Participating in National Novel Writing Month 2016

I am thrilled to announce that I have officially signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo 2016! My main goal in doing so is to complete a first draft of the chapter book version of my picture book manuscript Allyson in the Islands by November 30th. I’m very excited to buckle down and tackle this project—so…

Embracing My Inner Chick

I am pleased to announce that I have finally finished a solid first draft of Dirty, my thesis novel for the Stanford Online Writing Certificate in Fiction. I am in the early stages of my final requirement for that program: participation in a ten-week one-on-one tutorial with an experienced (and, in my case, published) author.…

A Fresh Start for an Old Project – “Allyson in the Islands” Reborn!

In the twenty-two months that I’ve been away from this blog, I have: Completed my coursework for the Stanford Online Writing Certificate in Fiction Scheduled my final requirement for that program—a ten-week one-on-one mentorship intended to kick off the revision of my rough draft of my novel, Dirty Worked for a top-grossing mobile gaming company…

Participating in a Picture Book Writing Challenge

Wow, I’ve been away from this blog for months! I had a very busy fall, courtesy of the first class in the fiction-writing program I’m enrolled in through Stanford (more on that in a later post), plus the time required to get my freelance writing business going and growing. The good news is that I…

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel

When purchased:  August 2013 Where:  Secondhand online from Powells.com (a fabulous indie alternative to Amazon.com, especially for used books) Why:  I’m collaborating on a book about depression, and I felt this was an important take on the subject to read How Read:  A chapter here and there, over the course of a couple of weeks I’ll give…

Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully

When purchased:  August 23rd, 2013 Where:  Books Inc. Palo Alto Why:  I’m doing research for a picture book I’m considering writing How Read:  In one sitting, then again, and again, and soon to be read again I’ve recently had cause to study a number of children’s picture books. In July, a friend mentioned to me…

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

When purchased:  Upon its May 2013 publication Where:  Online in e-book format Why:  I’ve read all of the previous novels in Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series, so it seemed silly to stop before reading what has been advertised as the final one How Read:  In three painless sittings, the way guilty pleasures ought to be A few…

The Method to My Madness, Part 2: Creative Writing

I’ve spent most of my professional life helping others realize their creative goals.  I’ve been a movie producer’s assistant, a script reader, a story editor for a series of webtoons, and a production coordinator in animation and visual effects.  I derive deep satisfaction from helping people manage their time and talent.  The work suits my…

The Method to My Madness, Part 1: Reading

In order to document the circumstances leading to my reading choices, each post on this blog that reviews a book will open with the following information: When purchased:  I’m embarrassed by how long I’ve had some good reads propping up proverbial and literal table legs Where:  This tidbit often reveals how desperate I was to…