My inbox is overflowing with messages! I will be setting up a new system soon to make it easier to leave messages. In the meantime, here are some with my responses below.
So….Mrs. Amato. Is today an even day or an odd day??
My name is Addison. I read Ur book Guitar Notes and fell in love!
Ya see there’s this smidge of an awkward person in me wanted to become a writer and actress who knows, maybe eve a film director. I have quite an imagination lol!! If You could go back in time to when you we’re writing Guitar Notes…..do u think u could explain what u we’re feeling?
Dear Addison, I try to thrum when I write. I get into character (just like an actor does) and imagine myself as that character. I try to see the world and think the way that character thinks. When it’s going well, I feel very buzzy inside, like I’m thrumming with my character. I hope you finds lots of ways to let that smidge that is in you to keep growing. Write. Act. Direct. Just play. –Mary Amato
From Sam: I loved invisible lines and guitar notes. I sort-of like singing, but how do I get better? I need a higher range.
Sam, you might consider taking some voice lessons. If you can’t, just try to sing lots of different styles of songs and different ranges. Relax when you sing, don’t push it. Keep thrumming!–Mary Amato
I love your books. I have read your book litteraly 5 times. I love the songs you wrote and I write songs myself. I love the idea of thrumming. Just earlier today after I finnished your book for a fifth time. Something inside of me just bubbled up (like when Tripp got the music room) In the middle of the hallway I just burst out singing. I knew right then I was thrumming. You have changed my life with this book. –Abigail
Dear Abigail, a letter like this just keeps me wanting to write more and more. Thanks so much and keep thrumming!
From Ms. Stairs: As our school librarian, I recently read Guitar Notes as part of the Kentucky Bluegrass Award nomination list sponsored by the Kentucky Reading Association. I was blown away by the creativity and sensitivity of this book, and having been a middle school English teacher for eleven years, I have read quite a few. Having said it is the best book I’ve read in at least five years, I convinced our current 8th grade English teacher to read it, and she was brought to tears. She and I immediately agreed to find the funds to purchase enough copies to teach this book to our students this year. We are so excited about them starting it in a few weeks!
Dear Ms. Stairs, I loved hearing this. I hope your students enjoy the book. –Mary Amato
From Carissa: Hi, I just want to say that “Guitar Notes” was probably the best book I have ever read. This book has inspired me so much. This book was full of so much emotion. I always imagined a relationship like Lyla’s and Tripps and when I read this book my imagination came to life. How did you find the inspiration to write this book? Can you please tell me all your thoughts when you was writing this book? And why did you decide to write this type of book? Please tell me EVERYTHING. Thank you for taking your time to read this, I really hope you reply soon.
Dear Carissa, I love your enthusiasm! I can’t tell you everything because I have another book to write! I was inspired by the feeling I get when I sing and I wanted to give this feeling a name–the thrum. May you find and share your thrum! –Mary Amato
I loved your book! Guitar Notes just plain captured my heart… I was already learning how to play guitar and I was loving every lesson, but when I read your book I became evermore passionate about it! I love guitars of every kind and I would love to learn how to play them all…Isabella
Dear Isabella, I love all kinds of guitars, too. Keep thrumming! –Mary Amato
My name is Fabian I am attempting to find the right words to describe the feelings I experienced during Guitar Notes. I am a guitar player myself with continuous practice and limited theory fueling my flamenco/rock style of playing. I however have never written a song. I tend to listen to language in existing music and progressively make changes. Your book however filled a void of socio-emotional feelings I felt growing up. I’ve never had words connect so fluidly with memories. So thank you.
Dear Fabian, I hope you’re inspired to write your own song. I’d love to hear it. –Mary Amato
Thanks,
Lin
“She listens to happy new boybands,
I know you love the Beatles and Queen.
I care to much about you,
To watch you fight it out with her.
I can’t just be the little friend
I need to be there till the end.”GREAT JOB!
allysha says
From: Allysha
I loved your book! Dont tell my mother, but i read it in bed when i was supposed to be sleeping… i love to read. but i also have a firey passion for guitar and music also. my family is very musically inclined. your book inspired me to be more “out there” with my talent for singing. Your book was not only heart wrenching, but inspiring. it was great. your book even inspired me to write some songs as well. i am glad i read your amazing story. i felt like it was a special mesage to me that i needed to be open with people… thank you so much! keep in touch,
~ allysha
The Thrum Society says
Allysha,I love your way of phrasing things…like “firey passion!” If you sing or play something and post it on youtube or soundcloud, make sure to send me your link! Keep thrumming!
