What’s in a name? I’ve been thinking about names lately – character names, place names, book titles. Connotations are important. The right name can generate emotional responses, can elicit visceral reactions. When I was writing THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE, I wanted to come up with a name for my castle, something that created… Read more »
The Writing Life
Words Have Power
The Author World, Part 2
Let’s talk stats Hopefully from the previous post you have a general idea of why most authors aren’t rich and what happens once a book is written. Here are a few more things I’d like to add. I’m going to be personally open and honest here, because I think it might be helpful for both… Read more »
The Author World: How It Works
Many times when I’m talking with folks who are not authors and have no connection to the world of publishing (other than reading – but, yay you readers!) I realize that the arcane publishing model is not understood. This isn’t surprising (note the word “arcane”). For one thing, most lay people think authors are rich,… Read more »
Announcements
I’m truly delighted to be able to announce that VOLCANO DREAMS has been shortlisted for the Reading The West Award of the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association. The books on this list in all categories are stellar, so it’s particularly gratifying to find my debut picture book in such company. Voting is open to… Read more »
Managing Your Stuff, Part 3
All that paper!! We are drowning in paper. Unwanted mail flyers (admittedly a lot better than it was right before the November election, but just wait a year), multiple catalogues, cards we can’t throw out, etc. etc. Here’s the good news. Paper is the most recyclable of all products. But the kicker is, we have… Read more »
On Shedding Light In Dark Corners
Lately I think we all have felt confronted (if not bludgeoned) by humanity’s darker nature. Between what we hear in the news to what we read online to the inexplicable horror of mass murder to the cruel taunting and trolling that pervades social media it’s hard to believe in pure human goodness. As an author… Read more »
On Ethics
This blog post will stray a little bit from usual subjects and into current events but bear with me. Or don’t. That’s okay, too. As an author of books for children – and as a mother, and a former teacher – I feel a particular responsibility toward representing ethical and moral behaviors. When I write… Read more »
Existential
Existential crisis: a time when one questions whether their life has value, and whether that value transcends life itself. About six weeks ago I contracted a bacterial infection that landed me in the hospital for eight days with another five weeks of serious follow-up. During the early, medically-induced-spacy hours of this trial, I honestly thought… Read more »
A Fun and Informative Writing Conference in Montana!
You’re invited to come to Montana for our Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators “Writing Forward Progress” Conference on October 13 – 15 in Billings, Montana! It’s a beautiful time of year here in the mountains – October is my favorite month. Billings is a short drive away from Yellowstone Park, and the airport has great… Read more »
How To Aid Hurricane Harvey Folks
The amazing Kate Messner has once again launched KidLitCares, in order to benefit those who have suffered through Hurricane Harvey along the Gulf Coast. A huge number of authors and illustrators and their agents and editors – almost 200 total! – have offered services to those who make a tax-deductible donation to the American Red… Read more »