A few months ago I said I was writing a teen paranormal suspense novel, and I was. But I was having a lot of trouble finding the time and brain space to create something totally new. So I decided to put the new novel on the back burner for now (maybe until my baby is better at napping??) and focus… View Post
My baby is starting to talk, you guys! She’s eleven months old, and now, when she says “mama” and “dada,” we think she actually means us. She also says “wawa” for water, “crack-crack” for cracker, and she knows how to wave and say “hi.” We’re also pretty sure that “a-goya-goya-goya” is her way of saying “tickle.” It’s pretty exciting. So… View Post
Normally this time of year I write a post called “My Year in Books” in which I describe every single book I read in the past year. To be honest, I do it (at least in part) so I can brag. In 2016, for example, I read close to 60 books, which I think is brag-worthy. Well, no bragging this… View Post
The Great Children’s Literature Study: Holes by Louis Sachar Welcome to my new, regular feature in which I analyze great children’s literature. As a writer of children’s fiction myself, I need to study kidlit the way one might in school: look closely at the structure, the language, the characterization. Think about these great books, write about them, learn from them…. View Post
Are you writing autobiographical fiction? Recently I heard back from a literary agent who had requested my full manuscript: an upper middle grade contemporary that I wrote after reading some of my adolescent diaries. Here’s part of what the agent said: I was seriously getting flashbacks to my first relationships–dating in eighth/ninth grade was SO AWKWARD! You absolutely nail… View Post