This past Monday I challenged readers to Notice More, and write down 3-5 things they noticed about their day from Monday to Thursday.

Here are your beautiful responses...



Notice More September
By Cindy Faughnan

A white spider hides
on shining, dark green holly leaves.
Green moss grows high
on the arm of an oak.
Brown leaves fill spaces
between rocks in the brook.
Bees collect late fall pollen.
Low sun reflects off flying bugs.
The end of September.


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By Shela Drury

Monday:
1)Decaying leaves is the smell of Autumn.
2) "I'm so F@#$*ng mad!"
3)The sound of dead leaves letting go.

Tuesday:
1)The leaves fall like rain.
2)The helicopters tail points upward, skyward.
3)"But the part of me that was jailed too, is now also free."
4)Bitterness is a poison we feed ourselves.
5)There's a common heartbeat to humanity.
6)I just noticed a white Ash tree in my neighbors yard.

Wednesday:
1)The shadows are deeper, darker and a bit colder now.
2)The wooden bench has a smooth indent worn from many behinds sliding in and out from it.
3)Grey, swirled and papery, why did I just now notice that wasp's nest?
4) Lying on my bed, I notice TOO many cobwebs, I should dust or close my eyes.
5)I hear the chirping of a cricket in the hall. At least one gets in every year at this time.

Thursday:
1)Looking out at the woodpile, I can see shapes in the logs bark. Faces, features, creatures.
2)Fred's face is looking gaunt, more so than I've noticed before. But he is a 14yrs. or so old cat.
3)I think Paul Ryan, with his 'widows peak' hairline,looks like a grownup Eddie Munster. Anyone else see it ?
4)I try to take note of different wood grains, so my pen drawingswill become more accurate/realistic.
5) As I lie still, I feel my beating heart. It's a GOOD thing ...
6) I typically notice the minutia of the ordinary. Details, details, details!


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by Liz Jones

Writing papers this morning on the edge of my bed. Behind me, husband and dog are snoring in unison.

Walking by the creek in the rain--shaggy hemlocks and bright yellow leaves create a foggy chiaroscuro.

Music is a living thing; you can pin it down on paper, but it will always squirm free.

Musical Conversations: We walk in on our own two feet, and we each tap out our own patterns... but the song and dance belong to the whole room.


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By Leni Checkas

Monday:
=====
* Atypical gray clouds blanket the sky, offering hope to a parched fall garden.
* A neglected backyard smothered by weeds.
* Two pairs of brown eyes follow my every move, afraid I'll evanesce like their late buddy.

Tuesday:
=====
* A train haunts the front range's expanse.
* A sky so crystalline blue it reminds of those eyes I can't forget.
* The whoosh of a car passes by life in a rush.

Wednesday:
=======
* I wake up to real rain, such tender patters they sound like the breeze through the cottonwoods.
* Green trees with golden highlights against a dark gray relief promise a real fall.
* Cool fingers of fall tickle my stubbornly short-sleeved arms as I breeze down the wet bike lane.

Thursday:
======
* Perky pumpkins peek out of gardens, excited for their special day.
* A vine twined through a wire fence changes to bright red and outs its juicy dark berries.
* The run-off ditch's cement sides crack where nature works its way back on top.


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by Cathy Ballou Mealey

Monday:
Cold dew bubbles
Growing girl, jeans too short
Drip, drip, tick, tick, clock faucet sync

Tuesday:
Bowl of big blue sky, endless
Rosemary twigs tucked into a roasting chicken
Squirrels competing in acorn collection sprints

Wednesday:
Add a heavy blanket to the bed...ah.
School holiday, sleep in
Cider donuts, crisp apples, perfect comfort

Thursday:
Squawking bluejays 5:15 AM
Trio of pale fringed mushrooms
Flies indulging on forgotten banana


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By Steph Wooten

(9/24/12)
She is not my friend
Hot chocolate burning in my lap
The salty smell of my tears

(9/25/12)
Daisies beneath the tree
My dog's tail thump thump thumping
I trust him

(9/26/12)
The sound of my heart beating in my chest as I avoid her
Eating Alone and
Writing Alone (I am so much more aware)

(9/27/12)
The shaky but somewhat sure voice of a student in class speaking up for the first time
Matthew's breath tickling my ear as he whispers into it
The pulse of my dog's heart beating next to me


