There are plenty of things I don't like about being in a high-tech world: the way a certain man I love never goes anywhere without his Blackberry; the way a certain girl I love sometimes text messagesduring lunch... but there are wonderful things, too, that come with the world of high-technology.

Here's my latest example. This week, I received an e-mail from a reader in southwestern Ontario. She's a grown-up named Dee (three cheers for adults who read YA literature!!), who r [...]

There are plenty of things I don't like about being in a high-tech world: the way a certain man I love never goes anywhere without his Blackberry; the way a certain girl I love sometimes text messagesduring lunch... but there are wonderful things, too, that come with the world of high-technology.

Here's my latest example. This week, I received an e-mail from a reader in southwestern Ontario. She's a grown-up named Dee (three cheers for adults who read YA literature!!), who r [...]

In case you're wondering "Ms." stands for "manuscript." And the 79-year-old judge is my dad! My dad (I generally call him "Pa") reads a ton -- but mostly just newspapersand legal documents. He hardly ever reads novels, except for mine! The funny thing is that though he is not exactly a "young adult" (the audience for whom I write), my dad's inner teenager is still alive and well.

Anyway, Pa started reading the manuscript last night over di [...]

"Writing is problem solving." That's what my friend, author and journalist Joel Yanofsky , told my studentswhen he visited us last year. That line has really stuck with me -- because most days, that's what it feels like I'm doing at the computer: solving problems.

I am working on Draft 3 of Miracleville (a YA novel scheduled for release with Orca Books in spring 2011). I'd say my editor, Sarah Harvey , is pleased with my last revision. She has more questions a [...]

After a week in France, I'm thinking in French! So I'm back from a wonderful whirlwind holiday -- and back at my computer, sipping green tea and gearing up for a day of writing.

I wasin France with my friend Janet, whom I met on my first day as a student at Marianopolis College here in Montreal (that's the college where I now teach). In addition to being a terrific traveler and liking all the same things as me, Janet is wise. I jotted down one of the wise things she said. We [...]

Goeje dag means hello in Dutch. I am writing to you today from Amsterdam. And tonight I leave for Nice -- and cooking school.

I just met with Samantha Haywood, a literary agent based here. I learned a lot of interesting things about the state of publishing in Europe. As in North America, the YA industry is thriving. So that's good news for me -- and my "boeken" (that's Dutch for books).

The day before yesterday, my daughter and I went to see the Ermitage Museum h [...]

I'm off this afternoon -- to Holland, then on to France. In all, I'll be away two weeks, which means I may not be blogging with my usual regularity (it all depends on how difficult it is forme to use Dutch and French keyboards!)... but I do have a couple of things to tell you before I go.

Number one, I'm still reading The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (alas, because it is hard cover, I've lent it to a writer friend, who has promised to return it as soon as I walk in the doo [...]

You know the feeling I'm talking about... you crack open a book, you start reading, and within seconds, you know it's GONNA BE WONDERFUL. Now, that's what I call pleasure.

I'vejust started reading Louis Sachar's The Cardturner. The beginning was so delightful I couldn't resist reading it out loud to my husband: "Ever since I was a little kid, I've had it drilled into me that my uncle Lester was my favorite uncle. My mother would thrust the phone at me an [...]

I don't know about you, but I do a whole bunch of things before I settle down to write. Here's what I've done this morning: Got up, wrote in journal (I recommend this as a loosening-the-writing-muscles exercise), went for run with husband (I recommend this as an exercise for other muscles), showered, made myself poached eggs, washed bathtub and sink, had two cups of green tea, phoned best friend for quick chat ... and now here I am, ready to dive in. Today, I'm working on a li [...]

Now that the revision of Miracleville is with my editor, I could be relaxing... only I'm not very good at that!! Instead, I've drummed up some journalism work. I'm doing two stories forThe Gazette, and another for Maclean's Magazine. I was telling my husband last night how journalism brings me a certain buzz. I think it's because it's a quick hit -- I spend a few days researching, a few days writing, then BINGO, there's a story.

Speaking of Maclean's, th [...]

I'm working on the first major revision of my manuscript Miracleville. It's due on Monday at lunchtime and I'm trying to give it a real push this week. Some moments, I think it's coming; others, I feel like I'll never get it right. I am taking some solace from what YA author Louis Sachar told me last week -- that he writes as many as SEVEN DRAFTS of his novels. It's good to be reminded that rewriting is such an important part of the writing process -- and that it's [...]

YA author Louis Sachar -- best known for his book Holes -- had dinner at our house last night.

So in today's blog entry. I will answer your burning questions!

What did he eat? Asian salmon and for dessert, homemade cherry pie with vanilla ice cream.

What was he like? Super nice, and down-to-earth. Funny, but in an understated way.

What did he say about writing? A lot!! He says he writes about six or seven drafts of each book. He doesn't discuss a work-in-pro [...]

