July 20, 2010
Look at old editions of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, or any number of books from earlier eras and the cover illustrations make it clear from the outset that they don’t pander to girls at all. They […]
July 1, 2010
I love the story that I’m writing, but I often worry that I don’t have the talent to do it justice. Every time that thought really begins to gnaw at my enthusiasm, I remind myself […]
June 21, 2010
Have any of you tried blogging or tweeting on behalf of one of your characters? I’ve started writing a Tumblr for Rowena, my protagonist’s love interest, who lives in a place that can access (and be […]
June 6, 2010
Boys need and deserve books addressed specifically to them, to overcoming the fears or 'monsters' that bedevil them. For what are great stories if not a vicarious exploration of one's deepest darkest fears, vanquished by an unlikely but ultimately worthy hero?
June 3, 2010
During tonight’s #ScribeChat we’re discussing how to edit your manuscript, and one of my bibles for self-revision is a wonderful book by Elizabeth Lyon, MANUSCRIPT MAKEOVER, in which she states that: “Understanding and reflecting dramatic […]
June 3, 2010
It’s the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. Chetham Library in Manchester, England, was founded in 1653 for the education of “the sons of honest, industrious and painful parents”.
June 1, 2010
I went into Borders with my 21-year old son yesterday. He stood beside me, shoulders hunched, hands in pockets, as I perused the YA shelves to see who’s getting the prime shelf space and why—a […]
May 30, 2010
“Steampunkery: Why are today’s teens embracing 19th-century technologies?” Moderator: Cory Doctorow, Author Panelists: Authors Scott Westerfeld and Cherie Priest; Karen Grenke, Library Manager NYPL and fan girl * Grab your headphones for the best sound […]
May 29, 2010
I’m on a heinous self-inflicted deadline, having promised to deliver my manuscript to my Long-Suffering Agent (LSA) on June 24th. So, of course, now that I’ve given myself no room for mishaps, the gods are […]
May 28, 2010
I have a huge office at the front of my apartment with two desks and everything a writer could want in the way of printers and colourful necessities from stationery shops. So why do I […]
May 18, 2010
This morning I started thinking about which book to write next, which means I’m closing in on the end of my current one, at last. Will I approach the next one differently? You bet. Writing […]