Below are links to my essays, favorite authors, helpful writing sites, and alcohol-related resources. I will also post short stories and excerpts from my WIP. Stay tuned!

ESSAYS

On being Russian:
Click Your Heels Three Times
Blending the Red With the White and the Blue (appeared in WAKING UP AMERICAN: COMING OF AGE BICULTURALLY, by Angela Jane Fountas, Seal Press 2005)

On Writing and Literature:
YA Novels and Other Fine Literature
Finding Your Inner Teen
Keeping Writing Fun
Writing Outside the Box
The Mystique of Characters
Getting Unstuck

On All things Random:
Top 10 Cartoon Hotties

YA AUTHORS I LOVE:

I am a huge fan of contemporary YA and the authors below are my favorites. I admire their beautiful writing style and the fact that they don’t shy away from tackling serious issues.

Sarah Dessen- www.sarahdessen.com
Deb Caletti- www.debcaletti.com
Laurie Halse Anderson- www.writerlady.com
Ellen Hopkins- www.ellenhopkins.com
Jacqueline Woodson- www.jacquelinewoodson.com

Helpful Sites for Writers:

Absolute Write Water Cooler- An online community to discuss everything writing related–from business questions to format.
AuthorsNow!- The internet’s largest collaboration of debut children’s and teen book authors and illustrators.
Backspace- A writing community where writers help one another via message boards, forums, conferences, etc.
SCBWI- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is one of the largest existing organizations for writers and illustrators.
The 10′ers- This is a Live Journal community of authors whose debut YA or MG novels are coming out in 2010. Come see what we have to say about the road to publication, writing hurdles, and random everyday happenings.
The Verla Kay Boards- Another great supportive online community for children’s and teen authors and illustrators.

Alcohol Related Resources and Communities:

Alateen- This organization offers help to teens who have been affected by a loved one’s drinking.
Miracles in Progress- This is an online support group for teens affected by a loved one’s drinking.
JACS Teen Network- Support group for Jewish teens affected by a loved one’s drinking or drug abuse.