The Most Powerful Tool
I create stories—and teach the craft—because story shapes who we are…and who we can become.
Coming Soon
We've all had the experience of being completely whisked away by a book.
Of experiencing the fictional world as though it were real.
But how does that actually happen?
How do you whisk your own readers away?
This book explores how to make a fictional world feel absolutely real.
There’s more to the story.
I’m a storyteller. Always have been, ever since I was a little girl. I’d sit at my child-sized rolltop desk, writing stories and adding crayon illustrations. Or I’d tell them out loud, off the top of my head, into a tape recorder. I’d even make my brother play out some of the parts, giving him dialogue to repeat!
Since the crayon and cassette tape days, I’ve gone on to publish with the Big 5 and smaller houses, as well as independently through my own imprint, InToto Books. I’ve received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, won silver and gold medals in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year and the IPPY Awards, respectively, been featured on Booklist’s Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal’s What’s Hot in YA, and chosen as a PW Pick of the Week. I’ve also made the Master Lists for several children’s book awards, including the Missouri Mark Twain Award.
In addition to my writing and publishing, I founded InkBerry Designs (where I sell illustrative and commercial art), I produce a podcast, and I offer both editorial guidance and courses and resources for writers.
It’s all a story in progress…
The Story Lab Writing Community
Building stories in public. Together.
Showing the drafts, the mistakes, and the craft decisions as they happen.
Yes, you’ll get writing resources at the Story Lab. You’ll also get to see exactly how I use them in my own work in real time, including the false starts, rewrites, and rethinking that actually shape a book.
But this isn't just a lecture hall. It's a community of working writers, where you can both witness and interact with the process.
The Story Lab is all about helping other writers get their books out into the world by making the process clearer, more practical, fun...and, most importantly, far less solitary.
What you’ll find in The Story Lab
Free writing resources and craft deep dives
Episodic fiction, including a pen-name project developed in real-time
Commentary on the craft decisions behind the work: what worked, what didn’t, and why
Discounts on writing courses and books
A monthly AMA in a patrons-only Discord, focused on craft, process, and the realities of building a writing life
When I was starting out, I always wished I could look over another writer’s shoulder. See how books were actually put together and how decisions were made when things went wrong.
The Story Lab exists to do exactly that.
Resources for Writers
I’m a critically acclaimed author with decades of writing and teaching experience. And I can help you learn to draft with confidence and revise with purpose.
Write a Story Readers Can’t Put Down
I Have an Idea for a Novel. Now What?
I’m in the midst of a YouTube series aimed at walking writers through their first draft, using my plotting / pantsing hybrid approach.
The best first step? Break the ice by writing a scene.
YouTube Series
I’m also at work putting together a writing craft book on narrative transportation, relying on what I’ve learned about the psychology of storytelling to show writers how they can use some basic principles to ensure their readers are whisked away and deeply immersed in their novel.
It’s My Story & I’m Stickin’ With It
The writing life isn’t easy, but it in no way has to be as hard as we often make it. I’m the first to agree that there are no hard and fast rules in writing. But too often, that leads writers to think they can find no rules for themselves. Which, in turn, only leads to grappling around in the dark every single time the writer sits down to draft the next novel.
I’ve spent more than twenty years as a full-time author (a published novelist since ‘10), and I’ve learned that the messy, elusive process of writing a book can absolutely be streamlined. As writers, we can also equip ourselves with a step-by-step guide for revision, so that we never have to dread the editorial letter.
My Substack (It’s My Story & I’m Stickin’ With It) offers tips, tricks, and insights into various approaches to writing—and by writing, I mean drafting, outlining, brainstorming, revising, etc.—that work for me and (now that I’ve opened my door as an editor) my own clients. Those approaches will help other authors find their own paths as well.
When a writer stops fighting the process, it opens them up to experience more creative play.
And there’s no better feeling than that—than creative play. If you’re struggling to find it again, “creative play” can sound like the loftiest of goals. But we’re writers—we specialize in lofty goals.
Let’s play.
InkBerry Greeting Cards
My most popular offerings at InkBerry Designs are my greeting cards. It’s been so incredibly lovely to be a small part of so many special occasions: birthdays, friendships, and love stories.
Digital invitations and personalized physical cards coming soon.
My Author Shop
Stories for All Ages
I’ve written for readers of all ages. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed releasing works for young readers—visiting them in classrooms and meeting them in virtual discussion groups. My MG novel The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky, a Finalist or Master List nominee for readers’ choice awards in Missouri, Illinois, South Carolina, Alabama, and Oklahoma, got an updated re-release in ‘23 and is available in ebook, hardback, and paperback forms.
My story “Spooklight” represented Missouri in the Haunted States of America, a spooky anthology for young readers, published in conjunction with SCBWI and Henry Holt.
