Marcia Thornton Jones's Blog, page 182
December 17, 2014
Passing it On (December Theme, Sarah Dooley)
Ever since I was a kid, sitting cross-legged on a stool in author Joy Lackey's kitchen while she looked over my poetry, I knew writers were a giving people. Whether you are brand new to writing (and eleven years old, no less) or whether you're a published author, there is always someone willing to lend a hand. Authors read each other's query letters. We listen to each other's pitches. We smatter ink across each other's paragraphs. We offer advice. Encouragement. Caution. Reason. Hope. We serve as cheerleaders, coaches, and critics as needed.We are everything from a bickering family to each other's biggest fans.
So many people have helped me on my writing journey, starting (but certainly not ending) when I was a child. Some of those early experiences with the wonder that is the writing community helped me to stay with this craft.
As authors, here are a few ways we can pay forward the help we were given and assist a new generation of writers:
1. Encourage a child to read. There is no better way to grow future writers than to put books – your own and others' – into kids' hands.
2. Encourage a child to write. Provide the space. The paper and pens. The prompts. Whatever you need to do to help kids jump in.
3. Teach kids to value each others' writing. There is nothing more rewarding than helping kids create their own writing community.
4. Be honest. Cheerlead. But don't only cheerlead. Kids need to know that writing is fun, but that it is work, and that there is value to second drafts, and third drafts, and beyond.
5. Be a fan. Kids need someone to wantto read their writing, to cherish each turn of phrase, to wait with bated breath for the next installment.
So many people have helped me on my writing journey, starting (but certainly not ending) when I was a child. Some of those early experiences with the wonder that is the writing community helped me to stay with this craft.
As authors, here are a few ways we can pay forward the help we were given and assist a new generation of writers:
1. Encourage a child to read. There is no better way to grow future writers than to put books – your own and others' – into kids' hands.
2. Encourage a child to write. Provide the space. The paper and pens. The prompts. Whatever you need to do to help kids jump in.
3. Teach kids to value each others' writing. There is nothing more rewarding than helping kids create their own writing community.
4. Be honest. Cheerlead. But don't only cheerlead. Kids need to know that writing is fun, but that it is work, and that there is value to second drafts, and third drafts, and beyond.
5. Be a fan. Kids need someone to wantto read their writing, to cherish each turn of phrase, to wait with bated breath for the next installment.
December 16, 2014
Paying it Forward by Danette Vigilante
Paying it Forward by Danette Vigilante
Something good happened to me in fifth grade— my teacher sparked within me the love of reading, and that gift has never stopped giving.
As an adult, I became a reading volunteer at my local elementary school because of what I had been given all those years ago. His name was John and, like me at his age, he was a poor reader. I wanted more than anything for him to know the excitement and joy of getting lost in a good book. I wanted him to want “just one more page,” to want more when the book was done, to wonder and think about the characters and their lives.
I spent two years, one hour three times a week, with John, building up his reading skills word by word, book by book, giggle by giggle, high fives by high fives. And like a vitamin taken regularly, each story began to strengthen not only John’s skills, but his confidence.
I hope that one day John pays forward what I have given him, and that his gift never stops giving.
Something good happened to me in fifth grade— my teacher sparked within me the love of reading, and that gift has never stopped giving.
As an adult, I became a reading volunteer at my local elementary school because of what I had been given all those years ago. His name was John and, like me at his age, he was a poor reader. I wanted more than anything for him to know the excitement and joy of getting lost in a good book. I wanted him to want “just one more page,” to want more when the book was done, to wonder and think about the characters and their lives.
I spent two years, one hour three times a week, with John, building up his reading skills word by word, book by book, giggle by giggle, high fives by high fives. And like a vitamin taken regularly, each story began to strengthen not only John’s skills, but his confidence.
I hope that one day John pays forward what I have given him, and that his gift never stops giving.
December 14, 2014
Pay it Forward/December Theme by Bob Krech
I've enjoyed reading this month's posts about how colleagues have payed it forward and the kindness they have received in their journeys as writers. I've had similar experiences. The writing fraternity is in general a very giving and supportive group to be a part of.
While helping clean up my college daughter's room this past week, I came across a copy of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien which came out in 1990. For those who don't know it, this is a collection of short stories based on O'Brien's experience as a soldier in Vietnam. I'd read a couple of the stories in anthologies over the years, but this past week I've been able to really read and enjoy the whole book.
