The Almost Truth by Eileen Cook

Congratulations to my lovely friend, the wonderful writer, Eileen Cook on the release of her latest fabulous YA novel, The Almost Truth. I have read them all, and this is her best one yet, so make sure you get your copy ASAP. You’ll love it. And don’t just...

Cincinnati Libraries, Restoring Harmony & Videos

When I was in Cincinnati last October for the Teen on the Same Page Festival which featured my first book, Restoring Harmony, we made some videos. I’m very excited to share them with you here. In addition to the web, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public...

A post of thanks!

I’ve been offline for a month except for the occasional blog post (no Twitter/FB). But I decided to allow myself a splurge over American Thankgiving weekend and have been tweeting to all my writer pals that I’ve missed. Also, because I wanted to post some...

Books, readers, and more books!

Even though I’m technically on a blogging break, it’s the weekend, and I wanted to share, so here I am. I just had to tell you some book related things that have made me happy lately. Last week, I started my Writer in Residency at the school. I was...

Still “gone writing” but…

I’m still “gone writing” and staying dark in regards to the internet and social networking, and it’s great! However, I did want to share this link from one of the schools I visited in Ohio. Thanks for a great visit,  Delhi Middle School!

Gone Writing

I’m taking some time away from the distractions of the web and social media to clear my head like this room and hopefully let my new book take root. And then I intend to write it. I may be gone a few months, or it may be a year. Only time will tell (and the date...

Cinci! Or Cincy? Your choice!

I learned today that it’s personal choice whether you spell it Cinci or Cincy. Two librarians told me, so I’m sure it’s factual! Check out my library event! Can you believe those hoards of teens showed up to hear me read and have me sign their books?...

Wordstock 2012 – I’ll be there!

I am thrilled to say that I will be returning to Portland’s premier literary festival, Wordstock, this October. Not only will I be doing a presentation/reading about my latest book, The Right & the Real, but I am sitting on a panel, and also teaching a...

Re-enactment – a little too real!

I’m on my way to Portland and then Cincinnati, and it seemed like a great idea to re-enact Molly’s journey from Restoring Harmony and then tweet about it so the teens & organizers in Cincinnati could follow me. Unfortunately, all did not go as planned!...

Wouldn’t you like one?

Check out my new swag for Wordstock & Ohio. Do you live in the U.S. or Canada? Would you like one? I will send one to the first twenty people who EMAIL me their mailing address at restoringharmony10 @ yahoo . com I politely request that if you live in Portland or...

Thoughts on FOREVER…by Judy Blume

This post contains plot spoilers. When I was nine, someone brought FOREVER by Judy Blume to my fourth grade class and we all gathered around reading the “dirty” bits during recess. When the teacher caught us, she called our parents. My mum went out and...

Try the Cincinnati Public Library!

If you’ve been meaning to read Restoring Harmony, but your library doesn’t have it, try the Cincinnati Public Library. They have 868 copies. Seriously. Now, you may be thinking, “Well…it might be a good book, so I can see having twenty copies,...

En vacances

Last week, I finished up a new book. It took me about 11.5 months from conception to a nice, clean draft to give to my agent. All day yesterday, I kept trying to think of some sort of celebration that an accomplishment like that calls for and what I came up with is...

This American Life

Sometime last year, an editor tweeted about an episode of This American Life. It was about middle school. I listened to the show and was immediately hooked on the program. I eagerly await the podcast each week, and consider it one of the highlights of my listening...

What I do when I’m not writing…

It’s my first attempt at a lattice topped pie. Not bad, thanks to Youtube! It’s a cherry rhubarb pie, super easy, super yummy and sugar-free! I used the honey version of this recipe. The crust is vegan, made with my own recipe and easy to work with, plus...

Pack your bags, we’re going to camp!

I loved camp as a kid. Frankly, I’d still go if they let me. By the time I was in high school, I was volunteering to wash dishes for two weeks each summer so I could earn a free week, and then my parents paid for a week, so I got to spend 28 blissful (often wet)...

A Study of The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

I love a good series. Who doesn’t, really? Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, Harry Potter, Ally Carter’s novels, Louise Rennison’s hilarious Georgia Nicolson’s books…. And I have always been intrigued by how a series is put together. Much has been made of J.K. Rowling...

Sometimes Blessings Are Slow to Come

Those of you who know me, or follow this blog, know that one of my best friends, Kelly, died last August. Today, she would’ve been twenty-three, and while she’s always on my mind, on her birthday, she is with me stronger than ever. Without sharing too much...

Welcome to Canada!

Five years ago today, I packed up the rental car and drove from my parents’ house in Portland, OR to the Canadian border. When I got to the crossing, I went inside the little building and said, “I’m here to land.” Half an hour later, the border...

The End of an Era

Tonight, the last show will be played at The Roxy Theatre. To the world, it’s just a small, fifty-seat theatre, on a tiny island, in the middle of nowhere, but for islanders, it has been a hub of music, laughter, film, family, culture, live talks, performance...

Happy Birthday, Alexa!

I don’t put all my friends’ birthdays on my blog, but my critique group members get special shouts out on their birthdays because without them, I’d be lost – both in writing, and in friendship – they are stars! And today is Alexa’s...