It all started with Erma Bombeck. As a young kid growing up in the Ozarks, most other boys my age were hunting, fishing, or playing baseball. They lined their rooms with posters of George Brett and Joe Montana, or, if they were a bit older, Farrah Fawcett. But I was obsessed with Erma.
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As a child, my favorite pastime was sitting under the Ping-Pong table, over which I'd draped a cloth tent, reading. When puberty hit, I sequestered myself in my room, preferring to read about others' lives rather than living my own. Entering a cloister when I was 18 put a real crimp in my reading activities. Our reading was limited to lives of the saints and books on prayer or asceticism. The monastery library, however, held an astounding collection of Stoddard's Lectures. I read the entire series, traveling round the world with Stoddard on early 20th century journeys. When I left the monastery I crashed the local library and seized every book the staff recommended.
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Blog Du Jour

Young Writers

Teens: Itching to write? Check out these sites for support and inspiration! (And a ton of invaluable how-to.)

Miss Erin

Write On!

Young Writers Project

Merlyn's Pen

Teen Reads

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I was just a few weeks pregnant when I was hit with the idea for my newest book, Switchcraft. I was on the phone with my friend in New York, turning just a slight shade of green at the tales of her dating adventures. My life as an unfettered young woman was over and then I wondered what would happen if we switched lives?
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I kept hearing about joy, but what I saw was struggle. Doubt. Anguish. I heard praise, but even without looking, I stumbled upon notes of opposition that told -- just maybe -- a different story. The year was 2002 and I was in Puerto Rico on a research trip, watching archival footage of the famous Spanish cellist Pablo Casals.
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Blog Du Jour

Wisdom of Authors

These writers maintain outstanding blogs that explore creativity and the writing life. Learn from them.

Theresa Williams

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

Alton Gansky

Chris Well: Learning Curve

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Blog Du Jour

Introducing Readers to Writers

These blogs review books, introduce writers, cover literary news, offer literary links, and even feature a video or two:

Beatrice

BookFox

Bookburger

Books, Movies and Chinese Food

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