writing, speaking, web-making, and best of all, I get to dance later
I'm the author of YA novels, Rhythm & Blues and Break On Through.More about me »
People ask me all the time “how’s the book going?” And I tend to sputter and flinch at the question. My gut reaction is to ask “which ONE?!” For most writers, there’s never just “the book.” For me right now, there’s the book I released in 2008, for which royalty statements exist; the book that [...]
As I mentioned the other day, I finished looking over the copyedit of Rhythm & Blues. How does a writer celebrate such a milestone? She starts working on something else, of course. For me, this time, it’s not quite that tidy. I’ve had enough lag time between editorial phases on R&B that I’ve already completed [...]
Over on One.Blank.Cog, Ehren wonders: Not too long ago HarperCollins Canada announced that they would be repackaging certain young adult novels for adults. Why??? Ehren thinks adults should own up to loving YA, and embrace the original covers in all their exuberant, cartoony, lime-and-pink-and-foil, teen glory. As a nearly-published YA author, I can’t help but [...]
More and more frequently, I find myself in a position where, despite my better judgement, I feel obligated to defend or explain some aspect of hip hop. With breaking in particular, I am powerfully motivated from within to clear up confusion and see credit assigned where it is due. This makes sense, since it’s something [...]
YA author Mary Rose Wood asks, There is something very strange happening on my dining room table. See for yourself. It’s a poinsetta. Yes, I know. The mysterious plant that turns up every holiday season, causing people to wonder and wonder yet again: are the red parts leaves, or flowers?” I’m beyond that now. I’m [...]
I was working my way through a revision of my b-girl novel and kind of sweating over its ever-expanding length when the following question came into my inbox from Chrisa, regarding her thesis. “I need to cut approximately 5,000 words. Do you have any hints?” DO I? Why yes. In no particular order, I suggest [...]
Of figure skating, Herbivore asked me: Q: but jill……why is it just so cheeeeeeeeeezy? A: Herbivore, this is a tough question. There doesn’t seem to be any one single answer. The hard part is dissecting the different threads of cheesiness, because the cheesiness that exists in men’s skating springs from different sources than the cheesiness [...]
Question of the day: Q: But Jiiiill, if the animal doesn’t die to give up the milk, what does it matter if you eat the cheese? Why don’t you just eat the cheese? Eat the cheese! A: From what I understand, in order to get a cow to give up milk all the time, a [...]
