So…I like to cook. You know this. And I own far too many cookbooks. You know this, too. And Hannah? The protagonist in THE GIRLS’ GUIDE TO LOVE AND SUPPER CLUBS? She REALLY likes to cook. I hope you’ve all bought a copy of the book and therefore know this as well. So given that cooking is near and dear to my heart — and Hannah’s — I thought I’d…
Unexpected friendships are, to me, something of an adult phenomenon. As kids, we see potential friendships everywhere – from people both real and imaginary. It’s only as we start getting older that we realize we might fit in with one group better than another. The divide usually begins somewhere around middle school and then intensifies in our high school years. People splinter into various cliques and groups, usually with similar…
In real life, the only stakes I feel comfortable messing with are spelled s-t-e-a-k-s. Give me a filet mignon or a good old brisket, and I’m happy. In writing, however, I am forced to deal with s-t-a-k-e-s. Not only do I need to know what is at stake for my characters; I also need to raise those stakes at every opportunity. How do I do that? By adding conflict. As…
