Jo Knowles's Blog
March 3, 2019
Upcoming Book Events: Come say hi!
Here are all the places I'll be this spring promoting my new book, WHERE THE HEART IS! Hooray!
March 23: Providence, RI: KIdlitCon Signing 4pm (Open to Public)
April 2: Manchester, NH: Barnes and Nobel Signing 6pm
April 3; Woodstock, VT: Launch Party at Yankee Books 6pm
April 6: Burlington, VT: Nerdcamp Signing 2:30pm (Open to Public)
April 13: Manchester, VT: Northshire Books Event/Signing with Linda Urban and Will Alexander 3pm
April 17: Austin, TX: Texas Library Association, Signing 11:30 Author Area
April 20: Burlington, VT: Barnes & Noble Signing 3pm
April 28: Madison, CT: RJ Julia Event/Signing with Debbi Michiko Florence 3pm
May 4: Springfield, MA: NESCBWI Singing 4pm
Hope to see you around!
January 1, 2019
A Plea For 2019
I made my husband a calendar for Christmas using photos from our trip we took to England and Wales a few years ago. This is January's picture, which I opened today. It feels too radical and overwhelming this morning, after a very challenging week with even more challenges that are sure to come, to think about this plea. And yet I know there are ways to be better. To do more. To make the work I do more meaningful, and good. So, I'm reflecting on that with hope. Maybe you will, too. Sending you all love and best wishes for a beautiful, promising 2019, with good changes, deeply meaningful changes, surprisingly delightful changes, and the bravery to embrace them.
July 29, 2018
5 Goals for the New Year
Hi Teachers!
I can't believe how quickly Teachers Write has gone by. I hope you enjoyed all the lessons as much as I did! Kate Messner is a wonderful teacher, friend, mentor and coach!
For your final warm-up, I'd like to do a crowd sourcing exercise. Mainly, we will pool our ideas together and I will share a final follow up post once I've gathered everyone's goals. Are you ready?
Photo source: swimmingworldmagazine.com
I know that during the school year everyone gets super busy. It's hard to find time for our own writing. But what if you had some simple daily goals to help you stay in the habit of daily writing. Better yet, what if you could schedule just 5-10 minutes a day with your students to write together?
For this final Monday Morning Warm-Up, come up with one small writing goal for each day of the week. For example:
Monday: Write a haiku or short poem
Tuesday: Write 500 words
Wednesday: Use a writing prompt to add something fresh to your work in progress, or to discover something new!
Thursday: Write an active scene using mostly dialogue
Friday: Choose an emotion (sad, angry, worried) and write a scene using actions and dialogue that show this emotion, rather than spelling out how your character feels.
Share your 5 ideas/goals in the comments and I'll make a master list and post it at the end of the week! Then, you'll have all kinds of ideas to chose from each day. If we get enough, we'll have daily goals and writing prompt ideas to get us through the whole school year! Please share far and wide so we can get as many ideas as possible. Let's do this! And thanks for being here!
Jo
I can't believe how quickly Teachers Write has gone by. I hope you enjoyed all the lessons as much as I did! Kate Messner is a wonderful teacher, friend, mentor and coach!
For your final warm-up, I'd like to do a crowd sourcing exercise. Mainly, we will pool our ideas together and I will share a final follow up post once I've gathered everyone's goals. Are you ready?
Photo source: swimmingworldmagazine.com
I know that during the school year everyone gets super busy. It's hard to find time for our own writing. But what if you had some simple daily goals to help you stay in the habit of daily writing. Better yet, what if you could schedule just 5-10 minutes a day with your students to write together?
For this final Monday Morning Warm-Up, come up with one small writing goal for each day of the week. For example:
Monday: Write a haiku or short poem
Tuesday: Write 500 words
Wednesday: Use a writing prompt to add something fresh to your work in progress, or to discover something new!
Thursday: Write an active scene using mostly dialogue
Friday: Choose an emotion (sad, angry, worried) and write a scene using actions and dialogue that show this emotion, rather than spelling out how your character feels.
Share your 5 ideas/goals in the comments and I'll make a master list and post it at the end of the week! Then, you'll have all kinds of ideas to chose from each day. If we get enough, we'll have daily goals and writing prompt ideas to get us through the whole school year! Please share far and wide so we can get as many ideas as possible. Let's do this! And thanks for being here!
Jo
July 22, 2018
Giving your character a quiet place
Hi Teachers!
