Jo Knowles's Blog, page 14
June 25, 2012
Teachers Write 4: Choose one
Greetings, teachers! I hope you're all having a great summer! I am on vacation in Maine with my family so this is going to be a short post, as it is supposed to rain today but it's not raining YET and I have to get out on the beach and search for sea glass while I can. :-)
~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
I took the photo below soon after we arrived at the rental house. This is my son and his cousins. They ALWAYS jump into the ocean first thing, no matter how cold. Sometimes they don't even change into their bathing suits first! But here they are, and I just love how they seem to be deep in thought.
So today, for something a little different, choose one child and write from his or her point of view. Set up the scene--not the obvious one, but the secondary story. Is he or she worried? Scared? Sad? Mad? See if you can incorporate some back story into the description. Throw in some dialog, too. Explore how there are two things happening at once here: the current situation (being in the water), and the one in the child's head. Like in real life, there are almost always two things happening at once. Conveying this in writing is a challenge, but can make an internal moment where you're describing a lot of "thinking" more active by showing what's going on around the character in that same moment. Have fun!
~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
I took the photo below soon after we arrived at the rental house. This is my son and his cousins. They ALWAYS jump into the ocean first thing, no matter how cold. Sometimes they don't even change into their bathing suits first! But here they are, and I just love how they seem to be deep in thought.
So today, for something a little different, choose one child and write from his or her point of view. Set up the scene--not the obvious one, but the secondary story. Is he or she worried? Scared? Sad? Mad? See if you can incorporate some back story into the description. Throw in some dialog, too. Explore how there are two things happening at once here: the current situation (being in the water), and the one in the child's head. Like in real life, there are almost always two things happening at once. Conveying this in writing is a challenge, but can make an internal moment where you're describing a lot of "thinking" more active by showing what's going on around the character in that same moment. Have fun!
June 22, 2012
Maine bound!
Wow. This week has been HOT here in Vermont. My husband has been at a conference in San Diego while my son and I have been practicing hot weather survival skills on ourselves and our cats. Here is Fred, getting his tummy cooled off:
Today I received a very exciting alert to a page in the New York Times: "Editor's Choice"
This continues to seem impossible to me. An impossible gift that I am impossibly grateful for.
Tomorrow we will pack our car and drive to Maine to meet up with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephews and cousin. We all rent a house together on the beach. We spend our days taking long walks on the beach searching for sea glass and other treasures, standing at the waters edge and letting the icy water lick our legs, or when we're brave, riding the waves. We read. We do puzzles. We play games. We talk into the night. We eat my dad's amazing meals. And we are a family together.
Clearly, I can't wait. :-)
Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay cool!
Today I received a very exciting alert to a page in the New York Times: "Editor's Choice"
This continues to seem impossible to me. An impossible gift that I am impossibly grateful for.
Tomorrow we will pack our car and drive to Maine to meet up with my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephews and cousin. We all rent a house together on the beach. We spend our days taking long walks on the beach searching for sea glass and other treasures, standing at the waters edge and letting the icy water lick our legs, or when we're brave, riding the waves. We read. We do puzzles. We play games. We talk into the night. We eat my dad's amazing meals. And we are a family together.
Clearly, I can't wait. :-)
Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay cool!
June 18, 2012
Teachers Write 3: Let's see if we can make this metaphor work...
I admit it. Using the word "metaphor" when presenting something to teachers makes me very nervous. Do I even know what a metaphor is? (Fact: I never had grammar in high school. Long story.)
It was a very exciting weekend at my house. First, I learned that my new book, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S was an editor's pick in The New York Times! Second, I learned that it was REVIEWED in The New York Times! Many friends sent me photos, including this one, from Laura Hamor:
Wow. I felt like I was walking around in a dream. Except for my aching arms, legs and back.
Why was I aching? Because also over the weekend, my husband, son and I took on a big project: Making a frame for our beloved blueberry bushes to protect them from our greedy birds (we are greedier).
So we started like this:
You can probably see where the metaphor is coming, can't you.
