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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Why writers don't wear capes...but they should!






Connie, you are the winner of the drawing! Thanks to all who participated! 

Hey, all. As some of you know, I'm a part time third grade teacher in addition to being a writer. I welcome a classroom full of seven and eight year olds every year and their number one most hated subject? Writing! Acck! It's my mission in life to change that. Lesson number one? Words have power. If you use them well, you can change the world. If that isn't a superhero mission, I don't know what is. Because we're writers, my classroom of littles and I, our job is a covert one. We don't brandish our muscles about and brag about our awesome details, our stellar paragraphing skills, our figurative language prowess. We don't call attention to these things in a flashy, "Here's the big 'S' on my chest kind of way," no sir! Our writing super powers are so amazing that you should not recognize the nuts and bolts of how we do it. Our readers should be aware of only one thing...that we moved them somehow, inspired them perhaps, or maybe even caused them to consider the world around them in a new way. That, my friends, is power used wisely.

To celebrate the school year, I'm giving away a Starbuck's gift card and a print or digital copy of Dangerous Testimony. If you want to toss your name in, tell me the title of a book that moved YOU in some way!


I would love to see you on Instagram or Facebook! My Instagram name is dana_mentink and my Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/dana.mentink

34 comments:

  1. I was really moved by The Thief.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  2. Hey Dana! I love your video posts, you are so expressive and it brightens my day. Your "sixty second" train trip was amazing! In my family I have a school speech therapist (daughter) sixth grade science teacher (SIL) and school librarian (DIL)
    Two books I've read recently that moved me in ways no others have are Convicted by Jameel McGee and Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris. These are definite must reads!!!!
    tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. How awesome! The school librarian is my fave person EVER! Thanks for the comment and thanks for taking a peek at my video posts too.

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  3. Hats off to you as you teach your little charges about writing!

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  4. Weighty Matters because I identified with the main character & began to lose weight just because the cover inspired me.

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  5. Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. I loved it.
    cluedn@embarqmail.com

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  6. So many books have influenced my life. One of the first I can remember is Anne of Green Gables! Because of it I will always remember that love is the primary focus of the Bible. I even gave my first daughter the middle name Anne (definitely with an 'e'). I love this post and I can't wait to add everyone's books to my must read list.

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  7. The Nancy Drew mysteries changed my life by installing in me a love of reading. Now, I always have a book with me.

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  8. The Nancy Drew mysteries changed my life by installing in me a love of reading. Now, I always have a book with me.

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    1. Carry a book wherever you go, that's my motto too!

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  9. I read a book 40 years ago written by Francine Arnold entitled Not My Will. That book has moved me and impacted my life so much over the years. I really enjoyed reading your books and can't wait to read the new one. Cindy99@mac.com

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    1. Impressive that Francine's book moved you so deeply. Thanks for sharing that!

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  10. There are so many but, The American Patriot Series by J.M. Hochstetler, I'd have to say are the recent ones. Of, there was Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys.
    duellonlysis(at)aol(dot)com

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  11. THE BOOK THIEF made me an emotional wreck.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  12. Kudos to you for teaching! My fifth grader LOVES to write and her last year's teacher did so much to teach and encourage.
    I recently read Hold The Light. A powerful book by April McGowan.

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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    1. Oh awesome! LOVE a student with a passion for writing!

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  13. The book that has really moved me is The Bedwarmer's!s Son by Caryl McAdoo

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  14. "The Source" by James Michener -- made me think and dig into deeper Bible study.
    betsylu2@msn.com

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  15. I always loved the Chronicles of Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. As a kid I remember enjoying The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and all these years later they still stick with me and I love them as an adult. Thanks for a chance to win for me and my mom. This looks good!

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  16. I always loved the Chronicles of Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. As a kid I remember enjoying The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and all these years later they still stick with me and I love them as an adult. Thanks for a chance to win for me and my mom. This looks good!

    Lela, paralegal7@hotmail.com (Forgot to put that last time)

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  17. Convicted by Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins and Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson

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  18. Nancy Drew was my introduction to detectives, clues and mysteries and I've been a fan since then. I was able to join the Doubleday Book Club when I was in 7th grade. The introductory order allowed me four books for $1.00 (yes, I am that old!) and Gone With The Wind was one of my selections. It is still one of my favorite books!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I liked your book Final Resort! I love the Love Inspired books!! Thanks for this giveaway! d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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