Muskoka Novel Marathon

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Dear Jo

by Christina Kilbourne
2003 Winner

November 10
Dear Diary;

Everything is black, so black I can’t see through it. When it first started closing in around me, I thought I’d be okay, that I’d let it creep in a little way and then fight it back when I had the energy. The thing is, I didn’t realize it was stronger than me and now I’m afraid I won’t ever win.

November 11
Dear Diary;

Happy Remembrance Day. It was exactly what I needed to cheer me up, a day to remember a bunch of dead guys.

November 12
Dear Diary;

I’m so royally screwed up right now and it’s not a good place to be. Do you know what I’ve been thinking about lately? Tally Hanen’s cousin, Chloe. Tally was abducted from her own yard, where she was playing with Chloe. They were both five at the time. When the man grabbed Tally and started to drag her away, she yelled to Chloe to get her mom, who’d stepped inside for Popsicles. But the man shoved Tally in his car and drove away before her mother got back outside. The police were on the case in minutes. They even issued an Amber Alert. A stranger found Tally’s body later that same day.

I know all this because I saw it on a TV documentary the other night. Mom would have freaked if she caught me watching it, but I couldn’t turn it off once I’d started, and I couldn’t sleep anyway. Now I’m having nightmares again, but not about Tally.

I can’t stop thinking about Chloe. I mean, it’s over for Tally, she’s not in the nightmare anymore. But poor little Chloe is going to spend the rest of her life thinking that if only she’d been closer to the picket fence, she’d be the one who was abducted. That’s what it’s like for me right now.


About this Story

Published by Lobster Press, 2007
• Winner, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Awards (2009)
• Winner, 2009 Snow Willow Award (Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award)
• Winner, 2009/2010 Red Cedar Award (British Columbia Young Readers’ Choice Award)
• Nominated for the 2010 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award
• Selected, Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s “Best Books for Kids & Teens” (Starred selection, 2008)
• Selected, Ontario Library Association’s “Best Bets for 2007”
• Slovenian and Portuguese language rights sold

• Winner of the 2003 Muskoka Novel Marathon .. as a winner was published in a limited-edition, first-rights two-novel compilation by Fox Meadow Press in Spring 2004.

 


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  • From MNM to International Bestseller with Amy Stuart (Recording) $10.00
  • 20 Years of MNMs (Recording) $0.00
  • Open Writer Coaching with Kate Arms (Recording) $7.50
  • How to be Ridiculously Prolific at an MNM (Recording) $0.00
  • How to Win a Muskoka Novel Marathon (Recording) $0.00
  • How to Do Professional-Quality Worldbuilding (Recording) $10.00
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A huge thank you to our writers, fundraisers and s A huge thank you to our writers, fundraisers and supporters! So far, we’ve raised over $8,500! Did you know you can still make a donation until September 15 to help support @ymcasm Literacy Programs in Huntsville? Visit the link in our bio!
1 more day of #writemnm2022! Did you see KM won o 1 more day of #writemnm2022! 
Did you see KM won our raffle for the beautiful quilt!? 
So much fun still to be had! Don’t miss out on tonight’s midnight reading!
#muskokanovelmarathon starting right now!! Check #muskokanovelmarathon starting right now!!

Check it out! 
  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel. 
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We are so excited to sit down and write with you!! We are so excited to sit down and write with you!! If you haven’t signed up yet, there is still time :)
Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio
July 15-18
#muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel

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Kyle Glenn
Brooke Cagle
The #muskokanovelmarathon is coming up! We know th The #muskokanovelmarathon is coming up! We know that you are busy getting ready just like us!  We would love to see where you are going to spend your time writing. Post a pic of your space and Tag us!

It’s not to late to join us!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio
July 15-18
#writingspace #writingingroups #favouritewritingspot #writingnook #writingnooks
#muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel

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Joyful
Come join us for the Muskoka Novel Marathon on Jul Come join us for the Muskoka Novel Marathon on July 15-18 

It doesn’t matter what you use to write, we are just so excited to get writing!!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio.  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel #writingtogether #handwrittennovel #typewritter

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alejandro escamilla
christin Hume
Do you love getting cozy with a cup of coffee? We Do you love getting cozy with a cup of coffee? We do! You could win this beautiful quilt made by one of our lovely writers by visiting the Shop section on our website! Proceeds from this quilt go directly to YMCA Literacy Services! Link in bio!
What is the Muskoka Novel Marathon? It’s an oppo What is the Muskoka Novel Marathon? It’s an opportunity to give yourself the gift of time and space…
To create your story
To write your heart out
To explore!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio
July 15-18  #muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel
Looking for a space to write? Check out the #Musko Looking for a space to write? Check out the #MuskokaNovelMarathon for an amazing space to write with others from July 15-18!
Sign up using the link in our bio!

#writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novels
It’s coming soon!! The #muskokanovelmarathon is It’s coming soon!! The #muskokanovelmarathon is less than 2 weeks away!!

Join us July 15-18 and use the time to write your heart out!

Everyone is welcome!
Sign up at muskokanovelmarathon.com or click the link in our bio!

#muskokanovelmarathon #writers #muskoka #mnm2022 #novelmarathon #writing #literacy #fundraising #books #novel

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John Jennings
IMG_5487 #MuskokaNovelMarathon2019 #MNMFlashback20 IMG_5487	#MuskokaNovelMarathon2019 #MNMFlashback2019 #MuskokaNovelMarathon #MNM2019
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Everyone's back at it with full tummies. It's very Everyone's back at it with full tummies. It's very quiet in here. The only sound is of keyboards clacking.

#MuskokaNovelMarathon2012 #MNMFlashback2012 #MuskokaNovelMarathon #MNM2012 (Photo Credit: Dawn Huddlestone)
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