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Friday, December 18, 2020

Looking forward to 2021

I'm looking forward to 2021 for all sorts of reasons, including one I'll discuss below. First though, I want to share a bit of news regarding our team. Hard to believe, but our newest TeachingAuthor, Gwendolyn Hooks, has already been blogging with us for a year and a half. You may have noticed that she hasn't posted recently. She's currently taking a six-month break to handle other responsibilities. We expect her to return in June.

Meanwhile, we're pleased to announce that Zeena Pliska will be posting in Gwen's spot. Her first post is scheduled in February. Till then, you can learn more about Zeena on our About Us page and also on her website.

So, one of the things I'm looking forward to in 2021 is becoming even more steeped in poetry, both reading and writing it. I hope to also participate more in Poetry Friday. In that spirit, today I'd like to share an excerpt from a poem in Amy Ludwig VanDerwater's wonderful picture book Write! Write! Write! (Wordsong) illustrated by Ryan O'Rourke. Although the collection is meant for young writers, I found plenty of inspiration for my own writing in it, especially in this poem:   

Excerpt from "Timeline"
by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
(from Write! Write! Write!) 

. . .
Writing a sentence
is building a tower           
block after block   
hour after hour.

I am a writer.
And writing is power.

©2020 Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. All rights reserved.

I hope you'll check out more wonderful poetry in this week's Poetry Friday round up hosted by Michelle Kogan. 


Please note: the TeachingAuthors will be on our winter break until January 8. We wish all our readers a safe and happy holiday season.

I'm looking forward to learning and growing with you all in 2021!

Carmela Martino

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14 comments:

  1. Linda MitchellDecember 18, 2020 at 5:50 AM

    Hooray for more participation in Poetry Friday! No pressure--but it's great to see posts from this blog. PF is a weekly commitment to my writing.I do so much reading of what others are writing, reading and commenting on that I think PF is one of my greatest teachers. I so look forward to Amy's newest work. I love that she's touching the next generation of writers.

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  2. Irene LathamDecember 18, 2020 at 6:44 AM

    Writing is power, indeed! Amy's gentle, encouraging voice shines in this book... like you, I find much here to nurture (older) me! Thank you for sharing.

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  3. RuthDecember 18, 2020 at 9:52 AM

    Thank you for this! That book looks terrific.

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  4. Janice ScullyDecember 18, 2020 at 11:49 AM

    Your excerpt speaks truth: you take one sentence at a time and often it turns into a tower. Writing does feel like a power were have.

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  5. Bobbi MillerDecember 18, 2020 at 2:32 PM

    O! I love the poem, too! This is a very inspirational post. Thank you!

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  6. michelle koganDecember 18, 2020 at 11:06 PM

    I found this poem so empowering for the young writer, and us older ones too! Amy's book is delightful, thanks for sharing it Carmela. I look forward to your posts in the coming year, thanks!

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  7. Linda BDecember 19, 2020 at 1:08 PM

    Amy's book came out after I was retired, but it is still a wonderful book for my inspiration, too! I'll be looking for you on Poetry Friday, Carmela. Have a special holiday however it flies!

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  8. Carmela MartinoDecember 19, 2020 at 3:40 PM

    Thanks for the Poetry Friday encouragement, Linda Mitchell!

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  9. Carmela MartinoDecember 19, 2020 at 3:41 PM

    Thanks for stopping by Irene and Ruth. Great to "hear" your voices.

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  10. Carmela MartinoDecember 19, 2020 at 3:43 PM

    Janice, I wish I could have shared the illustration that goes with this poem. I should have mentioned in the post that the illustration shows these very words built into a tower.

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  11. Carmela MartinoDecember 19, 2020 at 3:44 PM

    ~~Bobbi. If you haven't seen Amy's book, I recommend you check it out!

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  12. Carmela MartinoDecember 19, 2020 at 3:45 PM

    Thanks Michelle and Linda B. Now that I've stated my intention to be more involved in Poetry Friday, I hope I'll be even more motivated to stick with it!

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  13. Carol VarsalonaDecember 20, 2020 at 10:31 AM

    Thanks for sharing Amy's poem, Carmela. I am saving it for my summer grad ELA institute. We will be immersed in writing to power up lessons for students. It will be great seeing you more frequently at PF.

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  14. Carmela MartinoJanuary 6, 2021 at 4:39 PM

    Thanks, Carol. Happy New Year to you!

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