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Over the past five years, I’ve traveled a lot to visit schools in far-flung places: Oklahoma, California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, etc. Mostly I stay in the NY/NJ area. But regardless, the basic fact remains: I’m not at home. I’m often alone, away from my family, unwrapping a plastic cup from inside a plastic wrapper. Sigh.

One of life’s little puzzles is how to properly tip the chambermaid. For the longest time, I was never quite sure. So I faked it, without much rhyme or reason. Last year I met author Kate Klise in a hotel in Rye, NY. We share the same tour administrator, the awesome Kerri Kunkel McPhail, who organizes and coordinates our school visits in the greater Westchester area and beyond. It’s a rare treat to meet real, live authors, especially since we spend most of our working lives alone, tapping out words on a keyboard. I quickly learned Kate is a hugely talented author, dedicated and wise to the ways of the world, and a kind person, too. I liked her a lot.

Sitting in the lobby, we hit upon the topic of hotel living. I must have said something about tipping the chambermaid, because Kate gave me a suggestion that I’ve used in every hotel stay since.

I leave $5 each morning. In the past, I’d often waited for the end of my stay, but I realized that it might cause an unfair distribution. A different hotel maid might be working that day. Better to leave a smaller amount daily. Five seems like the right number to me, though I didn’t arrive at that figure scientifically. Here’s where Kate told me her approach. She said, “I always leave a little thank you note.”

“You do?”

“Yes. It’s such a tough job — think about it. I feel like the least I can do is just write a short note of appreciation.”

Nice, right?

It immediately made sense to me. After all, that’s all anybody ever wants in this life. Some basic recognition, a note of appreciation. The tip is one thing, certainly, but taking one minute for a quick note brings it to a higher level.

Now every morning in a hotel before I’m rushing out for a day’s work, I quickly grab a piece of paper, write “THANK YOU!” or some variation, and leave a tip.

And every time, I feel good about leaving behind a little extra kindness.

And last week, for the first time, I got a response . . . with three exclamation marks.

In the Bag Kate Klise

YOU GUYS! Why didn't anyone tell me that the fantastic middle grade author Kate Klise had an adult book out?! And one that I think has great cross-over appeal for teens.

Andrew's on his way to Madrid where he's designing an art exhibit. When boarding, he accidentally bumps the arm of a woman in first class, spilling her wine on her shirt. He can't keep his eyes off her (although all he can see from his vantage in coach is her feet) and, when at baggage claim, takes a chance and slips a note into her purse.

Daisy is one of the best chefs in Chicago, but after leaving yet another restaurant, she's on a much-needed vacation in Paris. She thought it would be relaxing and rejuvenating and a chance to bond with her daughter, before Coco goes to college in the fall. Everything goes horribly wrong from the beginning-- first someone spills wine on her and then the sleaze leaves a note in her purse-- who ruins silk blouses as a pick-up tactic? Then, Coco is in a horrible mood because...

Coco is horrified when she discovers that she picked up someone else's identical bag at baggage claim and now has nothing that she needs.

When Webb gets to Madrid with his father (Andrew, of course) he finds that he has someone else's bag. Someone who actually irons their jeans. Luckily, someone that anal also has a contact card in the pocket, so he sends an email and sets off a chain reaction...

And when Daisy's oldest friend needs help with an exhibit she's curating in Madrid after the caterer backs out... well.

Told in all four voices, this is a fun rom-com of a novel with hilarious touches (stinky cheese and Amish extremists!), complete with over-the-top ending. The dinner in Barcelona is priceless. I especially enjoyed all the little misunderstandings. Daisy's convinced Coco's always checking her email because she's missing prom and there's some drama back home (nope, just Webb.) I think Klise is trying to say something bigger here about love and connection in a digital world and generational divide but... that part doesn't work. Luckily, when she tries to make these points, it sounds authentic in the character's voice and blends in seamlessly with the plot, so it doesn't get in the way.

Bonus points for multiple narrators, various lyrics analysis of "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park." Also... did I mention the Amish extremists?

A very fun read for teens and adults. (I would totally read an adult book by her that's done in the style of Regarding the Fountain. Yes.)

Book Provided by... my local library

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Recently, my school hosted Kate Klise for an author visit. We have one every year, and the kids are always excited to hear the stories behind the books they check out from our library.

Have you read Kate and Sarah Klise’s book DYING TO MEET YOU? It’s an award-winning gem of a story about a scrappy kid, a persistent ghost, and a grumpy old scribbler all sharing the same rambling house on 43 Old Cemetary Road.

Read it and you’ll understand why it’s on so many awards lists.

It should be no surprise that Kate’s visit was fantastic. She was funny. Engaging. Honest. Real.

The kids loved her. They laughed at her stories and listened to what to she had to say about writing a good book.

And me? Well, when she started talking about the protagonist’s journey, my ears perked up.

Kate drew a circle and explained that every story needs at least one character with one problem. The character takes a circular journey and grapples with the conflict. At the end of the journey the protagonist returns home (figuratively and/or literally) a changed person. 

An interesting character + A compelling problem + A tranformative journey. 

See? That’s all you need to entrance a reader. Kate’s thoughts really stuck with me. The circle she drew keeps spinning around in my mind.

How about you? What do you think are the crucial elements of a great story?

Hungry for More? Then try this recipe for HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE. It’s perfect for curling up with a spook-tacular read this week.

Binge!