Edward "Just Ned" McInnis, was born in Bar Harbor, Maine in 1962. Raised on the edge of Acadia National Park, the author is quoted as saying "...what an amazing playground to have in one's own backyard." This is where his adventures began. "Rattlesnake was to be my first given nickname." His early discovery that if one puts rocks down into the stink pipes in everyone's yard, something must give, earned it for him.
After moving out of his parent's home at the ripe old age of 15, Ned began writing. Though his earlier years of growth were not seen by him as worthy to be written about, he found that his imagination was led between the pages of Louis La'mour westerns, science fiction novels and various magazines. Later into his teen years he found himself always focused on the idea of writing. In the summer of 1976, he was given a personal gift of a hand written poem, "the first poem I ever really dug." Then in 1981, a friend gave him a book written by Rod McKuen, "the only poet at that time that I could stand to read and enjoy." After trying out some of his own work in his high school creative writing class, the teacher wrote in his yearbook, "Ned, take it on the road...". And so, he did...on the road, on the seas in the Navy, on whatever ride there was for him...collecting life's adventures great and small, all the while writing ideas and titles in his head, dabbling in the written word mostly for himself. This was to be the beginning of a relationship between man and ink.
After moving out of his parent's home at the ripe old age of 15, Ned began writing. Though his earlier years of growth were not seen by him as worthy to be written about, he found that his imagination was led between the pages of Louis La'mour westerns, science fiction novels and various magazines. Later into his teen years he found himself always focused on the idea of writing. In the summer of 1976, he was given a personal gift of a hand written poem, "the first poem I ever really dug." Then in 1981, a friend gave him a book written by Rod McKuen, "the only poet at that time that I could stand to read and enjoy." After trying out some of his own work in his high school creative writing class, the teacher wrote in his yearbook, "Ned, take it on the road...". And so, he did...on the road, on the seas in the Navy, on whatever ride there was for him...collecting life's adventures great and small, all the while writing ideas and titles in his head, dabbling in the written word mostly for himself. This was to be the beginning of a relationship between man and ink.
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Once heralded by the Ellsworth American as "The Unofficial Poet Laureate of Ellsworth High School" in recognition of his efforts to be "an ambassador of poetry," the writings of this former custodian have appealed to teenagers throughout the years in the area who have either attended readings, writing workshops/clinics, participated in projects, or recognized "Just Ned" in a variety of public places in the area and begged a spontaneous performance.
"Just Ned" has produced two chapbooks with the students at of the Ellsworth High School english classes entitled "Bandanas" and "Gen Nex Poertry Project", and one of his own writings entitled "Mon Muse". "Just Ned" is a practitioner of what has been coined "back pocket poetry," which in essence means that at any given time, he is ready to dive into the pockets of his trademark coveralls and perform his latest piece on anyone who demonstrates an interest. Most often the listeners will be treated to "I Believe...the Dill Pickle Poem", which is one of the author's most well known poems.
"Just Ned" received a grant through the Maine Arts Commission in June, 2009, to serve as the "Poet-in-Residence" at Ellsworth High School for a period of five days to work with his agent/editor, Phil Wormuth's english classes. Another modest chapbook resulted, containing original material generated from his workshops entitled "Project 312: An Eclectic Hodge-Podge of Original Student Poetry". In the introduction to the anthology, "Just Ned" describes his experience: "While performing, reading and sharing my insights on what it's like to be a Maine poet and author, I observed students on the quiet side speak up and ask questions - even share their own life experiences. It was the coming out of their shells, so to speak... I had a great time and look forward to doing it again... One thing we learned together was that dill pickles could be juggled!"
"Just Ned" has produced two chapbooks with the students at of the Ellsworth High School english classes entitled "Bandanas" and "Gen Nex Poertry Project", and one of his own writings entitled "Mon Muse". "Just Ned" is a practitioner of what has been coined "back pocket poetry," which in essence means that at any given time, he is ready to dive into the pockets of his trademark coveralls and perform his latest piece on anyone who demonstrates an interest. Most often the listeners will be treated to "I Believe...the Dill Pickle Poem", which is one of the author's most well known poems.
"Just Ned" received a grant through the Maine Arts Commission in June, 2009, to serve as the "Poet-in-Residence" at Ellsworth High School for a period of five days to work with his agent/editor, Phil Wormuth's english classes. Another modest chapbook resulted, containing original material generated from his workshops entitled "Project 312: An Eclectic Hodge-Podge of Original Student Poetry". In the introduction to the anthology, "Just Ned" describes his experience: "While performing, reading and sharing my insights on what it's like to be a Maine poet and author, I observed students on the quiet side speak up and ask questions - even share their own life experiences. It was the coming out of their shells, so to speak... I had a great time and look forward to doing it again... One thing we learned together was that dill pickles could be juggled!"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Edward "Just Ned" McInnis
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Poet, Author, Folklorist and
Presenter
Presenter
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THE OFF THE CUFF BLUE COLL'R POET
THE OFF THE CUFF BLUE COLL'R POET
