Jean wrote the poem
MONSTER OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Gnome & UnGnome Facts About Jean:
Jean Taft is a New England writer who loves being outdoors.
She grew up in Vermont and lives in Rhode Island with her family and a very happy dog.
She is a member of SCBWI and the Writers’ Loft. She says her brain lights up when she rhymes and she challenges herself to write a story with the fewest words possible.
Her first picture book, WORM WEATHER was named to the NAIBA 2015 Pick of the Lists for Picture Books.
Having grown up on the shores of Lake Champlain and always on the lookout for Champ the Lake Monster, she is so happy to have a poem about Champ in the Writers’ Loft’s newest anthology!
Jean’s poetry was included in FRIENDS & ANEMONES (Writers’ Loft Press, 2020).
Absol’s Q&A with Jean:
Hello, Jean, so nice to meet you! Thanks for being our LEGEND of the WEEK!
Tell us what magical or legendary creature you’d be if you could?
Well, Champ the Lake Monster of course! Imagine swimming all day in Lake Champlain nestled between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains!
I mean, that sounds dreadful…for a gnome. But you humans seem to be cut from a different cloth.
Can you tell us a little about how you came to be a part of Gnomes & UnGnomes? Even though I live too far away to visit the Writers’ Loft regularly in person, I have had many wonderful interactions with members and classes! I wish I lived closer! I wonder if they’ve ever thought about opening a satellite branch in Rhode Island? When the new anthology was announced I knew that I had to write a poem about Champ, the Lake Champlain lake monster.
How did learn about my on-again-off-again buddy Champ?
I grew up in Vermont near Lake Champlain. Swimming at the lake, boating and taking the ferry between VT and NY were all things I did growing up. And as a child (and even an adult!) every time I was on or near the water, I was always looking at the waves hoping to see Champ!
Maybe someday you will, but having seen Champ, meh, they’re ok ;-). I mean you’ve seen one lake monster you’ve seen them all… JK Champ!
Thanks for your time, Jean!
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