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By CWM

(9/24/12)
She is not my friend
Hot chocolate burning in my lap
The salty smell of my tears

(9/25/12)
Daisies beneath the tree
My dog's tail thump thump thumping
I trust him

(9/26/12)
The sound of my heart beating in my chest as I avoid her
Eating Alone and
Writing Alone (I am so much more aware)

(9/27/12)
The shaky but somewhat sure voice of a student in class speaking up for the first time
Matthew's breath tickling my ear as he whispers into it
The pulse of my dog's heart beating next to me


Untitled
By Mona Pease

My car sits outside becuase painter man needs the open space for tools and supplies. All along the edges and walls are still stacked high with my stuff except garden tools in a bit of order, hung on nails in their places.

Coffee pot sits quietly waiting for fresh grounds, water and snap the on switch until.... the power fails...Old percolator comes out and does its job on the wood stove.

Skin left behind near the granite spaces...it's owner finds it place amongst the rocks in the dirt floored cellar for a cool winter rest.

A live buddy sits in the road and does the snake dance when I try spraying it away with the hose.

Little sees snake in road when he gets off bus. "Is it alive?" Brother throws a small rock to test it. "It's a poison snake!"

The keyhole doesn't on the front door used to have a skeleton to fit. The porcelain knob isn't turned much now but used to open the door that ushered the living into the parlor to visit with the one "laid out"!

~*~*~*~*~*~

I love all of these so much!! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your words, your sights, your sounds. Keep noticing!

For your troubles, I offer some prizes! All of you who posted poems will receive "BE" tattoos from my newest book, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S. Please e-mail your snail mail addresses to me at jo @ joknowles dot com.

I also put your names in a bowl for the grand prize drawing of a signed copy of Harrys. The winner is...



That's Leni Chekas!

:-)

Thank you all who participated. I LOVE your observations and your willingness to share them. You really know how to BE. And I hope you wear your tattoos proudly.

Love,

Jo

Hi Everyone!

I am hoping to get lots of submissions today for my "Notice More Challenge." You can leave submission here or in my previous post by 8pm EST tonight!

What did you notice?? I can't wait to find out!

Love,
Jo

For today's Monday Morning Warm-Up, I'm switching things up a little. Today I am going to ask you to commit to writing a few short phrases every day for the next 4 days. It won't be hard, I promise.

Here is the challenge (for all ages):

Start noticing more.

Yup, it's that easy. Almost.

Today, look with new eyes at your world.

What do you see that's always been there, but that you never looked closely at?

What small phrase do you overhear, or even say, that catches you off guard?

What do you smell that you only smell this time of year? That reminds you of where you are in this big world?

Every day for the next 4 days, write down 3-5 things you notice. They can be small, they can be big. But they must be short phrases of a few words for each observation. (The challenge is to use as few words for each as possible to convey something bigger.)

Each day, add 3-5 more observations to your list.

By Thursday night at 8pm EST and NO LATER, leave your list in the comments section below and I will post it here for Poetry Friday.

In order to be listed you must:

1. Leave your list in the comments below.
2. Give me a name you'd like me to use (it can be just a first name if you'd like--if under age 18, I will only use your first name).
3. Provide a link to your web site or blog if you'd like it to be included (not required).

Sound fun?

I think so!!

ALSO: For everyone who participates, I will put your name in a drawing to win a signed copy of SEE YOU AT HARRY'S!

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There will also be ANOTHER prize of temporary BE tattoos for up to 10 other participants.

So, who wants to join me? :-)

ETA: I can only send prizes within the US and Canada. Sorry!

I am so excited to have another great group doing the JoNoWriMo+1.5 Challenge this year! If you meant to sign up but missed the announcement, head on over and leave a comment there and I'll be happy to add you.

This week I'll be working toward my goal of finishing the revision of my new WIP. I just recently finished the first draft, which is more a discovery draft than anything else. Now's the time to dig deeper and figure out how to tie everything together. This book has ten points of view so it's a big challenge for me, but it's also a lot of fun. I feel like I'm doing a giant, double-sided jig-saw puzzle.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-Up:

Last week I spent time at my son's school being inspired by the students as they went into the woods and created art which they were inspired to make after watching a documentary about Andy Goldsworthy. Here's a Goldsworthy sculpture I particularly love:



For today's prompt, imagine what's inside. What happens next?

