Laurie Ann Thompson is a children’s book author of seven books including ALA Youth Media Awards Schneider Family Award winner Emmanuel’s Dream, which can you believe was her first published book? When I set out to interview authors, I never imagined I’d get the chance to talk to a picture book author, let alone one who is accomplished as Laurie. As you’ll hear in our interview she’s every bit as talented, smart, and knowledgeable as every author I talk to, while being extremely humble. If you write for children, you know the challenge of doing so. I’m on my sixth year of…
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Lately, everything seems to be coming to the forefront. We can no longer stay silent and hidden, sweeping our historical systemic racism under the rug. There are people in power triggering all of our old wounds, inciting violence, but also causing us to reflect and revisit the ways we’ve been hurting each other. Racism is a fact of life. The pandemic is a reality of our new life. Writing is a tool that can be used to make changes. But how do we write and create when everything in the world is overwhelming right now? I listened to an SCBWI…
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In this conversation with Cami Nihipali, a teacher at Kamehameha schools and author who writes under the pen name CL Walters, and I chat about deep things. I didn’t even do an intro on this one. I didn’t have time to. We get right into race relations and what’s going on in the world today. It’s not an easy conversation, but I admire her courage and willingness to go there. She didn’t have to, but she did. You won’t want to miss this one especially if you’re writing about cultures different from your own. I attribute the ease of our…
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I recorded this interview weeks ago and postponed it due to the racial tragedies and injustices that have impacted me deeply. To support the Black Lives Matter Movement, I have been speaking out on my social media platforms and will be making changes to this blog. You can read about my stance on The Inspiring Bee, but I will be posting here as well. Thank you for your understanding while I figure out ways to serve you and what we’re all going through right now. Inspiration Conversation With Author, Speaker and Teacher Susan Purvis If you heard that an avalanche…
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Deb Hunter is a bright soul with a good heart. A southerner that you want to sit down on the porch and have a glass of iced tea with. She’s an author who follows the call of her passion which has led her to write her upcoming novel I’ll See You In My Dreams. She’s also a Stage IV cancer survivor with a heart of gold. Grateful doesn’t describe how I felt when I spoke to Deb. She’s so inspiring and a real sweetheart. She shares her writing schedule, what class has given her a deeper understanding of her characters, and…
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Show Notes: If you’re interested in writing a memoir and getting it traditionally published, you need to get advice from someone whose been there. Linda Strader has not only written a memoir, but she’s done all the emotional work to write it, deal with the pain of reliving it and endured the 200 rejections to see it through to publication. Like Tara, Linda is one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve had the honor of getting to know. I’m calling this a conversation because that’s how it feels when you talk to her. Linda is down to earth, humble and…
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I’ve been hearing a voice saying to me, “Do a podcast,” since last year. But why would I? I’m terrible at speaking. If it wasn’t for Tara, I wouldn’t have the courage. But Tara inspires courage not just in me. Her bold vulnerability, her passion, and the way she makes you feel less alone are all reasons why Tara is a writer to know. She’s a Best of the Net–nominated writer and editor and you may have read her work in The Washington Post, Huffington Post, and recently became an author as a contributor to new book Big: Stories About Life in…
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Recently, I took a free Coursera course on “How to Craft Contagious Content.” The information was so compelling I realized that you could use it to write anything. Emotional. How many times have you received a rejection or a critique that your story wasn’t emotional? It didn’t have enough heart in it. This is the emotional pull that makes people keep reading or unable to turn away from the television during a commercial. What affects you on an emotional level is what you remember. A social worker once told my mother that while my grandmother wouldn’t remember details, she could…
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Hawaii is in lockdown. Many of us are in shelter mode while we’re juggling normal daily tasks and the added joy of homeschooling our kids. It’s not easy to find the silver lining on days when the kids are not listening, jumping on beds, and oh yeah writing hasn’t happened in weeks.While you’re fantasizing about the freedom to sit in a coffee shop, here are a few good things going on now. And don’t we all need good news? Writer’s Digest free tutorials for a month. Always wanted to learn how to write the best middle-grade query or develop a…
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I first heard about Paulette Perhach through her popular book Welcome to the Writer’s Life. It was one of those writer books that I couldn’t stop talking about on Twitter and Instagram. Filled with writerly tips for writers at every stage, it was also surprisingly fun to read. Every ounce of her book oozes with personality, which is how Perhach writes-like you know her, like you’re one of her bestfriends. This is why I was ecstatic when she agreed to be interviewed, I knew it would be helpful and loads of fun! In your Yoga Journal article, “How I Became a Front-Row…