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 […]
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 […]
Last week I posted news that I’m writing a blog from the point of view of one of my characters, which garnered a fair amount of interest, especially as an exercise in finding your character’s […]
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 […]
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?
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 […]
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”.
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]