Challenge Accepted: The Blogger's Desk

I love 100 Scope Notes. I thought I would also write about where I blog.

I don't really have a blogging 'desk'. Instead, I have a spot where I usually read and where I also blog. 

The view is fantastic.

I think of this spot as a little like Roald Dahl's hut where he did most of his writing...I only wish I was    1% as brilliant!

Where do you do your blogging??

Back In the Saddle

Must be February. Oh wait....February is over. Thank goodness!!

For the past few years February has been crazy in our house. Allen is very busy with RSP season, and for me it is report card season. We do our best to keep up with the rest of life, but the truth is, it becomes really tricky (and stressful!) in February.

I am back in the saddle though. Time to get back to cooking, keeping up on the house, doing more reading and definitely more blogging!!

Today I was a guest blogger on Kirby Larson's website. I fell in love with her book, Hattie Big Sky and also The Friendship Doll, and have followed her blog ever since. She asked, once, on her blog, for people to let her know if they would be interested in blogging, and on a whim I replied. This week my time came!! You can read the post here.

Writing

In October I got to attend an amazing conference. As I looked through my blog I realized I didn't even blog much about it! That is a tragedy because I truly found it to be one of the most inspiring few days I had all year. There's something about me and books and writers. It stirs my soul!

I cut out a little clip I found a while ago for a writing contest for Time Out For Women. I'm not going to post my entry (maybe in time). Writing it has made me think about a workshop I attended at the Kaleidoscope conference. There were only a few people in the workshop. The presenter started off by going around the room and having each of us answer the question, "What are you writing?"

I was the first to answer. I felt silly. I am interested in writing, but I don't really write. I write report cards. I write example paragraphs for students. But I don't seem to write much else.

The presenter just smiled and thanked me then went on to the next person.

That person kind of answered the same way: stumble, awkwardly come up with something, and stumble and hope that is the end of the conversation.

Again, the presenter smiled and went on to the next person.

After all six of us answered she announced we were going to do some writing. I can't even remember now what topic or starter she gave us. It was pretty vague. She told us, then said, "Okay. Go!" It was quiet in the room as we all paused, scribbled a few words down, and paused some more. And then the dreaded moment came where she asked us to share what we'd written! Again, we each stumbled through the process and hoped it would end soon.

I have thought a lot about that day since then. I've been thinking for a while about what I'd write for the Time Our For Women contest. I formulated some ideas in my head, tossed them around for a while, and then the other day finally sat down at the computer to start to put it together. It wasn't that bad. I printed off my story and have carried it with me, reading a paragraph now and then, editing as I go. And you know what?! I've really enjoyed it. Just like reading ,writing seems to stir something inside me.

Somehow I need to carve out some time to do more writing. I am thinking I'm going to have to give something up. Facebook? Scrabble? Mindless googling?

A lot of writers I've read about get up early and write first thing. I'm not sure I can get up any earlier - but I could try to get my mornings more organized so I can spend some time writing each day.

I feel like I need to give it a shot!

Suspense

I just had to share this because it made me laugh out loud. Great writing today from one of my students:

And just in case you can't figure out some of it, here's the transcription:

One afternoon I was in a cave. All of a sudden I heard a low rumbling sound. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. "I feel like I'm not the only one in the cave," I said, and got a breeze down my spine.

A moment later I saw a silhouette of something big and frightening, something that was not usually seen. I had a hint: it was not a human. It was a creature! But I didn't know what it was. I said, "I knew I wasn't alone in this cave."

Suddenly a  cloud of fire burned off the top of my hair. I turned and gasped. I couldn't believe I was in an encounter with a dragon. I sped out of the cave and never came there again.

P.S. I liked how my hair turned out.



The ending made me laugh out loud. Gee I love reading these kid's writing!

Writing and and Reading and the 2012-2013 School Year

I am still waiting to hear if I will have a position again next year. I am keeping my fingers crossed!! I sure have loved teaching, this school, the kids, and the people I work with. I love the grade I've been working in too. I've felt more confident this year, but I sure am not counting my chicks until they're hatched.

That being said, I have made plans to do things based on the idea that I will be teaching. For example, my principal asked if I wanted to attend a workshop next fall. I was so thrilled when I looked into what it was all about!!

The Kaleidoscope Conference celebrates literature created for children and young adults and the interpretation of this literature through media, performance and illustration. This celebration aims to heighten the awareness and appreciation of the creative processes through interaction with authors, illustrators, publishers, producers and performers. The inspiration received by participants enhances their experience of this literature and in turn that of colleagues and the children with whom they have contact.

Doesn't it just sound heavenly??! And you should see the list of authors!! Yowza!!  It's full days of authors talking about getting kids excited about reading. I decided I am going to read as many books as possible by those authors prior to the conference. Can't wait!! I have a long long list of books to dive into. I have just taken the first one out of the library and it is next on my TBR pile. This summer I plan to do LOTS of reading. Sounds so delightful!!

Also, I found an author who is doing a virtual writing workshop this summer for teachers. It is going to be amazing! It actually started yesterday and I won't be able to participate too much until school is over - but I'm keeping an eye on it. You might say, slowly warming up to the idea. :) She has stuff going on every day and it looks very inspiring. I think it will be good to experience a little of what my student's go through as they learn to write - besides the fact, I just like the idea of trying to immerse myself in more writing. You can read about the workshop here.

If I don't get a position next year and don't get to attend Kaleidoscope.....oh the pain!! It will hurt. Alas though, I know what is best is what will work out. I trust that God has a good plan for me. I just hope it coincides with what I want right now! :)_

Confession: I am A Writer Wanna-Be

I am a writer wanna-be. One day I will write. Right now, I keep telling myself, I am too busy.

Lately I was writing report cards. They get read over by admin. Today, while going over suggested edits, I was asked, "Do you want to write a book one day?"

I didn't quite know what to say.

I wanted to ask: do you think I could?!!! How did yo know it is my dream?! And, did reading m report card comment maybe kinda possibly make you think I could??!!

Instead I said, "Maybe.....I don't know."

...then I deflected the attention and talked about the cool books my mom has written.

But what I really wanted to say is, "Do I want to write???!! YES!!! I have about an idea a week. I feel like the bubble out of me!!!"

....trouble is, it is so muc work!
....and could I ever be good enough?

You see, if I don't actually do it, I can just wonder, and dream of the great stories inside me coming to reality.

I might have to reconsider this.

Kate DiCamillo says you just have to write if you want to be a writer....like every day.

Hmmmmmmm....

I might have to make a new label: writing.

Does that count as moving towards being a writer?

I don't know. All I know is it surprised me how flattered and flustered I felt by the question.