Time for JoNoWriMo+1.5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*dances*

This is our SEVENTH YEAR! Can you believe it???

I'm sorry I got a little side-tracked and didn't give you all more warning, but IT'S TIME TO SIGN UP!! WOOT!!!

I'll post reminders in various places and throughout the weekend, but if you loyal participants could help get the word out to friends and past participants you know who might like to join us, that would be really helpful. Thanks!!!

All the info is here (and please sign up over at that entry as well): http://jonowrimo.livejournal.com/225984.html

Here's to a terrific 2.5 months of writing, making friends, and discovering new stories!

xo

Jo

I think this may have been the best birthday I've ever had. And it lasted all weekend! Friday night dear friends arrived so that they could get up the next morning and join in my 5-mile birthday run.

For some inspiration, we all put on BE tattoos (if you've read SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, you know the significance :-D ). My friend David also sent me a joke gift with a funny message:



Here we are at the starting line (aka, the road in front of our house):



And here are some pretty shots of the run. The view was spectacular. (Photos here on out courtesy of my pal Erica)







Coming up on the last mile, there was this sign on the side of the road, secretly placed there by my dear friend Katy:



The little note on the side says, "You can do it!" I really really needed to see those words. And yes, I totally teared up. THANK YOU KATY! Then, Erica pulled out her iPhone and played the theme music to ROCKY and we all ran the last half quarter mile doing the Rocky fist pump.

And then... we finished at our church:



When we got home, the power went out and we couldn't shower! Since we couldn't run water, it was also hard to get ready for our music party planned for that night. So... we took our stinky selves downtown and walked around, and then came back home and played SORRY!. The power finally came back about 1.5 hours before the party was to start, so everyone took quick power showers and we managed to be ready by the time the first guests arrived. :-)

Here are some friends making music in the living room:



It was a great day. I felt loved. I felt proud. And I felt really excited to have raised some money for a great cause! Thank you to all my friends who cheered us on, who donated, and who were there with us in spirit. Here's me, feeling very full of joy (and maybe a little too much wine). Please don't ask about that thing on my neck. ;-P



The next morning, we all got up and had a little breakfast, and then went for a 1.5 mile walk. It felt great to stretch those stiff muscles! And to say hi to the cows, our constant (albeit somewhat unenthusiastic) cheerleaders.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-Up:

Think of a meaningful goal you can reach by your next birthday. Maybe one that is good for you, as well as good for someone else. Write it down. You don't have to tell anyone else what it is. But know you've got cheerleaders if you need them (and I don't mean the cows!). xo

Tomorrow is my birthday. This is not why it's a big day. First of all, I realized last week that for the past year I thought (and have TOLD people--sheesh) that I was 42 when I am actually only 41. So... turning 42 tomorrow feels very anticlimactic. Been there! Even if it was a lie.

The reason tomorrow is a big day is because last January when I made my annual list of dreams and goals, I wrote down, "Run 5 miles." Tomorrow I'm going to try.

I have a specific 5 miles in mind. There is a beautiful dirt road leading from our house to our church that is just about exactly 5 miles. There are lots of hills. One is long and steep. I have spent the past several months trying to run all the way up and over that hill because I knew the only way I'd reach my goal is if I could get over it. It is a hellish hill. At the beginning of the summer, I couldn't even make it half way. But I've been determined. For a reason.

Last fall, when the horrible mistake was made over Lauren Myracle's beautiful book, SHINE and Franny Billingsly's beautiful book CHIME, I told my son about what happened, and explained that one good thing (with many thanks to Lauren and her beautiful big heart) that came out of it was that the people at the National Book Award donated money to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. We talked about how we could raise money to help the Foundation, too. One idea was to do a run.

So tomorrow, I invited friends to join me on my journey over the hill and to the church. And for every friend who does, I am giving more money to the foundation. My son is donating, too, with money he earned over the summer. We may be a small group, but we are determined. And every bit helps, right? :-)

Tomorrow, we will be thinking about Matthew Shepard. We will be thinking of all the people we know who have been bullied or mistreated for being "different." And of all the people we don't know, but hold in our hearts just the same. And we will be thinking of all the people who make a difference in the lives of kids every day by showing them love and acceptance, and by doing so give them hope that someday it really will "get better." I'm pretty sure one of those people is you. So thank you. Thank you very much. We'll be thinking of you too!

