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Author Study
Dear Students Who Are Doing Author Studies ( Read more... ) -
"Still relevant?"
Answering reader mail. One question, from a library science student (and aspiring writer) doing a project, struck me. She asked why I thought my books were "still relevant" to today's teens. I have to admit I was a bit miffed at this. Like, why wouldn't they be? Am I 90 years old? I haven't decided what I'm going to say, exactly, but here is what I ( Read more... ) -
Mirrored Playlist
At This Moment - Billy Vera and the Beaters This is a really sad breakup song, and that is how Violet feels about her rejection by Greg.
Magic - Olivia Newton John Because she's magic and nothing can stand in her way.
Hard Habit to Break - Chicago Another great 80s breakup song. Violet definitely can't quit Greg. I picture her sitting in her room, ( Read more... ) -
7 Major Fairy Tale Fails
Check out my post, Seven Major Fairy Tale Fails on the Epicreads blog. In which I attempt to be funny. -
Coincidence in writing: "Something in the air"
We all have the experience of writing something and then, discovering that someone else has written something similar, unbeknownst to us. For example, when my first book, Breathing Underwater, came out, I had written it because there were really no mainstream books about dating violence. However, a year before it came out (after it was written and ( Read more... ) -
Impossibly meta in last night's iZombie!
I’m addicted to this show! Yes, even though it’s about a crime-solving Zombie (maybe BECAUSE it’s about a crime-solving zombie; Though I don’t love traditional examples of the genre, I have seen Zombieland, like, fifteen times). But, in my defense, it’s by Rob Thomas.
Rob Thomas, who created iZombie and, previously, Veronica Mars, used to be a ( Read more... ) -
The Simpsons is Older Than My Kids -- and What That Means for Pop Culture references in Your Novel
The Simpsons has been renewed for its 27th and 28th Seasons.
This means Bart Simpson is older than my kids and my marriage. I actually remember when they were Life in Hell, a comic strip in (among other places I’m sure) Miami New Times.
This is a lesson in using references in one’s novels: The best way to get something that will have longevity is ( Read more... ) -
Read Before You Write -- and During and After Too
In a recent episode of Louie, the title character (who, if you - like the majority of people - don’t watch the show is sort of depressing Seinfeld) was called upon to critique a young comedian. You could see the dread on his face, and it was justified when the comic gave a cringe-worthy performance, talking unfunnily about his abusive childhood. ( Read more... ) -
In Memory of My Agent, George Nicholson
My wonderful agent, George Nicholson, passed away last week. Although it wasn’t completely unexpected, it still leaves me feeling rather adrift. I have never been without George.
It was my mentor, Joyce Sweeney, who got me together with George. She read my book, Breathing Underwater and encouraged me to send it to him. I sent it in February or ( Read more... ) -
You've Grown Up, So You Don't Have to Ask Permission to Read
When I was a kid, I really wanted to be an adult because then, no one could tell me what to eat for dinner or what time to go to bed. If I wanted to eat Doritos and stay up until 1:00 a.m. every night, I could (Fact is, I eat broccoli and fall asleep at 9:30, but I digress). It never occurred to me that anyone would want to dictate what I read. In ( Read more... )