So classes started again today at Marianopolis College. Back to school -- and back to reality!! I only taught one class today, then I stayed around to do a little office work, and then I zipped home to get back to work on the rewrite. I'm going to have to make a major effort to protect my writing time -- especially while I finish up this rewrite that is due on Valentine's Day.

Thismorning, I taught Print Journalism. Tomorrow afternoon, when I go back to school, I'll be teaching a course in Nonsense, and another called Writing for Children. So there'll be lots of connections to this blog. A few weeks ago I said on the blog that I wanted to discuss WHY I choose to write for young people. Mainly, it's because, in my opinion, there is no one more interesting on the planet than a teenager (or a pre-teen). That's because people this age have a way of questioning everything around them, including themselves. And of course, this makes for interesting stories. Another reason I write for kids is because I will never forget the books I loved when I was growing up -- they touched me in a way that got me hooked on reading. Now, wouldn't it be great if my books could do that for some young reader out there? Okay, I've given MYSELF a pep talk today!! Back I go to the rewrite. For those of you reading this blog who are also back at school today, good luck with the new semester. I like new starts. What about you?