"The idea of writing prose about deeply personal topics opens a can of worms. Does writing about our trauma help heal it, or is it simply what Hemingway referred to as 'public whining?' Is it appropriate for the author to send their deep thoughts into the stratosphere, and potentially profit from them? And what if - God forbid - the subject matter discovers the poem?"
Author Spotlight: Susan Maupin Schmid
"This month's spotlighted author loves libraries, magical books, and dresses. Need I say more? Susan Maupin Schmid is the author of the 100 Dresses series. The first book, If The Magic Fits, follows Darling Dimple, a worker in the palace who discovers a closet full of magical dresses..."
Author Spotlight: Chris Grabenstein
"Our June spotlighted author is the mastermind behind the Lemoncello series, co-author of I Funny, and more, as well as someone who has worked with Robin Williamson and has a cat named Phoebe Squeak. Who is this fabulously creative person whose apartment was featured in the New York Times, you ask? Well, he's..."
How to Create the Ultimate Writing Space
"Today I thought I would walk you through what my writing environment looks like and a few things that help me get typing. Everyone functions differently...This is just what I like, but I hope you'll gain a few new tips by reading this. Go ahead and comment down below what type of environment inspires you!"
"Alyson Gerber is the critically acclaimed author of books BRACED, FOCUSED, and now TAKING UP SPACE. Her novels follow middle-grade heroines adapting to scoliosis, ADHD, disordered eating, and more. Her books have created a safe haven for millions of readers - young and old - who see reflections of themselves within the pages. Alyson Gerber's newest book, TAKING UP SPACE, is a powerful novel about Sarah, a middle school girl, and Sarah's experiences with disordered eating."
My Favorite Character Names
"Choosing character names is one of my favorite parts of writing! Here is a list of ten names I love. I've included the meaning of the name and what genre I think it best fits. On a few of them, I've listed a few traits I thought of when I heard it. Hopefully, this post will help you find the perfect name to match your character's disposition or give you a boost of creativity!"
Author Spotlight: Alan Gratz
"Alan Gratz is the author of the ever popular books Grenade, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, Refugee, and more!... Read on to hear him answer questions about advice, research, and everything an aspiring novelist needs to know."
"Joanna Rakoff is the award-winning novelist, poet, and freelance journalist who penned the memoir My Salinger Year that has readers and critics alike raving. Her beautifully written memoir is not of the trashy tell-all material. Instead, she has given us an artful coming-of-age tale that appeals to all generations."
A Step-by-Step Plan For Getting Over Writing Rejection
"So let's say you submitted a piece of writing to one of those magazines. You heard back and you're so excited. You start envisioning showing all of your friends and family members your writing in a real live magazine. Then you open up the envelope or click on the email and read..."
My Top Writing Books
"We first learned to string words together by listening to others speak. Then we read books and discovered which phrases rolled off our tongues. By this time, you've probably experimented yourself with developing characters, establishing conflict, and sketching out a plot. By reading writing books, authors can refine their craft."
