This was not my intended motto for this year. When I started thinking about what I wanted to focus on in 2019, the words that came to mind were "Risk It." I have big plans this year: I'm on sabbatical from my day job until June, I'm teaching at an international writing...

I’m a little late in getting this posted, because the end of 2018 was a whirlwind. But I’m making the time here and now, so let’s do this.

My 2018 word for the year was “Centered.” More than any of the words I’ve chosen over the past few years, this one stuck with me al...

Dear female writers and other creatives,

I see you.

Maybe you’re a mom with small kids, unloading the dishwasher, throwing in laundry, trying to write a few paragraphs while they’re napping. You’re changing sheets and cleaning the bathroom and drinking coffee or Diet Cok...

We're celebrating Women's History month with 31 days of posts focused on improving the climate for social and gender equality in the children’s and teens’ literature community. Join in the conversation on Facebook  or Twitter #kidlitwomen

My nine-year-old daughter...

  Merriam-Webster defines it as "1. having a center, 2.  having a center of curvature, and 3. emotionally stable and secure." The way I'm thinking of it for this year is a combination of definitions 1 and 3--a secure sense of place, of grounding. 2018 is going to be a...

For the past few years, inspired by friend Jo Knowles, I've chosen a word as a theme for my year. 2017's word was "Prioritize." Today, as I launch a new blog to go with my new website, I'm reviewing how my word shaped my year and how I stacked up against my intentions....