How Silly to Envy John Green: A Confession of an Elderly Newbie
Time's Book of the Year
First, I need to register a complaint.
I refer to myself as an “elderly newbie,” since it has taken me 65 years to write my first book.
I’m used to bowing graciously to the vastly superior writing and technical knowledge of my juniors.
But, this guy John Green takes me down a notch more.
He’s younger than my son! He’s published four novels, the last one featured as Time’s Book of the Year.
So how come I only heard of him three weeks ago? When all I had do was Google John Green? I must have been under a rock writing my own book. 🙂
Anyway, I’m making up for lost time. I’m on page 131 of the book above, and I can hardly wait to get back to it.
And I could be spending all afternoon watching John and Hank Green’s vlogs. I won’t, but here’s one of the best.
My New Beginning today is finishing the book written by a man younger than my son who is a fabulous, creative human being. Instead of being jealous, I’m going to rejoice that he is in the world making beautiful gifts for all of us. And, as he explains in this Tumblr post, his success isn’t about luck at all.
One more thing you gotta see. John Green explains how to become a writer in this illustrated quote.
87 more Days to the Launch of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World
Did you miss the 87 picture?
Let me know if you did.
Have you posted your New Beginning today?
I am a HUGE John Green fan! My only criticism of his writing would be that he can’t seem to write and publish as fast as I can read. I also had the pleasure of meeting him at last year’s Eugene and Marilyn Glick Award Dinner at the Indianapolis Public Library, where he was the guest speaker. He gave a wonderful talk about why he loves libraries and the key role they play in democracy and free thinking.
I love his CrashCourses on literature and history. The commencement speech he gave at Butler University this spring is also worth a listen:
He advocates education as the way we become more aware and engaged in the universe.
Laurie, thanks for this link. I watched the speech and loved it too. What a hopeful sign for the future that such a young man is guiding so many young adults and teenagers through his books and his vlogs and Tumblr. If you haven’t opened all the links above, I hope you will. Each is a gem.
I am with you Shirley, I have never heard of John Green but I am sure going to check him out.
Just plowed the whole way through the second half of the book this afternoon. It’s a good one. I’ll be thinking about it a long time. I can’t believe how close the themes here are to ones in my own book. Wow. I’m glad I didn’t read this book while I was writing mine. I would have been intimidated. Now I can just admire.
Just plowed the whole way through the second half of the book this afternoon. It’s a good one. I’ll be thinking about it a long time. I can’t believe how close the themes here are to ones in my own book. Wow. I’m glad I didn’t read this book while I was writing mine. I would have been intimidated. Now I can just admire.
I had this in my hand in the library two days ago, but didn’t bring it home as I had another I’d been waiting ages to find (I can only get three books out at a time, which is difficult as my sons – who aren’t allowed a ticket until they are 12 – are avid readers too).
I’ll be going back for it as soon as my current book is finished.
And I do miss the 87 picture! 🙂
Warm Ginger, I hope you get the chance to read this book on your next trip to the library. It’s actually quite a bargain on Amazon Prime right now. Hardcover for less than $10.
Congrats on having two sons who are avid readers. That’s no small accomplishment.
BTW, I love your name.
I meant to say that for the sake of one request, the pictures will be saved. #86 coming up today! Look for a new approach. 🙂