I can't believe we are already starting Week 3 of Teachers Write!
This week, I want to explore ways to give our characters a place to think.
In my book, PEARL, Bean crawls out the upstairs bathroom window and sits on the roof when she needs to be alone. In SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, Holden retreats under a pine tree, where he hides from his family and later has private conversations with his little sister, Fern.
In real life, I used to go to similar places as a child and teen. These quiet spaces were where I felt most alone and safe and free to think. I believe we all need these special places--whether in nature, somewhere in the home, or another safe space, such as in a school or library.
For today's warm-up, imagine what type of place your character would retreat to, and then either describe the space, or write a scene in which your character goes there to think.
Even if you don't end up using this scene, you can learn a lot about your character (whether writing picture book, middle grade, YA, fiction or nonfiction) by imagining the kind of place they'd feel safest retreating to, and what they might think about while there.
As always, have fun! And try to think carefully about what space best matches what your character wants and needs. Let me know how it goes!
This is one of the snow forts I make every winter out behind our house. One of my favorite things to do is sit by the fire with my dog and enjoy the peace.
I can't believe we are already starting Week 3 of Teachers Write!
This week, I want to explore ways to give our characters a place to think.
In my book, PEARL, Bean crawls out the upstairs bathroom window and sits on the roof when she needs to be alone. In SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, Holden retreats under a pine tree, where he hides from his family and later has private conversations with his little sister, Fern.
In real life, I used to go to similar places as a child and teen. These quiet spaces were where I felt most alone and safe and free to think. I believe we all need these special places--whether in nature, somewhere in the home, or another safe space, such as in a school or library.
For today's warm-up, imagine what type of place your character would retreat to, and then either describe the space, or write a scene in which your character goes there to think.
Even if you don't end up using this scene, you can learn a lot about your character (whether writing picture book, middle grade, YA, fiction or nonfiction) by imagining the kind of place they'd feel safest retreating to, and what they might think about while there.
As always, have fun! And try to think carefully about what space best matches what your character wants and needs. Let me know how it goes!
This is one of the snow forts I make every winter out behind our house. One of my favorite things to do is sit by the fire with my dog and enjoy the peace.
Giving your character a quite place
Hi Teachers!
I can't believe we are already starting Week 3 of Teachers Write!
This week, I want to explore ways to give our characters a place to think.
In my book, PEARL, Bean crawls out the upstairs bathroom window and sits on the roof when she needs to be alone. In SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, Holden retreats under a pine tree, where he hides from his family and later has private conversations with his little sister, Fern. In real life, I used to go to similar places as a child and teen. These quiet spaces were where I felt most alone and safe and free to think. I believe we all need these special places--whether in nature, somewhere in the home, or another safe place, such as in a school or library.
For today's warm-up, imagine what type of place your character would retreat to, and then either describe the space, or write a scene in which your character goes there to think.
As always, have fun! And try to think carefully about what space best matches what your character wants and needs.
I can't believe we are already starting Week 3 of Teachers Write!
This week, I want to explore ways to give our characters a place to think.
In my book, PEARL, Bean crawls out the upstairs bathroom window and sits on the roof when she needs to be alone. In SEE YOU AT HARRY'S, Holden retreats under a pine tree, where he hides from his family and later has private conversations with his little sister, Fern. In real life, I used to go to similar places as a child and teen. These quiet spaces were where I felt most alone and safe and free to think. I believe we all need these special places--whether in nature, somewhere in the home, or another safe place, such as in a school or library.
For today's warm-up, imagine what type of place your character would retreat to, and then either describe the space, or write a scene in which your character goes there to think.
As always, have fun! And try to think carefully about what space best matches what your character wants and needs.
July 16, 2018
"Writing What You Know" to Practice Descriptive Writing
It's the second Monday of Teachers Write! I hope you all enjoyed week one. What a wonderful collection of helpful lessons and exercises!
So, how many of you continued to write through the weekend????
For today's warm-up, let's celebrate summer and practice "writing what we know" using memory to create rich, vivid and emotional scenes!
Share your favorite summer memory from your teen years. Now, don’t just give a summary of what happened, but write the scene as a great storyteller would. Pretend you are writing a scene in a novel or short story.
• Set up the situation.
• Describe the setting.
• Give details about what you were wearing, what you were feeling, who you were with, what sensations you remember (was it hot? cold? windy? what did it smell like?).