Just kid of embarrassed that in the past two weeks my only posts here were wordless, with photos of my cats.

Um.

Yikes.

But hey! JoNoWriMo+1.5 will be starting SOON. Deets to come.

xo

I feel like I am constantly telling people that my struggles and triumphs with running (I use the word "running" but really, it's an embarrassingly slow jog) mirror my struggles and triumphs with writing. But as I inch ever closer to reaching my running goals of

a) running all the way up a certain hellish hill on my route and
b) running 5 miles on my birthday

and reaching my writing goals of

a) finishing this messy first draft and
b) figuring out what the heck I'm trying to do with it by my birthday

the parallels seem to be uncannily close. Is uncannily a word?

Anyway, I thought I'd share some observations. I know they are painfully obvious in most ways, but I think a few might be a good reminder to anyone who might be struggling with a physical or writing-related goal. So, here they are. :-)

1. It's OK to be slow.
On running: I am a very slow runner.
On writing: I am a very slow writer.
What I've learned: As long as I finish, it doesn't matter. I've learned to accept my pace and stop comparing myself to everyone else. If I try to keep up with someone when I run, I get out of breath and feel like a failure, even if it's not true. If I try to write more than 1,000 words a day, I get sloppy, and feel like I'm writing just to fill the page, instead of finding meaning in my work. Instead, I've learned to embrace my own process and be be happy about my progress, no matter how slow.

Embrace your inner tortoise!

2. YOU have to do the work.
On running: No one can run for me.
On writing: No one else can write my book.
What I've learned: Cute running pants or fancy software programs are fun and shiny, but they aren't going to make you run or write any faster, farther, or better.

Just do the work!

3. Making yourself accountable, well, does.
On running: Making myself accountable by sharing my goals publicly helps me get on the road 3x/week.
On writing: Sharing my word-count goals helps me put my butt in the chair and get the work done.
What I've learned: When I make Facebook or Twitter updates stating my running or writing goals, I feel more obligated to meet them because I want others trying to do similar things to succeed, too. I want them to say, "If Jo can do it, so can I! Not, "Well, Jo didn't do it, so I'm not going to either."

Follow through!

4. Some days, it's really hard, but that's not an excuse to not do the work.
On running: A lot of times I just don't feel like going out there because I know how hard it's going to be. I'm afraid of failure.
On writing: A lot of times I just don't feel like facing my file because I know how hard it's going to be. I'm afraid of failure.
What I've learned: But there has never been a time when I've regretted running or writing, unlike the real regret I feel when I don't. There is no failure in doing the work. It's all part of the process.

Face your fear!

5. Little bits add up to a lot!
On running: When I first started out, running for 1 minute was hard. Seriously. But I followed the Couch to 5K program, and every week I did a little bit more. Now I run for 45-50 minutes!
On writing: When I start a new novel, I feel both excited and overwhelmed. But by writing 1,000 words per day, I've been able to get a first draft done faster than I ever have.
What I've learned: We are capable of truly remarkable things when we commit to them. Even small steps will eventually get you where you need to go.

Take those steps!

6. A support network makes all the difference.
On running: When I announced I was doing the Couch to 5K program last fall, several of my friends joined in. We formed a group and checked in several times a week to share our progress, and ask each other questions about how to deal with various aches, pains and challenges. Without them, I am sure I wouldn't have stuck with it.
On writing: Every day before I start writing, I check in with my writing partners and we share our goals for the day. We cheer each other on, and comfort each other through the rough patches. Without them, I am sure I wouldn't have stuck with it.
What I've learned: I love my friends. I need my friends.

Be a good friend!

7. It feels soooooooo good to finish!
On running: Sometimes it's all I can do to put on my sneakers and go outside. When I start running, my legs feel like they are made of lead. I feel like there is no way I will reach my goal. But then my breathing evens out and my legs warm up and I'm doing it! When I reach my driveway at the end, I feel shocked and thrilled. This is the first time in 25 years that I have gotten regular exercise. If someone told me last year I'd be running 3.5-4 miles, I would have laughed and secretly thought they were crazy.
On writing: Sometimes it's all I can do to open my file. When I start writing, every word feels forced and stupid. I feel like there is no way I will ever finish the book. But then I get through the mire and find the heart of what I was looking for, and I'm doing it! When I finish a chapter, I feel shocked and thrilled. When I finish a draft, I feel like I am walking on air. If someone told me when I first started writing that I would sell six books, I would have laughed and secretly thought they were crazy.
What I've learned: Instead of laughing when someone believes in you, say thank you. Then prove them right. And then have a little laugh at yourself.

