There is magic in words. There is a place writers go where the words flow, seemingly on their own. When we come back from that place, it often feels as if someone else wrote those words on the page.

I still get that feeling, when I revisit stories I wrote, especially if it's been months. It's fresh and new and I even see things in the story I missed before. I marvel that I can do that, given that I wrote the stories in the first place.

Recently, that experience has been taken to an entirely new level. I'm honored that two incredibly talented voice artists have taken on producing audiobooks for The Treasure of Ravenwood and To Miss the Stars. I knew the moment I heard each of their auditions that they were the perfect people to take on these projects.

How did I know? I felt an inexpressible joy at hearing them bring my stories and my characters to life. I had tears in my eyes and felt chills of excitement at just the small taste each audition offered. I can't wait to hear the finished productions, given the quality of just the first 15 minutes of each project. And, I can't wait to share them with you!

One of my favorite organizations is Reading is Fundamental. I remember RIF's inception and hearing about their visits to schools every year. I was one of the lucky kids who had books in our home from the very beginning, but I never once undervalued those books for having them close to hand. I'm 53 and am still thrilled by getting a new book and knowing it is mine to keep. Every single child deserves and needs to know that same feeling.

Yes, libraries are great... and free. All children should know the pleasure of having their own library card and borrowing books. But there is a joy in owning a book, in writing your name in it, in underlining a favorite passage, or in keeping it in pristine condition. Owning a book is owning magic, the magic of words and the power of storytelling.

Yes, those Scholastic Book Fairs are a lot of fun, if you have money. Unfortunately, they are soul-crushing if you don't. Same with those monthly book order forms. It always broke my heart when my children came home with books circled and I couldn't buy them. I dreaded the book fairs when I knew they would be sitting on the sidelines. They watched as other children walked away with piles of books, their own hands empty.  I wish there were Scholastic Scholarships for those kid who were left out, during book fairs. There really should be.

Now through July 12th, you can help support Reading is Fundamental, just by shopping at Macy's. Congress cut the funding for this program in 2011 and they need ongoing financial support to keep putting books in the hands of children who need them. Reading for pleasure increases a child's ability to read critically and to ultimately think critically. Reading well is also a first step to learning well and succeeding in life. So, please, as you consider where to offer your financial support, include RIF.

You have so many stories inside you and you don't know where to start. Just write.
You don't know the ending, or the middle, or the beginning... Just write.
You absolutely must outline before you start or outlining makes you break out in hives. Just write.
You've read every article on how to begin. Just write.
You've attended creative writing classes. Just write.
You aren't good with grammar, or spelling, or commas. Just write.
You don't know if anyone else will like your story or your poem. Just write.
You've heard it's best to write with pen and paper, on a laptop, on a typewriter. Just write.
You think of the perfect scenes as you're falling asleep or when you're on the bus or when you're sitting in class. Just write.
You feel as if you have to write or you'll burst. Just write.

Write what you want to write, where you love to write, the way that suits you, when it suits you. Write with a complete outline or by the seat of your pants, with a pen or with a keyboard. Write stories. Write poetry. Write the breathings of your heart. You can spell-check and edit, later. You can add commas and take them away, later. You can get beta readers, later. But before you do all that... just write.