A fellow writer and book-loving friend of mine just sent me this link, and as I have a moment, I want to share it that more people will get to see it. Please share.
We have all read books that were in some way life-changing. In this YouTube video series named “Call Me Ishmael,” a fellow, (named Ishmael), transcribes and shares a voicemail of one person each day telling about a book they love. In this day’s video you will hear the call made by a young man named Ethan whose mother was a crack addict and the books that quite literally saved his life. Not to be missed.
Still A Dreamer 
I’m a huge J.K. Rowling/Harry Potter (books) fan and hearing this was even more moving because of it. The power of well-written words woven into magically compelling stories is immeasurable. I tweeted this, but couldn’t find your Twitter handle, Jeanne!
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It was so moving, wasn’t it? I hope somehow J.K. gets to hear this – what better than to know what you wrote made such a difference in even one life. No Twitter handle because I don’t Tweet! I have all I can do online (after work – which is also all digital) – between my blog and website. Someday … 🙂
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When you’re ready, Twitter is invaluable in the kidlit world 🙂 And yes, actually, there’s a good chance someone tweeted her with the link to this! If she can find it, she’ll hear it or someone she knows will tell her about it, I’m sure. It’s a “viral” kind of thing.
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I’m sure you’re right. I’ll get there eventually. Right now, not a priority … but I’ll tweet you when I do get there! jeanne
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Oh my gosh Jeanne!!! This is amazing. What a powerful two minutes… wait as I wipe my eyes. Thank YOU for sharing this.. thanks to Ishmail… thanks to J K Rowling, and especially thanks to Nathan… the boy who lived. This is so incredible. I will share it on my YouTube channel immediately. Blessings all around!
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Despite all the terrible things happening in the world, there is so much goodness. Yes, thanks to Nathan for having the courage to make this call and share his pain – and his salvation – in a simple call. Blessings all around is right. 🙂
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Okay, I have steadfastly refused to READ any Harry Potter book–and no, this has not induced me to get a copy from my wonderful library and wade into it. But I love the concept of this book sharing video using phones, voicemail and social media to talk about an influential piece of writing.
Interesting to note that “Call Me Ishmael” is the opening line of Moby-Dick–and that there is a book titled “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn and then there are so many the ‘religious’ references for the name. What an interesting choice of names. A call to all those lost in the wilderness—the narrator of a great quest–and–well, who knows what all else. 🙂
I’ve no desire to place a call –but here I will share Robert Wright’s “The Library Card” –http://www.is.wayne.edu/MNISSANI/Fall2003/library.htm
I’m not an African American. Insert the words “certain people” — or any other human source of repression and suppression and it reveals the strength of Wright’s writing which offers a powerful insight into the potential power of words and books on anyone who is deprived of intellectual stimulation and avenues of psychological growth. Anyone who has been denied access to books, education, and freedom to express their thoughts can connect.. At least I hope so.
Oh–ALL your advice regarding placing more of my novel online has been duly noted. I have decided to refrain from sharing more for many of the reasons you stated–and a few others as well.
Thank you for taking the time to respond as you did.
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Somewhere on that fellow’s website he describes why he chose to name it “Call Me Ishmael” and of course, references Moby Dick. It doesn’t matter whether one likes Harry Potter or not, I agree that the site is such a cool idea – that people can phone in what they love to read and why it’s important and he transcribes it the way he does is such a unique and novel concept. That any book could so greatly help even one person is what writing – and reading – is all about. I hope he is still alive. I will check out “The Library Card.” Thanks.
I’m glad my 2 cents could help you make a decision to protect your work, and I wish you every success in being published whenever you get to that point. I’m sure we’ll get the announcement on 47whitebuffalo!
I don’t respond at length to many people on blogs, but there are some where I know the communication is understood and appreciated – both ways. Jeanne
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Please share your reaction after reading The Library Card. I’m sorry the link doesn’t seem to be active –perhaps because of how I posted it? But it is online. I do suggest reading rather than listening to the audio versions. But that’s my preference.
The novel has grown considerably due to backstory development. I find myself in the revising/editing stage for over 1,600 pages of material. Yeah, perhaps it really is several books with very large cast of characters.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support, insights, ideas and communication. It’s priceless.
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Aha! The link works for me, and I see it’s taken from Black Boy. OMG, how long ago is it that I read that!! At least high school or college. OK, Ive bookmarked that because really, I do need to get back to work. Luckily, I have a wee bit of free time to chat today.
You’re doing great on your book – do you have a writing critique group in your area? maybe one that works on novels? It’s not the be all or end all, but it was a huge help, just meeting with like-minded and talented people while our group was still meeting. I’m so happy that some of us still help one another. One thing I’ve learned, is once you’ve really refined it, cleaned it up, and it’s the very best it can be, the next thing is to really have it formatted properly and then to follow agents’ and publishers’ directions to a T. They all get so many submissions, that if people can’t follow the most basic rules for presentation, queries and submission, it’s pretty easy to toss it aside.
Nice talking to you, too!!
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Oops correction: Richard Wright–Richard not Robert. My bad.
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I knew that! 🙂
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