Ten days of intense focus on writing and story leave all of us who attend the Hamline MFA in writing for children and young adults residency with much to think about. Recently, I have been remembering the wonderful presentation by Lauren Stringer (on the left in the photo) and Wendy Orr. They told us the stories behind … [Read more...] about Reflection on the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
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Choosing the Details
When Phyllis Root and I were working on our presentation for the Hamline University MFA residency earlier this month I realized how much I love old cookbooks, the ones that have little stories or recollections to go with the recipes. Now comes a book, a history, based on the eating habits of people who lived in New … [Read more...] about Choosing the Details
Every Word
I am away from home, teaching at the Hamline University MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. There's a wonderful energy here when so many people get together who are just going to dig in and live writing for children and young adults. We think about writing, critique writing, talking about writing, and … [Read more...] about Every Word
Another Species, Another Rescue
When I was working on The Chiru of High Tibet, I began to think that there may be a need in us, one that we are only partly aware of, to keep our entire world intact. That wholeness is so important to us that four trekkers would risk their lives and health to save a species they might not see again. They had … [Read more...] about Another Species, Another Rescue
Getting Started
When I went to Tibet a few years ago I kept a journal, to help me see and remember such an unusual experience. And it has, on our first day in the Chang Tang reserve I wrote: We are in the Chang Tang Reserve!! The wind is blowing so hard it moves my tennis shoes inside the tent, which is rather dicey because I have … [Read more...] about Getting Started
