Jo Knowles's Blog, page 24
September 28, 2011
September 27, 2011
A link :)
Today I am visiting The Hate-Mongering Tart's blog to talk about Lessons From A Dead Girl and book banning with Jen Bigheart.
Here is the link: Banned Books Month: Youth librarian Jen Bigheart interviews censored author Jo Knowles
Hope you'll stop by!
Here is the link: Banned Books Month: Youth librarian Jen Bigheart interviews censored author Jo Knowles
Hope you'll stop by!
September 23, 2011
The Year of Letting Go
For the past three days, my son has been at Heifer International's Global Gateway at Overlook Farm with the rest of his school.
This is what they have been experiencing:
He has never been away from home with a school group before. In fact, the only time he's been away (without us) is to stay with my in-laws.
This feels like the year of letting go.
It is very hard.
And yet, to see him grow and change and become his own wonderful person is a very beautiful thing.
We were told when we pick up the kids they will be very tired and VERY hungry.
And in my heart, I also know he will be very changed—in small, but deeply meaningful ways.
In seven hours, I'll find out how.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In other news, I was very excited to see this article about DEAR BULLY by Lisa Dolan, the woman who organizes the Hudson Book Festival every year. Lisa was kind enough to include quotes and excerpts from my and Eric Luper's pieces in her article. You can read it HERE. :-) Thanks Lisa!
This is what they have been experiencing:
He has never been away from home with a school group before. In fact, the only time he's been away (without us) is to stay with my in-laws.
This feels like the year of letting go.
It is very hard.
And yet, to see him grow and change and become his own wonderful person is a very beautiful thing.
We were told when we pick up the kids they will be very tired and VERY hungry.
And in my heart, I also know he will be very changed—in small, but deeply meaningful ways.
In seven hours, I'll find out how.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
In other news, I was very excited to see this article about DEAR BULLY by Lisa Dolan, the woman who organizes the Hudson Book Festival every year. Lisa was kind enough to include quotes and excerpts from my and Eric Luper's pieces in her article. You can read it HERE. :-) Thanks Lisa!
September 21, 2011
"Because there is only one of you in all of time..."
What is your story?
What truth are you trying to tell?
What is your life theme?
What is your secret?
Why do you write?
What do you really want to say?
What is the point?
What makes you unique?
What drives you?
Did you tell the truth yet?
Did you hide it?
Did you draw blood?
Did you pay attention to the hurt?
Did you listen?
Are you satisfied?
Did you tell the story you want to write?
Did you tell the one you need to?
Here is a quote that Sarah Dotts Barley shared with our group this past weekend. I think, when asking yourself all the tough questions, this might help:
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open…"
(via Ursula Nordstrom and http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martha_Graham)
Your words are your dance. Your words are your story. Your words are your words. Because there is only one of you in all of time. And we want to hear you.
What truth are you trying to tell?
What is your life theme?
What is your secret?
Why do you write?
What do you really want to say?
What is the point?
What makes you unique?
What drives you?
Did you tell the truth yet?
Did you hide it?
Did you draw blood?
Did you pay attention to the hurt?
Did you listen?
Are you satisfied?
Did you tell the story you want to write?
Did you tell the one you need to?
Here is a quote that Sarah Dotts Barley shared with our group this past weekend. I think, when asking yourself all the tough questions, this might help:
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open…"
(via Ursula Nordstrom and http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martha_Graham)
Your words are your dance. Your words are your story. Your words are your words. Because there is only one of you in all of time. And we want to hear you.
September 20, 2011
Things we leave on Fred
Every morning, our cat Fred goes upstairs to sleep at the foot of our son's bed, where he stays most of the day.
Yesterday, E came down and said he'd left Fred with a few things to keep him from getting bored. He urged me to go upstairs soon and see what those things were.
Here is what I found:
This morning, E told me he'd left some stuff on Fred again, and that I should go up later and see. He said, "It has a theme!"
So, several minutes later, I brought my camera upstairs, just in case.
Here is what I found:
Seriously, he just looked up at me with those Harry Potter 3-D glasses still on! Hedwig and Buckbeak were still leaning against him. And his wand was still at the ready. Also? He was purring like crazy.
Fred? Is the best cat ever.
Yesterday, E came down and said he'd left Fred with a few things to keep him from getting bored. He urged me to go upstairs soon and see what those things were.
Here is what I found:
This morning, E told me he'd left some stuff on Fred again, and that I should go up later and see. He said, "It has a theme!"
So, several minutes later, I brought my camera upstairs, just in case.
Here is what I found:
Seriously, he just looked up at me with those Harry Potter 3-D glasses still on! Hedwig and Buckbeak were still leaning against him. And his wand was still at the ready. Also? He was purring like crazy.
Fred? Is the best cat ever.
September 19, 2011
What is a schmooze?
Every fall, my friend Tamra Wight hosts a writers' gathering at her campground in Maine. She invites an editor to join our critique circle and share some knowledge about the publishing world. We drink a lot of coffee and eat a lot of... everything. This year, Cindy's whoopie pies were the big hit. And Denise's raspberry squares. YUM.
Anyway, the weekend starts on Friday morning. Cindy Faughnan and I pack up the car and make the long drive up, always stopping for our traditional iced coffee and box of munchkins for the ride.
I know I know. Munchkins. So. Bad. For. You. But it's only once a year!
Once we unpack, we walk through the woods to say hello to the lake.
Isn't it peaceful? Sometimes we go kayaking but this time it was a bit too cold.