When I thought about this month's theme and about this book it occurred to me how as writers we can choose to share our experiences with others as another way of paying it forward. To tell the truth about important things can be a real service. Some readers may be hearing your truth for the first time and learn from it. Some may share the author's experiences or sentiments and have their feelings and ideas validated.
Not all of us are writing books as important or searing as The Things They Carried, but these other stories we write, humor and fantasy and fun stories, also pay it forward. We share things that made us laugh and helped us escape to fantastical places, and there are many readers out there who need just that as well.
So writers, remember during this holiday season, your stories are gifts to many. Gifts that can stimulate, challenge, strengthen, and validate as well as amuse, relax, and enlighten.
Thanks for sharing your gifts. Happy Holidays!
While helping clean up my college daughter's room this past week, I came across a copy of The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien which came out in 1990. For those who don't know it, this is a collection of short stories based on O'Brien's experience as a soldier in Vietnam. I'd read a couple of the stories in anthologies over the years, but this past week I've been able to really read and enjoy the whole book.
When I thought about this month's theme and about this book it occurred to me how as writers we can choose to share our experiences with others as another way of paying it forward. To tell the truth about important things can be a real service. Some readers may be hearing your truth for the first time and learn from it. Some may share the author's experiences or sentiments and have their feelings and ideas validated.
Not all of us are writing books as important or searing as The Things They Carried, but these other stories we write, humor and fantasy and fun stories, also pay it forward. We share things that made us laugh and helped us escape to fantastical places, and there are many readers out there who need just that as well.
So writers, remember during this holiday season, your stories are gifts to many. Gifts that can stimulate, challenge, strengthen, and validate as well as amuse, relax, and enlighten.
Thanks for sharing your gifts. Happy Holidays!
PASS IT ON December Theme from Tamera Will Wissinger
Welcome. Gather round the fire, friends. I would like to share the opening lyrics to one of my favorite camp songs from my youth, written by Kurt Kaiser:
It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing.
Fire image from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.netThe song is called PASS IT ON. It is a song of faith and, to me, this small phrase perfectly embodies the pay it forward concept. Taken literally, what can be more comforting to a group of people than a roaring fire on a cold late fall day? Taken figuratively, what can be more compelling to a person than being a spark that helps ignite a positive fire in and for others? This month, I went on a search for other pass it on inspiring messages and here’s what I found:
What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?– George Eliot
The time is always right to do what is right.– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three things in life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.– Henry James
Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.– Gretta Brooker Palmer
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.– Philo
Kindness in words creates confidence.Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.Kindness in giving creates love.– Lao-tzu
If I can keep one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain.– Emily Dickinson
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow man.– Herman Melville
And I was delighted to discover this sweet Little Willie poem from Henry Burton, where I will end my quest for today.
PASS IT ON by Henry Burton
Have you had a kindness shown?Pass it on!‘Twas not given for thee alone,Pass it on!Let it travel down the years,Let it wipe another’s tears,Till in Heaven the deed appears – Pass it on! Pass it on. It’s simple. It’s for everyone, everywhere, in every time. It only takes a spark…
~~~~~~~
Tamera Wissinger is the author of GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse, THIS OLD BAND, and the forthcoming THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO GOBBLED A SKINK. She spends part of every day on the look out for ways to pass it on, some days she's more successful than others. Occasionally it’s through a grand poetry interaction with an enthusiastic group of students or a festive meal prepared for family and friends. More often, it arrives in the form of opening a door for someone else, adding to the red bucket whenever the Salvation Army bell ringers are near, or smiling when nobody expects it.
With the exception of the PASS IT ON lyrics by Kurt Kaiser, which I know by heart, all other excerpts are from: The Book of Positive Quotations, Compiled and arranged by John Cook, Fairview Press, Minneapolis, 1993
It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing.
Fire image from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.netThe song is called PASS IT ON. It is a song of faith and, to me, this small phrase perfectly embodies the pay it forward concept. Taken literally, what can be more comforting to a group of people than a roaring fire on a cold late fall day? Taken figuratively, what can be more compelling to a person than being a spark that helps ignite a positive fire in and for others? This month, I went on a search for other pass it on inspiring messages and here’s what I found:What do we live for if not to make life less difficult for each other?– George Eliot
The time is always right to do what is right.– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Three things in life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.– Henry James
Happiness is a by-product of an effort to make someone else happy.– Gretta Brooker Palmer
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.– Philo
Kindness in words creates confidence.Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.Kindness in giving creates love.– Lao-tzu
If I can keep one heart from breaking,I shall not live in vain.– Emily Dickinson
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow man.– Herman Melville
And I was delighted to discover this sweet Little Willie poem from Henry Burton, where I will end my quest for today.
