Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA BOOK CLUB: Chapter 11: ABOARD THE HOGWARTS EXPRESSS
First Paragraph: There was a definite end-of-the-holidays gloom in the air when Harry awoke next morning. Heavy rain was still splattering against the window as he got dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt; they would change into their school robes on the Hogwarts Express. Esteemed Reader, at 11 chapters in, I’m as crazy about Harry Potter […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA BOOK CLUB: Chapter 10: MAYHEM AT THE MINISTRY
First Paragraph: Mr. Weasley woke them after only a few hours sleep. He used magic to pack up the tents, and they left the campsite as quickly as possible, passing Mr. Roberts at the door of his cottage. Mr. Roberts had a strange, dazed look about him, and he waved them off with a vague […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINA STUFF: A Great Writer
Esteemed Reader, I’m deeply saddened. A mentor has passed away. The world is far poorer for it. If you knew Jim Powell or if you read him, you already know this. More likely, since this blog is read by an audience far outside of Indiana and focuses on a type of fiction Jim Powell didn’t […]
Middle Grade Ninja: New Year’s Resolution
Wait, Esteemed Reader! Don’t go! I just want to talk to you is all. I know I’ve made a mess of things between us and I am so, so sorry. But I can change, baby. I can be better. Just give me one more chance. I’ve missed you. I know I’ve said it before. I […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Music to Write By
For today’s Random Stuff I Found on the Internet post, I wanted to talk about music. One thing movies have going for them that books can’t really duplicate is the ability to play the exact music they want to enhance a scene. We writers have no real control over what readers listen to while they […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Muses and the Magic of Fiction Writing
In Need of a Great Book Idea? Write a Book! Seriously. It works. My hero Stephen King (ninjas like scary stories as well as middle grade fiction) says in On Writing that in order for your muse to find you, you have to show up to work at the same place at the same time […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Miss Snark’s First Victim’s Faithful Reader
Good morning, Esteemed Reader! I’ve got another online resource for writers today. One of my absolute favorite blogs is Miss Snark’s First Victim. If you’re not familiar with Authoress, the anonymous blogger who brings the internets her vast knowledge of literary agents and all things publishing, you need to get familiar. I’ve been reading her […]
Middle Grade Ninja: The Midwest Writer’s Conference
Are you going, Esteemed Reader? I am. It’s this Thursday through Saturday at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. I hope to see you there. You’ll recognize me as I’ll be dressed in full ninja garb. Not really. There will be writers and editors and agents, so I’ll be dressed in business casual and be […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja TV 27: Author Marie Miranda Cruz
To watch new episodes of Middle Grade Ninja TV as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. The audio from each episode is available as the Middle Grade Ninja Podcast on Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Marie Miranda Cruz and I talk about her journey to write and publish her first novel, EVERLASTING NORA, including […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja TV 26: Author Amber Smith
To watch new episodes of Middle Grade Ninja TV as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. The audio from each episode is available as the Middle Grade Ninja Podcast on Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Author Amber Smith and I discuss her newest novel, SOMETHING LIKE GRAVITY. We talk about where she got […]