Created by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love To Write Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to write something: a poem, an essay, a letter to the editor, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel the possibilities are endless! On the first I Love To Write Day, 11,328 schools all across the country held special writing events and activities. Last year, we signed up over 20,000 schools. This year our goal is to have an I Love To Write Day program in over 25,000 schools.

Please help us spread the word: tell schools, libraries and bookstores in your community about I Love To Write Day. You can read more about I Love To Write Day and learn how to register (it’s free!) by reading the Press Release.

Read the article: “I Love To Write Day: How it All Began” by John Riddle
In the spring of 2002 I was driving from my home in Delaware to the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s conference in Asheville, North Carolina, where I was scheduled to speakMy oldest daughter, Bonnie, was in the car with me; she was a college student at the time and interested in attending some of the workshops. Even though she was already a published writer, she knew the value of learning more about the craft of writing.

As I was passing through the Richmond, Virginia, area, I was thinking about a magazine interview I had to do the following week. Normally I am the one interviewing someone and then writing an article, but this time I was going to be the subject of the article.Writer’s Digest magazine wanted to do a profile of me, highlighting my success in writing for so many Websites over the past few months. “READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE.”

People of all ages will celebrate I Love To Write Day on November 15. Founded in 2002 by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love To Write Day is now celebrated in over 28,000 schools all across the United States. Bookstores, libraries, community centers and everyday people also join in the fun.

“My goal for I Love To Write Day is to have people of all ages spend time writing,” says John Riddle, Founder. “They can write a poem, a love letter, a greeting card, an essay, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless. But I want people to take the time to put their thoughts down on paper. They will be amazed at the results. Writing can be fun, but also challenging. People need to be challenged, and writing is but one of many creative ways to express yourself. I am very excited because I Love To Write Day activities are already being planned all across the United States. When people become stronger writers, they become better communicators, and everyone wins.”

Writers from all across the country are supporting I Love To Write Day. “When we write well, we precede the writing with clear thought,” says Dr. Dennis E. Hensley, director of the professional writing program at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. “Thus, quality writing is the daughter of quality thinking, which we need in abundance.”

Diane Griffin, author of three books, including Safe Text: Protecting Your Teen From the Dangers of Texting, believes that writing, especially for students, is how they make their ‘thinking visible.’  “This allows them to make their ideas more clear and concrete, and gives them a strong foundation on which all of their future work will be judged.

”Writing is a form of self-expression—it allows students to explore who they are, what they think and more importantly, how to communicate those thoughts to those around them. Writing is not done in isolation, but is meant to be shared with others—allowing good writers to be more aware of how people perceive them on and off the written page.

Thomas Smith, author of Something Stirs, knows how important writing is for all of us. “From a thank-you note to the sonnets of Shakespeare, writing reveals the things of our hearts. Through writing we share everything from our summer vacations to fictional worlds filled with wonder. We write from the depths of our heart, the edge of our funny bone, and every place in between. And the only prerequisite is that you do it from your own heart. Even in our technology-driven world, writing keeps us connected and provides a conduit for our creativity.”

Ken Lang, author of Walking Among the Dead: True Stories from a Homicide Detective, says that people of all ages should write because “while we as humanity are woven together from a common fabric into uniquely decorated tapestries, writing becomes the prolific means by which we can convey our individual thoughts, perspectives, and feelings to others through varying lights.”

Many Governors from across the United States are recognizing the importance of writing, and are encouraging their residents to celebrate I Love To Write Day on November 15. In fact, Governors from the following states have “officially proclaimed” November 15 I Love To Write Day: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and Texas.
“Everyone can get involved in I Love To Write Day,” says Riddle. “Just visit the Website, I Love To Write Day at www.ilovetowriteday.org and you will find suggestions and ideas on how to hold special I Love To Write Day activities in your community.

There is a registration page, and I am encouraging everyone to sign up so that we can count how many people get involved in I Love To Write Day. People are also encouraged to spread the word about I Love To Write Day in their local communities.”

For additional info:
John Riddle – johnriddle@sprintmail.com
302-834-4910
www.ilovetowriteday.org

Click here to see the book’s Table of Contents.

Click here to purchase The I Love to Write Book: Ideas and Tips for Young Writers

Exercise #1: Your Home Town

Write a paragraph that describes your hometown. Give examples of things your see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. What does your town look like? What sounds do you hear on a moonless summer night? Does a river run through town? What kinds of trees, bushes, or other plants grow there? What foods are most popular or unique in your town? What smells are common? Ocean air? Lilac bushes?

Exercises #2-6:

For your convenience, you may click here to print out the entire six-part exercise in an easy-to-read PDF format!

Please help spread the word about I Love To Write Day. Contact local schools, bookstores, libraries and writing organizations in your hometown. Tell your local newspaper and radio stations. Post fliers about I Love To Write Day and view this year’s and view this year’s Press Release .

Help Spread the Word About I Love To Write Day

To register for I Love To Write Day, contact johnriddle@sprintmail.com

Read the 2012 I Love To Write Press Release

Questions & Answers about I Love To Write Day

Suggested Activities for I Love To Write Day

Governors of Nine States Recognize I Love To Write Day