PASS IT ON by Henry Burton
Have you had a kindness shown?Pass it on!‘Twas not given for thee alone,Pass it on!Let it travel down the years,Let it wipe another’s tears,Till in Heaven the deed appears – Pass it on! Pass it on. It’s simple. It’s for everyone, everywhere, in every time. It only takes a spark…
~~~~~~~
Tamera Wissinger is the author of GONE FISHING: A Novel in Verse, THIS OLD BAND, and the forthcoming THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO GOBBLED A SKINK. She spends part of every day on the look out for ways to pass it on, some days she's more successful than others. Occasionally it’s through a grand poetry interaction with an enthusiastic group of students or a festive meal prepared for family and friends. More often, it arrives in the form of opening a door for someone else, adding to the red bucket whenever the Salvation Army bell ringers are near, or smiling when nobody expects it.
With the exception of the PASS IT ON lyrics by Kurt Kaiser, which I know by heart, all other excerpts are from: The Book of Positive Quotations, Compiled and arranged by John Cook, Fairview Press, Minneapolis, 1993
December 12, 2014
Payback Time
As writers, it's a thrill to see our books finally come out into the world. All of us appreciate the work and time it took to get there. I'm not merely talking about our writing support groups and the readers who buy our books. I'm going further back - to school. Back to the teachers and librarians who turned us on to books and got us hooked as readers, and eventually as writers. For me, all it took was an A+ on a creative writing assignment. And, my very own library card.
If it hadn't been for the positive academic experiences I had at school, I might not be where I am today. Memorial School was a K-8 school with some great and memorable teachers who encouraged writing in all its forms: essays, poetry, outlining, sentence diagramming, story telling, letter writing. Their encouragement led to a Language Arts Award at 8th Grade graduation, and a life time love of the written word.
So, it was a joy for me to go back to my elementary school - Memorial School in Old Bridge Township, NJ - and present the librarian an autographed copy of WHEELS OF CHANGE to share with the student body.
Being able to pass on that feeling to a new generation of readers and writers, and to say "Thank You" - one book at a time - is the best kind of payback I can think of.
If it hadn't been for the positive academic experiences I had at school, I might not be where I am today. Memorial School was a K-8 school with some great and memorable teachers who encouraged writing in all its forms: essays, poetry, outlining, sentence diagramming, story telling, letter writing. Their encouragement led to a Language Arts Award at 8th Grade graduation, and a life time love of the written word.
So, it was a joy for me to go back to my elementary school - Memorial School in Old Bridge Township, NJ - and present the librarian an autographed copy of WHEELS OF CHANGE to share with the student body.
Being able to pass on that feeling to a new generation of readers and writers, and to say "Thank You" - one book at a time - is the best kind of payback I can think of.
December 11, 2014
Cool to Be Kind (from Jody Feldman)
Karma. Paying it forward. The Golden Rule.What goes around comes around. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Call it what you will, say it as you wish, but in the end it all comes down to:Kindness In life in general, and in this writing life in particular, I have been surrounded by acts of kindness, both random and planned. Three often come to mind, especially because each occurred before my first book was published. An award-winning, book-to-movie author, in town for a school visit–someone I barely knew–had her school hosts include me in their dinner just to get me started meeting educators. Before a conference, another major award-winning author, who could have been a thousand other places and with dozens of established authors, sat and talked to me at great personal length about being part of this book world. Even before that, long before I was under contract, two well-respected authors took me under their wings, and suddenly I was no longer lost or companionless at my first SCBWI Annual Conference in Los Angeles. Do these authors remember their kindnesses? Doubt it. At least they probably don’t remember them with great clarity. Similarly, I hope I don’t remember a great majority of my own attempts at being kind. I hope, for all of us, it’s woven into the fabrics of our lives.
And yet, there are times, when it just feels right to make a conscious gesture. Like here and now.
