Welcome to My Blog/Newsletter
Why subscribe?
To read about another writer’s journey through writing, revising, querying, and learning
To see photos of my dogs 😉
To read about specific craft issues from the point of view of a book coach/experienced writer who wants to help other writers improve their craft
Feedback from Beta Readers
After I finished revising my MG zoo mystery based on feedback from a book coach in training, I sought out beta readers—people who aren’t professional editors or book coaches but who are smart readers.
Saying Good-Bye to My Literary Agent
Last week I said good-bye to my agent. I signed with her in spring 2022. It was such a thrill. My first agent!
Reading Aloud as a Revision Strategy
I’d never considered reading a whole novel aloud. I mean, how long would that take? I’m a fast silent reader, not speed reader fast, but fast enough to miss things.
Voice and Narration, Part 2: Philip Pullman’s Brilliant Use of Third-Person Omniscient
How do writers choose whether to write in first person or third person? From one character’s point of view or multiple characters’ POV? And what are the trade-offs? These are the kinds of things I think about with my own work and the kinds of things I discuss with my book coaching clients.
Voice and Narration, Part 1: First-Person Omniscient
In this post, I want to talk about one of the fancier options—omniscient narration. Kelly Barnhill’s middle grade novel, The Ogress and the Orphans (Algonquin Young Readers, 2022), is like a class in both voice and omniscient narration.
Revising a Novel—Where Do You Start?
Revising a novel can’t be as hard as drafting one, can it? [cue evil laughter] If you are lucky enough to have someone provide specific, actionable feedback about what is and isn’t working with your draft, then you have a huge head start toward revising.
A True Wolf Story
At first, I saw a blur of motion, but then time seemed to slow down. I saw three large canine heads, teeth snapping at Chip.
And the Award Goes to: Reading the Newbery and Other Award Winners
As a writer who’d love to win a Newbery someday (who wouldn’t?!), I like to see what books for kids and teens win awards from the American Library Association each year. It’s kind of like reading the list of Oscar-nominated movies—have I seen any of those movies?
Have I read any of these award-winning books yet? In 2023, I read three of them:
Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson
Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla
Feedback on Your Novel Can Be So Motivating
A week before Christmas I had a Zoom call with a book coach in training. I was serving as a practice client for her as she completed her practicum on a full manuscript evaluation.
Kenda read the whole draft of my middle grade zoo mystery, which is about 250 pages or 60,000 words. Her feedback included detailed comments and questions on the first 20 pages and an editorial letter.
Her editorial letter provided that big picture view that’s so hard to give yourself about your own work.
How Have You Made Yourself Proud in 2023?
As the year winds down, it’s time to reflect on your writing goals for the year. How did you do? And what did you learn from your progress (or lack of progress)?