Three Rules for Writing a Novel

July 7, 2023July 25, 2023 Essays

With all respect to Mr. Maugham, here are three rules that have helped me: 1). READ Read everything: novels, poetry, the back of the cereal box. It’s all nutrition. Beautiful ... Read more

I Need the Darkness

May 31, 2023July 25, 2023 Essays

Insomnia visits me often and usually for one reason: a book — the one I happen to be writing. My eyes snap open and tangled plot lines writhe before them ... Read more

Home at Last

May 16, 2023June 1, 2023 Essays

Five years ago, I stood in a dirty, smelly, wreck of an old stone house and knew I wanted to call the place home. Bushes were growing in the window. ... Read more

Second Draft Hell

June 15, 2022June 1, 2023 Essays

When your redraft starts to resemble an instruction manual, it’s time to take a break.

Fairytales Show Us Ourselves

March 4, 2021June 1, 2023 Essays

Fairytales are like mirrors—they show us ourselves.

Some Things Last Forever

February 9, 2021June 1, 2023 Essays

The little stone barn was a wreck – a dusty shell, full of broken glass, dead leaves and angry squirrels. So of course it was love at first sight.

Now’s The Time

January 2, 2021June 1, 2023 Essays

My family and I have an odd New Year’s tradition. We don’t make resolutions; instead, we come up with mottos that encapsulate hopes for the new year and attempt to ... Read more

How I Made Mattie Gokey

December 21, 2020June 1, 2023 Essays

As I was emptying out my old house last month, I came across material I used when writing A Northern Light. It was like bumping into an old friend after ... Read more

Why I Love Fairy Tales

October 28, 2020January 1, 2021 Essays, News

My publisher, Scholastic, is turning 100 this month! To celebrate, a bunch of Scholastic authors wrote essays for a booklet called “100 Reasons to Love Reading.” Click here to download ... Read more

Spanish Stepsister Giveaway!

November 21, 2019November 21, 2019 Uncategorized

How awesome is this cover for Hermanastra, the Spanish edition of Stepsister? I recently received a few copies of Hermanastra from RBA Molino, the publisher, and I’m giving one away next ... Read more

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Ideas, observations and essays -- mostly about books and writing.