Now that my debut children’s middle grade novel is published (Gone From These Woods/August 25, 2009, Random House/Delacorte Press), I’m often asked, “Are you writing another book?” I usually answer yes. And then they ask what it’s about. And I usually say, “Two kids and a spelling bee.” Next, they want to know when they…
Tag Archive: rewriting
Backwards Manuscripts and Rewriting
I’ve discovered something during endless days of rewriting children’s middle grade novels. Most of my stories start out backwards. Maybe the beginning is near the ending, sort of like that great movie I saw recently, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” In that memorable flick, Ben started out as an elderly man who aged backwards…
