It’s Tuesday and I’m joining the fabulous authors over at Two Writing Teachers writing a slice of a story. Check it out!
One Little Word: Purpose
It’s April 2nd and I only had one day to attempt to synthesize all the wonderful things that happened as a result of the March Slice of Life Challenge. My first post of the month outlined the purpose of joining in the challenge. Today I thought I’d add to my initial post by reflecting on my growth in writing (noted in blue) due to the challenge. (Please note that I was inspired to write this format from fellow slicer Jennifer Floyd with this post. Thank you Jennifer!)
For me it’s all about learning. As a literacy leader I need to be first and foremost a learner, open to new insights and ideas. When I write each and every day I discover my voice, my struggles, my tucked away feelings. Through writing I unearth of the power of the written word and the importance of communication in general. This is why I write in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
After the challenge I am amazed at all I have learned. I discovered that feelings are easy to write, but it is not always easy to push the publish button and put my ideas and deep feelings out in the public. My ideas came easily this year as I judged I was on the look out for small moments. I found them in the grocery store, on my front porch, and right outside my window. I have begun a great habit in writing daily. I would like to be better at capturing these little moments as they happen. This is what I learned thanks to the March challenge.
I also write to connect to my learners. I empathize with those that have a lack of an idea. I can speak first hand about the strategies to use when trying to craft a unique beginning or wrap up with a tidy ending. I blog because I believe a teacher that writes has a much better understanding of her writers. This is why I write in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
After the challenge I have an even greater empathy for those students that struggle with writing a clear ending. I found that ending with a humorous tag line or punch line is one technique, but I overall I have to dig deep to get the ending right! I also discovered that writing is heart work and when I don’t care about my writing it shows. In order to write we need to care about our writing! This is what I discovered during the March challenge.
Finally I chose to participate in the March challenge because of the wonderful community of writers who support me along the way. I have shared tears with this network of writers, been “liked” by relative strangers, and encouraged by people from across the globe. This is why I write in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
After the challenge I am even more inspired by this community of teacher writers. The positive comments, the encouraging words to keep on writing and sharing, and the inspirations in other writer’s posts has been invaluable. I have so many new slicing friends, people that I wouldn’t hesitate to call on for a writing tip or two. I am so very grateful for this community and I am even more committed to living this writing way of life now more than ever. I don’t think I’d be the writer I am today without the March challenge.
The 31 days of the slice of life story challenge stand before me. My purpose is crystal clear. This is why I write in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
The 31 days of the slice of life story challenge is now behind me. I have reaped the benefits far greater than I originally planned. And as for my one little word: Purpose. What was the purpose? Why did I write for 31 days straight? I believe with every inch of my being that I wrote, and will continue to write, because it completes me. Thank you to all those fabulous authors at Two Writing Teachers who gave of their time to make the challenge happen!
iblessings 