I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC; #SOL16)
hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
Each day for the month of March I will be posting a "Slice of Life".
Write every day...EVERY day! Wow, this truly will be challenge.
But, I think it's what I need.
I have a tendency to watch from the sidelines. To think about and talk about what I want to do. That's where I've been with writing. Last summer I stumbled across Teachers Write and I lurked, watched, thought...but did very little writing. Then I went to the Pacific Coast Literacy Institute where we wrote each morning with Linda Rief. That writing and talking about writing and writer's notebooks with Linda and Penny Kittle was inspiring. The need to write, the want to write was kindled inside me.
But, I left the conference and it continued to be a need, a want...but still, no writing!
I waited to find the perfect notebook...the perfect pen...the perfect idea...the perfect time...the perfect plan...
I want to stop waiting!! The need and the want to write are still smoldering inside me. I'm looking forward to this challenge and this community to fan the flames and allow me to truly become the writer I want to be. The writer I need to be. Once, I thought of myself as a writer. I want to rediscover that part of myself.
The One Little Word that kept calling to me this year is "DO"...this challenge will push me to DO the work. Not stand by and watch others, not think about it, not plan for it...Do the work. BE a writer.
That is my perfect plan. To DO it! When I'm tired, when I'm busy, when I have no ideas...I'm diving in to this challenge, and scary as it may be...I will DO it! Thanks for joining me on this new adventure!
But, I think it's what I need.
I have a tendency to watch from the sidelines. To think about and talk about what I want to do. That's where I've been with writing. Last summer I stumbled across Teachers Write and I lurked, watched, thought...but did very little writing. Then I went to the Pacific Coast Literacy Institute where we wrote each morning with Linda Rief. That writing and talking about writing and writer's notebooks with Linda and Penny Kittle was inspiring. The need to write, the want to write was kindled inside me.
But, I left the conference and it continued to be a need, a want...but still, no writing!
I waited to find the perfect notebook...the perfect pen...the perfect idea...the perfect time...the perfect plan...
I want to stop waiting!! The need and the want to write are still smoldering inside me. I'm looking forward to this challenge and this community to fan the flames and allow me to truly become the writer I want to be. The writer I need to be. Once, I thought of myself as a writer. I want to rediscover that part of myself.
The One Little Word that kept calling to me this year is "DO"...this challenge will push me to DO the work. Not stand by and watch others, not think about it, not plan for it...Do the work. BE a writer.
That is my perfect plan. To DO it! When I'm tired, when I'm busy, when I have no ideas...I'm diving in to this challenge, and scary as it may be...I will DO it! Thanks for joining me on this new adventure!
I can relate to this post and some of your feelings especially the part about sitting on the sidelines and watching. Your excitement shines through in your writing.. rock on!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first year too and I feel my fair share of apprehension. I think with a daily writing challenge and busy lives, we have no choice but to DO!
ReplyDeleteI write all the time. Yet there is that need. The need to write something new. Something creative. Something lyrical. My writing tends to be professional: 290 pages of curriculum for a consulting job this year. Essays. Reviews. My writing is utilitarian. There is a creative foil awaiting, but...
ReplyDeleteLove that you've put aside the search for the perfect pen, the perfect notebook, the perfect idea, and decided on your perfect plan to do it! I too lurked for a long time, never thinking that I could be a slicer too. Then a fabulous group of sixth graders and I decided to slice for March. I took the leap - you'll love this community!
ReplyDeleteSo funny how you "stumbled" and "lurked" On the sidelines no longer! You are in the game. Enjoy this month of daily writing. You will be amazed. So glad you are here.
ReplyDeleteAh, I can fully relate to the search for the perfect pen, the perfect notebook, etc. Congratulations for "DOing" and for diving into this challenge. I participated last year for the first time and it significantly changed my writing life. This is an amazing community. Have fun! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteAh, I can fully relate to the search for the perfect pen, the perfect notebook, etc. Congratulations for "DOing" and for diving into this challenge. I participated last year for the first time and it significantly changed my writing life. This is an amazing community. Have fun! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteI think many of us find ourselves in that situation -- waiting for the moment to strike for the right time to write, instead of realizing "now is the time" and start writing. Keep writing, even this kind of meta-writing can open the door for something else. You never know.
ReplyDeleteKevin
Welcome! Such a fabulous first post. I love the jumping in and DOING. I tell myself that as a teacher too. If I wait for it all to be perfect, my students will miss out on the chance to try new things. It's how we learn and grow. Looking forward to reading your writing this month!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Krista, now it is time to "do". I think that many of us started the way you described, lurking and reading, wondering about the "doing" for ourselves. Best wishes for getting back to that "writer you want to be".
ReplyDeleteWelcome and so happy you decided to take the leap! It is without a doubt the single best thing I have done for myself as a writer. You are going to love it! I look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome and so happy you decided to take the leap! It is without a doubt the single best thing I have done for myself as a writer. You are going to love it! I look forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like all that smoldering has built into a mighty conflagration of doing. Forget the stop and drop; just keep rolling, Krista!
ReplyDeleteSounds like all that smoldering has built into a mighty conflagration of doing. Forget the stop and drop; just keep rolling, Krista!
ReplyDeleteYour journey - from teachers write, to finding TWT and selecting a notebook, reminds me of mine a few years ago. And I know just what you mean about being on the sidelines. Do is a great OLW. You are going to love slicing.
ReplyDeleteYour journey - from teachers write, to finding TWT and selecting a notebook, reminds me of mine a few years ago. And I know just what you mean about being on the sidelines. Do is a great OLW. You are going to love slicing.
ReplyDeleteThis writing challenge really lives up to its name, doesn't it?! It is a challenge in the best way possible! Welcome to the writing community - the water is warm - jump right in!!
ReplyDeleteThis writing challenge really lives up to its name, doesn't it?! It is a challenge in the best way possible! Welcome to the writing community - the water is warm - jump right in!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome! I think the key is NOY to look for the perfect piece. . . . just write and see where it takes you! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHooray for you and your writing life - and welcome!
ReplyDeleteWell, you did it! You are here! Welcome to the SOL community! You'll be so happy that you jumped in! Keep on writing!
ReplyDeleteI feel ya! I've felt just the way you do many, many times. So glad you jumped into the challenge. It's going to be tough at times, but the rewards are definitely worth it!
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it only let's me post as unknown. My blog is aggiekesler.wordpress.com
First of all, let me say welcome! This community will leave you being inspired and feeling very comfortable! I lurked the first year, but once I jumped in the second year, my writing life changed in unbelievable ways! Secondly, let me say I an so envious that you have seen Penny Kittle! That is on my educator's bucket list! Good luck with the challenge. I can't wait to see you "DO" writing! :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome! You are definitely done waiting and are doing :). Can't wait to see your writing over the next 31 days as you rediscover your voice.
ReplyDelete