Sarah says
Dear ms. Amano:
My name is Sarah. I decided to check out guitar notes for reading in English class. I fell in love with it, and it inspired me greatly. Are you going to ask them to make a movie out of it? I would definitely watch it if that were the case. Lyla reminds me of myself, because everyone expects the best from me. People tell me I have so much talent and am wasting it all by not sharing it. I am not sure that they are right though. I hope to hear back from you, Ms. Amano.
The Thrum Society says
Would love to see a movie!
Megan says
When I was reading guitar notes, one of my reoccurring thoughts was that it would make a great movie!
Lydia says
Dear Mrs.Amato,
Your book Guitar Notes just inspired me so much. I’m a fangirl/full time book fanatic I happen to want to be an author when I grow up and this was the first book that really captured my heart. I cried like I never had. I felt Tripp’s pain like it was my own. SPOILER ALERT I cried so incredibly hard when I thought Lyla died. Guitar Notes…it sort of reached out to me, I guess, almost personally and I words can’t express how much this book means tome. Thank you. Out of all the books I’ve ever read, this book stood out the most by a long shot.
Lydia says
Hi Mrs. Amato it’s Lydia again:)
Sorry to intrude once more, but I was wondering what inspires you when you write?
I have a few ideas and special things I do, but I’d like to here from an actual full-time author about your experiences. Thanks again. -Your Fangirl
The Thrum Society says
I imagine I am my characters. Just getting into character is what keeps me inspired.
Jessica says
Dear Mary Amato,
You don’t know me but I am a major book nerd. One of my favorite thinks to do is curl up in my little book nook and read while listening to some music. I was doing this when I previous found a book I enjoy. That book was the Fault in our Stars by John Green. One of the things I got from it was the question, “What happens after the story ends?” Ever since I read your book for the first time around Christmas time(I got it as a gift from my order sister), this question has plagued me. I know that you are most likely swamped by questions from readers about not only this story but also from your other stories, but I would appreciate it if you could answer some questions of mine. Do Tripp and Lyla actually get together for real or do they just stay friends? What happens to the school guitar? Does anyone else pick it up and make it thrum? What does Lyla’s neightbor’s kids end up doing with that old house? Do Tripp and Lyla’s parents ever get remarried? How does Annie end up liking Cole’s? Do Lyla and Tripp ever make it big? I’m sorry to waste you time if you’ve already written a book two and I just haven’t found it.
Sincerely,
Jessica.
Mary Amato says
Dear Jessica,
Your questions are making my brain spin. I have a boatload of projects that I’m working on right now, but I want to write some kind of follow up to Guitar Notes. Thanks for this inspiration. May you find and share whatever makes your soul thrum… I love your description of curling up in your book nook. –Mary Amato
Christian says
Why did u call it guitar note
Mary Amato says
Guitar Notes got the title because Tripp and Lyla leave notes for each other via the guitar.
Joanne says
Hi Ms. Amato…I found Guitar Notes at a store and bought it yesterday. Today I finished it. I loved this book so, so, so much and I found myself relating to the Tripp and Lyla. I know you’ve been told this many times but I would really love a sequel. I saw another comment where you replied that you want to write a follow up to Guitar Notes. This would leave so many people satisfied and happy. I am not trying to pressure you or anything, but if you do write a sequel, there are many people who will be sure to read it. I am a huge bookworm and a huge music enthusiast. I’m a singer and I’m getting a guitar tomorrow! I’m gonna try to play and sing some of the songs that Tripp and Lyla wrote! Thank you so much for writing Guitar Notes and I sincerely hope we get a sequel!
Mary Amato says
Hi,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. AND it sounds like you love to sing, which makes me happy. Guitar is hard, so give yourself permission to make a LOT of mistakes. At an early stage, remember you don’t have to learn chords or songs, you can just pick it up and pluck a string or two and experiment. I gave up when I first started playing guitar because I wasn’t immediately good at it! Playing for just five or ten minutes every day rather than trying to play for a whole hour once a week is the best way to progress! I’m sending all my good wishes . . . Mary Amato