Monthly Archives: December 2009

I mentioned it before, somewhere back in the early gifts, but I’ll say it again: one of the best gifts writing YA novels has brought to me is laughter. Buckets full of laughter. Backyards full of laughter. Snowbanks full of … Continue reading →

There is nothing better than flipping the bird at someone (metaphorical or otherwise), and teenagers are way better at it than grown-ups are. We tend to remember the consequences, so that gets in our way (for better or worse). But … Continue reading →

YA romance is a ton of fun to write. But it’s also mysterious and challenging, because my flirting days are long over (though we still try). I do love digging deep into the recesses of my brain and finding that … Continue reading →

This post reveals a great mystery. Or not. In my silly YA world, the 4 Emotions of the Apocalypse are anger, sadness, anxiety, and love. I believe them to be the secrets gift of YA. I haven’t heard anyone talk … Continue reading →

I’d better pick up the pace on the gifts, huh? I’m running out of month! Grading has kicked my ass out of the blogosphere. In any case, two gifts this time. First: watching. I’ve always been a people-watcher, and (like … Continue reading →

Blog friends, today is Agent Love Day, as declared by a few authors who love their agent. Since that is me, too, I wanted to share in the joyousness. My agent is Amy Tipton of Signature Literary Agency. She is … Continue reading →

This post could be eight years long (see that crowd to the left?) if I gave everyone the love they deserve, but I’m opting for the shorter version: YA peeps are tops of the top, no contest. During my book … Continue reading →

My frabjously fantastic Flux publicity friends are running a contst this week to win TWO signed copies of my book! Need a holiday present for a teen–or for yourself? All you have to do is write a fortune. But make … Continue reading →

Related to the first post, yes, but worthy of its own: John Hughes managed to capture the beauty and beastliness of being a teenager better than anyone (for me) on the planet. Granted, he also captured *my* teenage years, so … Continue reading →

BEST. GIFT. EVER. Seriously–I can watch John Hughes movies (research), or SUPERBAD (research) and take YouTube recommendations from my students (research), like “I’m On a Boat” and “Dick in A Box” (OMFG ROFLMAO), plus I can curse and wear Chuck … Continue reading →