Author Archives: Val

Summer Reading Giveaway

So many people have been talking about and posting about how happy they are that it is summer–and many of them primarily because summer affords us the time to do one of my favorite activities: Read.   When I was … Continue reading

Posted in contest | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: The Beach

The prompt for this month is to use all five of the following words in a story: sand, sea, cartwheels, tequila, and sunburn. Today’s story comes from Cathy MacKenzie. Cathy’s most recent publication, BETWEEN THESE PAGES, is a compilation of 18 … Continue reading

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Book Review: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. It’s hard to write about without spoilers, though. So here’s the short version—without spoilers. For spoilers, you’ll have to scroll down. I picked up this novel because it was recommended by a literary agent … Continue reading

Posted in book reviews | 1 Comment

Flash Fiction: Tequila Breeze

The prompt for this month is to use all of the following five words in a story: sand, sea, cartwheels, tequila, sunburn. Today’s post comes from Val Muller, author of Faulkner’s Apprentice, Corgi Capers, and The Scarred Letter. * * … Continue reading

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Voyage of the Frog by Gary Paulsen

I re-read this book for a YA/kidlit class I’m teaching later this month. Gary Paulsen was one of my favorite authors as a kid. I devoured each of his books, loving the way his characters expanded their horizons to develop … Continue reading

Posted in book reviews | 2 Comments

Flash Fiction: Tequila Man

Welcome to the Spot Writers. This month the prompt is to use sand, sea, cartwheels, tequila, and sunburn in the story. Today’s contribution comes from RC Bonitz, author of A BLANKET FOR HER HEART.    Tequila Man by RC Bonitz … Continue reading

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

3 Lessons for Writers

A few weeks ago, I attended (and presented at) the 2014 Pennwriters Annual Conference. First of all, it was great to be back in Lancaster, PA. I really missed Isaac’s pretzel roll sandwiches, and I snuck away long enough to … Continue reading

Posted in writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Going Barefoot by Aileen Fisher

I looked everywhere for this book. It is out of print, and I had to find a used copy online. When I was a kid, my mom and I always used to check this book out of the library. It … Continue reading

Posted in book reviews | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: Local Gossip About the Muffin Man

Today’s post comes from Kathy (with a “K”) L. Price. Her book, Down the nanoTubes, will be available soon. The prompt this time is to use the first line of a nursery rhyme or story as the first line LOCAL … Continue reading

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment

Flash Fiction: Bad, Bad, Jimmy

Today’s post comes from Cathy MacKenzie. The prompt this time is to use the first line of a nursery rhyme or story as the first line. (Some of you may recognize Jimmy from the Grimes family!) Cathy’s most recent publication, BETWEEN THESE … Continue reading

Posted in flash fiction | Leave a comment