• Include dialogue.
• Make this an active, entertaining/emotional scene!
If you can't think of a memory you'd like to revisit, imagine one for a character in your work in progress. Yes, even if you are writing picture books or middle grade, imagine this character as a teenager! If you are writing nonfiction biography, do the same thing.
Enjoy!!!!
Please note: If your comment doesn't appear right away, it means I need to unlock it. I will get to these as quickly as I can but I am in Maine today visiting my sister and other family members so it will happen in little bursts when I can pull myself away from the glorious ocean. Thanks for understanding!
Me and my sister, beaching it. Circa 1971 :)
So, how many of you continued to write through the weekend????
For today's warm-up, let's celebrate summer and practice "writing what we know" using memory to create rich, vivid and emotional scenes!
Share your favorite summer memory from your teen years. Now, don’t just give a summary of what happened, but write the scene as a great storyteller would. Pretend you are writing a scene in a novel or short story.
• Set up the situation.
• Describe the setting.
• Give details about what you were wearing, what you were feeling, who you were with, what sensations you remember (was it hot? cold? windy? what did it smell like?).
• Include dialogue.
• Make this an active, entertaining/emotional scene!
If you can't think of a memory you'd like to revisit, imagine one for a character in your work in progress. Yes, even if you are writing picture books or middle grade, imagine this character as a teenager! If you are writing nonfiction biography, do the same thing.
Enjoy!!!!
Please note: If your comment doesn't appear right away, it means I need to unlock it. I will get to these as quickly as I can but I am in Maine today visiting my sister and other family members so it will happen in little bursts when I can pull myself away from the glorious ocean. Thanks for understanding!
Me and my sister, beaching it. Circa 1971 :)
July 9, 2018
Watch Where You're Going
Welcome to another summer of Teachers Write!
Every Monday, I try to post a fun warm-up writing exercise to get you ready for a week of writing. This week, since it's our first day, I wanted to share some advice my Tai chi instructor gave our tiny class of three. It had nothing to do with writing, but of course, that doesn't mean I couldn't apply it to my writing life. In fact, most general advice, if you think about it long enough, can be applied to writing.
Why she gave this advice is kind of a boring story but I do think that what it led me to gave me focus and helped me get back on track with my own work in progress. So, ready?
"Watch where you're going."
Obviously this is quite good advice in all parts of your life, but writing? Let me explain.
One of the most common questions I get from kids as well as adults is, "What do you do when you reach the middle of a story or novel and you just feel stuck?"
My answer now is, "It helps to know where you're going."
But how do you do that?
Oftentimes, as we write a first draft by the seat of our pants, we aren't thinking about where we're going, we're just having fun writing our wild and free discovery draft. But at some point in this glorious time, we slow down, feel lost, and can't figure out how we (or our characters) got where we are. We end up having to retrace our steps. Go back to earlier chapters to figure out where we lost our way. Or even, sometimes, we have to go all the way back to the beginning and start over. Sometimes, we get frustrated and give up.
I think a lot of times this happens because we don't have any idea where we're going.
For a time, that's OK, but as you get to know your characters and what they want, pretty soon you must know where they are going so that you can form a well-plotted story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Take a moment now to visualize where you imagine your character might be at the end of this story/adventure. Will your character be alone? Will your character be triumphant? What will your character have learned? Lost? Gained? What image comes to mind when you try to imagine your character at the end of this journey? How must your character change?
Now imagine you are looking at a photograph of this "end" moment and describe it. Where is your character? What is your character wearing? Who is your character with? How does your character feel? What is your character doing?
Take 5-10 minutes to write this description with as much physical and emotional detail as you can. If you'd like, share in the comments and I'll ask more questions to help you have the most vivid picture/idea for this ending as you can.
Keep this description.
You don't need to re-read it, but keep this image and the feelings associated with it in your mind's eye as you work this summer to write your story.
This is where you're going.
You don't need to know how your character will get there. But now you have a stronger sense of what you're writing toward. Watch where you're going now. Keep focused on this goal. And most importantly...
Enjoy the ride!!!
Note: Please feel free to post even if you don't have a LiveJournal account. I will unscreen your comment when I get the notification. Thanks!
Every Monday, I try to post a fun warm-up writing exercise to get you ready for a week of writing. This week, since it's our first day, I wanted to share some advice my Tai chi instructor gave our tiny class of three. It had nothing to do with writing, but of course, that doesn't mean I couldn't apply it to my writing life. In fact, most general advice, if you think about it long enough, can be applied to writing.
