When I was small—toddler-small—my dad inadvertently introduced me to Lost in Space and Star Trek. They fascinated me. I remember crouching down behind his recliner so that I could duck and hide when things got too scary. I loved everything about those shows. I remember especially: the music from both shows which sent shivers along my bitty spine; the repeated cries of “Danger, Will Robinson!” spoken by a robot (a robot!); and the strange pastel-colored objects consumed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.  Lost in Space went off the air and I didn’t see it again until the 1998 film version released. (The music still gave me shivers.) Star Trek, on the other hand, enjoyed a decades-long era of syndicated re-runs. I discovered this after school one day when I was nine or ten. Once again, I was hooked. For two glorious years, I could Read more…

(Part One of a Three Part Series) Writers hear it again and again: write the book you want to read. I’ve been circling closer and closer for years. No, for decades. I’ve always had a soft spot for science fiction. I was a part of the generation who were wakened from cozy beds to watch astronauts set foot on the moon. I remember sitting very close to the TV in an attempt to see the puffy men better. Mom and Dad got us up to see stellar activity as well: constellations, planets that came closer than usual or lined up in a row, and comets, infrequent but lovely visitors to our world. I sat in the front row the day the For Reals NASA Astronaut talked to us in school, and if I hadn’t already fallen deeply in love with Read more…

Today I said, “Okay,” when my daughter chose a $27 gift for her best friend’s birthday. I also used an entire pound of ground sausage for my lasagna. A year ago, the birthday gift would have needed to come in under $15 and I would have tried to make the lasagna work with a half or maybe three-quarters of a pound of sausage. It’s the little things I’m really appreciating as a result of having an income as a writer. I’m a scrimper in a long line of penny-pinchers, and yet there is something ineffable about being able to use the amount of sausage that the recipe calls for. When I wrote my first novel (which shall never daylight see!) I made my main character’s family wealthy. I still break out in baby goosebumps remembering how fun it was to Read more…

I try to attend a writer’s conference every three to six months.Writing is a lonely venture. Just me and these imaginary people who talk to me sometimes. I spend most of each day seated behind my desk, typing on my computer. It’s a life I love, but I need to get out every now and again, and conferences provide that opportunity. While the food is usually mediocre and the strange hotel beds creak in ways that wake me early, the workshops and the networking opportunities provide me with a bit of oomph. That is, I come away with  a nugget or two that will help me in either my craft or the business side of being a writer. And sometimes I come away with a bit more–with a reminder of why I write in the first place. (Hint: it’s not for the book signings, Read more…

I’m so very pleased to bring Lisa Nowak here today for an interview as a part of her DRIVEN Blog Tour! Lisa is a fellow member of SCBWI and a very funnyauthor. She’s also one of the most generous and sharing individuals I know. In addition to writing, Lisa is a faculty regular at SCBWI regional events and will present at Willamette Writer’s Conference later this summer. Without further ado, here’s Lisa! Cidney Swanson:When did you start writing? Lisa Nowak:I started writing when I was thirteen. My first book was about a young girl and her telepathic cat who got abducted by aliens. It was all one long paragraph. My school librarian took pity on me and explained that I needed to create a new paragraph every time someone else started speaking. CS:What are some of your favorite books? LN:I Read more…

I’m very excited to announce a week of royalties donated to one of my favorite charities: Feeding America. As my readers know, the teens in my books eat–a lot. But not all children are so lucky, and Feeding America provides food for those who would otherwise go hungry. From now until May 12, I’ll be donating the proceeds from the 9.99 sale of my trilogy set (about $7) to feed kids. (Click here.) Please visit Amazon.com to buy a copy for yourself, a mom in your life, or a friend–a week or so of reading for you, two weeks of food for a child in need. Thank you so much. PS I’ve included a sneak preview from the Official Rippler Cookbook in the Ripple Set. Will’s Killer Pizza, anyone? Enjoy!

  How many of you own a copy of Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE? I own three. The one my parents got for me, the one I bought for my kids, and the one I bought (in an uninformed moment) for my children, in a French translation. WILD THINGS was the very first book I ever “bought.” That is, I saw the title in the Scholastic SeeSaw flyer and chose it, out of all other books, as the One I Had To Have. I can look at the back cover and see that my parents handed over 95 cents for this acquisition–a lot of money when I was in first grade. It would’ve paid for milk in the cafeteria for a solid month. But my parents said yes. I don’t remember the moment when my teacher handed the Read more…

That is what I’m hoping someone says to me tonight after dinner. Sir Walter stopped by to share his centuries-old recipe for Cassoulet with me today, and all I can say is, this recipe is from the day of the full-time, live-in cook. (Not to mention, the full-time, live-in scullery maid. Wish I had me one about now.) So, yes, I made cassoulet and it has my entire house smelling like YUM, and I even baked a loaf of Will’s Sourdough Bread to go alongside, cuz, you know, I hadn’t dirtied enough dishes yet. *smiles* I got to thinking, though, as I prepared the six layers for this cassoulet, about the connections between love and food. My own grandmother, Dorothy Rose, used to cook for days and days before we’d arrive for a visit. I never asked why, but my Read more…

We are still freezing our tushies off here in Oregon (mostly because it is a damp, wet, soggy cold), but there are some definite signs of spring around my house. Here they are, in no particular order: Daffodils, Crocuses (Croci?), and the hot pink Hyacinth I need to replant because it bugs me so close to my red front door. Household projects including ripping out old carpet and sanding/refinishing a beautiful wood floor. (Should have done that years ago.) I’m dreaming of summer. (Something I only allow myself to do after Equinox, TYVM.) I’m thinking of publishing an Official Ripple Trilogy Cookbook. Yes, you heard right. As if the Space Trilogy, Ballet and Goblin Standalone, and Greek Novel currently in varying stages of development weren’t enough, I’ve almost decided to write down all those recipes for the food that gets mentioned Read more…