Who is afraid of Friday the thirteenth?

No paraskevidekatriaphobic am I. Bring it on, I say!!

Friday morning mail call:

Max writes: Hey. I loved the book Speak, and the movie was a great adaptation of it. I was just wondering if you plan to sell the movie rights of your other books to any companies. I think Speak turned out great, and I would love to see Catalyst or Prom turn out on the big screen. Fever 1793 would also make a very good movie in my opinion. I just want to see all of your books turn into movies!!!

You and me both, Max. There have been a few tentative movie nibbles on CATALYST and PROM, but nothing that has panned out yet. No one has expressed an interest in FEVER 1793, which makes me sad, because I think it would be a great film in the hands of the right person. (And they could film it in Philly and me and my kids and all of their friends could be extras!)

What are the most beautiful words in the English language? According to a group of non-native speakers, these are. What do you think?

89 Replies to “Who is afraid of Friday the thirteenth?”

  1. I can’t believe GUM is on that list. 🙂 I agree with many of them though, especially eternity, mother, and love. Passion as well. 🙂

  2. I can’t believe GUM is on that list. 🙂 I agree with many of them though, especially eternity, mother, and love. Passion as well. 🙂

  3. I can’t believe GUM is on that list. 🙂 I agree with many of them though, especially eternity, mother, and love. Passion as well. 🙂

  4. 70 most beautiful words in english language

    hi. i looked at the site. wow! i had no idea there were so many amazing words. (i’m glad sunshine made #13 because it’s one of my nicknames.) i also liked love and peace and mother. what was your favorite word on the list? -ash 🙂

  5. 70 most beautiful words in english language

    hi. i looked at the site. wow! i had no idea there were so many amazing words. (i’m glad sunshine made #13 because it’s one of my nicknames.) i also liked love and peace and mother. what was your favorite word on the list? -ash 🙂

  6. 70 most beautiful words in english language

    hi. i looked at the site. wow! i had no idea there were so many amazing words. (i’m glad sunshine made #13 because it’s one of my nicknames.) i also liked love and peace and mother. what was your favorite word on the list? -ash 🙂

  7. And I’d always heard the most beautiful words to non-English speakers were “cellar door.” (Hence my lj name!)

    Oh well, maybe cellar door was from an old beautiful word survey /g/.

    Cary

  8. And I’d always heard the most beautiful words to non-English speakers were “cellar door.” (Hence my lj name!)

    Oh well, maybe cellar door was from an old beautiful word survey /g/.

    Cary

  9. And I’d always heard the most beautiful words to non-English speakers were “cellar door.” (Hence my lj name!)

    Oh well, maybe cellar door was from an old beautiful word survey /g/.

    Cary

  10. I heard that “diarrhea” was actually considered really beautiful by non-native speakers (but this was the punchline to a joke, ie “An immigrant couple moved to america and had a daughter. They wanted to name her with the most beautiful English word…”)

  11. I heard that “diarrhea” was actually considered really beautiful by non-native speakers (but this was the punchline to a joke, ie “An immigrant couple moved to america and had a daughter. They wanted to name her with the most beautiful English word…”)

  12. I heard that “diarrhea” was actually considered really beautiful by non-native speakers (but this was the punchline to a joke, ie “An immigrant couple moved to america and had a daughter. They wanted to name her with the most beautiful English word…”)

  13. I know someone who got married on Friday the 13th ’cause it was cheaper.

    Catalyst would make a great movie! I loved that book almost as much as Speak.

    Serenity is on of my favorites. I also like swear words that don’t make any sense, like asshat.

  14. I know someone who got married on Friday the 13th ’cause it was cheaper.

    Catalyst would make a great movie! I loved that book almost as much as Speak.

    Serenity is on of my favorites. I also like swear words that don’t make any sense, like asshat.

  15. I know someone who got married on Friday the 13th ’cause it was cheaper.

    Catalyst would make a great movie! I loved that book almost as much as Speak.

    Serenity is on of my favorites. I also like swear words that don’t make any sense, like asshat.

  16. Hey Laurie!

    I just wanted to know how much I appreciate your books. I first read Speak nearly 3 years ago in 7th grade, and I’ve been a big fan of your work ever since. You’re a huge role model for a crazy 16-year-old who would like to be an author someday. So thanks so much for being an inspiration to me, and have a lovely Friday the 13th (mine has been delightfully disappointingly uneventful)

    lots of ♥
    Sarah

  17. Hey Laurie!

    I just wanted to know how much I appreciate your books. I first read Speak nearly 3 years ago in 7th grade, and I’ve been a big fan of your work ever since. You’re a huge role model for a crazy 16-year-old who would like to be an author someday. So thanks so much for being an inspiration to me, and have a lovely Friday the 13th (mine has been delightfully disappointingly uneventful)

    lots of ♥
    Sarah

  18. Hey Laurie!

    I just wanted to know how much I appreciate your books. I first read Speak nearly 3 years ago in 7th grade, and I’ve been a big fan of your work ever since. You’re a huge role model for a crazy 16-year-old who would like to be an author someday. So thanks so much for being an inspiration to me, and have a lovely Friday the 13th (mine has been delightfully disappointingly uneventful)

    lots of ♥
    Sarah

  19. same here!

