Reading as resistance
Lots of times we think of reading as a passive activity, something that’s more or the less the opposite of doing. “Oh, she doesn’t do anything; she just sits around reading.” But can reading itself be an act of … Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Books and Ideas’
Keeping Things Whole
Today, I treat you to a favorite poem by Mark Strand, “Keeping Things Whole.” It goes everywhere with me in the pocket of my writer’s notebook. It’s mostly memorized. I still remember where I was sitting when I first read … Read more
Facing Frailty (Death)
Dying sucks. And saying, “dying sucks” is a way of trivializing my terror. Because I am really, really afraid of dying. Also, I would prefer for all my loved ones to continue to live. I recognize that this goes against … Read more
Rilke’s no-foolin’ advice for writers (good for living well, too)
Rainer Maria Rilke has been one of my favorite poets for a long time. Recently as I was digging through an old writer’s notebook (from 4 years ago), I came across this list of advice I gathered from Letters to … Read more
The magic tree: Ashley’s flickr fantasies
Check out this exquisite photograph I took in a Cambodian temple. Oh, wait. I didn’t actually take it. That was just a fantasy I had while stalking Austin-based photographer Trey Ratcliff on flickr.com (check out his award-winning blog, Stuck in Customs… Read more
Diversity in YA Guest Post
Y’all hop over to the Diversity in YA blog for my guest post today on cussing, cockroaches, and my audience. It’ll be grand!
Also, don’t forget: Launch party for What Can’t Wait on Saturday, March 26, from 7-10 p.m. at … Read more
Productive procrastination?
“Productive” and “procrastination” may seem like words that don’t belong in the same time zone, much less the same sentence, but actually purposeful procrastination lets me squeeze out more productivity than I could otherwise manage with my maxed-out brain cells … Read more
Graphic novel round-up
Today, a round-up of my reviews of graphic novels. (BTW, every time I type “graphic novels” I have a momentary flash of paranoia. “Graphic novel” sounds so…. naughty. Like I’m blogging about soft porn or bodice-ripping. But, no–I’m blogging about
… Read more Naomi’s secret sensuality
Are the Naomis of the world especially sensual? I ask because I just noticed that the name “Naomi” is “I moan” backwards.
If I were to have a character named Naomi, I don’t think I could resist making something out … Read more
Texas visit and events
Silly me, I thought my work on What Can’t Wait was DONE when I finished it. Little did I know that the work of getting the word out was just beginning. Thinking about publicity has actually been a blessing in … Read more
