From the Writing Desk:

When I was in high school, I had a church/neighborhood friend that lived across the street, and I remember a conversation we once had about seasons of luck in our lives. Her favorite holiday was the 4th of July, and she always seemed to have her best luck around then, in the summer.

Not me. Like many of us, I love autumn and Halloween. September and October always seemed to be my luckiest, happiest months.

This fall has proved to be the same.

To be honest, this summer has been one of the roughest in a long time, but September was the month I’ve been waiting for.

I finished and revised the lower middle grade book I’ve been working on and sent it in to my agent.

My mom and aunt spent a week+ out here in Orlando with me and we absolutely Disney-ed it up. (My Disney suggestion, fwiw, is to plan your trip around Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party. You honestly don’t even need day passes, just party tickets, and the crowds are minimal and the treats are maximal and it’s just a blast.)

I convinced multiple friends and family to watch Professor T. This is my love language.

And last but certainly not least, after literal months and months of applications (around 150), I got offered the dream job at a place that rhymes with shmibrary. Background checks have to happen first, so hopefully they don’t find out about all the murders, but I’m so grateful and relieved and I’m sure I’ll have much more to report in coming months.

Also I had some silly goodness published in the latest Ranger Rick magazine!

Here’s the thing—there has been a lot going on. Personally, with my own life, in my faith community1, and, ya know, everywhere. But even before job and other things started clicking into place for me this month, I’ve started feeling more like myself than I have in…well, a really, really long time.

I’ve felt ready, and accepting, and…well, despite everything, joyful. Its taken me a long time, but I think I’m learning how to trust more. Trust God. Because even if the job hadn’t worked out, even if things were worse, I do believe He would still be there, looking out, sitting with me. And when that’s the case, Joy is everwhere.

And now it’s time to dive fully in on this adult novel that I am absolutely in love with.

This book is multiple POVs and microchapters, so the notecard method has been incredibly helpful. Bonus points if you can name the movie.

You’re going to hear this SO much, but that’s not gonna stop me from saying it:

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.

Onward!

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Drawing monsters, even if you can’t draw

Sometimes you read a middle grade novel and think, that was awesome, and sometimes you read one and you’re like, that felt just right and I wish I had written it.

The Life of Zarf by Rob Harrell was one of those I-wish-I-had-written-this ones for me. The voice in it is spot on, and the illustrations are too. I’ve seen it pitched as Dork Diaries/Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Shrek, and how absolutely perfect is that?

Rob is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist of both The Life of Zarf, Wink, When Pigs Fly, and more, including the daily online comic, Adam@Home. Learn all about his work on his website.

(Also if you and/or your middle grade reader likes books about drawing and/or monsters, then you know I’ve got you covered ehe.)

Welcome Rob!

1: Monsters have always been a mainstay of kids books and media. Why do you think that is? Why do you think kids like monsters and mythical creatures so much?

I think what draws kids (and myself) to monsters is that they are literally pure imagination. When you go to create or describe or draw a monster, there are no rules. How often is that the case? You get to decide if it has horns or a tail or octopus tentacles or if it shoots ice out of its nose. I’m what you would call “fully grown” and they are still my favorite thing to draw because you can just relax and let your imagination take the wheel. There’s no wrong way to draw an imaginary monster!

2: When you’re designing and drawing a monster or mythical creature, how do you start? How do you begin building a monster?

I have several ways. One of my favorites is to just make some random marks on a page. I line here, a curve here, maybe a squiggle or a weird shape. And then you try to combine them into one monster. Maybe the squiggle looks like a nose. Or maybe the curve becomes the back or the furrow of a brow. You can design some REALLY weird monsters this way.

Another is to simply combine random parts of random animal or objects. You might end up with a monster with a chicken body, the head of a rhino and feet made of Pop Tarts. It’s really fun.

3: You’ve done illustrated books, graphic novels, cartoons, and comic strips. What would you say to a writer who wants to add drawing, illustrating, or cartooning to their repertoire but isn’t confident in their art or drawing skills? What recommendations would you give them?

I think the best advice is just to start drawing as much as you can. Practice makes you better, bottom line. And get inspired by other artists you like. Start a collection of art and artist’s whose work you appreciate and study how they do it.

I’d also say to keep in mind that your drawings don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes a simple beginner style can be really charming and add a lot of personality to your writing!

4: What is something weird and quirky that’s been bringing you Joy lately?

Ha. I’m not sure it’s quirky, but loud old punk music has been making me happy. I’ve had a challenging year on several fronts, and that music just fits my mood sometimes!

Thank you so, so much Rob! Make sure to check out The Life of Zarf and Rob’s other books on his website!

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What I’m Reading:

Louis Sachar wrote an adult book! The Magician of Tiger Castle is as tightly structured and voicey and easy to read as you’d expect from him. I absolutely loved it, and if you’ve read it or decide to read it, I’m dying to talk to someone about the ending…

What I’m Watching:

In addition to all the goodness I’ve already talked about, September brought a plethora of watching wonderfulness! There are new seasons of The Great British Bakeoff, Taskmaster, and Only Murders in the Building and I am here for all of it.2

A Chaotic Guide to Making Stuff Instead of Doomscrolling: Loved the list of ideas in this video.

What I’m Drawing: I hope you’re singing, no matter what.

Also check out the bookish swag I’ve got up for sale in my new little swag shop!

“The choice may have been mistaken; the choosing was not.”

―Stephen Sondheim, “Sunday In The Park With George”

Writing Opportunity: Issue 5 of Ghoulish Tales is open for submissions! Send your spooky short stories before Oct. 17th.

Teacher’s Table

Some goodies especially for the teachers:

Free Halloween classroom activities and goodies from Get Your Teach On.

Everything needed to get your young writers started is here in Tools Not Rules: A Writing Guide for Young Creatives.

Free activity sheets up on my Teachers Pay Teachers store! More added all the time, so check back regularly.

I am so, so excited and honored to now be on the roster at the Macmillan Speakers Bureau! For school and other events, you can find my speaker page here.

You guys are rock stars!

Thanks for coming along everyone! The best way to support is to 1) subscribe, 2) get a copy of the book bebes, and 3) keep glowing, you shining star you.

-Sarah

Links include Amazon Affiliate links where I may make a small commission.

Thanks for reading!

1

You may have heard about the passing of Russel M. Nelson, the Prophet-leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as the shooting and destruction at an LDS chapel in Michigan. I encourage you to read the words of peace that President Nelson taught. And how does my community react to this type of violence? With a fundraiser for the shooter’s widow and high-needs son. Love and hope, always.

2

I am so pleased for everyone who was so thrilled for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement, and so happy for them. But when Meryl Streep and Martin Short announce their engagement let me know…