Friend Friday

Boy oh boy, am I happy to host Linda Urban today. We met eons ago at a writing retreat facilitated by then editor Linda Zuckerman, both unpublished but eager to learn. She is a peach of a person and a terrific writer. I am particularly taken with how she can, in her novels, evoke character… Read more »

Perhaps you haven’t noticed, but I’ve been quiet this summer. Hard to blog when a son gets married, parents celebrate a 62nd wedding anniversary, a granddaughter turns three, book deadlines loom and there’s yucky stuff to manage on top of all that good. But then again, nearly every summer, I’ve gone quiet here, taking time off to ponder… Read more »

Friend Friday

I love this weekly opportunity to celebrate my fellow book creators’ new work. Sometimes I know the friend I’m hosting well; sometimes, we’re friends in the making. Though I’ve never met Carol Ekster, I’m glad to begin our acquaintance here! “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the change it has… Read more »

Friend Friday

Mary Casanova and I bonded over weddings and second hand shops when we first met in Warrensburg, Missouri, several years back. I doubt that Mary has ever met a stranger: we became fast friends in an instant. She is warm, and kind, has an infection laugh and a grand gift for writing. One of my… Read more »

Friend Friday

What a pleasure it is to host Cynthia Kennedy Henzel today! We met some time back, at an SCBWI conference in Arizona, when this book was but a gleam in her brain’s eye. (I might be exaggerating a tiny bit here.) In the short years since, she has not only polished this manuscript, it is… Read more »

Friend Friday

So many times, I’ve hosted people on Friend Friday but have never met them. I did get to meet today’s guest at a terrific SCBWI conference in Sacramento at the beginning of May. In fact, I was given the opportunity to critique a new manuscript of hers! And since Elizabeth Varadan and I share a… Read more »

Friend Friday

Can I say “thrilled” about today’s guest post? Not only is the kind, generous and forward thinking Laurie Thompson in the house, but she is bringing along my favorite illustrator who has shaked (shooken?) Roy Rogers’ hand: Paul Schmid. You are in for too much fun, including a giveaway so pay attention.   In honor of… Read more »

Friend Friday

How much fun to host a fellow historic fan today! Please welcome Rob Skead; I know you are going to love his inspirational story.   My father never ceases to amaze me. Several years ago, while doing genealogy research, he discovered that we had an ancestor, Lamberton Clark, who fought in the American Revolution. My… Read more »

Teacher Tuesday

Welcome to Monica Hodges, fellow Washingtonian, and teacher librarian! Thanks for playing along. Let’s dive right in: Please fill in the blank: You should never read and (blank) at the same time. You should never read and drive at the same time, but I have seen people try to do it.  If you were invited… Read more »

I am so thrilled to have Jen Ferguson, a 7th grade teacher from St. Louis, Missouri, as my guest today. My maternal grandfather was born in that state so I have a special fondness for all Missourians. So, Jen, let’s get going! Please fill in the blank: You should never read and (blank) at the… Read more »