All weekend, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S was on my mind. I was thrilled about the Times. And every so often when I had to get something in the house, I'd check my e-mail and smile each time I read a new message or saw a photo sent from a friend to celebrate with me. But I was also thinking about all the work and aches and pains that went into this book.
Like the blueberries, I wanted to protect certain pieces of the story. Mainly, its heart.
Like the blueberries' frame, a LOT of sweat went into making the book. And each time I thought I was close, I'd realize there was a measurement a bit off. And I'd have to start over again. My body ached. My heart ached. More than once, I got discouraged.
But like the blueberry project, I could visualize the finished work. I knew if we just kept at it, we could do it. There was a lot of digging. You've got to dig very deep to set the framework. Sometimes, when digging deep, you are afraid of what you might find. Sometimes when digging deep, you don't like what you find.
In our case, it was a giant rock. In the case of Harry's, it FELT like hitting a giant rock. A dead end. But with teamwork, my husband and I dug a bigger hole and pulled the rock out. And whenever I hit a rock writing Harry's, I got help from my writer friends.
You get the picture. Writing is a lot like building. It's painful. It's hard. Sometimes, it's silly. But you keep on doing the work. You urge each other on. You pull out the weeds, you fill in the mulch, and then after hours and hours (or months and months--and in Harry's case years and years), you step back, and see you've finally finished!
And then you have permission to collapse. Which is exactly what we did. :-)
Well, not the best metaphor in the world. Maybe, just a comparison. But you get the idea.
My message for you today is that sometimes writing does feel like work. Sometimes, it is hard work. Sometimes, it even hurts. But if you keep at it, if you understand that sometimes you have to go back to the beginning and start over, and sometimes you have to ask for help, you will get there. And you can celebrate with a blueberry muffin. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Share your best recipe with blueberries in it.
Just kidding!
For today's prompt, share a memory of working on a project with someone you love. What was the project? Why were you working on it? Why was it important, or why did it become important? What did you talk about while you worked? What did the materials feel like in your hands? Smell like? Were you physically exhausted? Emotionally? Show us why this memory is important to you.
And remember: Have fun!
It was a very exciting weekend at my house. First, I learned that my new book, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S was an editor's pick in The New York Times! Second, I learned that it was REVIEWED in The New York Times! Many friends sent me photos, including this one, from Laura Hamor:
Wow. I felt like I was walking around in a dream. Except for my aching arms, legs and back.
Why was I aching? Because also over the weekend, my husband, son and I took on a big project: Making a frame for our beloved blueberry bushes to protect them from our greedy birds (we are greedier).
So we started like this:
You can probably see where the metaphor is coming, can't you.
All weekend, SEE YOU AT HARRY'S was on my mind. I was thrilled about the Times. And every so often when I had to get something in the house, I'd check my e-mail and smile each time I read a new message or saw a photo sent from a friend to celebrate with me. But I was also thinking about all the work and aches and pains that went into this book.
Like the blueberries, I wanted to protect certain pieces of the story. Mainly, its heart.
Like the blueberries' frame, a LOT of sweat went into making the book. And each time I thought I was close, I'd realize there was a measurement a bit off. And I'd have to start over again. My body ached. My heart ached. More than once, I got discouraged.
But like the blueberry project, I could visualize the finished work. I knew if we just kept at it, we could do it. There was a lot of digging. You've got to dig very deep to set the framework. Sometimes, when digging deep, you are afraid of what you might find. Sometimes when digging deep, you don't like what you find.
In our case, it was a giant rock. In the case of Harry's, it FELT like hitting a giant rock. A dead end. But with teamwork, my husband and I dug a bigger hole and pulled the rock out. And whenever I hit a rock writing Harry's, I got help from my writer friends.
You get the picture. Writing is a lot like building. It's painful. It's hard. Sometimes, it's silly. But you keep on doing the work. You urge each other on. You pull out the weeds, you fill in the mulch, and then after hours and hours (or months and months--and in Harry's case years and years), you step back, and see you've finally finished!
And then you have permission to collapse. Which is exactly what we did. :-)
Well, not the best metaphor in the world. Maybe, just a comparison. But you get the idea.
