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Thank You, Sandra Boynton!
Thank You, Sandra Boynton!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I originally wrote and posted the following blog post on May 18, 2016 on my Blogger Blog (remember that platform!). I am reposting it today, May 18, 2023.... Read more...
What are Medium Spice Books?
What are Medium Spice Books?
A few months back, I started using the term "medium spice" to define my books. This is mainly because I found myself on TikTok, specifically the book side of it... Read more...
I Saw the Sign
This one's long, but I think worth it. Buckle up. via GIPHY The signs-- they're everywhere. Even in working on this blog post. You might call it coincidence, but there are way too many coincidences that this is simply chance. Let's start at the very beginning. It's a very good place to start. Or so says Julie Andrews. via GIPHY November 2019. I'd just released Seize the Day. Book number three had to come next. Except I dreamed a dream. And that dream had nothing to do with my UnBRCAble... Read more...
I Don't Belong Here
I'd never heard of imposter syndrome until I started writing. Even for the first few years of my career, I didn't know it had a name. It wasn't until I was attending my first major writers' conference in 2015, a full two years after I'd published, that I first heard of it. And while I was virtually crippled by it at this conference, it was another author-- a big name-- who talked about feeling like no matter how much success she'd achieved, she still felt like someone was going to... Read more...
What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been ...
Eight years ago today, I held my breath as I hit the publish button for the first time. My first novel, Good Intentions, went out to the world. Oh, if I could only go back and teach myself some things! I'd start with this: Yes, you need an editor. Probably two. Three wouldn't be a bad idea. You can't use song lyrics in a book due to those pesky copyright rules (don't worry, I've long since taken those out). That cover is terrible. Pick a genre. You can't write in... Read more...
Do You Believe in Coincidence?
My whole life, I've been plagued by strange things. Most often, it presents as a dream or a random thought of a person, song, or movie that pops into my head. These are not things that I should be thinking about on a regular basis. Obscure thoughts, if you will. Then, by chance-- by coincidence-- I come across that thing in real life. Like the time I had a dream that my college boyfriend broke up with me. We were going strong with no indication of trouble. In the morning,... Read more...
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Eve)
'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Eve)
So I think we can all agree that 2020 is a year like none other. For a person like myself who doesn't do well with change, this year has added... Read more...
Problem Solving
Problem Solving
Math was never my forte. I've always blamed my middle school math teacher for this. After all, she did tell me, in front of my class, that I was bad... Read more...
An Open Letter to the Governor of New York State
Dear Governor Cuomo, For weeks-- actually months now-- I've tuned in to your mid-day updates, trying to make sense of a world in which reality seems like fantasy. Your voice, steady and even, fills the living room and changes the course of our world. It's funny, I remember trying to hear your voice as one of my principals streamed your press conference on March 13, 2020. My co-workers thought I was crazy that I was so sure you were closing schools for the safety of the children and teachers. You... Read more...
The Show Must Go On
The Show Must Go On
Neither rain nor April snow nor global pandemic shall stop this book from coming. That's the attitude of resiliency I have adopted as I put the finishing touches on my... Read more...
Coming Around Again
Coming Around Again
Admit it, now you've got the song in your head. But this post isn't about Carly Simon. It's about my house. 16 years ago last night, my husband and I... Read more...
Christmas Hacks for Moms with Littles
Christmas Hacks for Moms with Littles
Batten down the hatches. We're about to hit zero hour. The week before Christmas is upon us. It's the week when we try to do all the things, and the... Read more...
How It Came to Be
How It Came to Be
Tonight, a little over 24 hours before my 14th book is released, I'm reflecting on those individuals who made this book happen. It's funny because every so often, I can... Read more...
To Err is Human: Finding Resilience in our Mistakes
To Err is Human: Finding Resilience in our Mistakes
The other day, I was working with some students, teaching something new. It wasn't hard per se, it was just new. One of the students--the strongest of the group--stood in... Read more...
My Favorite Book
My Favorite Book
There, I said it. Like most authors, I get asked often which of my books is my favorite. In all honesty, there's something I love about each and every one... Read more...
Nobody Told Me
Nobody Told Me
In the interest of full disclosure, I may not be in my right mind while writing this. To find out, keep reading why. Nobody told me this was coming. In... Read more...
Where It All Began
Before I started writing books, I wrote a blog. I saw it as a way to capture moments of my children's lives. If you're curious, you can read those early blog posts here: https://kathrynbiel.blogspot.com/ Read more...