‘A Box Story’ by Kenneth Kit Lamug: The Review

Kenneth Kit Lamug is a trend setter. Sure, the habit of children playing with and/or in boxes has existed for ages. But if my 18 nieces and nephews have taught me anything, it’s the boxes that house their precious (and expensive) toys that they play with. What Kenneth’s magnificent book proposes, is that a box … Continue reading »

Challenge-a writer’s refiner’s fire

I love a good challenge. Especially as a writer. A writing challenge is such a fantastic way to keep the creative side of your brain vibrating with ideas and your heart pumping alive with innovation and artistry. And love. Because you have to love to write. #laboroflove I’ve heard that feisty Marjorie and testy little Tex … Continue reading »

Operation Virtual Agent #3

WOW. Scott has asked a very difficult question. I’m not sure this situation will apply to many of you, but it’s a very intriguing question and makes you think a bit about query rule-breaking. Thanks for your question, Scott! Continue reading »

Be the Evel Knievel of Writing

Let’s talk about risk taking. For a long while now I have been soliciting a Dexter-type YA manuscript, something risky, something daring. Well. I missed that boat. And that boat is called Barry Lyga’s I HUNT KILLERS, “a dark thriller pitched as Dexter meets The Silence of the Lambs for teens, about a teen boy who … Continue reading »

What I’ve learned so far…

Although it is technically more pleasant to read blogs in prose, I’m (1) a trained journalist, facts facts facts! No flowery writing!, and (2) tired out of my MIND. So bullet points it is. 1. Dystopian and post-apocalyptic are the new trends. Although, in post-apocalyptic try to avoid zombies. As with everything else I will … Continue reading »

Attn: Writers followup

(This is a followup post to Attn: Writers.) One question that was asked by the hot blogger himself was “What kind of stories do you want and what are you not getting?” Today, while chatting with a wonderful editor, I asked her what she “was craving that she just wasn’t getting.” Her answer? Great fiction for … Continue reading »

Think outside the human (or animal) brain

I’m talking about personification of inanimate objects. I recently got a query letter with such an interesting story. Only problem was, it lacked the children appeal. I suggested to the author of this awesome query that she perhaps personify the main object in the story…the house. Remember the epic film The Brave Little Toaster? Very … Continue reading »