Fan Mail Excerpt...

I think this might be my favorite line in any fan letter I've received to date...

I really liked the book JULIA’S KITCHEN, but then I wanted to stop reading the book because Janie and her mom died. I started crying. But I decided to keep on reading because if I didn’t I’d have to watch the Basketball game.

Thank goodness for girls who don't want to watch basketball!

Do You Have a Creative Genius?

One of my writing sisters forwarded this video to me yesterday. It's a speech by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, about a wonderful way to think about the creative process. Very interesting and worthwhile 20 minutes...

A Girl's Gotta Dream...

I admit it... I dream of winning a Newbery! I also dream of having a NYT best seller, winning a National Book Award, having a shelf of books written by me, and being a household name.

In the meantime, I'm anxiously awaiting reviews of JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE (coming out in about two more months!) and trying my hardest to write my next novel and to make it better than my first two. Because the truth is, awards are out of my control, but improving my craft is something I can do.

Thanks to Lisa Chellman for the news about this video. And a Happy Birthday shout out to my niece Riley and author extraordinaire Judy Blume!