In fiction as in life, change (plot action) is often driven by pain. In children’s fiction, the child herself is in pain and/or she is trying to lift someone else’s pain. Pain comes in many forms. Neglect is a common one: it sometimes doesn’t look so bad, but beneath the surface, the […]
We all judge books by their covers, in spite of the saying cautioning us not to. A book’s cover attracts us, or it does not—we pick the book up, or we don’t. Sometimes a cover redesign can mean the difference between success and anonymity for the author.
I’ve found a book that is truly magnificent—and […]
I’m hitting the road this week!
I’m off to Eastern Washington—Kennewick, to be exact. If you don’t know, that’s in what’s known in-state as “the tri-cities” area. It’s actually in Southeastern Washington, just over the Oregon border, beside the Columbia River. My husband is coming with me for the 8 (or so) hour […]
I hear weekly book reviews can feel like an onslaught from your end. While there’s no need for you to keep up with my reading list, I’m thankful for the feedback—I’ll try to mix it up a bit more.
How about a behind the scenes look at writer artist collaboration? I’ve been asked about it: […]
Talk about a beloved children’s story! This one’s a classic…
When a well-loved book wears out at the library, providing it still enjoys frequent circulation, it gets reordered—and for a time it enjoys “New Book” status. I frequent the “New Books” shelf in the children’s section looking for fresh yummy books to recommend to you. […]
Today I bring you My Diary from the Edge of the World, by Jodi Lynn Anderson. It’s a story about trying to protect those you love at all costs. It’s a perilous journey mapping where love can take you, for better and for worse, when faced with the threat of loss.
Here’s the summary:
Paperback now available on Amazon
I’ve been exploring and sharing different ways authors engage their readers. Today let’s bring in mystique and intrigue.
Fantasy is a genre perfectly situated for mystique and intrigue. Magical beings, other worlds, magical powers—they all have that unique draw that I’m calling “intrigue.”
The Curse of the […]
Boy, do I have a treat for you! The Merry Band poster, the one of all the girls, is here and it’s yours for free! I love all the character posters, but it gives me special delight to give you this one.
Creative collaboration is one on my favorite things. Some creative endeavors are […]
One of the challenges a writer faces is how to gain the attention of her reader and hold it throughout an entire story. It sounds easy enough, but it’s no easy feat. I’ve been learning, as I read other authors, about different ways this can be effectively done.
Today’s reading recommendations highlight […]
One of the details of my real life that influences my storytelling is a history of moving a lot as a child, and an exposure to cultures other than my own. I attended first grade at an American school in Kabul, Afghanistan (during a peaceful era), and I spent my senior year in high school […]
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