My message for you today is that sometimes writing does feel like work. Sometimes, it is hard work. Sometimes, it even hurts. But if you keep at it, if you understand that sometimes you have to go back to the beginning and start over, and sometimes you have to ask for help, you will get there. And you can celebrate with a blueberry muffin. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Share your best recipe with blueberries in it.
Just kidding!
For today's prompt, share a memory of working on a project with someone you love. What was the project? Why were you working on it? Why was it important, or why did it become important? What did you talk about while you worked? What did the materials feel like in your hands? Smell like? Were you physically exhausted? Emotionally? Show us why this memory is important to you.
And remember: Have fun!
June 15, 2012
Friday 5: A good week
This week has been filled with friendship, love, hard work, and astonishingly good news. I really do not want it to end.
Monday, I had several local lady friends join me on my deck for wine, yummy food, and thoughtful (and silly) conversation that went into the night.
Tuesday, my friends Robin and Holly came for making dinner, catching up, and sharing news.
Wednesday was for writing and sharing. Sitting by a river while we ate ice-cream, another meal, getting some tough love--and much-needed assistance--on my WIP, and sending Holly on her way.
Thursday was more writing, then taking a canoe out on a lake, more ice-cream by the water, more meal-making, and watching an old movie.
Thursday was also for getting the incredible, shocking news that SEE YOU AT HARRY'S will be a New York Times Editor's Pick in their June 23 issue! HOW. IS. THIS. POSSIBLE?!?! I now know what "giddy" truly feels like.
Friday is for driving to Boston and saying good-bye for now to Robin, and then heading to Simmons College to speak on a panel about writing for the Children's Literature Association Conference. Then, battling Friday night traffic to get back to Vermont for a weekend of mowing lawns, gardening, and being with family.
I know Thankful Thursday was yesterday, but today I am still feeling tremendously thankful. For friends, for family, for love, for ice-cream, and for news that still seems too impossible to believe. :-)
Monday, I had several local lady friends join me on my deck for wine, yummy food, and thoughtful (and silly) conversation that went into the night.
Tuesday, my friends Robin and Holly came for making dinner, catching up, and sharing news.
Wednesday was for writing and sharing. Sitting by a river while we ate ice-cream, another meal, getting some tough love--and much-needed assistance--on my WIP, and sending Holly on her way.
Thursday was more writing, then taking a canoe out on a lake, more ice-cream by the water, more meal-making, and watching an old movie.
Thursday was also for getting the incredible, shocking news that SEE YOU AT HARRY'S will be a New York Times Editor's Pick in their June 23 issue! HOW. IS. THIS. POSSIBLE?!?! I now know what "giddy" truly feels like.
Friday is for driving to Boston and saying good-bye for now to Robin, and then heading to Simmons College to speak on a panel about writing for the Children's Literature Association Conference. Then, battling Friday night traffic to get back to Vermont for a weekend of mowing lawns, gardening, and being with family.
I know Thankful Thursday was yesterday, but today I am still feeling tremendously thankful. For friends, for family, for love, for ice-cream, and for news that still seems too impossible to believe. :-)
June 11, 2012
Teachers Write 2: Character creation, my friend Peg, and your next prompt :-)
Happy Monday, Teachers!!
Today I want to talk about people. More specifically, characters and how we develop them so that they become unique, believable, loveable (or detestable, depending on your aim) and, most importantly, memorable.
Yesterday, I went to the memorial service of a very dear friend, Marguerite (Peg) Davol. Some of you may have used her beautiful picture books in your classrooms. My favorite is The Paper Dragon, Illustrated by Robert Sabuda. I was asked to say a few words about Peggy at the service, and it was both very difficult, and very healing. Peg was a special lady. I both miss and still feel her love and light very strongly. Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, I began to think about all the things I loved about Peg. The things that made her unique, believable, loveable (always) and, memorable. Here they are in no particular order:
I remember Peg's eyes the most
how, if you dared to look in them,
you could feel them see right into your soul
how they defined her smile
and how, cliche as it is, they sparkled
they really did!
she had thin, wispy hair which she had curled once a month
and whenever she'd come from an appointment, she'd pat it gently
and grin in a pleased and mischievous kind of way
as though curly hair was also a little naughty somehow
an indulgence
she enjoyed reading the Times every morning
and doing the crossword
and confessing to crossing out George Bush and Dick Cheney's faces with her pencil
it feels good, she told me once, and I don't feel guilty at all!
