May 1, 2014 | personal growth
“You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had...
Apr 20, 2014 | personal growth
I am turning fifty today. There. I’ve said it. I’m not entirely sure what to make of this…achievement. It’s certainly forcing me to think about my past and future in ways I’ve not thought of either before. And it’s certainly...
Apr 17, 2014 | children's book publishing
In the magazine Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors, there’s a wonderful column by Mainer Rob McCall called “Awanadjo Almanack,” in which he ponders and wonders about nature. His observations are vivid and splendid, and I’ve since learned he’s on the radio...
Apr 14, 2014 | children's book publishing
“Instant gratification is not soon enough” – Meryl Streep I was reading an article about how some boat makers are researching ways to replace the baby-boomers who are aging out of the pastime of sailing, and in the course of their research once such...
Mar 6, 2014 | children's book publishing, personal growth, writing craft and process
I read some exchanges recently between picture book authors in which one posed the question (and I’m paraphrasing here) as to whether she could do whatever she wanted with her main character in her manuscript, or whether it was better to perhaps “play it safe.” A few...