It's Writing, Even If It Isn't a Book

Updates: Friends, I hope you are all well. There are many hard things right now on many levels, and I know some of these are affecting you and people you know in significant ways.

It is also spring (or fall—depending on where you are), a time of transition, and transitions are terrifying and beautiful. We recently moved—a far bigger project than I remembered it being—and it’s mainly beautiful with some layers of sadness (particularly as I remember the nature trails near our last home), and—as I look at the amazing and neglected garden in our new home—overwhelming. But we slowly unpack, and I am trying to weed back the invasives (Ivy! Daphne! Blackberry!) a bit each day, and—again—spring is coming.

All that to say, I hope you are well and I am grateful you’re here and I send you all my best wishes in our work for a better world, whatever your particular contribution looks like.

— Kamilla Milligan

Writing for Fun—STEM Tuesday

A wonderful writing friend approached me a few months ago to collaborate. I couldn’t say no to the chance to work together! Alexandra Millarhouse and I are contributing several posts to the blog From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors, writing several “Writing Tips & Resources” posts for the STEM Tuesday section.

The theme for March was “Mountains” and I’m pleased to share our post titled “Climbing the Mountain of Your Writing Project.”  

We have a couple more posts coming in 2026—I look forward to sharing those with you.

My favourite writing contest: #50PreciousWords

Can you write a story in 50 words?

Prior to 2023, I would have said it was impossible. But thanks to this amazing contest started by Vivian Kirkfield, I and hundreds of other children’s writers have learned how to craft succinct and powerful stories in maximum 50 words.

I’m so pleased to share that this year, my story—MARYAM MIRZAKHANI, First Woman to Win the Fields Medal in Mathematics in 2014—see above—came in 6th place. I started writing this story during last year’s contest and dove deep into research as this year’s contest approached, writing many versions of the story based on Maryam’s amazing life, brilliant mind, and kind heart.

The rest of the entries are incredible—please have a read! I’m particularly excited to see my friend Katie McEnany’s story SCRIBAL SCHOOL: Mesopotamia’s First Writers in 8th place!

Outside of these projects, I’m busy working on a draft of a middle grade novel and a chapter book and—yes—lots of gardening. I hope to have more to share with you down the road.

Wishing you all a wonderful spring (or fall!).