I’ve written two small books, both field guides, exploring natural history and wild plants.
I’ve felt the need to craft a book about our first two years in Quebec and have worked on transforming blog posts to narrative and adding back images to create a large format version that I can print out.
Does it need to be a public book? I’m not really sure.
I’d like to put it out there as a compelling story. It was serendipitous for us to bumble on an historic cottage here, even when we spoke no French.
... I’m so new to this scene any comment is (for the most part) uninformed-- I’m a flea confronted by a monolith 😂 but I believe writing is worth the effort and that a m/s that feels like a book doesn’t have to be ‘public’ to be worthy. I wrote a narrative about my parents’s early relationship, based on letters they saved, and distributed 40 copies to family and anyone who expressed an interest in reading it. It is an evolving story that I might self-publish when it feels finally finished, if only for the satisfaction of saying “I wrote a book.”
Joy of joys!! I cannot wait for this book. My heart needs it. Right now, I'm in that in-between stage, after four years of tight deadlines and little time to question why I write or what I write about. I cranked out chapters when teenagers were scooping ice cream at their jobs--or when I wasn't cobbling together lessons plans and community-engagement projects. I didn't publish to great acclaim or fanfare, but my books mattered to some people, which mattered to me. And now that I don't have a deadline in front of me, I feel anxious, as if those deadlines tethered my heart to place and showed me a purpose. I have a manuscript about my parents' story that tries to answer the question: "How do we carry the love of those we've lost?" I wanted to discover how the lives of those who have died could help carry us through our climate anxiety, the dread of what might unfold, and the promise of "what if we get it right?" as Ayana Elizabeth Johnson asks in her forthcoming climate solutions book.
But I think the book may have to be broader than that.....I want to write about my students and how they remind me that the DOING in community is a path forward. Mending clothes, identifying trees, harvesting kale, moving cows. Then my own teen tells me I need therapy--I'm too anxious and controlling--"It's a two-way street," she says, referring to the fact that she's seen a counselor and I haven't in years. Choosing her words was never hard for this child. So these are the reasons I need your book, Janisse. Just as I needed this take-home message from Judith, who goes by Jude, an Episcopal priest who shared: "Showing up for each other is the most sacred, holy practice. The world wants to love us--take it in." Thank you Janisse for showing up for all of us who want to write our way into this sacred, holy, stunning, fucked-up mess of a world. Time for class......on this beautiful, horrible day, as Kate Bowler would say!
Janisse, today's NYT published Scott Momaday's obit --- and I'm already in mourning for my lost poets. It talked a lot about HOUSE MADE OF DAWN, mentioned THE WAY TO RAINY MOUNTAIN (which I see as a seminal text for Native American Literature and a way to engage being human), and --- unless I missed it --- left out his work in visual arts. Your ECOLOGY OF A CRACKER CHILDHOOD and THE WAY TO RAINY MOUNTAIN --- were I teaching a course called Writing Your World, these would be on the reading list. I miss writing with you.
So glad to read the news about your book on writing, I can't wait to read it! Hellabook it will be!
Like you, I devoured books as a kid. I have such good memories of going to the library and taking armfuls of books home. Thankfully, the librarian was endlessly supportive of my checking out so many books. Books are the best!
Like many, I can't wait for your book on the craft of writing. It'll be a must-read for me!
“Not everybody’s writing for the world, to change the world, to change their world.”
Love this! Can’t wait!
I’ve written two small books, both field guides, exploring natural history and wild plants.
I’ve felt the need to craft a book about our first two years in Quebec and have worked on transforming blog posts to narrative and adding back images to create a large format version that I can print out.
Does it need to be a public book? I’m not really sure.
I’d like to put it out there as a compelling story. It was serendipitous for us to bumble on an historic cottage here, even when we spoke no French.
I look forward to your new book, regardless!
... I’m so new to this scene any comment is (for the most part) uninformed-- I’m a flea confronted by a monolith 😂 but I believe writing is worth the effort and that a m/s that feels like a book doesn’t have to be ‘public’ to be worthy. I wrote a narrative about my parents’s early relationship, based on letters they saved, and distributed 40 copies to family and anyone who expressed an interest in reading it. It is an evolving story that I might self-publish when it feels finally finished, if only for the satisfaction of saying “I wrote a book.”
This is exciting news! I'm looking forward to the pre-order date!
Me too!
Joy of joys!! I cannot wait for this book. My heart needs it. Right now, I'm in that in-between stage, after four years of tight deadlines and little time to question why I write or what I write about. I cranked out chapters when teenagers were scooping ice cream at their jobs--or when I wasn't cobbling together lessons plans and community-engagement projects. I didn't publish to great acclaim or fanfare, but my books mattered to some people, which mattered to me. And now that I don't have a deadline in front of me, I feel anxious, as if those deadlines tethered my heart to place and showed me a purpose. I have a manuscript about my parents' story that tries to answer the question: "How do we carry the love of those we've lost?" I wanted to discover how the lives of those who have died could help carry us through our climate anxiety, the dread of what might unfold, and the promise of "what if we get it right?" as Ayana Elizabeth Johnson asks in her forthcoming climate solutions book.
But I think the book may have to be broader than that.....I want to write about my students and how they remind me that the DOING in community is a path forward. Mending clothes, identifying trees, harvesting kale, moving cows. Then my own teen tells me I need therapy--I'm too anxious and controlling--"It's a two-way street," she says, referring to the fact that she's seen a counselor and I haven't in years. Choosing her words was never hard for this child. So these are the reasons I need your book, Janisse. Just as I needed this take-home message from Judith, who goes by Jude, an Episcopal priest who shared: "Showing up for each other is the most sacred, holy practice. The world wants to love us--take it in." Thank you Janisse for showing up for all of us who want to write our way into this sacred, holy, stunning, fucked-up mess of a world. Time for class......on this beautiful, horrible day, as Kate Bowler would say!
But
Looking forward eagerly to your book!!
Oooo add me to the crowd here who are sooo excited for this book!
I can't wait to get swept in your river of words!
Oh I can’t wait! You e already done so much for us river rats. This will be wonderful, I know! Thank you!
So excited about this one 😻
Can’t wait :)
Janisse, today's NYT published Scott Momaday's obit --- and I'm already in mourning for my lost poets. It talked a lot about HOUSE MADE OF DAWN, mentioned THE WAY TO RAINY MOUNTAIN (which I see as a seminal text for Native American Literature and a way to engage being human), and --- unless I missed it --- left out his work in visual arts. Your ECOLOGY OF A CRACKER CHILDHOOD and THE WAY TO RAINY MOUNTAIN --- were I teaching a course called Writing Your World, these would be on the reading list. I miss writing with you.
Can't wait to read it!
So glad to read the news about your book on writing, I can't wait to read it! Hellabook it will be!
Like you, I devoured books as a kid. I have such good memories of going to the library and taking armfuls of books home. Thankfully, the librarian was endlessly supportive of my checking out so many books. Books are the best!
I’m sooo looking forward to reading this!
Can't wait to read it Janisse! ❤️