Last week I was in Maine, visiting with my sisters Laura and Audrey and my mother. We had a great time cooking, sewing, laughing, remembering, listening to Team of Rivals. Part of the cooking was me making rye bread flavored with pickle juice. I'd tried it once before and found it perfectly rye and sour. And this time … [Read more...] about Wry Revision, er… Revision and Rye…Rye and Revision
Blog
Happy Birthday Langston Hughes
Writers Almanac tells us today is the birthday of Langston Hughes. Also that he lived for much of his childhood with his grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas. And this is one of the things that's important about that: Langston was fascinated by the streetcars in Lawrence, and he wanted to be a streetcar conductor when he … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday Langston Hughes
When an Idea Knocks…
It's January again and time for the winter residency of the Hamline MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. I always look forward to this winter "writers' camp," where we talk about writing from breakfast until dinner--and after, with lectures, workshops, readings, and old-fashioned conversation. This winter I … [Read more...] about When an Idea Knocks…
Whittling
It's all about process, whether it's story building or housebuilding. That's why I love this story about a man who loves wood and has spent thirty years whittling his own house. He's not done, but he loves the process. … [Read more...] about Whittling
Exploring the Spaces of Our Lives
It’s one of those days, one of those lovely fall days, today. When Rich and I were out at the Pal this morning I was reminded of E.B. White’s response to someone who asked what the message was in Charlotte’s Web. He said, “All I wanted to say, all I ever want to say is that I love the world.” It’s one of those … [Read more...] about Exploring the Spaces of Our Lives
Monsieur Marceau: A Silent Performer, Captured in Words
I love stories about events that really happened and people who really lived--and kids do, too. And today I am especially pleased to share the biography of the famous mime Marcel Marceau--Monsieur Marceau--written by my friend Leda Schubert, illustrated by Gerard DuBois, and just published by Roaring Brook. Leda opens … [Read more...] about Monsieur Marceau: A Silent Performer, Captured in Words
