Up Your Game with the Write Fashions from THE WINGED PEN
Can the right clothes inspire writers? In a word, yes. My Winged Pen fellow, Michelle Leonard, pointed me to this article about how clothes affect our performance. Get your red sneakers now before there’s a run on them! So what do productive writers wear? Lucky socks? Writer’s baseball cap? NaNoWrimo Winner t-shirt? I once had a beloved writing sweater with a monk-like cowl with pom-pom … Continue reading Up Your Game with the Write Fashions from THE WINGED PEN
Happy Book Birthday – A Ticket to the Pennant
I’m thrilled to help my friend and critique partner, Mark Holtzen, celebrate the release of his gorgeous new picture book, A Ticket to the Pennant. Featuring beautiful retro-style illustrations from John Skewes, the story recounts Huey’s adventures as he searches his diverse Seattle neighborhood for his missing ticket to see the Seattle Rainiers play in the big game in 1955. Tell us a little bit about … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday – A Ticket to the Pennant
Where Do Ideas Come From?
Ideas. Ugh. (Drops head on laptop’s keyboard, accidently hits the delete button and erases the 61,000 word WIP) There is a lot of pressure to come up with story ideas. They can’t be just good. They have to be original. Exciting. Sellable. How does a writer do that? I struggled with that issue when I decided to take my writing seriously. How would I ever come … Continue reading Where Do Ideas Come From?
8 on Eight Contest Feedback!
Thank you to all the brave souls who entered this month’s 8 on Eight contest! Opening your work up to feedback takes courage, and we appreciate your enthusiasm. If your name wasn’t drawn from the Triwizard cup this time around, keep an eye out for our next contest window (on May 1st). Below, we’ve posted the first 8 lines from this month’s winner, along with … Continue reading 8 on Eight Contest Feedback!
My Favorite Hero of Literature
Whenever I read those Proust questionnaire-type interviews, I always get lost in reverie, answering the questions myself. The New York Times Book Review has one each week, and one of the questions is, “Who is your favorite hero of literature?” I have spent a fair amount of time mulling that one. Cool, clear-eyed Holden Caulfield? Kind-hearted, optimistic Anne Shirley? Atticus Finch? Jo March? Then the … Continue reading My Favorite Hero of Literature
Book Buying Advice from the Kiddos
Today I’ve teamed up with my eldest daughter, Sylvia , because it’s her 11th birthday. And anyone who knows me knows if it’s your birthday (or any holiday) you’re getting a book from me. In her earlier days, Sylvia was an easy girl to buy books for. She loved whatever I picked out. Now…. Well, it’s much more difficult. I seriously think it’s easier to … Continue reading Book Buying Advice from the Kiddos
Contrasting Parallel Plots: AN EMBER IN THE ASHES
An Ember in the Ashes is a young adult fantasy written by Sabaa Tahir and published in April, 2015. The novel is one of the best novels of 2015: NSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLER AMAZON’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER – FAVORITE FANTASY BUSTLE’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015 This novel is a double narrative, but what really works … Continue reading Contrasting Parallel Plots: AN EMBER IN THE ASHES
Time for a KidLit Book Feast!!!!
Many of us at The Winged Pen are on Spring Break this week or heading there soon. And, of course, a vacation isn’t a vacation without a heap of books. We regularly swap book recs behind the scenes, so we thought you’d like to know what books we’ve recently devoured or are currently feasting our eyeballs on. Julie Artz SUNNYSIDE UP by Jennifer Holm, … Continue reading Time for a KidLit Book Feast!!!!
The 8 on Eight Submission Window is Open!
Fellow writers! The 8 on Eight contest window is OPEN! (Yes, we opened early–because we’re as excited as you are about our FIRST CONTEST!) Q: I must have missed the announcement. What is 8 on Eight? A monthly contest that provides one lucky kidlit writer with feedback on their opening eight lines! As part of our ongoing mission to support writers, we’ll give a PB, MG, or … Continue reading The 8 on Eight Submission Window is Open!
Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee
Gabby Byrne: Today I have the unparalleled delight of interviewing one of my agency-sisters, Karen Foxlee. She’s the bestselling author of OPHELIA AND THE MARVELOUS BOY, THE MIDNIGHT DRESS, and AN ANATOMY OF WINGS. She’s also just an all-around wonderful person. Her new book, A MOST MAGICAL GIRL is due out in August, 2016. Karen lives in the far-flung wilds of Northern Australia and is … Continue reading Interview with Author — Karen Foxlee
Rooting for the Bad Guys
It’s been a long, rainy winter-turned-spring here in the Pacific Northwest. And I’m sick of it. Every day when I bundle up in my increasingly leaky raincoat to walk the dog, I try to remind myself that rain today means a glorious green summer. Three months from now. (Humph.) Yeah, I’m cranky. Which might be why I’ve been so delighted to stumble across two books … Continue reading Rooting for the Bad Guys
The BFF effect: Why do I always love the sidekick best?
It happens to me all the time. I’m reading a book and find myself connecting with the best friend character, even more so than with the main character. Maybe it’s because the author has brought me so far inside the skin of the main character that I can’t separate myself from her, so I end up loving who she loves. Or maybe it’s because I’m … Continue reading The BFF effect: Why do I always love the sidekick best?