I remember her bright blue toyota RAV and how well she drove it
our drives to New York City, once in a snowstorm
tiny Peg at the wheel saying not to worry
and I didn't
I remember her hard-to-read handwriting
on the Christmas photo cards she sent every year
and pointing out how she was one of the few people left to still write a note
the way she said I love you with a jutted out chin
pointed in my direction
I remember her hugs--she always squeezed with both hands
as if she were holding on to you
as if she wanted you to know she had you
it felt so good
and I try now, to hug the same way
I remember her tattered notebook with worn-soft pages
and how lovely it was to see someone at our table of writers
still using pen and paper
not hiding behind a laptop screen but
instead constantly looking up and around
listening, watching, learning,
writing it all down
how she hated the word "suddenly"
and taught us all how to avoid using it
how she referred to those she wasn't crazy about by last name
how she always showed up
even though in the final years it was very hard
she called herself a conference junky
and made me one, too
she admitted my work was hard to take sometimes
too raw
but told me not to change it
she ate like a little bird, filling up quickly
and would always save the leftovers to bring home to her husband
she wore rings on most of her fingers
and moved her hands constantly
with a signature flick full of attitude
most often used to dismiss
but sometimes used to direct
and sometimes to emphasize a particularly good joke
I always wanted to tell her she was the grandmother I never really had
but I didn't
because I don't think she would have liked that
for me to create an age barrier between us
we were friends most importantly
colleagues
writing partners on occasion
but always friends first
and we loved each other the way friends do
and will miss each other the way friends do
she is with me, and she is not with me
but I can remember her
I can hold those memories in my heart now
and that is more than enough...
that is a gift.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Think of someone you love or have loved (or detested, that can be fun too!) and make a list poem like the one above, describing all of the traits that made that person special, unique, memorable, frightening (you get the picture). Try to avoid clichés. Instead, give us specific tidbits that show how the person's eyes sparkled rather than say they did--don't fail at it like me! :-) Once you have your list, circle your favorites. Think about why you like those the best. Now try to use similar ones to describe the characters in your works in progress. Give them their own particularities that might reveal something deeper about their personalities. But mostly, as I said last week, try to have FUN!
Keep up the great work!
Love,
Jo
Today I want to talk about people. More specifically, characters and how we develop them so that they become unique, believable, loveable (or detestable, depending on your aim) and, most importantly, memorable.
Yesterday, I went to the memorial service of a very dear friend, Marguerite (Peg) Davol. Some of you may have used her beautiful picture books in your classrooms. My favorite is The Paper Dragon, Illustrated by Robert Sabuda. I was asked to say a few words about Peggy at the service, and it was both very difficult, and very healing. Peg was a special lady. I both miss and still feel her love and light very strongly. Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, I began to think about all the things I loved about Peg. The things that made her unique, believable, loveable (always) and, memorable. Here they are in no particular order:
I remember Peg's eyes the most
how, if you dared to look in them,
you could feel them see right into your soul
how they defined her smile
and how, cliche as it is, they sparkled
they really did!
she had thin, wispy hair which she had curled once a month
and whenever she'd come from an appointment, she'd pat it gently
and grin in a pleased and mischievous kind of way
as though curly hair was also a little naughty somehow
an indulgence
she enjoyed reading the Times every morning
and doing the crossword
and confessing to crossing out George Bush and Dick Cheney's faces with her pencil
it feels good, she told me once, and I don't feel guilty at all!
