Category Archives: writing life
That neurodivergent urge . . .
. . . and there are a zillion (including painting old pay phones, thanks NOLA), but here’s one that’s close to my heart: the urge to share something you love. So much of my work is about this desire, sharing … Continue reading
Ten years, one regret
Time goes amazingly fast, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s just me. My first novel, The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don’t Mind, came out in September 2009. My kid was 11. I’d been at my job for 10 … Continue reading
When art creates art, and YOU MEET THE ARTIST (omg!!)
The title doesn’t make it clear, but the book does: the title of WRECK is inspired by “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” a song written and performed by Gordon Lightfoot in 1976, about the shipwreck of the … Continue reading
The . . . disrespectful? . . . launch of WRECK
Launching WRECK has been unlike launching any other book in my career. Its subject matter is hard, and the book isn’t funny (I love writing funny books). But more than anything, its launch feels a way I can’t … Continue reading
Sometimes you write the book, sometimes the book writes you.
Writing is a funny thing. You’d think you’d be in control of the process, but sometimes you’re not. Sometimes the characters do or say things you’re not expecting. Sometimes the book goes in a direction you don’t expect (the … Continue reading
Hello! This is not a blog post. This is a declaration of no more blog posts. Welcome!
Nine years ago today (May 1), I found out SKY was going to be a Flux book. Suffice it to say (cheesy but true) my life changed that day. Writing young adult novels has been one of the best, hardest, … Continue reading
“Success:” a pep talk
I really dislike the word “success.” I am super not interested in having people measure my “success,” but it happens ALL THE TIME–it’s a service society offers for free, bless its heart. Of course, when you’re busting your … Continue reading
#MyWritingProcess blog tour
Friends! This week I’m participating in the #MyWritingProcess blog tour, and my friend and fellow writing group member Rachael Hanel got me involved in it. Thank you, Rachael! Side note: if you haven’t read We’ll Be The Last Ones To … Continue reading