About a year ago, I began writing a new middle-grade novel. The last book in my Zahra of the Uwharries series will be published this summer. I needed a new project, which led me on a hunt through my notes to dig out an idea. Once I settled on which idea to pursue, I wrote a couple of chapters. The chapters were difficult to write. First, the opening was too dark and depressing. Then it was too confusing. Then I paused and worked on a few picture book manuscripts that had bee

Setting: A library-based author event earlier this year. Time: The latter portion of "set up" time, prior to the doors opening to the public. An author who said she writes young adult novels walked up to my booth and picked up my display copy of Society of the Sentinelia. She read the back cover. Her face lit up.

Ask any writer who has sat behind a table of neatly arranged books, swag, and themed decor, and they will have a story or two about the...

What is a writer's pocketbook, you ask? It's what I call the pocketbook that's big enough to hold the book I'm currently reading, a small

Ingredients for success certainly include knowledge, experience, tenacity, and passion. However, every recipe needs that special something

Learning, networking, and receiving feedback are what I use to boost inspiration and motivation as a writer. That's why I'm headed to...

One of my favorite late-December activities is shopping for a new journal.

Adventures help build creative muscle. I'm convinced writer's block can always be cured by taking a break from the keyboard and trying...

Amidst my hectic graduate work, middle school teacher, and novel writer schedule, I carved out time for a writers and illustrators...

When I sat down in a session at the SCBWI-Carolinas fall writers and illustrators weekend retreat, everyone around me was exchanging...

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at the SCBWI Carolinas Deep Dive Day. My presentation was rooted in my personal writing and...

The Birkhead Wilderness, which is part of the Uwharrie Mountains in central NC, was the inspiration and setting for my Zahra of the...

The start of school had me overwhelmed and underproductive when it came to my writing obligations. During every spare minute, I was...

Nearly two months ago, I tried something new. I reached slightly outside my comfort zone and participated in a local open mic event....

When writers create characters, they draw from observations of friends, relatives, acquaintances, and strangers. Then they mix those...

A family vacation followed by an illness that had me in bed the better part of a week conspired to stall progress on edits to a...

I've been a dedicated NaNoWriMo participant for years. Each November, I challenge myself to draft a book—or at least the first 50K words...

We wear many hats in our lives. My collection includes mother, wife, aunt, daughter, caregiver, marketing director, mentor, friend, and...

Whenever I have the opportunity, I head to the coast. Whether for a weekend, a week, or just the day, my soul craves time on the sand at...