Welcome to my new blog, which now includes content from many of the blogs I’ve created over the years. You can now also access content via category from this one page instead of having to search for my individual blogs, which were scattered over various platforms and websites.
One of the many reasons I’m glad I joined Twitter is because I got to meet the Toronto Middle Grade and YA Author Group. The group was founded by Claudia Osmond (above left), and even though we get together once a month, some of us also meet in smaller gatherings as well. Fun . . .
I’ve posted a new comic over on Writer Unboxed: “The Paperless Office.”
I find reading about other people’s work habits inspiring. The Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini, for example, typically gets up at 4 a.m. Has some coffee and breakfast, reads the paper, then writes for 2-3 hours before going to his other job. He says that reading a few lines from a favourite novel . . .
I’ve recently been enjoying the audiobook version of Kathryn Stockett‘s bestselling book, THE HELP. I tend to listen to audiobooks whenever I’m out for a walk (in a safe neighbourhood) or doing household chores. A post on Dystel & Goderich Literary Management siteabout a NYTimes article points out that Kathryn Stockett’s THE HELP was initially rejected by almost . . .
I met YA author Nelsa Roberto through the Toronto Middle Grade and Young Adult group (a.k.a. Torkidlit). Nelsa’s one of those people who makes you feel comfortable right away. She’s smart, she’s funny, she speaks her mind. Nelsa’s young adult novel ILLEGALLY BLONDE debuted in March and I really enjoyed it. Told with wry wit . . .
If you’re interested in writing for young people, consider coming to #kidlitchat on Twitter tonight. It’s my favourite Twitter chat — it’s always fun, and I always come away inspired. You can see the transcripts of previous #kidlitchat sessions by browsing the archives. To find out more about how you can . . .
The creation of Darcy Pattison, Random Acts Of Publicity Week is a week where everyone is encouraged to post a review of a friend’s book on Amazon, Goodreads, Library Thing, or elsewhere online. WONDERFUL idea! To those of you who aren’t on Facebook, I’ve posted what Darcy said at the end of this . . .
Inspired by NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), JoNoWriMo+1.5 is similar, but allows writers 2.5 months to complete a project(s) of their choice. On September 16, participants will state their goals, and then for the next 2.5 months we will work on those goals together. Our challenge ends on midnight, December . . .