In the beginning of the school year, we always begin with teaching the students to write about their own lives. Ā (They are the experts, after all!) Ā I have taught units before where students write a small vignette (which I always feel is similar to a prose poem ā and actually kind of difficult for middle … Continue reading Teaching the Personal Narrative
writing
1,000 Word Pledge Update – Day 6 and Challenge!
I have to say that this has been a really good decision on my part to listen to the advice of others! Ā (Pat on the back for me.) Ā And, I would like to extend the challenge of the 1,000 Word Pledge to anyone else who wants to finish something that they are working on. … Continue reading 1,000 Word Pledge Update – Day 6 and Challenge!
“Happiness comes when…”
āHappiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.ā -Teachings of Buddha I really like this quote because it does seem to capture the fundamental quality of whatĀ āhappinessā is.Ā It also reminds me of how essential balance is for true happiness.Ā We need to be mindful of what is … Continue reading “Happiness comes when…”
1,000 Word Pledge Update -Day 4
Today is a "work day" so it is a good test of my commitment to the pledge...and I passed the test! After working all day, I wrote 262 words for the thesis, 735 words for the novel and 315 words for miscellaneous projects (not including lesson plans or blog posts) for a grand total of … Continue reading 1,000 Word Pledge Update -Day 4
1,000 Word Pledge Update – So far, so good.
I think this goal is going to work out really well for me. Ā (Two days is a considerable indicator, right?) Ā Well, I wrote 601 words for the novel and 409 words for the thesis today. Ā That's over the 1,000 mark and now anything else that I might do is just extra. Ā I also like getting … Continue reading 1,000 Word Pledge Update – So far, so good.
Commitment and the 1,000 Word Pledge
I have noticed that on a multitude of blogs, the authors post entries about how many words they have written that day, the status of a particular project (there are even widgets designed specifically for this purpose!) and I have sort of read those entries and just said, āOkay.Ā Gee, thanks for sharing.āĀ But, I … Continue reading Commitment and the 1,000 Word Pledge
Why Do You Write?
Do you write because you want to say something or because you have something to say?Ā Do your write to communicate or to express an idea?Ā Do you have a story that just has to be told?Ā Do you like to talk, and continue to do so even when there is no one in the … Continue reading Why Do You Write?
“I am the only author…”
āI am the only author of the dictionary that defines me.ā -Star Jones I found this quote today on the blog http://www.diabeticizme.wordpress.com. I really liked it because it has to do with authors and dictionaries...but also because it is about defining ourselves. Ā Some recent conversations have had me thinking about how we define our … Continue reading “I am the only author…”
Grammar Girl and Spooky Story Contest
I have stumbled upon a great podcast called the āGrammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.āĀ This is the first (and only) podcast that I have subscribed to, but I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you.Ā (First blogging, now podcasts...what's next?) If you feel like you need a little … Continue reading Grammar Girl and Spooky Story Contest
And
And by Melissa Morris Ā At night he dreams in Poetry and technicolored imagery, and he doesn't exist any more, and he doesn't exist again, and he doesn't exist from the moment when they laughed at him and said they wouldn't be his friend, and he dreams alone, and he dreams out loud, and he … Continue reading And
Melissa Morris Inoaš± 