I recently checked in with a writing client who feels stuck. She has three young kids, a full-time corporate writing job, has struggled with the aftereffects of a bout with Covid, and 2022 really kicked some dust in her path. All of this added up to a lack of creative energy (no surprise!) and I… Read more »
Great Books
Seven Books to Inspire Writers
From Dyslexic to Published Author
By the time our son was in middle school a lot of people had written him off. He was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in second grade, plus he was ADD. He took tests poorly, he had terrible grammar issues, and he couldn’t tell you the months of the year correctly in order. (Still… Read more »
How To Write Through Trauma
I think we can all agree that the times we are living in – really, for the past 6 years now – are traumatic. From polarization in politics, to the pandemic, to the increasing deleterious effects of climate change, and now to the very real threat of global war, we have the misfortune to be… Read more »
An Interview With Kathi Appelt
Newbery-honor-winning and National Book Award finalist Kathi Appelt is not only an author whose work I admire, she’s also a wonderful person. I consider her a true friend and mentor (and I know I’m not alone) who is responsible for guiding my writing career from the very beginning. Kathi has two new books out, the compelling… 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 »
Kathi Appelt & THE UNDERNEATH: “Terrifying Beauty”
As a newbie writer, I had the great good fortune to move to the same Texas town where Kathi Appelt lives. When we met I was instantly struck by her generosity, not to mention her talent. She became my true mentor, encouraging me in all things including attending Vermont College of Fine Arts. It was… Read more »
Be Kind
When my son was younger I told him that he should keep two words in mind as he went out in the world: be nice. Now I would change those words to be kind. There’s nothing wrong with nice. My mother would have used the word correct. (Which is one reason I’ve come to dislike… Read more »
“November 8th”: The Dance of Ordinary and Extraordinary
Anne Nesbet’s historical novel, CLOUD AND WALLFISH, about the Berlin Wall is receiving wide acclaim, including a Horn Book starred review. “In an intricately plotted novel full of espionage and intrigue, friendship and family, Anne Nesbet cracks history wide open and gets right to the heart of what it feels like to be an outsider… Read more »
Page Through The Parks: Tour’s End!
In this last Page Through The Parks post, a reminder that we have some giveaways. I’m giving away 3 copies of my YA novel FAITHFUL here. Liz Garton Scanlon is giving away 3 copies of her picture book IN THE CANYON here, and Barb Rosenstock is giving away 3 copies of her picture book THE… Read more »
Page Through The Parks: Yosemite!
I’ve never been to Yosemite National Park. This is something I’m longing to remedy. In the meantime, I can live vicariously, along with all of you, through Barb Rosenstock’s THE CAMPING TRIP THAT CHANGED AMERICA. This lovely picture book, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein, tells the story of how John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt saved an… Read more »