Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, all! And Happy (almost) Halloween! This is going to be my soundtrack for handing out candy on Saturday. Let’s get the weekend going with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing, in fifteen words or fewer.

Reading: Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The Dairy Queen series needs more attention; DJ’s story is funny, sensitive, and genuine. LOVE.

Writing: “…we strip off our parkas and boots, slip on our suits and swim caps.”
Working on my next story for the Hanging Garden. Keep an eye out for it on Monday!

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! I finished a revision this week (hurray!), so I’m feeling good about heading into the weekend. Let’s kick things off with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer.

Reading: Things I Can’t Forget by Miranda Kenneally
Questions of faith and summer camp kisses–a thoughtful and sweet combination.

Writing: “There’s been a surprising number of sing-alongs on this trip. Is that a team requirement?”
Yes. Yes it is.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, guys! I’m powering through revisions and am emotionally unprepared for how cold it’s going to get over the weekend here in the Boston area. In the meantime, here’s a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or under.

Reading: The Martian by Andy Weir
Fun and funny and loved how it embraced science. Mentally cast Anthony Mackie as Watney.

Writing: “…pretend that I have a little more creativity than spiking the punch at College Night.”
Character has standards for his pranks.

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, everyone! I feel like we’ve had about five weeks packed into one, so I’m glad to be heading into a long weekend. Here’s a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or under.

Reading: Wildlife by Fiona Wood
Sensitive, thoughtful, real—a new favorite contemporary YA. What is it about Australian YA writers?!

Writing: “Dante does also play a mean clarinet…The band people notice stuff like that.”
Back into revisions after a helpful workshop with my wonderful crit group.

Links Galore

A few good links for your Thursday:

 

Read Local in New England!

New England’s a great place to be a children’s/YA author. We have a fantastic network of enthusiastic readers, booksellers, educators, librarians and fellow writers; we’re the kind of people who show up for book events even during a winter of 100+ inches of snow.

So what better place than to read local? New England educators, librarians, and readers, take the Read Local Challenge!

The logistics, from wonderful New England author Jen Malone:

The challenge is open to any school, library, homeschool cooperative, or book club and will run throughout the 2015-16 school year. Working off the poster to the right (contact me to request a free copy by mail), groups work together to read the featured titles. Each book featured is written by an author who calls New England home and is appropriate for middle school readers. (Note: some titles are classified as Young Adult. Please contact me with any questions about possible content within a particular title.)

If at least one student in the school/library/group completes a book, mark it off on the poster. In April 2016, groups will send in their tally and we’ll award the top four groups an author visit by one of the four sponsoring authors. If more than four groups achieve the highest possible score of 30/30, we will hold a drawing to select the winning group.

How cool is that? I’m beyond excited to see The Chance You Won’t Return on the list, along with awesome books like MonstrousFish in a TreeBecoming JinnThe Hunger Games, and more.

To get started, click through, get the poster, and start reading local!

Links Galore

A few links for your week:

 

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, everyone! I feel like this week has been about three weeks long, so I’m psyched to get to the weekend. Here to start things off, a look at what I’ve been reading and writing.

ReadingThank You for Your Service by David Finkel
A very tough but very necessary read about veteran care and PTSD.

Writing: I haven’t gone to confession since I started junior year.
A new WIP, a new first page I’ve re-written about five times.

 

Friday Fifteen

Happy Friday, everybody! Although I’m still in denial that it’s actually Labor Day weekend, I’m so excited to be heading into a long weekend with the possibility of s’mores in my future. Let’s start things off with a look at what I’ve been reading and writing in fifteen words or fewer:

ReadingRunning Like a Girl: Notes on Learning to Run by Alexandra Heminsley
Light but motivating look at running for people who don’t think they’re runners.

Writing: There’s always a sacrifice in fairy tales—a heart, a home, a body.
New story at the Hanging Garden coming on Monday!

Links Galore

Lots of links I’ve been saving: