Writing for a Deadline vs. Not
The view from my window for the next week.
I met Kate Jacobs twice in passing before she became my editor, but I only met her for real as my editor a week ago when I was out in Las Vegas for ALA. She’s a warm, fabulous person, and we had a lovely long talk together face to face. She asked at one point if she could do anything to help me with the first draft I’m writing for Vault of Dreamers Book 2, and I said she’d already helped.… Continue reading
The Librarians and One Reader
1. My first public library librarian in St. Paul, Minnesota handed me A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and whenever I went back to the library, I would start by finding that book on the shelf, my familiar cornerstone.
The UConn Library
2. When my middle school librarian urged me to browse, I discovered two things: George MacDonald’s The Light Princess and that I could find good books myself.
3. My high school librarian showed me how to use the subject, author, and title sections of the… Continue reading
On the Tender Care of Early Ideas
How’s your writing coming?
Oh, just fine, more or less, in a savage kind of way.
I know it doesn’t make much sense to talk about writing the sequel to The Vault of Dreamers when the first book isn’t even published yet, but such is the timetable of publishing that I am now writing the first draft of Book 2, and it reminds me so much of the first draft of Book 1 that I’ll use that as my excuse for bringing it up.
First drafts for me are ridiculous.… Continue reading
Agog, Bogus, Cusp
Let’s hear it for the little words.
I relish finding the perfect word for each idea, and I love reading books that tickle my delight in rich vocabulary. I find special pleasure in the little words, the gems of five letters or fewer that pack a wallop, and so, in honor of our common verve for language, I highlight 26 choice little words:
Hopkins gate at Williams College: little words, big ideas.
The Brave People
Washington GREYS on Breakneck Ridge Trail, Memorial Day 2014
A group of Washington GREYS military cadets was preparing to rappel down the face of a cliff at Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson Highlands State Park on Memorial Day. I cringed with vicarious fear and watched to be inspired. Then I remembered the military men and women of my family who have trained and served.
Why are some people brave? How can I be more like them?
When I write about courageous people like Gaia and Rosie, I test my own… Continue reading
That Happy Song
Tulsa Opera Debutante Ball, March 8, 2014
You know the one. “Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof. Happy-y-y-y!” This is the most absurd, happy lyric I’ve heard in a long time, and whenever I hear it, I have to smile. No choice. I picture a room without a roof and see blue sky above four generic walls and the goofiness of that visual trick delights me, too, like the top of my head has been lifted off. I feel it in my hair follicles. How’s… Continue reading
Ari & Milo, my serial novel, is now up on Wattpad! I drew illustrations to go with each chapter, and best of all, it’s free! Because of problematic themes, this novel is for mature readers age 17+.
Book Trailer for Promised