarian to enter. The prizes include: 2 hardcover copies of VOLCANO DREAMS for your classroom/library A “Volcano-Making Kit” A hard copy of my teacher’s guide to VOLCANO DREAMS Bookmarks for all your students A Yellowstone… Read more »
But It Doesn’t Look Like A Volcano!
In the last couple of posts I told you that when you are in Yellowstone, you are inside a volcano. But you wouldn’t know it. And that’s due mostly to one simple thing: erosional processes. The earth isn’t static. Gravity plays a huge role in how the earth looks, as do water and temperature fluctuations…. Read more »