My year as a children's author
Maggie's Monkeys was released a year ago today, so this seems like a good time to look back on my experience as the author of a children's book. It's been one of the best things that has ever happened...
View ArticleImpossible dreams
Last week Elana Roth at Caren Johnson Literary Agency wrote a blog post she called The Picture Book Problem. Kudos to her for taking on a tough subject. She outlined just how tight the picture book...
View ArticleA Boone for kids' books
I don't read much John Grisham. So I'm not an expert in his usual style. But I just read the first chapter of the first book in his new series for kids, Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer. (The chapter is...
View ArticleSocial studies
I guess it should come as no surprise, but I find that I'm not typical in my social media habits. I've known that for a while --I first got clued in when I realized no one else follows my rule that I...
View ArticleDream of Night
Congratulations to Heather Henson on the publication of Dream of Night, which releases today from Atheneum. Once full of promise and life, now lost in the shadows of abuse. This is Dream of Night’s...
View ArticleChildren's books and life lessons
One of my friends shared her copy of Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Children's Book with our writing group this week. I'd heard about the book, but hadn't seen it. Anita Silvey, a former...
View ArticleTaking on hard topics
I stumbled on an interesting juxtaposition of books while browsing at the library a few days ago. I happened to pick up Sparrow Girl by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. It's a...
View ArticleThere's always room
These two books came out within a few months of each other. I don't know if the publishers knew of the other book or were surprised by the coincidence, but they do go to the point that there is always...
View ArticleMarcelo and me, in the real world
One thing about relying on the library for most of my reading material is that I hardly ever read books close to their release date. (Another thing is that I don't contribute to authors' royalties, but...
View ArticleBook release, Hooray!
Congratulations to my friend Linda Leopold Strauss on her new book, Preschool Day Hooray! Here's a quick sample: "Hi to teacher, Coat on hook. Run to shelf And find a book. Painty hands and Gooey glue....
View ArticleStory behind the story: Preschool Day Hooray!
Linda Leopold Strauss is the author of numerous books for children, including A Fairy Called Hilary and The Princess Gown. She is also a good friend and writing critic who has taught me a lot about...
View ArticleThe dangers of writing by default
I don't recall what got me thinking about this recently, but the subject of challenging your assumptions in writing for children has been on my mind. Challenging your assumptions is an important...
View ArticleThe awful truth about signings
For a little comic relief, authors and book fans, check out this way-too-true video about author signings. I haven't done many but know this is how it is even for pretty successful authors.
View ArticleTime for reading and the state of YA publishing
I've had the tremendous luxury over the past few weeks of having had time to read. (Part very welcome, from being on vacation, and part enforced by having thrown out my back. Not so welcome.) I...
View ArticleI make stuff up
I have this great t-shirt given to me by a friend who's also a writer. It says, "I MAKE STUFF UP" right across the chest. Nothing else on the shirt but that. It's fun to wear, because it starts...
View ArticleThe freedom of restrictions
I find the question of how the discipline of a tight structure can be freeing for your writing an interesting one. Nothing I've read lately brings that issue into focus better than Crossing Stones by...
View ArticleStay with me
First, an indulgence: Today is the one-year anniversary of this blog. I've had fun doing it and learned a lot, but it's been lots of work too. I don't know how long I'll keep it up, but it seems like a...
View ArticleI changed the look
What do you think? I'm having trouble with elements fitting into the column widths in this template but it's kind of fun to change things around. Especially since I'm not allowed to rearrange furniture...
View ArticleI write like... him?
The website I Write Like measures your prose against famous writers. You paste in a sample of your writing and it tells you which writer you write like. It's been distracting all kinds of writers this...
View ArticleParting ways with your writing group
Can there come a time when even a good writing group isn't good for your writing life? I've been wondering if any other writers ask themselves that. Whether and how others decide to part ways with...
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