Monthly Archives: October 2009

Are you getting tired of alliteration? I think I am. : So Janet Reid posted this musical link (if you don’t read her, you need to), and it’s brilliant. Like flat-out, like Bobby McFerrin is cooler than cool, like humans … Continue reading →

In whatever I’m writing, characters are always driving the bus. If I don’t have a handle on my character, nothing goes very far. Names are one of the ways I get in touch with my character–a name says a lot, … Continue reading →

Scholastic has these big Book Fairs, right? My kid gets one in his school every fall and spring. Scholastic is refusing to stock Lauren Myracle’s latest book, Luv Ya Bunches, because there is gay-friendly content (one character has two moms). … Continue reading →

It’s that time again . . . this fortune-writing contest will be open until next Friday, October 30, at midnight. Tell your family! Tell your friends! Tell book people! The prize this time: a fantabulous copy of JAKE RILEY, IRREPARABLY … Continue reading →

Look what Kelly Berkey made me! She works where I work, and she’s an amazing jewelry designer. She can customize a charm for you, too–check out her Etsy store as well as her blog. What a sweet, kind gift–and totally … Continue reading →

This blog post is late, yes indeedy. Please forgive me. Internet connections have been brief and/or sketchy. OK, so, in no particular order, here are the top five things I learned while I was on my barnstorming book tour of … Continue reading →

Dun dun DUN! Morgan is revisiting the scenes of her crimes this week while I visit my hometown high school, a neighboring high school, and the high school of my favorite teacher. If anyone’s interested, there are also book stores … Continue reading →

This is a picture of my dear friend Al and his goddess Kathy Griffin. Al was # 710 (his friend Marissa was #711) in the line to have his book signed, in a Borders in the Loop of Chicago. Kathy … Continue reading →

I’ve seen a little chat about this in the blogosphere, and I don’t know if other writers do this, but my books definitely have soundtracks. I can’t live a day without music–I know that sounds like exaggeration, and it is, … Continue reading →

I am at a conference, for media specialists in K-12. Not so many people are interested in an edgy YA novel. So I’m in a public library, sitting next to a guy who’s probably a little bit wasted (he smells … Continue reading →