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Debbie’s Blog

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.

HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2018)

Catching up with some of my favourite #BookAday reads over the past few months, starting with HEARTS UNBROKEN by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, Oct. 2018). Side note: if you’re not already, you need to follow Cynthia’s wonderful blog, Cynsations. You can find out more about HEARTS UNBROKEN here. More info: Donalyn Miller’s #BookADay Challenge – My . . .



Comic: Keiko gives thanks

Keiko is a young Japanese-Canadian girl who wants to read ALL THE BOOKS. One of my goals for 2019: make more Keiko comics! I had originally only planned to do a few Keiko comics, but she won’t get out of my head. As with most insistent characters, I find the . . .



Rogue Squirrel Blamed as 12,000 Lose Power in Upstate New York

I’m not the only one who has had power cut off because of squirrels! Apparently thousands of people in upstate New York have been affected by a squirrel who managed to knock out three substations. See the article on nbcnewyork.com. Thanks to my friend Susie Ghahremani for the heads-up!




Gave up on NaNoWriMo? Try a gentler, year-round writing challenge

While NaNoWriMo is a wonderful motivating challenge for writers who are able to devote a big chunk of time during November to writing, some of us find it nearly impossible to keep up throughout the month. In my case, it’s usually because I’m away for a week at a board gaming convention . . .




To those starting NaNoWriMo today: Good luck! I hope you find ALL THE WORDS

Also see my friend Errol Elumir’s daily Nanotoons! National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) begins today! To educators: there’s also a Nanowrimo Young Writers’ Program. If you love the spirit behind NaNoWriMo but want a gentler year-round writing (and editing) challenge with flexibility, feel free to try the Inkygirl Daily Writing Challenge. There’s also . . .