I teach a whole workshop on “Finding Your Voice.” Beginning writers usually don’t think much about voice. When they do, they’re not quite sure what it is. But somewhere along the path to publication, most writers discover that voice is something editors say they look for. That it is—in fact—a critical element of great writing….
Author: kimgriswell
I'm an author, an editor, a writing coach, and a workshop leader. I spend my days asking questions and looking (or listening) for answers, and thinking up ideas for new stories to write for my favorite audience: kids! I guess I'm just about as curious as Rufus Leroy Williams III, the intrepid pink hero of my picture book series from Sterling Publishing, is persistent. Did you know that in 5000 B.C. people blamed 'tooth worms' for their cavities? Neither did I until I developed THE HAUNTED OUTHOUSE for the Bathroom Reader's Institute. Turns out, ancient dentists filled the wormholes with metals like gold or silver. Except the Aztecs. They used a mix of iron, water, and belly-button lint. As you'll discover by reading RUFUS GOES TO SCHOOL, RUFUS GOES TO SEA, and RUFUS BLASTS OFF! I believe that reading opens up worlds for young people. Books did that for me, and I hope my books will do the same for today's kids.
Portland Mellow
One thing I really enjoy about working remotely as an editor is mobility, especially since moving back to my favorite city—Portland, Oregon—late last summer. At least once a week, I make an excursion to the UPS Store on Third Avenue to mail my decisions on the latest week’s submissions back to the home office. On…
Write Who You Are
Mary Nethery, a good friend and former fellow-critiquer, just sent me this link to a blurb about her new book in Publishers Weekly. I was struck by the “rightness” of the scene I saw in the accompanying photo: Mary, sitting there with her book, a cat lounging on the desk in front of her. It’s…
A Favorite Chautauqua Quote
While pulling together bios for this year’s Chautauqua attendees, I became entranced by this quote from Dora Yuet Lan Tsang of Hong Kong: My best advice came from Max, a seven-year-old. One day I asked, “Max, when you grow up, what would you like to become?” Bewildered, he frowned and answered, “Of course, I would…
Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras
I just finished reading Scott Westerfield’s YA sci-fi series. For a long time, I was put off by the titles and cover images, thinking that this was another of those teen chick series that would make me barf. Sorry Scott! After reading other books by Westerfield–Leviathan and Mortal Engines–I decided to give the Uglies series…
Ritual and Writing
I wrote the post below when I lived in Portland, Oregon. Re-reading it just now I realized several things: 1) I really miss living in a city with so much diversity, and 2) I have yet to put into place the daily rituals I need to show gratitude for my current writing places and spaces….
Hello wonderful writers!
Intro to Kim’s Blog
Cozies & Kim Griswell 