Birthdays: Wanda Gao (1893), Ezra Jack Keats (1916), Peter Sis (1949), Douglas Adams (1952), D.J. MacHale (1955), Libba Bray (1964), Deborah Copaken (1966), Sylvia Day (1973), Kate Brian (1974), Christopher Rice (1978)

Wanda Gao is known for the Newbery Medal winner “Millions of Cats”

Ezra Jack Keats won the 1963 Caldecott Medal for “The Snowy Day”

Douglas Adams is best known for his “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series

Quote: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” – Douglas Adams

Tip: “Her eyes dropped to the floor.” – ewwww. Check your story for loose body parts. Unless it’s a horror story or gruesome murder scene, you shouldn’t leave them lying around. Her gaze can drop to the floor, but not her eyes. And don’t “toss yourself” anywhere. Unless you’re a clone.

Jumpstart: Create a comic book superhero. Male or female? Human? What powers does s/he have? How does s/he use them?