Prompt: What’s the Backstory?

As you walk to the bus stop, you encounter a woman sitting crumpled and sobbing on the sidewalk. What happened? Write the conversation that led to her breakdown. This was a scene that actually unfolded in front of me when I was in college. I was waiting for my bus in Harvard Square, and a woman walked into the street and just crumbled. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those five minutes. If you want to...

2010 Reading List

One of my goals for the year is to compile a reading list and get through it. This may not sound like a lofty goal, but for me it adds accountability for the overall goal of reading more. It’s terrible to admit, but although I’ve always been a writer, I haven’t always been an avid reader. To me this is inexcusable since I firmly believe that reading improves your writing. But I’ve either been...

Goals for 2010

I don’t do resolutions. They’re usually vague and too easy to ignore. But I do think there is an advantage to peering out over the stretch of the coming year and documenting a few goals. I love lists and being organized, so actually writing down my professional goals for the year will help me focus my efforts. And the beauty of having goals is that I can always change them if my life or focus changes...

Picture Book Resources

I’m in the process of consolidating my personal blog with this site, so I’m bringing over a few relevant posts. Stay tuned for fresh posts coming soon! In the meantime, here are some great resources for picture book writers. 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book – Darcy Pattison’s site is filled with helpful information. Her 30 Days information is broken up into smaller posts that she adds to...

Amy Tan on Creativity

This TED presentation is from 2008, but it covers an interesting aspect of creativity. Acclaimed author Amy Tan talks about the discomfort we often feel in the face of ambiguity. She describes how she’s embraced and has come to expect the serendipity that often influences her writing. Both humorous and engaging, the talk will perhaps leave you with different ways to look at the writing process and help you...