As someone who also does a daunting amount of research for my books, I completely relate to Rob Sanders’ experiences, shared below. Not only do we writers need to answer the question of why a certain story matters, we have to figure out how it matters to our young readers. I love the way Rob… Read more »
Three of my all-time favorite books have been written by one author: Susan Hill Long. I first met Sue through her historical novel, Whistle in the Dark, which I devoured on a train trip home from Portland, Oregon and which I thought was nearly brilliant. Then I read her Magic Mirror which was brilliant. We… Read more »
What a pleasure it is to once again host Nancy Churnin here at Friend Friday. Today we are celebrating her newest picture book, Martin and Anne: The Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Anne Frank, illustrated by Yevgenia Nayberg (Creston Books/Lerner Books). One of the great joys of being a writer is… Read more »
As a Leo and a firstborn, I can be a bit bossy at times. I even remember bossing today’s guest, Kevan Atteberry, around at an SCBWI International conference. He had not brought his portfolio and was regretting it. I told him to have it Fed-Exed. . .and he did! While his subsequent success has had… Read more »
I’m doing something a tiny bit different for the next few weeks; instead of shining the spotlight on friends’ new books, I’m going to shine a spotlight on readers. (If that’s not your thing, be sure to come back Friday, December 30 for a guest post written by the amazing Nikki Grimes!). A dad in… Read more »
There are too many children’s authors I need to sit down and have a cup of coffee (or in this case, tea) with and talk books. Cheryl Blackford is one of them! I am heading out right now to get Lizzie and the Lost Baby! In his workshops, Donald Maas often asks writers to find one… Read more »
My mother in law turns 91 today. Think about this: she was born in 1924 on a poultry farm in northwest Washington State, the oldest of Myron (Mike) and Dorothy Hawley’s three children. In a time when girls were encouraged to get married asap, Kelly had different ideas. She attended Pacific Lutheran University — making… Read more »
“The fault-finding will find faults even in Paradise. Love your life.” Henry David Thoreau
Today would’ve been my father-in-law’s 95th birthday. Ted Larson was about the kindest man I have ever met. When I first whispered aloud my dream to be a writer, it was Ted who brought home a spare IBM Selectric (self correcting!) from his office for me. I will never forget that vote of confidence. He… Read more »