Taking Chances, Writing Outside Walls: Diverse Authors at the 2017 Brooklyn Book Festival
A report on two events on Children's Day at the 2017 Brooklyn Book Festival and thoughts on taking chances and writing outside one's comfort zone.
Fighting the Last War
Lessons learned from an overreaction to negative reviews and the failed project that followed, with advice for other writers.
Creative Choices and Tradeoffs
The process of installing LED lights in Little Brick Township leads me to reflect on the choices and tradeoffs we make as artists and writers.
New Year’s Resolutions: Whatever Happened To…?
Where I failed to follow through on a resolution and why. Am I too dependent on the opinions of others?
Patrice Kindl’s Letter to Parents: Writing for Teens About Very Bad People
In conjunction with the launch of her new book, Don't You Trust Me?, Patrice Kindl discusses writing evil protagonists.
Between Projects
On finishing a novel manuscript I've been working on for a year and a half, and having no idea what to write next.
Evil Wins
A discussion of stories in which the villains win, and what they can offer readers, young and old.
A Moving Target: Historical Research and Gentrification
A walking tour through the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood where my main character lived 50 years ago.
Returning to Portugal and Seeing the Changes
Thoughts on returning to Portugal, seeing the changes, and researching a historical novel that takes place there in 1966.