In that spirit, I'm happy to offer you a chance to win a free Skype or in-person school visit.* If you’re a teacher, librarian, media specialist, school administrator, parent, or you just have fondness for a particular school, and your school would prepare for and welcome my visit, please enter below. I may just throw in a T-shirt and a book or two, also. (*One winning school receives a full, 45-minute Skype visit; OR if possible by mutual agreement, an in-person school visit which must either be within a two-hour drive of St. Louis, in a city where I happen to be traveling, or with you covering travel expenses. Enter by December 21, 2015.)a Rafflecopter giveaway
Call it what you will, say it as you wish, but in the end it all comes down to:Kindness In life in general, and in this writing life in particular, I have been surrounded by acts of kindness, both random and planned. Three often come to mind, especially because each occurred before my first book was published. An award-winning, book-to-movie author, in town for a school visit–someone I barely knew–had her school hosts include me in their dinner just to get me started meeting educators. Before a conference, another major award-winning author, who could have been a thousand other places and with dozens of established authors, sat and talked to me at great personal length about being part of this book world. Even before that, long before I was under contract, two well-respected authors took me under their wings, and suddenly I was no longer lost or companionless at my first SCBWI Annual Conference in Los Angeles. Do these authors remember their kindnesses? Doubt it. At least they probably don’t remember them with great clarity. Similarly, I hope I don’t remember a great majority of my own attempts at being kind. I hope, for all of us, it’s woven into the fabrics of our lives.
And yet, there are times, when it just feels right to make a conscious gesture. Like here and now.
In that spirit, I'm happy to offer you a chance to win a free Skype or in-person school visit.* If you’re a teacher, librarian, media specialist, school administrator, parent, or you just have fondness for a particular school, and your school would prepare for and welcome my visit, please enter below. I may just throw in a T-shirt and a book or two, also. (*One winning school receives a full, 45-minute Skype visit; OR if possible by mutual agreement, an in-person school visit which must either be within a two-hour drive of St. Louis, in a city where I happen to be traveling, or with you covering travel expenses. Enter by December 21, 2015.)a Rafflecopter giveaway
December 10, 2014
December Theme: Paying It ForwardBy Marcia Thornton Jones...
December Theme: Paying It ForwardBy Marcia Thornton JonesI appreciate the concept that when someone does something nice to me I can ‘pay it forward’ by doing something nice for someone else instead of just ‘paying it back.’ I love hearing stories of people having their coffee, lunch, and toll booth fares paid by someone that went through the line before them. In fact, I tried to do that once by pre-paying the adoption fee at the Humane Society for the ‘next adopting family’ who chose an animal and filled out the paperwork (the Humane Society wouldn’t let me do that, by the way). The ideas and experiences already posted for ‘paying forward’ the good that comes into our lives are inspiring, and I’m looking forward to reading more this month.
But to be honest, I never totally clicked with the phrase because when I think of ‘pay’ I think of things like ‘pay back’, ‘you get what you pay for’, and ‘paying bills’. To me, ‘pay’ infers debt, responsibility, and obligation. I tried to think of a word that ‘felt’ better to me. Gifting is the closest I could come because when I think of ‘gifting’ I think of giving instead of paying.
Then I started wondering:
· What kind of givers are my characters? Are they selfless? Do they shop for perfect gifts? Or would they buy the first thing they came across? Would they go to a mega-store and grab gift cards so they wouldn’t have to bother with shopping? Or would they go from store to store, searching for just the right things.· What were the best gifts they’ve given? Did those gifts involve special thought or effort? Were they store-bought or hand-made? Were sacrifices involved? Who were the recipients? What were the recipients’ reactions? How did the recipients’ reactions make the gift-giving characters feel?· What kind of gift-receivers are my characters? Are they gracious? Do they make sure the givers see them wear or use the gift? Do they ask for the receipt if they don’t like a gift? Do they roll their eyes and say, “I don’t want this,” before handing it back to the giver?· What were the best gifts my characters ever received? Were they hand-made? Was the monetary worth less or more than the sentimental value? Who were they from? What were the circumstances?· What were the worst gifts received? What did my characters do with them? Regift them? Throw them away? Toss them into a cow pond? Build bonfires and burn them?· Are my characters the kind of people that see the blessings, kindnesses, and good fortunes in their lives as gifts? Or do they consider themselves entitled to those things…and more? Do they appreciate the good? Does their good fortune inspire them to gift others?· Or do my characters focus on the negative? On the slights and the insults and the misfortunes? Instead of ‘paying it forward’, are they more intent on pay back? On getting even? On revenge?
Who knows? If I take a few minutes to answer these questions then maybe, just maybe, my characters will gain insights into their story journeys and then they will ‘pay it forward’ with transformative growth that resonates with readers and their own life journeys.
