Writing

The Most Useful Critique Comments I’ve Gotten This Month

It can be scary to get your story critiqued. I remember some of my first critiques on some of the first stories I ever wrote – brutal. It was hard, but I told myself to trust the process and take the comments the same way I took advice from my running coach. This will help… Read more »

New Book: Birds Have a Lot to Say!

I am thrilled to share the cover for my new book Birds Have a Lot to Say, because we are right at the beginning of spring migration. I loved working on this book with my wonderful editor Taryn at Kiwi Crate and the art that Kayla Stark created makes my heart soar! This book will… Read more »

The Best Critique Comments I’ve Gotten This Month

I’m so lucky I have amazing critique partners. They are generous with their time and expertise and so honest about what parts of the story need work. They are also really, really interested in helping me make my work better. And they never forget to leave a kind comment! I participate in webinars and group… Read more »

My Life as a Writer, or a Writer’s World of Work

  This little sketch of the Earth with tiny satellites orbiting it is a model of my life as a writer. Well, it’s the model my husband suggested to me. We were at breakfast and I was telling him about the projects I had sent to my agent, the one I was working on now,… Read more »

Organizing Your Thoughts As a Writer

I had a great time presenting at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Crooked Creek in February. I spoke to an audience of both teens and parents, and I think it was a really interesting mix of perspectives. The teens had a lot of questions about writing and animals, and the adults even had some questions… Read more »

Animal Allies is an NSTA Best Book of 2022!

I’m so excited to share that Animal Allies: 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Science is an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 chosen by the National Science Teaching Association!! @elizpagelhoganauthor Thank you to the NSTA!! #science #sciencetok #scienceteacher #scienceteachersoftiktok #books #booksoftiktok #kidsbooks #kidlit #stembooks #Canva ♬ Inspirational Epic – Yevhen Lokhmatov

Writing a Novel and Tracking Word Count

I have written a few novels now, some for NaNoWriMo, but many on my own schedule. I have learned a few things. I think it’s really smart to start with my pitch. I do better if I have the story outlined before I start writing. I like to set daily word count goals. I am… Read more »

Tech Tricks for Writers: Do Not Disturb

Don’t get distracted by phone calls, texts, or other notifications from your phone when you’re trying to write in the zone. If you have an iPhone, go to Settings, then scroll down to the third block of options and select “Focus.” You can set up times that you do not want to be disturbed. You… Read more »