Summer Reading for Tweens

As the temperature here in Phoenix hit 100 degrees last week, it hit me that summer is nearly here.  And with summer comes Summer Reading Lists. If you’re a librarian, teacher or lead a reading group, then I hope you’ll consider including my newest release, on your list for 5th – 8th graders.  

AUDITION & SUBTRACTION is about 14-year-old Tatum who does everything with Lori—including a yearly clarinet/flute duet for honor band auditions. But when a new boy transfers to their middle school and band, everything  changes!  

And to make your job a little easier, I thought I’d give you a few reasons why: 

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a New Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 24 Recap

Goal: Continue Rewrites –finish by next Friday or run naked through the streets. 

Progress:  15,000 words to go 

It’s been a good writing week with my WIP and Mitch and Lauren. (So nice to be able to say that!)  Part of what has motivated me is I got back a critique on the first 25,000 words.  My critique friend LOVED IT and YES, IT’S WORKING!

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a New Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 23 Recap

Goal: Continue Rewrites (Fifth Time Through!)

Progress:  Sent half to my critique partners; second half next week? 

Dreams Do Come True

Normally, I post my writing blog every Friday.  But there was nothing normal about this Friday.

Yesterday, I had the chance to realize a dream which, I gotta tell you, is a very cool thing.  Here’s the whole story:

The Backstory

14 Years Ago: When my kids were little, I took them to see plays. Lots of plays.  Our favorites were the ones put on by Childsplay, an amazing production company in Tempe, Arizona that consistently did world-renowned, award-winning work.

Also, one of our very favorite actors was a guy named Jon Gentry. He was in every show and a rock star for my kids and me.

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a New Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 19 Recap

Goal: Continue Rewrites (Third time through is the charm?)

Progress:  Nearly Finished!

This week I had some major help on my book. It came from an expert—but not a writing expert.  It reminded me that sometimes we can all use a little help in crafting our stories, developing our plots and adding some real world flavor to our stories.

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a New Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 16 Recap

Goal: Continue Rewrites

Progress:  Finished ROUGH second draft

Hey!  How’s it going this week?  Are you whipping out the pages, writing day and night like a zombie muse has taken over your body?

Yeah, me neither.

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 12 Recap

Goal: Begin Rewrites

Progress:  Slow

Welcome back! Hope you had a wonderful holiday and New Year.  It’s been two weeks and though I had great visions of accomplishing lots of work, truth is I didn’t do a whole lot.  So–it’s time to dive back in.  Before I do, I want to take a quick minute to talk about something hugely important.

Weekly Journal as One Author (Attempts) to Write a Novel

Join me each Friday as I continue to journal about the process of writing a new book. During November and NaNoWriMo I wrote the first draft. Now it’s time to revise and rework. I’ll share my tips and the process I go through on the way (hopefully!) to making a sale.  

Week 10 Recap

Goal: Rest and Recharge

Progress:  Creative batteries are about 70%

Diving into a New Book…and Trying not to Drown.

I’m ready to dive into a new book and…I’m scared.

It’s not like a refreshing dip into clear, pristine water.  This is a full immersion in murky swamp, green and swirling with heaven only knows what.

That’s what it feels like as I stare at the blank computer screen.  Don’t get me wrong–there’s also a sense of excitement.  This is going to be something new and so the potential is unlimited.  I have new characters to discover, a plot to unfold, mysteries to solve.  But I also have questions.  Lots and lots of them that can only be answered by writing and working it through and being wrong before I’m right.

The Best Things that Came From My Worst Experiences

It’s been a week of worsts—and that’s been a good thing! :-)

Today I’m wrapping up My WORST Blog Tour.  I had a great time launching my new middle grade novel, Audition & Subtraction, by reliving some of my own middle school memories.  Thanks to everyone who jumped in with comments, and shared stories.  Most especially, thanks to my wonderful hosts:

My job is to announce the winners, but before I do that, a final few thoughts:

The Best Things That Came from my Worst Experiences.