I found myself listening with stars in my eyes and in my brain as she discussed how she teaches writing to her students. How does she manage to accomplish so much with only 24 hours in a day? I actually asked her that and she answered, "I have a lot of early mornings."
Hmmm...I have a lot of early mornings as well, and I don't have nearly as much to show for it. What have I been doing with my time?! It's time to start writing! NOW!
She keeps a writer's notebook right alongside her students where she plays with words and tries out her ideas. I love the idea of a place where we can experiment with thoughts and language with no judgment--no editing allowed until later. She includes things like lists, lyrics, phrases, clauses, paragraphs, doodles, photographs, torn papers, fragments, etc., etc., etc.... I have kept journals on and off (mostly off) throughout my life, but I realize now that I've been editing myself too much--writing with others in mind instead of myself--and I haven't fully allowed myself to experiment. No more of that approach! Writers need material and a writer's notebook can provide that material. It's time for me to explore and record. I decorated a brand new $1.99 composition book this morning and once the glue dries, it's ready to be filled. My plan: fill that notebook at least halfway by the time school starts at the end of August so that I can use it as a mentor text for my senior Advanced Writing students and continue writing beside them. Write on:)
