Feeling the Flow
October 28, 2025
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When it comes to writing, “flow” is a state of mind and work that I strive to achieve. I am not always successful, but when I do, my work is much better. Why?
Blog
When Less is Better Than More
October 21, 2025
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“As a writer of stories, I’m deeply invested in plot flow, trying to create energy that keeps the tale moving, while always (trying) to take the reader along.”
My Writing Tools and Ideas
October 14, 2025
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As a writer. Words are what I use. My tools. My ideas. Once I learn them, all I have to do is to put them down in good order.
Tales of the American Revolution
October 7, 2025
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We are approaching the celebration of 250 years of American Independence. Hurrah, but …
“Reading Skills of 12th Graders Hits a New Low”
September 30, 2025
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Time and again, children’s books are the books that adults remember most.
To Begin
September 23, 2025
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Beginnings, then, are always important to me, and perhaps among the most important beginnings are the first lines of a story, the ones I write and the ones I read.
Empathy, Reading, and Breakfast Serials
September 16, 2025
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Since I write fiction, I am delighted that research has shown that one of the most powerful ways to learn, gain, and practice empathy is by reading fiction.
The Story of Breakfast Serials
September 9, 2025
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Breakfast Serials, at its peak in 2005, gave thirty-three million readers access to seventeen stories written by twenty-seven celebrated writers, with art by top-notch illustrators. The serialized story held the attention of a large number of dedicated readers.
2025 Summer Blog Series: Summer Summary
September 2, 2025
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This past summer I asked my writer friends / colleagues to answer this question: “What’s your favorite strategy for encouraging young people to read?” Here’s my sense of what I felt each author suggests.
Serialization, Breakfast Serials, and Substack
August 28, 2025
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In the 19th century, novel serialization made the cost of book reading much lower for the general public. Moreover, it transformed reading from an individual endeavor to a social phenomenon, with huge numbers able to simultaneously share a text.