Why she gave this advice is kind of a boring story but I do think that what it led me to gave me focus and helped me get back on track with my own work in progress. So, ready?
"Watch where you're going."
Obviously this is quite good advice in all parts of your life, but writing? Let me explain.
One of the most common questions I get from kids as well as adults is, "What do you do when you reach the middle of a story or novel and you just feel stuck?"
My answer now is, "It helps to know where you're going."
But how do you do that?
Oftentimes, as we write a first draft by the seat of our pants, we aren't thinking about where we're going, we're just having fun writing our wild and free discovery draft. But at some point in this glorious time, we slow down, feel lost, and can't figure out how we (or our characters) got where we are. We end up having to retrace our steps. Go back to earlier chapters to figure out where we lost our way. Or even, sometimes, we have to go all the way back to the beginning and start over. Sometimes, we get frustrated and give up.
I think a lot of times this happens because we don't have any idea where we're going.
For a time, that's OK, but as you get to know your characters and what they want, pretty soon you must know where they are going so that you can form a well-plotted story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Take a moment now to visualize where you imagine your character might be at the end of this story/adventure. Will your character be alone? Will your character be triumphant? What will your character have learned? Lost? Gained? What image comes to mind when you try to imagine your character at the end of this journey? How must your character change?
Now imagine you are looking at a photograph of this "end" moment and describe it. Where is your character? What is your character wearing? Who is your character with? How does your character feel? What is your character doing?
Take 5-10 minutes to write this description with as much physical and emotional detail as you can. If you'd like, share in the comments and I'll ask more questions to help you have the most vivid picture/idea for this ending as you can.
Keep this description.
You don't need to re-read it, but keep this image and the feelings associated with it in your mind's eye as you work this summer to write your story.
This is where you're going.
You don't need to know how your character will get there. But now you have a stronger sense of what you're writing toward. Watch where you're going now. Keep focused on this goal. And most importantly...
Enjoy the ride!!!
Note: Please feel free to post even if you don't have a LiveJournal account. I will unscreen your comment when I get the notification. Thanks!
January 1, 2018
How Can I Turn This Into An Opportunity? A Challenge for 2018
This summer I spent a week volunteering with a group of hard-working teens and adults. We worked on various projects such as building a home with Habitat for Humanity, and working on landscaping for transitional housing facilities and women's shelters.
Every morning, we were reminded to think about the opportunities that came our way throughout the day: an opportunity to learn a new skill, even if we were afraid (power tools!); an opportunity to battle our fears (climbing very tall ladders!); a chance to witness surprises (a baby possum hiding under some old wood!); an opportunity to experience moments of love, kindness, generosity and growth. An opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, someone we will never even meet.
Tasks I dreaded became challenges: I will get those pavers to set straight! Interacting with strangers became something not to feel shy about, but to embrace. By the end of the week, I felt changed. I was approaching life with a determination I'd never had before. I was empowered, and I was enthusiastic. I felt capable of so much! I came home wanting to say yes to things I'd become accustomed to saying no to. I've since said yes to things that have completely changed my life. I have made new, dear friends. I have had experiences I will cherish forever. I have felt loved and lifted up. I have spoken up when once I would have been too afraid. I have gone, when once I would have stayed home.
We often find ourselves thinking of themes for the year but for me this theme is forever. "How do I turn this dreaded task into an opportunity?" I ask myself. "How can I make this good work, not just for me, but for someone else?" And as soon as I start to ponder the answer, everything changes, including me. I hope you'll give it a try too.
Every morning, we were reminded to think about the opportunities that came our way throughout the day: an opportunity to learn a new skill, even if we were afraid (power tools!); an opportunity to battle our fears (climbing very tall ladders!); a chance to witness surprises (a baby possum hiding under some old wood!); an opportunity to experience moments of love, kindness, generosity and growth. An opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, someone we will never even meet.
Tasks I dreaded became challenges: I will get those pavers to set straight! Interacting with strangers became something not to feel shy about, but to embrace. By the end of the week, I felt changed. I was approaching life with a determination I'd never had before. I was empowered, and I was enthusiastic. I felt capable of so much! I came home wanting to say yes to things I'd become accustomed to saying no to. I've since said yes to things that have completely changed my life. I have made new, dear friends. I have had experiences I will cherish forever. I have felt loved and lifted up. I have spoken up when once I would have been too afraid. I have gone, when once I would have stayed home.
