i am become ya

CONFESSION: I’ve started maybe a half-dozen posts since the beginning of the year, and haven’t finished any of them. The importance of what I had to say fizzled out in the face of walk-around-life ANGST and DRAMA. Calm down. We are all healthy and free on bond. Oh, fine. There were no incidents of any [...]

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i was so excited to post this i forgot to title it

LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON Gave an amazing talk about writing, and her new book, Forge. You people know I am a Flippin’ Fiend. But you don’t put a writer’s standard talk on your blog so she can’t give it again. What I CAN post, are a few answers to some questions… First, hold on to your [...]

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how to dress for success

So I went shopping yesterday with my BFF from the old days, when I was in the PTA and had to pretend I was a pillar of the community. We ended up snagging my Kansas SCBWI Conference toggery. It was a tussle. Seems the word “conference” confused the stuffing out of my non-children’s-writer friend. I [...]

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writing, friends, and jealousy

What happens when your friends become famous? Been reading some posts about writer jealousy, etc. I don’t have that problem. I suppose I would if I felt like my friends and acquaintances didn’t deserve their successes, but they all do. They are talented and have  worked hard for what they’ve achieved. I know some pretty [...]

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hearing your own voice

It took me a while to find my voice.  In writing, I mean.  Let’s not go all melodramatic.  People hate that. I’m in the gooey middle of an experiment called Tweet Mystery of Death.  It’s a 6-week “play” of sorts on Twitter.  A critique buddy of mine identified the character I play without my telling [...]

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writers! call ‘em like ya see ‘em

Ever have somebody read your manuscript and sniff,  “Oh, no parent would do that to their child.” Well, sister, have you got room for one more in West  Saccharin Valley?  Because out here on planet Earth, parents DO THAT,  and much, much worse.  And here’s the filthy little secret: They’re doing it right next door. [...]

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