This is where all my books begin. With a story I have got to tell–an idea I’ve got to discuss–a character that won’t let me forget him. As I get ready to start a new project, I always begin thinking about the ideas/stories/people/images that won’t leave me alone. If something interests me, there is…
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Yoga Wisdom
The advice I have needed to hear most in 2013 finally felt doable in class today: Check your ego at the door. also known as Leave your head outside the hot room. also known as Let go of what you can’t control. This year, I’ve worked hard this year to not worry about…
Gratitude
The other day, my son, the baby, the newest college boy, invited me to spend the afternoon at the art museum. He wanted to see the “Art and Appetite” exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago. (It’s wonderful.) After we enjoyed the galleries, we decided to get a snack. Two men with paper cups sat…
Happy Thanksgivukkah!!!!!
Holy Crazy Calendars! This year, we will experience the strange convergence of the Chanukkah and Thanksgiving holidays. Normally, at Thanksgiving, my family eats a lot. We watch football. We donate to the soup kitchen. And we each state what we are grateful for. Then we each thank the other people at the table for specific…
Pen to paper
As much as I love cut and paste, scrivener, and all the other electronic toys in my writer’s toolbox, the part that always reveals that last layer…is when I put pen (or pencil) to paper. That is where I am now. I have a revised draft. I printed it. And now I’m reading…with a…
Nanowrimo Dos and Don’ts…..
Are you in? Yes or no, here are my dos and don’ts for writing FAST. **Discipline is important, but don’t forget to be realistic! (Also: forgive yourself when you mess up.) Make goals you can keep. Look forward to your writing time. Write what amuses or interests you. Don’t set goals you know you can’t…
What are you doing this weekend?
I’m speaking at SCBWI Wisconsin’s annual conference. My lecture is called NO MORE SUBPAR SUBPLOTS, and it’s one of my favorite lectures. Giving this lecture has helped me understand subplot and how to do it right. So I’m really excited! I’m also excited because I have never been to Madison, WI, and I have heard…
Yoga wisdom
Thank you to my yogi at Bikram Yoga in Evanston for talking about focus. (I think we were all having a hard time today.) She talked about her own struggles with housekeeping. How it is so hard to feel like you are accomplishing anything if you go from one small task to another. Her…
Guest post links
It’s been a busy week!!!! This week, I posted on Through the Tollbooth and on Uma Krishnaswami’s blog. Here are the links! The first, about my first, bravest teacher is on www.throughthetollboth.com and if you want to see my connectivity chart, check the second, on plot. To look forward, start by looking back.
End censorship.
Last week, I read about a number of books being banned or challenged by adults who it seems, had not even read the books. In a world where we let people walk around with guns, where we think there is nothing we can do to curb violence, I have to ask: What are you…