Category: writing

Digital Writing

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I’m putting finishing touches on a workshop I’ll be leading for the Virginia Association of Independent Schools this fall, for both lower school and middle/upper school teachers. We’ll take a look at ways improve student writing using a variety of digital resources. I’m grateful for the NWP site, DigitalIs and Troy Hicks’ book Because Digital Writing Matters— so many people so willing to share.

Once I’ve finished, I’ll post links to the examples I’ll offer as well as the work we will do that day. The event is not posted on the VAIS website yet, but once it is, you’ll find it here.

Hope to see you!

Re-thinking Failure

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I received my first rejection! I suppose I should be depressed, ready to quit, and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.

Instead, this moment feels like the beginning of a great and wonderful journey. The poems weren’t ready for publication. I know that now. Yet, I wanted to start the process of sending them out to the world. Pushing past fear, I did. And so, armed with new ways to work with my poetry and prose, and anticipating an upcoming writing retreat, I am ready to begin again.

I almost feel like part of the club.

Reflecting on #NPM

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I really thought I might make it, writing a poem a day for National Poetry Month. But since I’ve now missed a day, I think it’s time to end this experiment.
This was a stretch for me. My writing has been limited to feature and news stories for our local paper, academic writing, and blog posts–both personal and professional. When I opened my writing studio in January, my intent was to push myself to explore creative writing, which I loved as a child. Even as a reporter, I tried to focus on telling stories rather than covering budget hearings. One of my favorite assignments turned out to be spending the summer with homeless alcoholics in Fredericksburg. The paper allowed a three-day, front page series of stories.

Opening the studio has allowed me to dream big dreams. Write poetry? Sure. Start a novel? Why not? Work with other writers? Of course.

What I hope to do now is choose some of the poetry that has potential and toss the rest. Wendy Bishop says this: “Revision takes you from self to society, from the writer’s concerns to the readers’ concerns.”

The real work begins.


#npm

Sleep

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Sleep doesn’t come easily to me anymore. I fall asleep fine. But, if something interrupts my sleep, it’s all over. And I am finding the more I think about writing, the more I think about writing. The other night, the cat decided to jump on the bed and sit on my chest, purring loudly. Once awake, I started analyzing the plot to a story I’m working on. I really like one of the characters, but I hadn’t developed her enough. Finally, I had to get out of bed and write. (Thus yesterday’s poem about finding morning to be a relief.)

I am also taking the advice of writers who say we have to be willing to write badly. After years of writing only nonfiction (as a journalist) or posts on my blog, I am treading carefully into creative writing. It’s painful, at times. Yet, I take seriously this gift of time to explore my creative side through painting, sketching, and writing.

And, now, back to work….

 

Latte For You

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the flower floats on the steaming cup of coffee
it’s what they do, make flowers in the foam
in big brown cups
even while I wait for my almond-milk chai, I watch them
art in the corner coffee shop

prompt: favorite drink #npm