It is such a pleasure to host Dan Gemeinhart today; after all, we are practically neighbors, with only a tiny mountain range separating us in Washington state. Dan and I are both published by Scholastic AND we each had books nominated for the Washington State Book Award (his Some Kind of Courage took home the… Read more »
I am so honored to call Dana Sullivan a friend. His irrepressible humor and good-naturedness not only make him a great guy to be around, they make him a great writer and illustrator. He shares his talents with our Western Washington SCBWI, chairing the twice-yearly Inside Story event, teaches illustration classes and, of course, creates… Read more »
Serendipitously, Laura Purdie Salas and I were seated next to one another at a Golden Kite luncheon a few years back. Though we’d just met, I cheered loudly for her honor award in the poetry division. As someone who loves to read poetry but is flummoxed by the writing of it, I have delighted in… Read more »
One month ago today, my dad slipped away for his tee time in heaven, surrounded by nearly all of his family (we’re talking 4 kids plus spouses, nine grandkids plus spouses, ten great grands, and one devoted wife). We’ve now celebrated his life with a room overflowing with people he’d touched — and teased!… Read more »
I had such a lovely time in the CyFair school district this past week. The students were prepared and engaged, some asking me questions that really kept me on my toes! Each day, the hosting librarian complimented me on my presentations, sharing how much the kids got out of them. The honest truth is that… Read more »
There are so many kind and generous people in the kidlit community, and I would say Caroline Starr Rose is near the top of the list. She is so self-effacing that I nearly did not recognize her when she sat next to me at nErD Camp MI this summer! It was sheer joy to spend… Read more »
“You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts because if you write with someone looking over you shoulder, you’ll never write.” Nikki Giovanni
I first “met” Jane Kurtz through her beautiful River Wild. Some years later, I was lucky enough to meet her person and embrace her as a true friend. I am so pleased to host her today in honor of her latest book, Planet Jupiter (Greenwillow Books). Dear friends, please “meet” Jane Kurtz. Is there any question… Read more »
“Many times, what people call ‘writer’s block’ is the confusion that happens when a writer has a great idea, but their writing skill is not up to the task of putting that idea down on paper. I think that learning the craft of writing is critical.” Pearl Cleage
“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won’t. Habit is persistence in practice.” Octavia E. Butler