Getting close now! The ninth song on the unofficial Give Up the Ghost soundtrack is Sarah McLachlan’s “Elsewhere”: I guess I picked this one for the theme of making choices that people in your life might not understand. Cass’s mom … Continue reading
I’ve been watching the news on Japan somewhat obsessively over the last week. In theory, I’m supposed to be heading over there for a book research trip in three weeks. In reality, well, I am waiting and seeing, and hoping … Continue reading
What genre or story plot are you likely to never write about? I don’t believe in saying never, because there have been things I thought I’d never write, but then I got just the right idea or my perspective changed, … Continue reading
Haven’t done a proper flashback post in a while, so I thought it was about time. Newer blog readers, see the An Introduction to Flashbacks link at the bottom for an explanation. October 5, 1995 (Megan is 14) I was … Continue reading
March is a big time for foreign rights and children’s books, because the largest conference dedicated to international children’s publishing happens at the end of the month: the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Many agents and publishers, including mine, will be … Continue reading
The seventh song on the unofficial Give Up the Ghost soundtrack is a melancholy tune from Azure Ray, “Displaced”: There’s definitely a lot of melancholy in GHOST, and I think the lyrics speak to the questions Cass has to start … Continue reading
This question’s a two-parter: What is your favorite book to movie or book to TV show adaptation? I find that screen adaptations of books almost always fall short (often far short) of the book. If a movie sounds interesting and … Continue reading
You may have heard that my most awesome fellow 2009 Deb, crit partner, and friend Saundra Mitchell has a new book out this week: The Vespertine. The Vespertine is a historical YA with a paranormal twist, with writing as lovely … Continue reading
Just as my notebooks are a key component to the brainstorming stage of my writing, my index cards are essential to the outlining stage. I usually use 3″x5″ cards, but sometimes 4″x6″s if I know I’ll be including a lot … Continue reading
I did a school visit today that felt a lot like stepping back in time. I went to talk with a bunch of grade twelve students at my former high school, Riverdale C.I., and it’s the first time I’ve been … Continue reading
