Just a quick post to let everyone know that I have another piece appearing in an upcoming release in the perennial Chicken Soup for the Soul Series. Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hooked on Hockey will be available in stores and online October 2, 2012.
Author: leannepankuch
I was born in Ontario, Canada. I love trees and lakes and snow and dogs, dark chocolate, myths and fairytales, history, and literature. My debut YA fantasy novel, Dragon's Truth, was published in March 2019. I'm currently working on a sequel and additional middle grade and children's projects.
A Writer’s (non) Drought
My area of the country has been experiencing the most depressing heat wave and drought. And the hot dry weather has been affecting my creativity. I feel tired and lethargic and uninspired. Drought or no, this happens to every writer, I know. But I can't afford to let myself settle into writing inactivity. "Drought begets …
Reaping the Field of Dreams:
Only once have I used my actual nighttime dreams as an inspiration for my writing. A few years ago we adopted a border collie/Australian shepherd mix puppy that we named Took. He was a mischievous, fuzzy little guy with an oddly curled tail and a number of curious habits. Not only did Took watch television …
Number Seven
Last week I had the good fortune to attend an incredible one day conference offered by the Illinois chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators—“Spring Thaw: Branch Out”. The presenters were Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser, original founders of the SCBWI. Of the many pearls of wisdom and insightful tips and practical …
The Secret of the (Writer’s) Garden
Because of our freakishly warm Illinois weather this spring, I’ve already had to get out and yank a few pernicious weeds from around my faithful perennials. The spring activities of clearing out the winter debris, planting, and weeding (not to mention nursing my aching gardening muscles that haven’t been used in six-or-so months) never fail …
Spring Name Training
Today, while watching spring training baseball (featuring my team—those perennial non-World Series-winning baby bears), a player named Welington Castillo stepped up to bat. What a really great name, I thought. Cool, interesting, and—somehow—it made me curious about him. That's precisely the kind of name I want for the main character of the story I'm currently …
For Love of the Limerick
This is the time of year when I sometimes find my creative energies dwindling. In order to fend off the specter of the dreaded Writer's Block looming around every dreary February corner, I often turn to writing poems. Just to clarify--I am NOT a skilled poet. But somehow, getting a few very meaningful creative words …
Publishing News!
Chicken Soup for the Soul: O Canada is now available online and in stores. Two of my stories: “What We'll Do for Hockey” and “Fish 'n Fries” are featured in the collection. I am very pleased and proud to be among many exceptional authors and storytellers. Every single story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: …
Leanne Pankuch 