Oh, what a wonderful afternoon!! That's Louis Sachar with me in today's pic. Louis is the author of many YA books including Holes, which was made into a movie by Disney. I LOVED THATBOOK!! My friend and co-author, J.R. Scharf, read together with Louis today at an event organized by Summer Literary Seminars. Louis read from the first few chapters of his new book, The Cardturner. Once again, he's created an irresistible narrator with a deadpan sense of humour -- and I get a strong f [...]

This seems to be my week for hanging out with twins! In today's pics, you'll meet two pairs offraternal twins. The pair at the bottom who are in Grade Six at Ecole de l'Envolée in Blainville, Quebec, where I did an author visit today.

These students are part of a special three-month English [...]

Yesterday, I did the last of three creative writing workshops at Hebrew Academy here in Montreal.

I've been working with a group of six lively and bright 11-year-old girls. Because I wantedthe girls to produce some writing (and not just talk about writing!!), we came up with the idea of doing a group story. Each girl agreed to contribute two chapters. To be honest, I wasn't convinced it would work since the project's success depended on many factors: that everyone would do t [...]

In case you'r wondering "Ms." stands for "manuscript." And the 79-year-old judge is my dad! My dad (I generally call him "Pa") reads a ton -- but mostly just newspapersand legal documents. He hardly ever reads novels, except for mine! The funny thing is that though he is not exactly a "young adult" (the audience for whom I write), my dad's inner teenager is still alive and well.

Anyway, Pa started reading the manuscript last night over din [...]

In case you'r wondering "Ms." stands for "manuscript." And the 79-year-old judge is my dad! My dad (I generally call him "Pa") reads a ton -- but mostly just newspapersand legal documents. He hardly ever reads novels, except for mine! The funny thing is that though he is not exactly a "young adult" (the audience for whom I write), my dad's inner teenager is still alive and well.

Anyway, Pa started reading the manuscript last night over din [...]

"Writing is problem solving." That's what my friend, author and journalist Joel Yanofsky , told my studentswhen he visited us last year. That line has really stuck with me -- because most days, that's what it feels like I'm doing at the computer: solving problems.

I am working on Draft 3 of Miracleville (a YA novel scheduled for release with Orca Books in spring 2011). I'd say my editor, Sarah Harvey , is pleased with my last revision. She has more questions a [...]

"Writing is problem solving." That's what my friend, author and journalist Joel Yanofsky , told my studentswhen he visited us last year. That line has really stuck with me -- because most days, that's what it feels like I'm doing at the computer: solving problems.

I am working on Draft 3 of Miracleville (a YA novel scheduled for release with Orca Books in spring 2011). I'd say my editor, Sarah Harvey , is pleased with my last revision. She has more questions a [...]

After a week in France, I'm thinking in French! So I'm back from a wonderful whirlwind holiday -- and back at my computer, sipping green tea and gearing up for a day of writing.

I wasin France with my friend Janet, whom I met on my first day as a student at Marianopolis College here in Montreal (that's the college where I now teach). In addition to being a terrific traveler and liking all the same things as me, Janet is wise. I jotted down one of the wise things she said. We [...]

After a week in France, I'm thinking in French! So I'm back from a wonderful whirlwind holiday -- and back at my computer, sipping green tea and gearing up for a day of writing.

I wasin France with my friend Janet, whom I met on my first day as a student at Marianopolis College here in Montreal (that's the college where I now teach). In addition to being a terrific traveler and liking all the same things as me, Janet is wise. I jotted down one of the wise things she said. We [...]

Goeje dag means hello in Dutch. I am writing to you today from Amsterdam. And tonight I leave for Nice -- and cooking school.

I just met with Samantha Haywood, a literary agent based here. I learned a lot of interesting things about the state of publishing in Europe. As in North America, the YA industry is thriving. So that's good news for me -- and my "boeken" (that's Dutch for books).

The day before yesterday, my daughter and I went to see the Ermitage Museum h [...]

Goeje dag means hello in Dutch. I am writing to you today from Amsterdam. And tonight I leave for Nice -- and cooking school.

I just met with Samantha Haywood, a literary agent based here. I learned a lot of interesting things about the state of publishing in Europe. As in North America, the YA industry is thriving. So that's good news for me -- and my "boeken" (that's Dutch for books).

The day before yesterday, my daughter and I went to see the Ermitage Museum h [...]

I'm off this afternoon -- to Holland, then on to France. In all, I'll be away two weeks, which means I may not be blogging with my usual regularity (it all depends on how difficult it is forme to use Dutch and French keyboards!)... but I do have a couple of things to tell you before I go.

Number one, I'm still reading The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (alas, because it is hard cover, I've lent it to a writer friend, who has promised to return it as soon as I walk in the doo [...]

I'm off this afternoon -- to Holland, then on to France. In all, I'll be away two weeks, which means I may not be blogging with my usual regularity (it all depends on how difficult it is forme to use Dutch and French keyboards!)... but I do have a couple of things to tell you before I go.

Number one, I'm still reading The Cardturner by Louis Sachar (alas, because it is hard cover, I've lent it to a writer friend, who has promised to return it as soon as I walk in the doo [...]