Here’s a treat for you! Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo received the 2013 Kerlan Award on Saturday, June 8. Here is her acceptance speech, posted by the University of Minnesota. Happy watching! [Kate’s speech comes after the introductions, around Minute #18.] Her Newbery was for The Tale of Despereaux. You’ll laugh, you’ll sigh, you’ll identify. Enjoy […]
Kristi Holl
For Writers: Gems on the Web!
While I’m away from my desk this week, I want to share with you some “gems” I’ve gathered in recent weeks from the Web. I hope you will take time to read and/or print out both things listed today. You’ll be glad you did! Gem#1 So You Want to Write Books for Children? Is writing […]
Writing Strategy: Acting AS IF
(First re-read the last post: New Twist on the Thought-Feeling-Behavior Writing Cycle.) After three very busy weeks (two new grandbabies, lots of travel, a conference, two work-for-hire deadlines), I was finally able to sit down for a lengthy time yesterday and write on my novel. Or so I thought. I sat down all right, but once […]
New Twist on the Thought-Feeling-Behavior Writing Cycle
“Enthusiasm, motivation, and dedication are necessary for your success as a writer,” says Kelly L. Stone, author of Living Write: the secret to inviting your craft into your daily life. But…what if you don’t have all those emotional tools (the enthusiasm, motivation and dedication) at your disposal? “Don’t worry,” says Kelly. “They can be learned […]
Chop! Chop! Writing in 20-Minute Slices
Thirty years ago I read an article that said writing was like eating a salami. You’d choke if you tried to swallow the whole thing at once. Slice by slice, though, it was easy. Life has been hectic lately, with few large chunks of time to work. So I went back to creating 20-minute tasks […]
Writers at Work: Accepting the Accountability Challenge
Many of you know that we’ve added two new grandbabies to the family in less than two weeks. (Photos below.) Because I’ve been spending many wonderful hours holding babies, I am going to post a guest blog today, but it’s actually one that I wrote myself for the blog of good friends of mine. It’s […]
Want to Be Successful? Take Aim and Keep Shooting
Consider this quote from basketball great Michael Jordan: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” His point? To be so successful, […]
Frustration and the Serenity Prayer for Writers
This has been a frustrating week on several levels. When I’m frustrated, it’s usually a sign that I’m trying to control something I can’t control. This can be a person or a situation or an event. The process can churn your mind into mush until you can’t think. On the other hand, making a 180-degree […]
Your Writing: Who's in Charge? (Part 3)
(First read Mental Boundaries: Who’s in Charge Part 1 and Emotional Boundaries: Who’s in Charge? Part 2.) By now, you’ve changed your thoughts and your attitudes. However, in the final analysis, taking charge of your writing life comes down to taking action. Are you actually writing? Have you developed the Seven Habits of a Highly […]
Emotional Boundaries: Who's in Charge? (Part 2)
(First read Mental Boundaries: Who’s in Charge?–Part 1) Are you tired of feeling the same defeatist way about your writing? Are you ready for something new? 2. Attitudes Changing your thoughts will change your mental attitudes and emotional feelings about writing. Even so, there will be times throughout the day when you will be faced […]