the team-building site of middle grade author Jackie Yeager
Hey there! Happy Easter, y’all! I’m always so curious about other people’s family traditions. Every holiday I wonder, how others are celebrating. Maybe it's fear of missing out. Maybe I'm just nosy! Growing up, Easter was different for us every year. It always included church and the hunt for Easter baskets but sometimes we were home… Continue reading Traditionally Speaking
Goodbye, March. I’m not sad to see you go! Not because spring is coming. Although that’s a huge plus! It’s because at the end of each quarter, I like to evaluate where I am in relation to where I had hoped to be. I like to do a goal check-up. Why? Well, I’ve never been… Continue reading Goal Check: First Quarter
Books are never one size fits all. Even the most globally popular books don’t appeal to every reader. We like what we like, and just because everyone else is obsessed with a story, doesn’t mean we will be also. Likewise, just because we can’t stop raving about a book to every person who will listen,… Continue reading Creating a Bookshelf that’s YOU
As someone who prides herself on encouraging others to chase their dreams, I often wonder if any of my cheering really ever hits the mark. Do my words matter to anyone? I began writing this post today full of enthusiasm and energy. I had this feeling that someone needed encouragement and I was excited to… Continue reading Communicator Between Two Worlds
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to fill your cup. You know the kind I mean…the proverbial cup we pour from in order to create stories. Where is your mind at lately? Are you worn-out and depleted? Are you stressed or do you have that I’m-so-busy-all-the-time feeling? If you are,… Continue reading Three Ways to Refill your Writer’s Cup
To be completely transparent, this post was 100 percent inspired by Jenna Kutcher and the Goal Digger Podcast. I discovered Jenna on Instagram, and think her posts and podcasts are incredibly inspiring in a chase your dreams sort of way. And you know I’m all about that! In one recent podcast episode (I Have No Idea What's… Continue reading Finding Clarity When You Don’t Know What’s Next
Happy Birthday, Spin the Golden Light Bulb! I couldn’t pass up the chance to shout out my debut novels’ 5th publishing birthday. So here I am, thinking back to January 9, 2018, and after all this time, doing my best to let this milestone sink in. Getting published is a huge accomplishment and to be honest,… Continue reading The Crimson Five is 5!
New year. New perspective! ✨ Happy 2023!! I’m so ready for this new year to begin. Last year is hard to summarize so I’m not even going to try. I’d rather focus on what’s to come, starting with my word (s) of the year. Are you the type of person who picks an inspirational word or… Continue reading Stealing a New Year’s Mantra
In order to write believable stories, writers must read widely in that same age group and genre. Are you writing Young Adult Fantasy? Then you better be reading every YA Fantasy you can get your hands on, mostly from the last five years. That’s a publishing truth and it’s not debatable. Reading books will help… Continue reading Favorite Genre to Write vs Favorite Genre to Read
Last time, I blogged about how tough it can be to keep writing through difficult periods. Today, I have something more upbeat to talk about, one of the perks to being published: signing books for readers! In two weeks, I’ll be signing books at the Rochester Children’s Book Festival with about 50 other authors and illustrators.… Continue reading Signing Books & Gold Gel Pens