As a writer, I know how powerful words can be. The right ones can lift us up, take us on an adventure, or make us laugh. But the wrong ones can turn even the most confident and strong person into a mere shadow of themselves. Especially when those words are directed at someone they love.… Continue reading When Words Cut and Sting
Category: Uncategorized
Things You Imagine while out on Sub
So you’ve written a book (hooray!) and even managed to sign with a literary agent (so cool!). You’ve read the revision notes and revised your manuscript to a shine…even made it sparkle. Then suddenly, one day, your fantabulous agent notifies you that the first batch of submissions have been sent out. Your book baby has… Continue reading Things You Imagine while out on Sub
Creative Outlets
Hey guys! I’m so sorry I missed posting last week, but I wasn’t actually that far from swirl and spark anyway. I was really busy getting the latest creation up on the site! For those of you watching closely, you may have seen it. 🙂 For the rest of my curious friends, click here. I’ve been… Continue reading Creative Outlets
The Crazy Journey of the Author Platform
Hey everybody! I hope this post will give you something to think about as you go about your week. Maybe it will strike a chord or help somehow, because I know this topic is something that all writers think about, even worry about—maybe actually stress about. I certainly do. We’ve been told by other writers, agents, and editors… Continue reading The Crazy Journey of the Author Platform
The Literary Agent Puzzle
Hey Guys, How are you all? I hope if you were one of the many people hit with major snow this week, you’re now beginning to dig yourself out. Me? I'm so very happy to say that my little corner of Upstate, NY was not hit. Like at all. It’s so weird, because we always… Continue reading The Literary Agent Puzzle
When Writers Get in Their Own Way
Don’t be afraid to look at your reflection… Everything you need to reach your goal, is staring back at you. I sometimes wonder if the only thing holding back a writer, is fear. Fear of writing from the heart, fear of being too authentic, fear of letting the reader get too close. Writing is a… Continue reading When Writers Get in Their Own Way
Creativity Requires Courage
Hi Everyone, Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was restful and rejuvenating. January is one of my very favorite months. Not only because my daughter was born this month—18 years ago today, in fact… Happy Happy Birthday, Princess Danielle! Hooray for you!! I hope this year is everything you dream it will be.… Continue reading Creativity Requires Courage
December Book Blast: Day 22
Hi everyone, I hope you're not getting overwhelmed by the rush of the holiday season. To help you out with the young readers on your list, here's my December Day 22 pick... UNDER THE EGG by Laura Marx Fitzgerald! From the publisher: When Theodora Tenpenny’s grandfather passes away, the 13-year-old inherits $463, a decaying Greenwich… Continue reading December Book Blast: Day 22
December Book Blast: Day 21
Hi everybody, I have an unusual choice for my December Day 21 pick. It's a book that hasn't been released yet. But...it will be out in April, and you CAN pre-order it now at http://www.brooksbenjamin.com. I wanted to include it because its a middle grade by a debut author- and it looks fantastic! MY SEVENTH GRADE LIFE IN… Continue reading December Book Blast: Day 21
December Book Blast: Day 20
Hey there! And now for my December Day 20 pick... AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko! From the publisher: Moose Flannagan moves with his family to Alcatraz so his dad can work as a prison guard and his sister, Natalie, can attend a special school. But Natalie has autism, and when she's denied… Continue reading December Book Blast: Day 20