writing process

I am a book, aren't I?  

 

My table of contents lists my friends, places I have lived, big events I have faced. Milestones. Children. 

 

I establish my voice, my narration, through early experiences. Some chapters are stronger than others. Like the one where my kindergarten teacher puts her arm around me and smiles. Right at my little face. 

 

Some chapters weaker.  For example, the chapter where we move when I am 12 and the neighborhood girls kind of hate me.  And let me know it regularly.  Here the voice would seem a little unsure and even jittery. 

 

But the arc moves forward and the story opens up. Character development.  Conflict and resolution. 

 

my sweet little student playing with plastic animals 


I try to remember this as I write on the cute little pages of my students, and my own children, everyday. I reassess often and realize that I need to edit and rewrite. But the books are being written and I am just pleased as punch to be a part of it. 

 

10 comments

Connie | March 1, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Such wonderful and insightful thoughts.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | March 1, 2012 at 7:44 PM

Very thought provoking.
The students in your class that are incredibly lucky to be having you writing in their book.

Stacy | March 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM

I think about this often as I teach, wondering what kind of mark I am living on my students, and hoping that it is a positive one.

LisAway | March 2, 2012 at 4:07 AM

Oh, I love this analogy. Keep writing! Your story and parts in other people's stories are good.

mermaid gallery | March 2, 2012 at 7:22 AM

Our stories are full of angst and anxiety....even if we are confident people! A compassionate, caring teacher helps so much! Moving through the world as a child is a distant memory but I remember the teachers that cared.....

Barbaloot | March 2, 2012 at 8:19 AM

As long as I can do frequent re-writes and edits, I think I don't mind being a book.

wendy | March 2, 2012 at 9:12 PM

edit and rewrite...I like that.
Sometimes the things that FIRST come to our heads , were NOT with much thought and sincere meaning.
Erase that
and write the TRUE DEEP things we meant to write.

books/lives...are being written

Small House | March 6, 2012 at 8:26 PM

Well said. And I can relate to so many aspects you shared.

Kimmie | March 11, 2012 at 11:13 AM

You are such an amazing person! LOVED your thoughts in this post. You have such a wonderful way with words that makes you be able to see and feel what you are writing. What a wonderful reminder to all of us!

Thought you may enjoy reading about my sons Jade: http://pinkcookieswithsprinkles.blogspot.com/2012/02/becoming-jades-mom.html

(SORRY, it's a long post and I know you don't like long posts, but I really think you will enjoy it, since you work with kids like my son)

Thanks for such thought provoking, wonderful inspiration!! Your kids you work with are SO lucky to have you in their lives!

Anonymous | March 12, 2012 at 4:46 PM

My chapters are all kinds of crazy. I like to think the ones I'm writing now are the ones that I know I shaped. The ones that I did with deliberation.

I love that picture. You can see love through your lens.