We often find ourselves thinking of themes for the year but for me this theme is forever. "How do I turn this dreaded task into an opportunity?" I ask myself. "How can I make this good work, not just for me, but for someone else?" And as soon as I start to ponder the answer, everything changes, including me. I hope you'll give it a try too.
August 17, 2017
A Letter To My Son, Upon Leaving for College
Just before my son graduated from 8th grade, his teachers asked us to write a letter to our graduate to be opened in 4 years, upon high school graduation. Today, as my son packs up for his journey to college in Washington DC tomorrow, I thought I'd write a new letter. But when I read the one I wrote four years ago, I realized, there's little I'd change. With his permission, here it is, in hopes that you might also write a letter to a young person you love and believe in. I think they'll be glad to get it <3
June 11, 2013
Dear Eli,
It seems very strange to be writing to Future You. I don't want to think about the day you're opening this because it will mean four more years have passed, and Dad and I are getting ready to send you out into the world. While that is a wonderful thing, it will also be bittersweet. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to hang out with you and to share so many stories and adventures together. Even getting lost on back roads was fun. C'mon, admit it.
My happiest memories are sitting on the deck reading together, especially the last Harry Potter book. I'm glad we were able to share the joy of good stories, good movies, heated political discussions, family jokes, "eh"(I wonder if we still say that) and so on. You make me laugh, you make me happy, and you make me very proud.
And now, here's where I get all cliché-moment on you. Sorry! BUT. I want you to know I'm also getting all sincere on you, too. So here goes…
You can do and be whoever and whatever you want to be. I believe this without reservation because you already have. You are special. When you were three, you started to recite Curious George verbatim in the back seat of the car because you were bored. When you were five, you stood up to a bully at the Hartland Library, when I was too shy and uncertain to do it myself. When you were 12, you taught yourself advanced math so you could be in Mr. Durgin's class for 8th grade algebra. When we've asked you personal questions about friends, you've respected their privacy and taught us valuable lessons about prying. You never compromise your standards. You always stick to your morals. You amaze me.
This is why I know that whoever and whatever it is you decide you want to be and do, it will be good. I know this because you are a kind, thoughtful soul. You believe in standing up for what's right, and treating everyone kindly. Sometimes this comes at a cost to you because those things aren't always the popular way. But your sense of humor and determination to be fair has always guided you forward and, in the end, served you best. I admire you so much for this. You are far more brave and courageous than I ever was at your age.
I don’t know what Seventeen-Year-Old You, who is reading this now, is like. My guess is you might be rolling your eyes by now. But I also think that inside, you might be smiling. I can also guess that Future You is just as kind and caring and thoughtful as the thirteen-year-old one who is upstairs, as I write this, working on his 8th-grade graduation speech.
So here we are. You, getting ready to start your life. And me, most likely wanting to grab your hand and whisper, "Don't go." And yet, at the same time, I want to send you off with a great big enthusiastic push. Because I know you are going to make this world better. So go, dear one. Go out in the world and make a difference now. It's time.
You recently said you were sad that you were a bit dark in seventh grade, but that now you feel more hopeful and optimistic. I hope you continue to believe in the light we all carry as you face a new step in your life. Your light shines so bright, people who know you can't help but let it kindle the light in themselves. You do this for me every day. Thank you.
As you walk out into the great unknown, know that you are never alone. We will always be here for you, in whatever way you need. We are cheering for you. We believe in you. We love you.
I am so proud and lucky to be your mom.
My son and I, volunteering for our local Habitat for Humanity together.
June 11, 2013
Dear Eli,
It seems very strange to be writing to Future You. I don't want to think about the day you're opening this because it will mean four more years have passed, and Dad and I are getting ready to send you out into the world. While that is a wonderful thing, it will also be bittersweet. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to hang out with you and to share so many stories and adventures together. Even getting lost on back roads was fun. C'mon, admit it.
My happiest memories are sitting on the deck reading together, especially the last Harry Potter book. I'm glad we were able to share the joy of good stories, good movies, heated political discussions, family jokes, "eh"(I wonder if we still say that) and so on. You make me laugh, you make me happy, and you make me very proud.