Believe the believers!

8. It also feels great to help others.
On running: I am equally excited and thrilled when my friends reach a running goal.
On writing: I am equally excited and thrilled when my friends reach a writing goal. Better yet, when they sell a book!
What I've learned: Just as your friends have a tremendous influence on your confidence, your well-being, and your happiness, YOU have the same influence on them! Show your support. Lift them up. Tell them you believe in them, too. When it comes to happy friendship moments, there is nothing--nothing nothing nothing--better than hearing a dear friend share their good news and seeing the disbelief and thrill on their faces. We are in this together. When a friend succeeds, you succeed.

Be supportive!

I'm sure there are many, many more parallels that I will think of later. Maybe I'll add them. But for now... I need to go face my fears, believe, and open my file. :-)


~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-Up:

What activities/challenges in your life parallel your writing?

Hi Teachers!

Last week I didn't realize when I posted that it was the "last week" of Teachers Write! And I had a final writing exercise waiting just for that week! So, I'm sharing it today. :-)

This is actually a slightly recycled prompt, but I think fitting for the journey we've all shared this summer.

1. Find a photo or image from this summers' writing journey that represents your experience participating in Teachers Write.

2. Describe the scene by making a "list poem" of the feelings, thoughts, insights, struggles, triumphs, discoveries, friendships, etc. of your experience.

3. Share your poem on your own blog. Better yet, share with Kate and all the others who made Teachers Write possible! :-)

Here is the original post I based this exercise on. This could be a fun back-to-school exercise to do with kids, choosing their best summer memory. Or an end-of-school exercise, choosing their best classroom memory. It helps the writers see how important tiny images/details are in conveying the depth and deeper meaning of the "big picture."

1. Find a photo that makes you happy.

Photo stolen from my friend Katy. :)

2. Describe the scene by making a "list poem" of the feelings, thoughts, smells, sights, tastes, etc. of the captured moment.

a table spread with warm dishes
from 7 different homes
piles of boots and shoes by the door
6 guitars
2 ukeleles
song books scattered across the coffee table
a plate of pumpkin whoopie pies and cake balls
balanced on a copy of Rise Up Singing
there is a carefully-guarded glass of pomegranate cosmos under the chair
and someone is sipping whiskey from a coffee mug
a glass of wine keeps the cosmos company
and all over, there are scattered juice boxes left half full
by the herd of children that runs upstairs
downstairs
upstairs
downstairs
there is singing off key
on key
off key
the children stop to dance
and sometimes sing
then off they go back upstairs
downstairs
they sneak a cake ball from the table
upstairs
downstairs
and a hug from a parent
heads gather around an ipad screen
searching for songs on YouTube
or is that Angry Birds they're playing?
someone doesn't admit she still isn't sure what that is
we date ourselves with songs from the 80's
there might have been Guns N Roses
and Neil Diamond? No, not possible
but there is laughter
and the warmth from a wood stove
and from the arm of a friend slung tight around a shoulder
there is music loud
and music quiet
a boy gets brave and sings his favorite song to loving ears
there are hugs good-bye
and promises for another gathering
soon
there's an open door
and black sky
and spits of white
and jokes that it can't be what we know it is
there is a quiet drive home
and talks of how nice it is
to have such dear friends

3. Share yours on your own blog. Leave a comment with the link so we can find it! :)


Have a great school year, everyone!!!

xoxo

Happy Birthday to Vampirina!!!!!


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When Anne Marie Pace shared the F&G's with me many months ago, I predicted BIG THINGS for this book. I stand by my prediction. With a nod to Elloise, this book has a certain nostalgic quality to it that reminds you of the magic a picture book holds. This one is really special.

Congratulations, annemariepace!!!!!!

One of the strongest emotions we tend to gloss over in our writing is love. LOVE! Shocking, but true. I think we take advantage of it. We write the word love and our reader knows exactly what that means, right? It's LOVE. Everyone knows what love is. No explanation needed!

