Today, on the morning of this second day of the new year and the last day of winter break, I'm drawn to write. This is nothing new. Writing is a big part of who I am. It always has been. I imagine it always will be. Like many other writers, as I contemplate my thoughts … Continue reading Public and Private Writing
Advice on Writing
Sixty Books
ADVICE FROM LOTS OF STEPHENS Back in October, I picked up a copy of Stephen King's On Writing that had been sitting on my bookshelf for years. I was about to be a passenger while my then-fiancé drove three hours from New Jersey to Connecticut, and I figured the trip would allot me some solid reading time. I … Continue reading Sixty Books
Readers and Writers Networking Sites…
In this constant struggle of mine to find (make) time for reading, writing, and discussion, I have joined a few sites online. (As well as two book clubs which is a whole other story!) I am not sure if these sites will help me find more time or less, but I guess that only … Continue reading Readers and Writers Networking Sites…
Best writing advice
What has been the best writing advice you've received? Or, if you could pick one piece of advice to share with others, what would it be? ~Melissa 🙂
Teaching the Personal Narrative
In the beginning of the school year, we always begin with teaching the students to write about their own lives. (They are the experts, after all!) I have taught units before where students write a small vignette (which I always feel is similar to a prose poem – and actually kind of difficult for middle … Continue reading Teaching the Personal Narrative
Why Do You Write?
Do you write because you want to say something or because you have something to say? Do your write to communicate or to express an idea? Do you have a story that just has to be told? Do you like to talk, and continue to do so even when there is no one in the … Continue reading Why Do You Write?
Grammar Girl and Spooky Story Contest
I have stumbled upon a great podcast called the “Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.” This is the first (and only) podcast that I have subscribed to, but I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you. (First blogging, now podcasts...what's next?) If you feel like you need a little … Continue reading Grammar Girl and Spooky Story Contest
Thoughts on Revision
I've been taught to teach my students that revising is like “radical surgery” and it really can be, when you think about it. What many people don't like about writing or why they don't think they are good writers is that it is frustrating and difficult to get what we want to say onto paper … Continue reading Thoughts on Revision
There is no such thing as writer’s block!
My students hear me say all the time that, "There is no such thing as writer's block!" There is no excuse for not having something written after a period of freewriting or when a writing assignment is due. It may not be your best work, you may not want to share it, you may not … Continue reading There is no such thing as writer’s block!
Read Often!
When I've asked for advice on how to become a better writer, and searched for tips to teach my own students, the one thing that comes up all the time is that writers need to read, and read often! To some extent what we read isn't really as important as how much. We should simply … Continue reading Read Often!
Melissa Morris Inoa🌱 