I remember her bright blue toyota RAV and how well she drove it
our drives to New York City, once in a snowstorm
tiny Peg at the wheel saying not to worry
and I didn't
I remember her hard-to-read handwriting
on the Christmas photo cards she sent every year
and pointing out how she was one of the few people left to still write a note
the way she said I love you with a jutted out chin
pointed in my direction
I remember her hugs--she always squeezed with both hands
as if she were holding on to you
as if she wanted you to know she had you
it felt so good
and I try now, to hug the same way
I remember her tattered notebook with worn-soft pages
and how lovely it was to see someone at our table of writers
still using pen and paper
not hiding behind a laptop screen but
instead constantly looking up and around
listening, watching, learning,
writing it all down
how she hated the word "suddenly"
and taught us all how to avoid using it
how she referred to those she wasn't crazy about by last name
how she always showed up
even though in the final years it was very hard
she called herself a conference junky
and made me one, too
she admitted my work was hard to take sometimes
too raw
but told me not to change it
she ate like a little bird, filling up quickly
and would always save the leftovers to bring home to her husband
she wore rings on most of her fingers
and moved her hands constantly
with a signature flick full of attitude
most often used to dismiss
but sometimes used to direct
and sometimes to emphasize a particularly good joke
I always wanted to tell her she was the grandmother I never really had
but I didn't
because I don't think she would have liked that
for me to create an age barrier between us
we were friends most importantly
colleagues
writing partners on occasion
but always friends first
and we loved each other the way friends do
and will miss each other the way friends do
she is with me, and she is not with me
but I can remember her
I can hold those memories in my heart now
and that is more than enough...
that is a gift.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Think of someone you love or have loved (or detested, that can be fun too!) and make a list poem like the one above, describing all of the traits that made that person special, unique, memorable, frightening (you get the picture). Try to avoid clichés. Instead, give us specific tidbits that show how the person's eyes sparkled rather than say they did--don't fail at it like me! :-) Once you have your list, circle your favorites. Think about why you like those the best. Now try to use similar ones to describe the characters in your works in progress. Give them their own particularities that might reveal something deeper about their personalities. But mostly, as I said last week, try to have FUN!
Keep up the great work!
Love,
Jo
June 8, 2012
Friday 5: Join me for these five fun events this summer!
Friday, June 15, 4:30pm:
I'll be on a panel with Karsten Knight and Elaine Dimopoulos at the Children's Literature Association Conference at Simmons College. We're going to read a bit from our work and then answer all of your questions about writing.
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! :-)
Thursday, July 19, 4:00pm:
I'll be recommending summer books with amazing authors Kate Messner and Linda Urban at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, VT! Fun for all ages! Come share your recommendations too! Great event for parents and kids interested in starting up (or who already participate in) a reading group/book club!
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.
I'll be on a panel with Karsten Knight and Elaine Dimopoulos at the Children's Literature Association Conference at Simmons College. We're going to read a bit from our work and then answer all of your questions about writing.
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! :-)
Thursday, July 19, 4:00pm:
I'll be recommending summer books with amazing authors Kate Messner and Linda Urban at Bear Pond Books in Montpelier, VT! Fun for all ages! Come share your recommendations too! Great event for parents and kids interested in starting up (or who already participate in) a reading group/book club!
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.
June 6, 2012
June 4, 2012
Teachers WRITE! :-)
This is the name of a wonderful summer project started by Kate Messner, and also a (gentle) command!
I recently gave a workshop with my writing partner, Cindy Faughnan, called "Writing Camp For Grown-Ups" based on a camp Cindy and another teacher run (and I am a guest author at) every summer for kids in grades 7-12. Whenever we tell other writers about it, they often say, "I want to go to writing camp!" So, we thought we'd give them a taste. We weren't sure if anyone would sign up but boy did they! So much so, we had a very long waiting list. So... clearly there is a need/desire to HAVE FUN with writing.
And that's the key.
HAVE FUN.
I mean, why else do you want to write? Certainly not to NOT have fun, right?
As Kate mentioned in her post today, I am a guest author in the Teachers Write project, and every Monday I'll offer a writing prompt to help you kick-start your week of writing. If you want more warm-ups, you can click on the "monday morning warm-up tag" on this page, or visit my Web site for archived exercises here: Jo's Prompts.