    I have the same comment as the girl before me. Young writers look up to people like you, accomplished, dignified authors. The type whose books are so amazing and relateable to a diverse group of people. But Mrs. Anderson, you seem like the eccentric character that shows up in so many books that’s a bit odd, but brilliant and loves life and has a unique perspective. I know I’m rambling, but I just want to say you are an inspiration! 🙂 Thanks again!

  20. same here!

    I have the same comment as the girl before me. Young writers look up to people like you, accomplished, dignified authors. The type whose books are so amazing and relateable to a diverse group of people. But Mrs. Anderson, you seem like the eccentric character that shows up in so many books that’s a bit odd, but brilliant and loves life and has a unique perspective. I know I’m rambling, but I just want to say you are an inspiration! 🙂 Thanks again!

  21. same here!

    I have the same comment as the girl before me. Young writers look up to people like you, accomplished, dignified authors. The type whose books are so amazing and relateable to a diverse group of people. But Mrs. Anderson, you seem like the eccentric character that shows up in so many books that’s a bit odd, but brilliant and loves life and has a unique perspective. I know I’m rambling, but I just want to say you are an inspiration! 🙂 Thanks again!

  22. I love those choices! My two favorites from their favorites are ‘tranquility’ because it sounds as if it should be an onomatopoeia, and ‘loquacious’ because that just feels good when you say it. C’mon, say it out loud right now. Doesn’t your mouth feel yummy? Get your co-workers in on it. Pass the list around the office and listen to these words out loud. Especially ‘hen-night’. That definitely needs to be used more often.

    This would be fun to do with students in different grades. I wonder what the top 70 words would be broken down from 12th to Kindergarten? I wonder if any words would appear in every grade.

    And Friday the 13th? Pffft. I got married on Saturday the 13th and look forward to my first Friday the 13th anniversary. (It’ll be 2007, if anyone wants to send a card.)

  23. I love those choices! My two favorites from their favorites are ‘tranquility’ because it sounds as if it should be an onomatopoeia, and ‘loquacious’ because that just feels good when you say it. C’mon, say it out loud right now. Doesn’t your mouth feel yummy? Get your co-workers in on it. Pass the list around the office and listen to these words out loud. Especially ‘hen-night’. That definitely needs to be used more often.

    This would be fun to do with students in different grades. I wonder what the top 70 words would be broken down from 12th to Kindergarten? I wonder if any words would appear in every grade.

    And Friday the 13th? Pffft. I got married on Saturday the 13th and look forward to my first Friday the 13th anniversary. (It’ll be 2007, if anyone wants to send a card.)

  24. I love those choices! My two favorites from their favorites are ‘tranquility’ because it sounds as if it should be an onomatopoeia, and ‘loquacious’ because that just feels good when you say it. C’mon, say it out loud right now. Doesn’t your mouth feel yummy? Get your co-workers in on it. Pass the list around the office and listen to these words out loud. Especially ‘hen-night’. That definitely needs to be used more often.

    This would be fun to do with students in different grades. I wonder what the top 70 words would be broken down from 12th to Kindergarten? I wonder if any words would appear in every grade.

    And Friday the 13th? Pffft. I got married on Saturday the 13th and look forward to my first Friday the 13th anniversary. (It’ll be 2007, if anyone wants to send a card.)

  25. Speak

    My Girl Scout Troop held a book discussion on your book Speak and then watched the movie. This was wonderful! We then went on to discuss date rape, saying no, parents, teachers – and lots more. I am sure the discussions are not over yet. As an adult – I really enjoyed the book. A must read for every teenager and parent.

  26. Speak

    My Girl Scout Troop held a book discussion on your book Speak and then watched the movie. This was wonderful! We then went on to discuss date rape, saying no, parents, teachers – and lots more. I am sure the discussions are not over yet. As an adult – I really enjoyed the book. A must read for every teenager and parent.

  27. Speak

    My Girl Scout Troop held a book discussion on your book Speak and then watched the movie. This was wonderful! We then went on to discuss date rape, saying no, parents, teachers – and lots more. I am sure the discussions are not over yet. As an adult – I really enjoyed the book. A must read for every teenager and parent.

  28. hi mrs. anderson

    in the past hmm, 3 months or so, a few of my friends and i have read both “speak” and “catalyst” for our school’s book club. when i was younger, i loved to read, but somewhere along the line, i kind of fell out of reading. however, when i read your books, they went by very quickly. i’m not the quickest reader, but they sure were page turners. i read speak in.. i believe it was 2 days after school, and catalyst in only a few hours. we liked speak, so we decided to also do catalyst. our dicussion for it is coming up soon. thanks for making it easy for me to read your works! 😀

  29. hi mrs. anderson

    in the past hmm, 3 months or so, a few of my friends and i have read both “speak” and “catalyst” for our school’s book club. when i was younger, i loved to read, but somewhere along the line, i kind of fell out of reading. however, when i read your books, they went by very quickly. i’m not the quickest reader, but they sure were page turners. i read speak in.. i believe it was 2 days after school, and catalyst in only a few hours. we liked speak, so we decided to also do catalyst. our dicussion for it is coming up soon. thanks for making it easy for me to read your works! 😀