And now, here's where I get all cliché-moment on you. Sorry! BUT. I want you to know I'm also getting all sincere on you, too. So here goes…
You can do and be whoever and whatever you want to be. I believe this without reservation because you already have. You are special. When you were three, you started to recite Curious George verbatim in the back seat of the car because you were bored. When you were five, you stood up to a bully at the Hartland Library, when I was too shy and uncertain to do it myself. When you were 12, you taught yourself advanced math so you could be in Mr. Durgin's class for 8th grade algebra. When we've asked you personal questions about friends, you've respected their privacy and taught us valuable lessons about prying. You never compromise your standards. You always stick to your morals. You amaze me.
This is why I know that whoever and whatever it is you decide you want to be and do, it will be good. I know this because you are a kind, thoughtful soul. You believe in standing up for what's right, and treating everyone kindly. Sometimes this comes at a cost to you because those things aren't always the popular way. But your sense of humor and determination to be fair has always guided you forward and, in the end, served you best. I admire you so much for this. You are far more brave and courageous than I ever was at your age.
I don’t know what Seventeen-Year-Old You, who is reading this now, is like. My guess is you might be rolling your eyes by now. But I also think that inside, you might be smiling. I can also guess that Future You is just as kind and caring and thoughtful as the thirteen-year-old one who is upstairs, as I write this, working on his 8th-grade graduation speech.
So here we are. You, getting ready to start your life. And me, most likely wanting to grab your hand and whisper, "Don't go." And yet, at the same time, I want to send you off with a great big enthusiastic push. Because I know you are going to make this world better. So go, dear one. Go out in the world and make a difference now. It's time.
You recently said you were sad that you were a bit dark in seventh grade, but that now you feel more hopeful and optimistic. I hope you continue to believe in the light we all carry as you face a new step in your life. Your light shines so bright, people who know you can't help but let it kindle the light in themselves. You do this for me every day. Thank you.
As you walk out into the great unknown, know that you are never alone. We will always be here for you, in whatever way you need. We are cheering for you. We believe in you. We love you.
I am so proud and lucky to be your mom.
My son and I, volunteering for our local Habitat for Humanity together.
July 31, 2017
Joy
Hi everyone, and welcome to our final Monday Morning Warm-up!
This has been a wonderful month of learning, sharing and growing. Thank you for participating!
First off, thanks to everyone who stepped in to reply to comments left last Monday while I was away.
Last Monday, I asked you all to explore fear, and I know that can be a pretty, well, scary thing to do! But I hope you all gave it a try. Today, I want to switch gears and explore joy. I think many of us have been feeling pretty grim these past 8 months, worrying about our country, and more specifically our country's most vulnerable under this new administration. But even in fear and worry and despair, there can be moments of great joy. Joy in a new season, an unexpected beautiful day, a funny joke, a kitten meme, you name it. Joy can be big and small. And joy can be tremendously hopeful. How do we convey genuine joy in our work in unexpected, fresh ways? Can you describe joy without using over-used or predictable words and phrases? Can you express joy without using the word smile, for example? Or grin? Or happy? Let's try it.
Monday Morning Warm-up:
Write a scene that depicts your main character experiencing a moment of unexpected joy, without using the words above. How do you capture that true, inner feeling of blissful surprise? How can you show your reader your character's pure happiness without explicitly telling us how he or she is feeling? Try it! And enJOY! :) And if you want to, please share!
This has been a wonderful month of learning, sharing and growing. Thank you for participating!
First off, thanks to everyone who stepped in to reply to comments left last Monday while I was away.
Last Monday, I asked you all to explore fear, and I know that can be a pretty, well, scary thing to do! But I hope you all gave it a try. Today, I want to switch gears and explore joy. I think many of us have been feeling pretty grim these past 8 months, worrying about our country, and more specifically our country's most vulnerable under this new administration. But even in fear and worry and despair, there can be moments of great joy. Joy in a new season, an unexpected beautiful day, a funny joke, a kitten meme, you name it. Joy can be big and small. And joy can be tremendously hopeful. How do we convey genuine joy in our work in unexpected, fresh ways? Can you describe joy without using over-used or predictable words and phrases? Can you express joy without using the word smile, for example? Or grin? Or happy? Let's try it.
Monday Morning Warm-up:
Write a scene that depicts your main character experiencing a moment of unexpected joy, without using the words above. How do you capture that true, inner feeling of blissful surprise? How can you show your reader your character's pure happiness without explicitly telling us how he or she is feeling? Try it! And enJOY! :) And if you want to, please share!
