Thank you, nErDCamp Kansas!

Dear Friends: (organizers, teachers, and creators): What a day! Thank you so much for including me in this day of learning, networking, inspiration, and FUN. Thank you for inviting me into a community of like-minded thinkers. Of people who care deeply about literacy, and also kids, the world, the environment, our hearts. Thank you for…

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More than Halfway to Happily Ever After

Writers, Here she is. My fairy godmother. From the “Leslie Ann Warren” Cinderella. Ever since watching Celeste Holm wave her wand, I have always loved fairy godmothers. Because kids ALWAYS ask me WHY she made such a huge impression, I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Here’s what I’ve come up with: She had the…

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Random thoughts on the struggle…and how to embrace it.

In Beyond Lucky, my main character, Ari Fish, believes something that I believe, too: Life is a sine wave. There are good days. There are bad days. You get good news. You get bad news. Basically, you have to learn to roll with it. To not count on luck. To believe in yourself. And keep…

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From my newsletter: Writing Novels For Young People Retreat 2018

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. -Milton Berle Dear Writers, This weekend was the Writing Novels for Young People Retreat at VCFA. Cindy Faughnan and I have been planning and running this event for many years. This is the place and event where I practiced. I learned. I made friends. I became a teacher….

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The Future is Female: A conversation at AWP

This week, I am writing from the AWP conference in Tampa, Florida. I have been looking forward to this conference for a long time, mostly because of my two panels: one about a topic I write about all the time: protecting your joyful, creative heart in an angry world full of distractions. The other was…

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Meet Kate Olson!

Dear Writers, Choosing a reader for your WIP is one of the most important steps you can take in your writing journey. As you know, I love this work. And I love meeting people who also love this work, who love the process of breaking down story and helping writers take the next step. And…

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Get to know my new friend, Emmie Enchanted!

Hi Writers! One of the best–if not THE BEST–part of writing a book FOR KIDS is meeting and talking to ACTUAL KIDS. I have learned so much visiting schools and listening to what kids have to say about school, reading, and creativity. Kids give me HOPE. They share the sparkle! They help each other. And…

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Happy New Year!!!

Dear Writers, Let’s start this new year with three quotes from Thick Nhat Hanh: There is no way to happiness – happiness is the way. Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. The most precious gift we can offer others is our…

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The Power of Words

Dear Writers, Yesterday, on Twitter, I recommended reading @thelivbits’s recent post on words that define the year. I love Liv!!! She gives me ALL THE FEELS. I also love her mission and her drive. Also: I love challenges like this. I like thinking this way. I like seeing what other people write. After reading her…

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Character Building Exercises: from NCTE2017, Our Mighty Girls Panel

Hi Writers and Teachers! Character is the foundation of story! The following exercises can help you understand all your characters–from the POV character to the antagonist and ally–all from the inside out! Please feel free to share with friends! And let us know if they work for you! WHO ARE YOU? Divide participants into pairs….

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