  30. hi mrs. anderson

    in the past hmm, 3 months or so, a few of my friends and i have read both “speak” and “catalyst” for our school’s book club. when i was younger, i loved to read, but somewhere along the line, i kind of fell out of reading. however, when i read your books, they went by very quickly. i’m not the quickest reader, but they sure were page turners. i read speak in.. i believe it was 2 days after school, and catalyst in only a few hours. we liked speak, so we decided to also do catalyst. our dicussion for it is coming up soon. thanks for making it easy for me to read your works! 😀

  31. best English words

    I agree: cosy, lullaby, sophisticated, loquacious, oi, smithereens, umbrella, hippopotamus and gazebo are all wonderful words!

  32. best English words

    I agree: cosy, lullaby, sophisticated, loquacious, oi, smithereens, umbrella, hippopotamus and gazebo are all wonderful words!

  33. best English words

    I agree: cosy, lullaby, sophisticated, loquacious, oi, smithereens, umbrella, hippopotamus and gazebo are all wonderful words!

  34. I think Dream should be on there (one of my personal favorite words) I think that dreams are the key to our souls, thoughts, desires, and imagination. I have a collection of bookmarks with the word dream on them. One of them says ‘The future beolngs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor Roosevelt.’

  35. I think Dream should be on there (one of my personal favorite words) I think that dreams are the key to our souls, thoughts, desires, and imagination. I have a collection of bookmarks with the word dream on them. One of them says ‘The future beolngs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor Roosevelt.’

  36. I think Dream should be on there (one of my personal favorite words) I think that dreams are the key to our souls, thoughts, desires, and imagination. I have a collection of bookmarks with the word dream on them. One of them says ‘The future beolngs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams- Eleanor Roosevelt.’

  37. Hi!

    Hello Mrs. Anderson! You have no idea who I am, but I am a huge fan; My name’s Tiffany by the way.Chobi’s my nickname. {it means little in Japanese} I just wanted to let you know how much I love Speak…..too much *laughs* The book is just awesome; I read it like 5 times, and I practically have the movie script know by heart. I can’t believe you have a livejournal! I’m so sorry but I can’t believe I have some form of contact with an author; you are one of my favorites too! I actually aspire to be a novelist myself. I’m only 15 but I love writing.I’m on my school newspaper and I have a ton of stuff on fictionpress.com; My name there is ChobiMM3 {I’m so sorry to be wasting you time like this but I’m so excited for some reason!} Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and let you know how much of a big fan I am, among your others. I hope I can keep in contact with you and let me know when you’re in New York!

  38. Hi!

    Hello Mrs. Anderson! You have no idea who I am, but I am a huge fan; My name’s Tiffany by the way.Chobi’s my nickname. {it means little in Japanese} I just wanted to let you know how much I love Speak…..too much *laughs* The book is just awesome; I read it like 5 times, and I practically have the movie script know by heart. I can’t believe you have a livejournal! I’m so sorry but I can’t believe I have some form of contact with an author; you are one of my favorites too! I actually aspire to be a novelist myself. I’m only 15 but I love writing.I’m on my school newspaper and I have a ton of stuff on fictionpress.com; My name there is ChobiMM3 {I’m so sorry to be wasting you time like this but I’m so excited for some reason!} Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and let you know how much of a big fan I am, among your others. I hope I can keep in contact with you and let me know when you’re in New York!

  39. Hi!

    Hello Mrs. Anderson! You have no idea who I am, but I am a huge fan; My name’s Tiffany by the way.Chobi’s my nickname. {it means little in Japanese} I just wanted to let you know how much I love Speak…..too much *laughs* The book is just awesome; I read it like 5 times, and I practically have the movie script know by heart. I can’t believe you have a livejournal! I’m so sorry but I can’t believe I have some form of contact with an author; you are one of my favorites too! I actually aspire to be a novelist myself. I’m only 15 but I love writing.I’m on my school newspaper and I have a ton of stuff on fictionpress.com; My name there is ChobiMM3 {I’m so sorry to be wasting you time like this but I’m so excited for some reason!} Anyway, I just wanted to say hi and let you know how much of a big fan I am, among your others. I hope I can keep in contact with you and let me know when you’re in New York!

  40. Your books…

    Hello. I hope you are having a good day. My absolute favorite book is Speak… It was so well written and with so much emotion… its like you can feel how she feels and its like you are going through what she is going through.. anyways, I was wondering, how many books have you written and what are there names? I would love to read them.. thank you! Please email me at xmyxheartxisxinxalabamax@yahoo.com
    Thank you so much
    Love,
    Macie

  41. Your books…

    Hello. I hope you are having a good day. My absolute favorite book is Speak… It was so well written and with so much emotion… its like you can feel how she feels and its like you are going through what she is going through.. anyways, I was wondering, how many books have you written and what are there names? I would love to read them.. thank you! Please email me at xmyxheartxisxinxalabamax@yahoo.com
    Thank you so much
    Love,
    Macie

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