Well, no. Love comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes freely. Sometimes reluctantly. Sometimes with heavy baggage. Sometimes with painful. For your reader to understand the unique love you are trying to portray, we need to see and feel and experience it, too.

Have you read THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, by Katherine Applegate? That is an example of what I'm talking about. That book is full of love. Of the pain and longing and necessity to save which love often makes us feel so strongly, sometimes we think it might kill us. Applegate never needs to say who loves who. It's there in every thought and action.

Yesterday at church, our minister dedicated the service to our beloved pets. During the service, he read the poem "I Ask Percy How I Should Live My Life," by Mary Oliver. I was struck by that title, especially, because I think what she's really asking (or certainly being answered) is, "How Should I Love This Life?" Maybe those two things, in this instance, are the same.

I was so moved by this short poem, I want to share it here (Percy is a dog, in case you can't figure that out. ;-P):

I Ask Percy How I Should Live My Life, by Mary Oliver

Love, love, love, says Percy.
And run as fast as you can
along the shining beach, or the rubble, or the dust.

Then, go to sleep.
Give up your body heat, your beating heart.
Then, trust.

Isn't that beautiful?

Today, think about who you love. And how you love. And then tell us. You can write a poem, or an essay or a story. Try to show unexpected examples of how this love shows. Is it a touch? A casual stolen glance? A laugh invented just for you? If you choose to write about a pet, is it the circle wag of a tail? A lick on the knee? Love shows itself in unique ways. Find yours! <3

I've been staying with my sister for the past few days and on arrival, found this message in the driveway:


Even though I know my niece was not writing this for me, I can't help but think each time I see it, that the universe is trying to tell me something. There's something about that capital L. It's as if it's telling me to both Fear Less and be fearless.

All summer I've been working on a new novel and all summer I have been a bit fearFUL of where this novel wants to take me. And then here was this message, FearLess. Almost reminding me that this is what I must be if I want to get it right. And not only that, but it's OK. So stop worrying and just do it.

For today's Monday Morning Warm-Up, I wanted to share this message with you, too. Because I think a lot of times when we're writing, we let fear slip in without even knowing it. And we don't write what our hearts truly need to.

Today, think about what your fears are in regard to whatever you're working on. Write them on a piece of paper, or on a file somewhere. Half the battle in overcoming your fears is to name them.

Then, put them away and open a new file or take out a new piece of paper. Write the word FEARLESS on it. OR, print a copy of this photo (my niece won't mind). Put your word next to your laptop or somewhere you'll see it when you're writing today, and...

Fear less. And be FearLess.

:-)

Today I am feeling incredibly grateful to independent booksellers who continue to work tirelessly to promote the books they love. Not just the flashy ones that come with their own stands and posters, but the quiet ones that might otherwise be unnoticed and forgotten if not for the bookseller whose heart it touched, and who presses it eagerly into her customers' hands with the promise they will love it, too.

I love that they take the time to get to know their regular customers, and already have suggestions at the ready when one walks through the door.

And I love that they take the time to create lists for their colleagues and customers. Lists of these very books they don't want anyone to miss.

If you have an independent bookstore in your area, please please please consider giving them your business rather than going to the big guys online. It makes a difference!

Today, I am feeling selfishly grateful to these booksellers.

Thanks to them, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S made IndieBound's Kids Next Summer List, Top Ten!:


I have daydreamed of ever getting on this list. To be on the front page kind of blows my mind.

Here is what one of the booksellers who recommended Harry's to the list wrote:

Knowles takes the reader's hand and deftly winds through the maze of grief and shows how navigating with our hearts will always lead us back home.- Jane Knight, Bear Pond Books

I also learned today that the New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council (NECBA) has listed SEE YOU AT HARRY'S in the Spring 2012 Top Titles!

Here's what NECBA says about it's mission to select books for their list:

First started in 1996 these lists are our bi-annual attempt to identify as many high-quality titles as possible from among the numerous new middle-grade and young-adult fiction books.

So again, I am simply shocked that SEE YOU AT HARRY'S found it's way there. Shocked, and so amazingly thankful that someone took the time to read the book, but also to write a recommendation and vote. Truly. Is there a stronger word than "grateful"? Because I feel more than that.

