Don’t Forget Who’s in Charge

by | Aug 17, 2011 | WIP, writing

I see a lot of talk on the blogs about writing characters – especially establishing goals for your characters, putting obstacles in their path, directing your characters like rats in a maze by blocking the path and making them work harder to fight their way...

What Do You Think of Google+?

by | Aug 15, 2011 | The Practice Room, writing

When I first saw Google+ hitting the news and started getting invitations to join, I groaned. Facebook, yes. Twitter, I’m there. But ANOTHER ONE? I didn’t think I could do it. So, I deleted all the invitations and said, “The social networks stop here.” But then, Tina...

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

by | Aug 12, 2011 | summer, writing

One of my teacher friends (I think it was Tracy Litchfield) recently bemoaned August 1st as the death knell of the summer. I agreed. August does to the summer what Sunday evening does to the weekend. Then, of course, one of my parent friends (Michelle Gonnella)...

Bring YA to PA: PAYA 2011

by | Aug 10, 2011 | PAYA

I am excited to announce that the Second Annual Bring YA to PA festival is ON for Saturday, August 27th. Mark your calendars! PAYA 2011 will be held in West Chester, Pennsylvania — just a little south of Philadelphia. Writing workshops with some of the authors...

First Impression #19

by | Aug 8, 2011 | First Impressions

Our fourth and final First Impressions post for August comes from Matthew Reeves, author of the wildly successful cell phone novel Once Upon a Christmas Wish.This sample is the first page of his currently untitled YA historical fantasy, set against the backdrop of...