Writers. We are, or at least should be, keenly aware that people can spot a fake from 20,000 leagues under the sea. Like a communist government, we control the information flow, we punish characters as we see fit, and we guide the masses to where it is that we want them to go.

Sometimes we get it right. Sometimes we get it wrong. If the characters ( Read more... )

As promised, here are my thoughts and pictures from the conference. I'll break down each day based on the sessions I attended, and I will do my best to keep it brief.

SCBWI Day 1
Bruce Coville started the day with an enthusiastic speech about writing true for the child, and he delivered it with all the theatrical panache of a Broadway production. ( Read more... )

SCBWI

I spent this last Friday through Monday at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Conference. And boy, am I spent.

It was fun seeing some of my friends from the last four years. I was excited to learn that one of my friends, an illustrator, had been having a fantastic year since the last conference. She had been chosen ( Read more... )

I met Andrew Klaven in Ventura, last weekend. He was a panelist speaking on the topic of "Writing for Men and Women." Andrew writes for men, and isn't afraid to say it out loud, not to mention in public. He has had a great writing career with two of his books having been made into movies. One stared Clint Eastwood, the other Michael Douglas.


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Summer is here. And there's nothing a parent can do except hang on and ride it out till school resumes.

I remember what summer was like, back when I was a teen. If my parent's knew half the stuff I did, they'd probably have been in therapy to this day. That's because, for some reason, I was fascinated by things that went boom. I didn't get that ( Read more... )

I'm deep into editing my manuscript. So yesterday, when I went to my daughter's promotion, I found myself editing each speech that was given. Thinking as I was listening, "Oh, it would have been better if he said that this way..." and "Did he really need that adverb ( Read more... )

Why can't all parking signs be this funny? Love the fine print at the bottom.


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I went to traffic school recently. Traffic school in Newport Beach. It was kind of like that old TV show, Night Court, only the criminals were fancily dressed lawyers and there was no Harry Anderson.  Gawd I wished Harry was there. He could have done a magic trick or something funny to keep us awake.
I won’t complain about my time spent in traffic ( Read more... )

 
I’m deep in the editing mode, and this novel is getting closer and closer to being done. The excitement I have towards cutting the umbilical cord and setting my novel free keeps me energized. The long hours feel short.
Nothing compares to watching my characters become real. The story, smooth and meaningful. I love this stage of the game. No more ( Read more... )

I bumped into a friend - not entirely an accidental bump, by the way - on what was otherwise set to be a fine afternoon. It was destined to be fine for three solid reasons: my morning writing had gone exceptionally well; my residual caffeine boost from coffee that could only be called “hair-raising” was still carrying me through my day; and last ( Read more... )