December 5, 2014
Paying It Forward - December Theme by Deborah Lytton
When I first joined the writing community, and specifically, the children's book writing community, I was struck by the welcome I received. Having been an actress, I was used to competitiveness from colleagues. Even when they pretended to be my friends, there was always an underlying edge to their friendship. But with children's book writers, I encountered real friendship. My first experience reaching out to another writer was at the request of a non-writing friend, who said, "Oh, I know this person who has had several books published. Maybe you can talk to her about your book." Now, in the acting business, this would usually amount to exactly nothing. I doubt another actress would have even returned my call. But I reached out to this writer anyway. And the most amazing thing happened--not only did she talk to me about writing and publishing, but she gave me incredibly good advice and even sent my book to her agent. But this wasn't an isolated incident. Every single time I have reached out to another writer for advice or a critique, that writer has responded with help. Because writing is a community. And although we are all in the same field, we only benefit from one another's success. Every time another writer signs a publishing deal or hits the bestseller list, this is a success for me, too. These other writers taught me to pay it forward so that when writers reach out to me for advice or critiques, I try to give back. To give back to the community that nurtures me and supports me. At the end of the day, I know that the other writers out there who are doing what I am doing truly understand this journey, and I want to help them as much as they have helped me. I call that truly paying it forward.
December 3, 2014
5 Simple Ways for Writers to Pay it Forward
It can be tough in this Me-Me World for authors to pull away from self promotion and realize that ultimately the meaning and value of our lives comes from how we connect with others-- and this connection is created through a spirit of generosity and compassion. Consider these five simple ways you can give of yourself today:
1. If you enjoy an article or book, tell the author! A simple letter of appreciation is all it takes to make someone positively glow.
I love this book!
You gotta read it!!2. Champion the books you love. Blog about them, Tweet about them, give them as gifts.
3. Be a cheerleader for beginner writers. Offer your encouragement most of all. Check in. Ask about that project. Share your war stories, your honest feedback, but most of all – MOST OF ALL – your encouragement.
4. Recommend your writer friends for speaking engagements.
5. Volunteer your time and expertise in schools, professional organizations, or in whatever way that feels right to you. This is a highly individual thing, and can be as simple as donating a book to hosting a workshop. *A word of caution: choose your projects carefully – just like when writing a book, be sure it's something you are passionate about! And be honest with yourself... if you're looking at it as a way to get something for yourself on the back end, do us all a favor and don't do that thing! That's not really volunteering, and it's likely to cause you pain and resentment eventually.
1. If you enjoy an article or book, tell the author! A simple letter of appreciation is all it takes to make someone positively glow.
I love this book! You gotta read it!!2. Champion the books you love. Blog about them, Tweet about them, give them as gifts.
3. Be a cheerleader for beginner writers. Offer your encouragement most of all. Check in. Ask about that project. Share your war stories, your honest feedback, but most of all – MOST OF ALL – your encouragement.
4. Recommend your writer friends for speaking engagements.
5. Volunteer your time and expertise in schools, professional organizations, or in whatever way that feels right to you. This is a highly individual thing, and can be as simple as donating a book to hosting a workshop. *A word of caution: choose your projects carefully – just like when writing a book, be sure it's something you are passionate about! And be honest with yourself... if you're looking at it as a way to get something for yourself on the back end, do us all a favor and don't do that thing! That's not really volunteering, and it's likely to cause you pain and resentment eventually.
December 2, 2014
The Power of Kindness by Ann Haywood Leal
The plane pulled into the gate and the passengers rose all at once, trying to crowd to the still-closed door like first graders in the recess line. After the woman in front of me practically pulled her barely legal overstuffed carry-on down on my head, she ran over my toes with her luggage wheels. Even though she was sitting a couple of rows behind me, she plunged ahead in the aisle, never pausing to allow an elderly woman out of her row. By the time I left the airport and stopped at a taco place for food, I was sweaty and crabby, and not feeing very good about human beings, in general.
At first I didn't understand what the woman at the cash register was saying.
She waited patiently for me to pick up my tray from the counter, and made no move to take my money. She waved me away and smiled. "It's already taken care of. The person ahead of you paid for your meal."
My thank you hung in midair as that generous person in front of me turned their car onto the street.
That simple, anonymous kindness turned my entire week around.
Paying it forward is such a wonderful concept that has the capacity to push through all of the madness of the holidays.
It doesn't need to cost you any money. In our digital world, the spoken word holds its own currency. A thank you or a simple greeting. A kindness to someone who needs it.
So go ahead and let someone have that up-close parking space. Clear the snow from your neighbor's windshield. Pay it forward. I dare you.
