Joyce Shor Johnson's Blog, page 6

ISBNs

I've known what an ISBN is for as long as I can remember. I've been a reader since I was 4 years old and those numbers on a book cover or jacket flap always represented something secret. Add a barcode and you have a secret language.

Hello Guidebook

As some of you know, I am this year's NESCBWI Conference Co-Director. I've been able to work on some fun projects for the conference. One of them has been building the NESCBWI's debut guidebook app. If you don't know about Guidebook you need to check it out at guidebook.com. 
Guidebook is user-friendly on iPhones, Android phones, Blackberries, and any other devices that you might use. The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches and Android devices. Windows Phones and Blackberry users can access the same information via Guidebooks mobile site at m.guidebook.com. 
Are you interested in checking out the Guidebook app I created, then scan:



What technology are you crazy about?

Glorious Blooms

Spring it about to take hold here in New Hampshire. The Weeping Willows along the pond have yellow buds. The snow drops are already receding and the crocus are in full bloom. The lush dark green of the tulip foliage, dark against the newly greening grass, heralding the glorious color about to burst forth has me pulling out the Adirondack chairs and looking through garden catalogs.

I've always loved the meaning of flowers. Each bloom has a different meaning. During Victorian times, life was emotionally strict and people use flowers to express their feelings toward each other.

Tulips are the symbol of The Perfect Lover.

Wisteria  means Youth and Poetry

 Forsythia means Anticipation.

Purple Hyacinth means I am sorry, Please forgive me, also Sorrow.

Cyclamen means  Resignation & Goodbye.

Iris means  Faith, Wisdom, Valor, Your Friendship Means So Much To Me.  
I can't wait for my garden to bloom!

What would you say with flowers?

Finding Space

I want my own space to write. Separate from my house, yet only steps away. It needs to have several large windows, electricity, wifi, and a wood stove. So I wasted an afternoon searching for structures. Here are some I really like.


I would paint the door a a different color!


Eventually,  I can camouflage this one so no one can find me!






I love the shape of this one and it has a metal roof to help with snow removal!




 I can really picture this one on the hill behind the house. I'll have to keep saving. One day I'll have a room of my own.

Tell me where would your room be and what would it look like?

E is for Evening Star by Edgar Allan Poe

EVENING STAR by Edgar Allan Poe, 1827

'Twas noontide of summer,
And midtime of night,
And stars, in their orbits,
Shone pale, through the light
Of the brighter, cold moon.
'Mid planets her slaves,
Herself in the Heavens,
Her beam on the waves. I gazed awhile
On her cold smile;
Too cold--too cold for me--
There passed, as a shroud,
A fleecy cloud,
And I turned away to thee,
Proud Evening Star,
In thy glory afar
And dearer thy beam shall be;
For joy to my heart
Is the proud part
Thou bearest in Heaven at night,
And more I admire
Thy distant fire,
Than that colder, lowly light.

What do you think of this poem?

D is for Dog!

I love dogs. I've had dogs all my life. As a 20-somthing I had a Rottweiler, named Katie. She's been gone fourteen years now. I continued to have Rotties well into my 40's. Daisy was an AKC Champion. What a beauty! And Lucy, she was just special.
Five yeas ago, when both my girls past away within six months of each other I was devastated. I went more than a year without a dog. I was so heartbroken. Then one day at the gas station, a friend pulled in behind me at the pumps, in the car, her pug mama and three puppies.
It was love at first first sight. Thor is four now. He is an amazing creature. He is always happy and makes me laugh.
Here's to you, Thor!

Cat In The Hat & Springfield, MA

When I was nineteen, I lived in La Jolla, California for two years. During that time, I worked as a floral designer. Richard (who liked to be called Dick) owned the florist and he was an interesting guy. He knew many celebrities and often had me "do up" the floral arrangements for the events he hosted or was attending.
One of his closest and dearest friends was, Ted Geisel. I met Ted several times. He had an opinion about everything! Some of which I just can't divulge. He did think I was talker and called me Voyce instead of Joyce after he got to know me.
I've been thinking about him lately because I have been to Springfield several times in the last few months as I help organize this years NESCBWI "Keeping It Real" conference taking place April 20-22.
He used to joke about Springfield and that is all I going to say about what he would say about Springfield.
Just to keep this post interesting, here are the inscriptions in the two books he signed for me.
This a 1957 printing.

My 4 year-old signature His opinion of my love of his book. Shortly before I returned to the East Coast he gave me this book.

And a warning!

 I often wonder how he was able to sum up my life in these two captions? He was just amazing!
Oh yeah, Springfield is also where my husband and I lived right after we were married. So here's to you, Dr. Suess & Springfield, MA!

Being Brave

Bravery isn't the same for everyone. 
Sometimes, the bravest thing to do is to go about your day without worrying what others think of you. 
Sometimes, it's walking into a classroom knowing that your bully is there, waiting for you. 
Sometimes, it's all about facing the real truth, yours not theirs.
Sometimes, it's about not giving in because it's the easiest thing to do.
The brave are often the least recognized.
Courage doesn't always roar.  Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.  ~Mary Anne Radmacher
Who do you know that is brave and should be recognized?

Amazing - The Casting is out!

Please celebrate with me! The Casting debuts today. Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process. I am so excited. Please if you read the book, take a moment to comment on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. It really does make a difference.

You can order the softcover book here 














and the hardcover here

and don't forget to support your local independent bookstore. BUY LOCAL. Just ask them to order The Casting for you. I'm available for author signings and school visits as well! Just drop me a line.

THANKS!

A Dream Come True - The Casting is out!

Please celebrate with me! The Casting debuts today. Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this process. I am so excited. Please if you read the book, take a moment to comment on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. It really does make a difference.

You can order the softcover book here 














and the hardcover here

and don't forget to support your local independent bookstore. BUY LOCAL. Just ask them to order The Casting for you. I'm available for author signings and school visits as well! Just drop me a line.

THANKS!