This year, we had some time before meeting everyone for dinner so Val Giogas, Cindy and I challenged ourselves to use the time wisely and write. I started a new novel! Oh, Maine. You are so inspiring.
It was a wonderful weekend, as usual. Our guest editor, Sarah Dotts Barley, was just lovely. I knew Sarah a tiny bit from working with her on Pearl, and then Dear Bully, but we'd never met in person. She gave everyone fantastic feedback and wonderful advice. Thanks Sarah! :)
This is Tam, Cindy, me and Sarah on Sunday morning before we said good-bye (I stole this photo from Tam :-) ). Everyone but us left on Saturday so we hung out and chatted into the we hours on Saturday night. So much fun. And also why I am holding such a large cup of coffee.
The drive home flew by as Cindy and I chatted about everything we'd learned over the weekend. Mainly, that structure is a must for critique circles (this was our first year sticking with one and it worked beautifully), and that we need to stop being in a hurry and do the work that must be done. Also? We are awfully lucky to be part of such a kind, caring group of writer friends. THANK YOU, Tam, for organizing this event every year!
Last night, I left my bag on the floor and someone decided to take measures to make sure I either didn't leave again, or that I took him with me if I did. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
One of the things Cindy and I discussed on the drive home was the importance of being able to identify and understand the true source of the emotional arc in your work, whether it's chapter by chapter, or through the whole novel. What's yours?
Anyway, the weekend starts on Friday morning. Cindy Faughnan and I pack up the car and make the long drive up, always stopping for our traditional iced coffee and box of munchkins for the ride.
I know I know. Munchkins. So. Bad. For. You. But it's only once a year!
Once we unpack, we walk through the woods to say hello to the lake.
Isn't it peaceful? Sometimes we go kayaking but this time it was a bit too cold.
This year, we had some time before meeting everyone for dinner so Val Giogas, Cindy and I challenged ourselves to use the time wisely and write. I started a new novel! Oh, Maine. You are so inspiring.
It was a wonderful weekend, as usual. Our guest editor, Sarah Dotts Barley, was just lovely. I knew Sarah a tiny bit from working with her on Pearl, and then Dear Bully, but we'd never met in person. She gave everyone fantastic feedback and wonderful advice. Thanks Sarah! :)
This is Tam, Cindy, me and Sarah on Sunday morning before we said good-bye (I stole this photo from Tam :-) ). Everyone but us left on Saturday so we hung out and chatted into the we hours on Saturday night. So much fun. And also why I am holding such a large cup of coffee.
The drive home flew by as Cindy and I chatted about everything we'd learned over the weekend. Mainly, that structure is a must for critique circles (this was our first year sticking with one and it worked beautifully), and that we need to stop being in a hurry and do the work that must be done. Also? We are awfully lucky to be part of such a kind, caring group of writer friends. THANK YOU, Tam, for organizing this event every year!
Last night, I left my bag on the floor and someone decided to take measures to make sure I either didn't leave again, or that I took him with me if I did. :-)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
One of the things Cindy and I discussed on the drive home was the importance of being able to identify and understand the true source of the emotional arc in your work, whether it's chapter by chapter, or through the whole novel. What's yours?
September 14, 2011
September 13, 2011
JoNoWriMo+1.5 Starts TOMORROW! :-)
It's not too late to sign up here: http://jonowrimo.livejournal.com/207807.html
We've got a great group so far! Yay!
:-)
We've got a great group so far! Yay!
:-)
September 12, 2011
May the force be with them
This past summer, I wrote about a sad encounter with some stranded baby seals. We discovered them on a cold, rainy walk on the beach last June. You can see the post HERE.
Kindhearted Cindy Lord was thoughtful enough to do some investigation and find out that the injured seal was indeed rescued and taken in for rehabilitation.
She continued to follow his progress all summer, and over the weekend, went to celebrate his good health and release back into the wild!
You can see photos of our little Obiwan going back to the ocean HERE.
Everyone who has met Cindy knows what a special person she is. But this... this is... well... I don't know what to say.
Except THANK YOU, Cindy!
Thank you.
:-)
Kindhearted Cindy Lord was thoughtful enough to do some investigation and find out that the injured seal was indeed rescued and taken in for rehabilitation.
She continued to follow his progress all summer, and over the weekend, went to celebrate his good health and release back into the wild!
You can see photos of our little Obiwan going back to the ocean HERE.
Everyone who has met Cindy knows what a special person she is. But this... this is... well... I don't know what to say.
Except THANK YOU, Cindy!
Thank you.
:-)
JoNoWriMo+1.5 Starts THIS Wednesday!
Hi Friends!
In case you missed earlier notices, it's time to sign up for JoNoWriMo+1.5!
You can go HERE to read all about it and sign up.
It's gonna be a great year!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Whether you plan to participate or not, write down your writing goals for the next two months. What would you like to accomplish by December 1st?
p.s. I closed off comments on this entry because if you want to sign up, I want you to do it over on the JoNo sign-up entry. Otherwise, I will lose my mind trying to keep track of everyone. Thanks! :-)
In case you missed earlier notices, it's time to sign up for JoNoWriMo+1.5!
You can go HERE to read all about it and sign up.
It's gonna be a great year!!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday Morning Warm-Up:
Whether you plan to participate or not, write down your writing goals for the next two months. What would you like to accomplish by December 1st?
p.s. I closed off comments on this entry because if you want to sign up, I want you to do it over on the JoNo sign-up entry. Otherwise, I will lose my mind trying to keep track of everyone. Thanks! :-)
