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We all love secrets, right? The excitement of having a good secret, wanting to share it with someone we trust–and the fun of discovering a secret as well. Well now the Secret is out, and it’s Holly Cupala’s wonderful new book, TELL ME A SECRET. To find out all about it, take a look at […]
Edward Necalsulmer IV, gardens, gnomes, Jay Asher, Jordan Brown, Laini Taylor, Lisa Graff, Michael Bourret, Paul Rodeen, Peter Brown, Sara Crowe, SCBWI conference, Writing tips
One week ago Saturday, I stepped into a Story Garden. Immediately, like magic, roots grew down into the ground, connecting me to a rich substrata of writers, editors, agents, all with amazing stories to tell. As I wandered the Story Garden (known to some as the SCBWI Western Washington Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference) […]
Art exhibits, Doctors Without Borders, Fundraiser, grandchildren, Haiti
I received a special picture in the mail yesterday.Entitled The Cat, it was drawn by my five-year-old grandson Weston, who lives in Santa Fe. Anything that Weston draws is special.But this picture has particular significance. Weston created this picture in response to his Daddy, who has already raised over $7000 for DWB (Doctors Without Borders) […]
Aha moments, family reunions, Magic of Writing for Children, mirror images, snow goose, story beginnings, story endings
Okay, so I’ve promised to give some snapshots, some scenes, from the Amazing Family Reunion. One of the best echoes in my mind from that event is the moment my two adult sons, David and Michael, got their first look at each other after two years apart. In that two years, lots of things have […]
family reunion, plumbing, swimming, wasps, Writing tips
Putting the pieces together to make a Story
Okay, so I promised I’d fill you all in on the summer family reunion. True to my word, I did not write this summer, but still the story wove in and out as our family gathered here in my creaky old house with old plumbing. They came from Berlin, Germany, from Santa Fe, from San […]
Halloween, Mary Jane Beaufrand, Primavera, Seattle Bookfest, The River, Third Eye, Writing tips
Last Saturday I had the great joy of participating in the Northwest Bookfest, presenting a session with my writing buddy Mary Jane Beaufrand (author of PRIMAVERA, and the soon to be released THE RIVER.) Our topic for the session was “How do you get your ideas?” and I had the brilliant (last minute) idea of […]
Summer of the Family
Okay, I know this is heresy, but I am not writing this summer.This is my Summer of the Family.In exactly nine days, my beloved son Michael, his wife Christiane, and my almost year-old granddaughter Cecilia will arrive from Berlin, Germany to spend 5 weeks here with me in our home. While they are here, my […]
Chen, Feed the Genius, Holly Cupala, Janet Lee Carey, Justina, Kelly Sonnack, Krista Marino, Marketing tips, Molly Blaisdell, Nathan Bransford, SCBWI conference, Steven Malk, Writing tips
Tantalizing Tidbits from the Feast
Our Western Washington SCBWI conference is two weeks in the past now, and still some of the wonderful snippets of wisdom and tantalizing tips stick in my mind, and continue to to nourish me. I’ll not forget Nina Laden (ROMEOW AND DROOLIET) reminding us, “If you don’t make mistakes, you may not make anything.” And […]
children's writers, Frankenstein, monster, writing conference
Oh yes, I admit it was wonderful and scary at the same time.Our Western Washington SCBWI conference this weekend, that is.The joy! Bubbling, bursting all around us as 400 writers, illustrators, agents, editors, joined together in a Giant Monster Mash, to figure out together how we can do the very best books possible for kids. […]
Kid Lit party, Magic of Writing for Children, SCBWI, writing classes
Flying High at the Kid Lit Party.
Wow! Just got back from our Western Washington State SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Conference, and I am flying high! I feel like a balloon filled with helium, ready to soar. So many wonderful writers, editors, agents, all eager to share, each having a special gift to enrich us. The Kid Lit […]
A papier mache Pig
I’m back from Santa Fe, after a joyous visit with my four-year-old grandson Weston.Our main project while I was there? A papier mache pig.Weston always has a list of projects for us to do when I arrive, and the Pig Project was the one on top. We started with a pink balloon, fully inflated, and […]
On my Way to Santa Fe
I’m so glad that writing opportunities come in bursts at unexpected moments.I’m on my way to Santa Fe for an 8 day catch-up with my four-year old grandson Weston — the one who knows the meaning of onomatopoeia. (Okay, look it up, it’s a fun word all writers should know!) Weston is my soul mate–loves […]
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