Author of Serious and Silly Stories for Adults and Kids
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What I’m writing now

Lots of people have asked me recently how I’m doing writing the sequel to The Academie and writing about Mr. Fritz, my beloved (currently only by me and those I’ve shared the story’s plot with, sorry) mid-grade novel. Well…unfortunately my brain works in weird ways. I’ve been making progress on both novels, yes. Meanwhile, I’ve also come up with ideas for a dozen or more new books, including lots of toddler books.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to write picture books for kids. And now my soon-to-be two-year-old nephew is about 2,000 miles away, and I’m missing him like crazy and thinking about toddlers a lot. So this is where my mind is now: on toddler books.

Does this mean The Academie II won’t be written? Certainly not. Allie and her friends are roaming around in my head all the time (and I’m sorry to say that at the moment, Allie’s in a very dark place indeed. If you like dystopia, I think you will be pleased). I still plan to get the first draft together by the end of summer and the final draft in the hands of readers by the end of the year. As Mr. Fritz, he is out flying as we speak.

But meanwhile, I’m turning my thoughts to lighter things: simple pictures of fruits and veggies to inspire my little nephew to eat healthy and a Recipe for Happiness (all books coming in the upcoming months).

Marvelous Mr. Fritz Teaser

Here’s a bit of a teaser for the new mid-grade novel I’m working on, Marvelous Mr. Fritz:

This old guy moved in next door to me two days ago. I watched as they moved him in. They don’t know I was watching, but I was. I rode back and forth on my bike sixteen times (I counted) and saw the man and woman who live next door carry load after load of stuff into the house, including a really old lamp and a rotten looking old chair. That’s how I knew he was moving in and not just staying for the weekend. No one brings that much stuff just for a visit.

I’ve been keeping my eye on him ever since. Yesterday he sat out on the porch for a long time. He didn’t do much of anything out there. Most adults would read a newspaper or something. But I guess he’s too old for that. He must be too old for everything because he just sat. And sat. And sat. And I was forced to sit there in my window and watch him do nothing for the entire day!

Today he’s back outside again. Sitting. And I’ve just about had it. If he thinks he’s going to keep me here all day watching him, he’s got another thing coming. There’s only one thing I can do. I’m going out there. My yard is out there too, and I have a right to be in it. Even if there will be a creepy old guy out there watching me.