Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Return to Middle Grade
“I’m back in baby’s arms. How I’ve missed those loving arms. I’m back where I belong.” I hope this post finds you well, Esteemed Reader, and if it does not, I hope you are swiftly on your way to wellness. As I write this, I’m officially a fourth of the way into writing a new […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: An Open Letter to Stephen King
Dear Mr. King, Thank you for sharing your gift with the world. We’ve never met, but your work has forever changed me for the better and had a profound impact on the course of my life. Describing you as my favorite author doesn’t quite cover it. Mentor would be a better term, though perhaps disrespectful […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: On Using Naughty Words In Fiction
I have a confession to make, Esteemed Reader: I sometimes have a potty mouth. But don’t look so smug. You do too. Sometimes we all do. And if you’re insisting you really, actually don’t have a potty mouth, then you’re repressing yourself and would probably be better off saying a few bad words now and […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: On Heartbreak And Diversity In Traditional Publishing (Part Two)
Last Time On Ninja Stuff: The YA Cannibals went to a SCBWI conference on “Finding Common Ground In Diverse Characters” held in one of the least diverse places I’ve ever been: McCormick’s Creek State Park in Spencer, Indiana. There I learned the first girl who ever broke my heart now, 16 years later, runs a […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: On Heartbreak And Diversity In Traditional Publishing (Part One)
Oh Esteemed Reader, my mind is filled with all the thoughts as I’ve just come from a SCBWI conference where I had a breakthrough moment and also learned odd news of an old nemesis/ex-girlfriend-kinda-sorta, and since I’ve just attended author Skila Brown’s session on compelling openings, I’ll hope to hook you by saying she’s someone […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: On the Destructive Desire for Fame (And Ben Affleck)
Do you want to be famous, Esteemed Reader? Do you yearn for the attention and possibly even adoration of millions–nay, billions–of strangers? Are you going to live forever? Are you going to learn how to fly? Are you gonna make it to Heaven and light up the sky like a flame (FAME!!!)? Will the love […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: On Conspiracy Theories And Flying Saucers
WARNING: Today’s post has nothing to do with middle grade fiction, the reading or the writing of it. This is going to be an epic post I already regret publishing. Don’t worry, Esteemed Reader. This isn’t about to become a blog about conspiracy theories and flying saucers. There are plenty of those available already. I […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: A New Era of Ninja-ing!
You might’ve noticed things are starting to look a little different around here, Esteemed Reader. Mrs. Ninja, and one of my critique partners, Jody Sparks, work in SEO, or search engine optimization. Apparently they’re very good at it. For more than two years, Mrs. Ninja has been telling me about algorithms and user interfaces and […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: New Cover and Ninja Update
Hi there, Esteemed Reader! My how I’ve missed you this last month. Fatherhood and writing are going well and I’ve got a snazzy new cover for my book, All Together Now: A Zombie Story. Fatherhood has changed my life in ways I’m only beginning to understand. I’m barely awake most days, so it’s going to […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: My Review of Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice
We’re going to talk movies today, Esteemed Reader, specifically superhero movies. It’s going to get really nerdy here and I’ll understand if you’d rather opt out until I have a new interview with a writer or literary agent. But this is my blog and those of you who are regular Esteemed Readers know how I […]