U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser said that titles “…represent the hand you extend in friendship toward your reader.” He was talking about titles of poems, but his words apply to titling your book as well. Yes, people buy books because they’re interested in the concept, but just as important is their assessment of the cover….
A few years ago I joined a bunch of writing groups on Facebook. I wanted to see what writers were talking about—I wanted to understand what questions they were asking in hopes that I’d learn how to better help my clients and students. I jumped in here or there to offer support or weigh in…
I’ve always loved spooky books. I recently re-read one of Ruth Chew’s magical chapter books and was transported back—young Kim reading in a corner of my third-grade classroom, the steamy windows decorated with tissue paper bats and jack-o’-lanterns, the smell of chili and cinnamon rolls wafting in from the gymnasium lunchroom. When fall arrives I…
Here’s what happens to me all the time—I’ll be writing a scene and I need a character to enter the room, or I want two acquaintances to take their seats at a café, or I want to start a new chapter with a strong sense of atmosphere, etc., and I freeze up. I’ll have no…
My daughters are readers, and Evelyn, my youngest girl, has been my special reading buddy these last couple of summers she’s been home from college. She’s as serious as I am about used book fair shopping and if we’re ever at a loss for what to talk about (we’re not), one of us can just…