Here is what one of the bookseller's who spoke for Harry's wrote:

Jo Knowles's latest YA novel, See You at Harry's, is one of the truest-feeling books I've read in a while...The characters and their emotions feel so real that I could not help but be caught up in their heartbreaks and triumphs, wishing that I could reach into the pages of the book to comfort Fern and her siblings. -Sandy Scott, The Galaxy Bookshop

Thank you Jane and Sandy and every bookseller out there who reads and cares and carries on helping to promote reading and literacy and the love of books!!

Hello teachers!

Today I thought we could do a fun exercise my friend Cindy Faughnan (also a teacher) taught me this summer.

First, pick a theme. This can be anything. Some ideas: Writing, teaching, summer, parenthood, dogs, friendship, a view you can see right now.

Then, write your phone number down the length of a page, like this:

8
0
2
5
5
5
1
2
1
2

Now, start your poem. Each number represents how many words you must have on that line. If you have a zero, that's a wild card and you can use any number of words on that line as you like.

We did this at writing camp this summer and the students came up with some incredible stuff. This is a really fun one to use in the classroom because it gives a mix of structure and freedom.

Enjoy! And share if you'd like. I always think writers learn a lot by doing exercises like this together and then sharing their results—and thus being inspired by one another. (Although, you may want to share on the private Teachers Write site, since obviously you'd be sharing your phone number!) :-)

As I've mentioned, every summer I help teach a writing camp for 2 weeks. It's for students in grades 7-12 and many return year after year and I get to watch them grow up and it is, simply put, wonderful.

During camp, we have an easel set up where campers can write down phrases for writing prompts. At the beginning of each camp session, we all write to a prompt that speaks to us. Here is a photo of our prompt board:


For Today's exercise, choose one! Share! And as always, have fun. :-)

I was so excited to receive the following Tweet from Kate Rudd, the narrator for the audio book of See You at Harry's this morning:

Very excited that @JoKnowles See You at Harry's audio received the @AudioFileMag earphones award. This story seized my heart completely!

Hooray! I haven't been able to listen to the entire audio book, but that has nothing to do with Kate. She does an AMAZING job. I truly couldn't be happier. But it is very hard to hear your work read to you. With every new chapter you're afraid you'll hear a mistake. Or a sentence that makes you cringe. It's why I never read my books after they are published, other than when I'm asked to read short excerpts at book events.

Here is the review:

http://www.audiofilemagazine.comwww.audiofilemagazine.com/dbsearch/showreview.cfm?Num=71813

Thanks Kate, for your incredible narration!

Hello, teachers! I can't believe it's already mid-summer! I don't know about you, but this does not please me AT ALL.

At the beginning of the project, I asked you all to describe a kitchen of your childhood. Today, I'm going to ask you to describe a room of importance to you NOW. It could be a family room, an office, a kitchen of your adulthood, your classroom... Whatever place makes you feel happy when you are in it, for whatever reason. Then follow these steps:

1. Make a list of all the important objects in the room. Write down as many things as you can. Don't worry if these won't make sense to anyone else. Just write them down.

2. Now look! You have a poem! Admire it.

3. But that's not all! Now you have a list of items that each tells its own story. Pick one now, and tell it. Then share!

Today I am a guest at the Girls of Summer project. I talk with Gigi Amateau about SEE YOU AT HARRY's, writing, and the cost of invisibility. Hope you'll check it out and leave a comment!

http://girlsofsummerlist.wordpress.com/author-interviews-2/jo-knowles/

Thanks!!!

I have some fun events happening this month in Vermont and New Hampshire, and online. :-)

Wednesday, July 11, all day:
I am the guest author at Kate Messner's wonderful TEACHERS WRITE project. I'll be answering your questions throughout the day! Go here to take part. :)
NOTE: Every Monday all summer I'll be posting warm-up exercises here specifically aimed at helping teachers taking part in Kate's project.

Saturday, July 14, 4:00pm:
I'll be reading and sharing stories about the making of SEE YOU AT HARRY'S at Bartleby's Books in Wilmington, VT. Come with your questions! There will be GOOD prizes for those who ask one! :-)

Monday, July 30, 6:30pm
I'll be giving a FREE writing workshop at the Moultonborough, NH Public Library. This workshop will be appropriate for adults AND kids ages 10 and up. Bring a pen and paper and be ready to have lots of fun! I'll also be signing books, thanks to Bayswater Books, who will be selling at the event.