The Power of Writing to YOU Several months ago, I visited the Rubenstein Rare Books & Manuscript Library at Duke University. My purpose? I needed to research an individual for a possible picture book biography. Duke housed my subject’s archives in one of their collections. As I sorted through photographs and papers in the quiet… Read more »
There are only two types of writing prompts. The good ones, that spark a new idea. And the great ones that take you on a journey and fill you to the brim with creativity. If you thought, at Worldly Wise I am just going to drop prompts for you to choose from, you haven’t been… Read more »
Growing up, we all read stories that ended with every problem resolved and neatly tied up with a bow. Damsel meets prince, they fall in love, they live happily ever after. Unfortunately, real life does not work like that. In real life, there are difficult, sensitive subjects and issues that may or may not ever… Read more »
I mean, really, what’s the point of writing? “WTAF?” is a question I’ve been asking myself a lot lately. What’s the point of crying, of protesting, of sharing my feelings online? What’s the point of trying to make my voice heard when it’s clear no one is interested in hearing it? With everything—and I mean,… Read more »
Summer break means warmer temps, later nights, barbecues, popsicles, fireworks, swimming … and kids spending more time at home. While kids may love summer free time, parents sometimes struggle to adapt to the new family dynamic. In particular, writers can find it challenging to maintain their writing life with kids—and extra noise—in the house. If… Read more »
Trends! TikTok has some, and so does Instagram. And that is perhaps one of the few things writing a novel and social media have in common. Read on for more about the trends in speculative fiction. How trends can help you as an author 1. A Great Place to Start Let’s face it: when you… Read more »
As an author, does the phrase “cultural appropriation” make the tiny hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention? You’re not alone. Some conversations about cultural appropriation can feel about as useful as a pile of hot garbage. However, intentionally making space to listen to experiences with cultural appropriation has the potential to… Read more »
Hello, fellow kid lit writers! I’m coming to you this week with another fantastic author interview. Our spotlight author this time is Ritu Anand, author of the vibrant and heartfelt picture book Kara’s Dreams. I had the pleasure of interviewing her, and I can’t wait to share her incredible insight and experiences writing for kids!… Read more »
The setting of my debut novel, Blithedale Canyon, is Mill Valley, California, a small, leafy suburb just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. But though Mill Valley is a real place—and, as it happens, my hometown—I knew from the start that I wanted to treat it fictionally. In part, this meant that while… Read more »
As writers, we hear again and again how important voice is in our work, particularly when shopping a piece or querying agents. But “voice” itself, especially if you are just starting out, can be a tricky thing to define in unequivocal, technical terms. What is this slippery, nebulous, yet powerful creature? What are its component… Read more »
