Announcing THE CARREFOUR CURSE!

I have exciting news to share! Holiday House has purchased a third book from me, a spooky MG that I wrote in homage to a supernatural television show I fixated on as a small child — a show which is probably (definitely) responsible for my fascination with all...

Ireland Writer Tours

Next August, I’ll be leading a week-long writers conference in Ireland as part of Fiona Claire’s Ireland Writer Tours.  These conferences are unique in that they are part intensive writing classes and workshops – and part vacation. The itinerary includes private...

Suspension of Disbelief (Part 2)

Last week I talked about suspension of disbelief – the reader’s willingness to enjoy a fictional story as if the events are really occurring. This month I’m going to focus on speculative fiction. How do you introduce your reader to the fantastic elements in your book...

Suspension of Disbelief (Part 1)

Ahem. I’m cheating a little folks. This is a repeat of something I wrote for Project Mayhem, but since the audience for that blog and this one are *mostly* different, I thought it was worth posting here. My apologies to the few people who belong to the...

My Strategy: Never Leave the Next Page Blank

It’s been three weeks since I added any new words to my WIP. This is due to a number of reasons: teaching a writing class at a college, the recent death of my grandfather and the subsequent need to help my mom clean out his house, an editorial deadline, and hosting...