I noticed on the announcements that a lot of you were nervous about getting started, or even trying to write. I know just how you feel. Writing can be scary. It can make you feel vulnerable. But here is some advice that I hope can help:
When you are starting out, write for yourself. Write for the joy of putting words to paper/keyboard. Write for the thrill of finding the perfect phrase to convey an emotion, or a tense scene, or a quiet exchange of love. Let go of the negative self-talk we so often use about ourselves when it comes to wanting to try something new but being afraid we'll fail. Here's something I already know about you: No one can write like you. Your job is to find out what that means. (Hint: Embrace your own unique voice, and let it shine!)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
One of my favorite exercises to help people get started is to have them describe the kitchen of their childhood. Choose one if you moved around a lot. Choose the one that has the strongest memories, but verbal and of the sense. Place your child self in that room. Now:
What do you see? Describe the room in as much detail as you can remember.
What do you smell? Was yours a kitchen of delicious odors? Or was it rarely used. What kinds of foods were cooked? Did you like them? Why or why not?
What do you hear? What kinds of conversations took place in the kitchen, if any? Were there moments of joy? Arguing? Worry? Love?
What do you taste? What are the strongest tastes your remember? A morning bowl of cereal? The batter of a spoon? Who made the food?
As you write, you will likely notice a plethora of memories flooding your brain and your heart. Seize these and write them down. Describe them in as much detail as you can. Soon, you will discover a story taking shape. Grab it!
And remember...
HAVE FUN!
I recently gave a workshop with my writing partner, Cindy Faughnan, called "Writing Camp For Grown-Ups" based on a camp Cindy and another teacher run (and I am a guest author at) every summer for kids in grades 7-12. Whenever we tell other writers about it, they often say, "I want to go to writing camp!" So, we thought we'd give them a taste. We weren't sure if anyone would sign up but boy did they! So much so, we had a very long waiting list. So... clearly there is a need/desire to HAVE FUN with writing.
And that's the key.
HAVE FUN.
I mean, why else do you want to write? Certainly not to NOT have fun, right?
As Kate mentioned in her post today, I am a guest author in the Teachers Write project, and every Monday I'll offer a writing prompt to help you kick-start your week of writing. If you want more warm-ups, you can click on the "monday morning warm-up tag" on this page, or visit my Web site for archived exercises here: Jo's Prompts.
I noticed on the announcements that a lot of you were nervous about getting started, or even trying to write. I know just how you feel. Writing can be scary. It can make you feel vulnerable. But here is some advice that I hope can help:
When you are starting out, write for yourself. Write for the joy of putting words to paper/keyboard. Write for the thrill of finding the perfect phrase to convey an emotion, or a tense scene, or a quiet exchange of love. Let go of the negative self-talk we so often use about ourselves when it comes to wanting to try something new but being afraid we'll fail. Here's something I already know about you: No one can write like you. Your job is to find out what that means. (Hint: Embrace your own unique voice, and let it shine!)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
One of my favorite exercises to help people get started is to have them describe the kitchen of their childhood. Choose one if you moved around a lot. Choose the one that has the strongest memories, but verbal and of the sense. Place your child self in that room. Now:
What do you see? Describe the room in as much detail as you can remember.
What do you smell? Was yours a kitchen of delicious odors? Or was it rarely used. What kinds of foods were cooked? Did you like them? Why or why not?
What do you hear? What kinds of conversations took place in the kitchen, if any? Were there moments of joy? Arguing? Worry? Love?
What do you taste? What are the strongest tastes your remember? A morning bowl of cereal? The batter of a spoon? Who made the food?
As you write, you will likely notice a plethora of memories flooding your brain and your heart. Seize these and write them down. Describe them in as much detail as you can. Soon, you will discover a story taking shape. Grab it!
And remember...
HAVE FUN!
May 30, 2012
May 29, 2012
Remembering Ellen
I have been thinking about Ellen Levine this weekend, and the weekend we spent together a few years ago at Simmons College. It was the only time we met in person, but if you knew Ellen, you know it was memorable. Lively. Silly. Personal. Ellen brought a few of us strangers together that weekend, sharing drinks in a darkened dorm lounge, feeling like we were college students again. Gossiping. Learning about each other. Growing. I feel I hardly knew her. But I will miss her.
Elizabeth, Vicky, me, and Ellen (all aglow and how I will remember her always) that weekend at Simmons:
Elizabeth, Vicky, me, and Ellen (all aglow and how I will remember her always) that weekend at Simmons:
