This is the second in my monthly series of posts about writing, This Writer’s Voice. The first post, about why I write what I write, can be found here. Whether you use the term critique partner, first reader, beta reader, or even if you have a whole critique group or two or three, one of the most important things a writer needs is someone who will provide honest feedback. Note…
October 8, 2018
Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. Usually I would write a post about some of the things I am grateful for, and in a way, this post is about gratitude, for gratitude is important. But it’s a different kind of gratitude than the sort we usually think about on Thanksgiving. As you know, I write for kids (and adults) and I’m working toward being published one day. There are many of…
September 17, 2018
First of all, a word of explanation: this is the first post in a new monthly series called This Writer’s Voice. Please note that the series is not about the elusive concept known as “voice” in writing. It’s a series about writing, looking at the hows and whats and whys of writing, both my writing and the writing of other people. I hope you’ll find it interesting and I hope…
April 13, 2014
How to Make a Picture Book, part 3 Story Development Julie Gribble is back with the third installment of her blog series. You’re going to like this… … … Bonjour, mes amis! I’m taking a break from sightseeing in Old Montreal to write this post. It’s a nippy spring day and the shining sun is trying its best to offer some relief. So I’m giving it a head start…
September 22, 2013
I surprised myself this spring when I began writing a middle-grade mystery, and found that I was enjoying the process thoroughly. (Since it’s for middle grade readers, it has no goriness in it. My kind of book!) When I think about it, though, it shouldn’t have been such a surprise. Although my mystery reading as an adult has been sporadic, as a child I read the popular kids’ mysteries over…
February 20, 2013
As I have done for the past few weeks, today I’m sharing an excerpt from the interview I did with Emma Walton Hamilton for the Children’s Book Hub on January 8, 2013. Emma is a bestselling writer, along with her mother, Julie Andrews, of picture books, easy reader/chapter books and middle grade novels. She is also an insightful freelance editor who has a keen eye, a knowledge of craft, an…
November 12, 2012
Sometimes that question seems almost as hard to answer as the dreaded “where do babies come from?” This is especially true when you’re searching for inspiration and it just isn’t appearing. Those of us who are participating in Picture Book Idea Month right now may sometimes ask the question in despair, wondering if we’ll be able to come up with our 30 ideas for the month. To all who may…
October 15, 2012
The North Star has meant many things to many people over the years. Most often, it has meant guidance, a beacon, something to count on, something that can lead, that can be trusted. It’s something that helps us get our bearings, that tells us where we are and shows us where we’re heading. In life, as in navigation, we sometimes need to pause to get our bearings, to figure out…