Slice of Life: HOPE #SOL18

Hope is a concept that has come up several times over the last couple of weeks. At my FABULOUS Jim Knight training for coaching HOPE is an integral part of the IMPACT CYCLE for coaching. It is a HOPE that teachers and students can get better at what they do and learn.

Jim Knight says there are 3 attributes for hope:

1. You need to aspire to some type of goal
2. You need a pathway to get there
3. You have to have agency – the belief you can get there

Anne Lamott also has a new book out called Almost Everything: Notes on Hope. She wanted to write a book about all the hopeful things she knew in a world that is surrounding us with negativity and hopelessness. I picked up this book from my library holds yesterday and cannot wait to dig in. Solinet is another author who has thoughts on hope.

What do you have to say about hope?

I hope to have an impact in my job every day. I have hope that the 8th grader I am teaching to read will continue to grow from his pre-primer level. I hope that the sense of peace and connection that has been nurtured over the past weeks will continue with my fellow coaches. 

“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.”– Samuel Smiles

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December 11, 2018December 11, 2018 by TammyB Categories: blogmas, bookrecs, Justlife, Mywriting, Slice of LifeTags: sol, SOL18, TWTBLOG 6 Comments

#IWSG It’s Wednesday!

This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our encouragement or insecurities on the first Wednesday of the month, to join the group or find out more click here.

OPTIONAL #IWSG DAY QUESTION:

What are five objects we’d find in your writing space?

1.Coffee or Diet Coke depending on the time of day.

2. My fountain pen and whatever other pen strikes my fancy – there is always a pile

3. Stack of books

4. Composition notebook and computer – I actually have been gravitating toward the Chromebook. It is nice for drafting and a nice size for my little baby hands! It also fits nicely in my purse.

5. Phone – easy for timers and research. I do not always like to click back and forth from webpages to my WIP

What is in your writing space? Are there special things you like to have around you when you write?

December Writing Goals

For December I will continue to write everyday.

I will submit at least 2 stories.

I will blog and lightly participate in BLOGMAS.

I am creating a writing challenge for myself and others who want to join in on my blog.

I am signed up for an editing class at the end of the month and will fully participate in that class!

December 5, 2018December 5, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Insecure Writer's Support Group, Mywriting, WritingLifeTags: IWSG 12 Comments

One Word

From BOHO Berry

I have a hard time using just one word for just about anything. I have chosen a word to represent some of my goals over the past couple of years. In 2017 I chose two words: create and inspire. In 2018 it was BE. I struggled with last year’s word. I could add words after BE – Be BOLD, Be Truthful, etc. .

With that in mind, I wanted 2019’s word to be more impactful and to represent my mindset so I can carry it with me.  As I was waking this morning, the perfect word came to me:

                     

I want to be more open and available. The last week has been packed full but I went into a workshop hoping to become a better coach and I came out as a better person. I gained knowledge for sure (and several resources – whoo hoo) but the connections I made and the deep conversations I would have never anticipated. Wow. I am still awed at the experience.

This is the YEAR OF YES for me! I am excited  for the unknown!

December 2, 2018December 5, 2018 by TammyB Categories: blogmas, holidays, MywritingTags: #oneword, blogmas, YES 2 Comments

WINNING!!

I hit the 50,000 words mark this morning about 9 am! I am happy with the story overall. I am going to let the manuscript sit and start to revise in January. I will have to outline what I have and then move large pieces around but there is something magical now!

I will be able to take a chapter at a time to my IRL writing group as well.

BACK TO SHORT STORIES NOW!

November 28, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Mywriting, NANOWRIMO, Slice of Life, Writing ChallengeTags: NANOWRIMO, writing 7 Comments

Henry’s Questions #SOL18

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I often use Todd Henry’s questions when I am coaching and when I am reflecting with fellow writers. Here are my answers for today.

What are you working on?

I am working on my novel in progress for NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month). I am 45, 000 words in. I can see the finish line of 50,000 by Friday. It has been so much easier this year with the support of my Storyaday group of writers.

What is inspiring me?

I have been reading Kathy Fish’s flash fiction. I really would like to get into one of her flash fiction workshops. I will try when she offers it again. It fills up quickly.

My husband and I watched a documentary about Bill Murray and how he starts random acts of fun. It was inspiring to keep myself open and available.

My Storyaday writer group is inspiring me.

Two Writing Teachers is always inspiring for teacher blogs and prose.

Where do I need prodding?

Right now, I don’t need any external motivation. I am internally motivated for the moment. 

November 27, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Mywriting, NANOWRIMO, Slice of Life, WritingLifeTags: Questions, SOL18, TWTBLOG 7 Comments

Snow Day!

There is nothing like an unexpected snow day! It started raining last night about 6 pm and then in the wee hours of the morning, it turned to snow. The wind was upwards of 27 mph too which woke me up at 2:30 a.m. The north wind can be vicious!

I had last week off for the Thanksgiving holiday so this has added to my vacation. I have already written this morning and plan to do some more. I have about 7,000 words left to reach my 50,000 for my novel. Hopefully, I will have some time to read today too.

There is something magical about a day where you cannot leave the house. I do not mind being snowed in at all. On my run yesterday (in 47-degree weather by the way) I thought about a writing prompt challenge I am considering to embark on with the blog. It is still in the idea phase but I will do some thinking about that project today as well!

            What is inspiring you today?

November 26, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Mywriting, NANOWRIMO, Writing ChallengeTags: NANOWRIMO, snowday, writing 4 Comments

Thankful #SOL18

My Regular Run Route on the Bike Trail

I am thankfully off this week from work. The days are for rest, reading, fun,  and writing. Last weekend, the family played homemade Jeopardy and Pictionary. The children even made questions to test the parents knowledge of our children. We rocked it of course!

This morning I watched Friends show bloopers and laughed harder than I have laughed in a long while. The laugh that feels like you are doing an ab workout.

I am thankful for time and weather to allow me to run. I have logged 10 miles in two days. I forget how the runs fuel my creative mind. I thought of poem lines, new clubs for school, an ending for my novel, and other essay topics. 

I am thankful for my writing. I am to 35,000 words for my NANOWRIMO which is National Novel Writing Month.

I am not just thankful this week. I am thankful every week. This week allows me to be extra thankful for what I have in my life. 

What are you thankful for?

November 20, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Family Life, Mywriting, WritingLifeTags: SOL18, TWTBLOG 6 Comments

FMF: ONE

Five Minute Friday – the writing challenge where you set the timer for 5 minutes and use a word for a springboard and see what comes out!

Join me today!

ONE

One. I am one, but I am not alone.

The story I read last evening at writing group called One of One. It is a story about grief and facing the perceptions of others. It was the largest group for this writer organization that I have seen since I joined last summer.

Starting at 2:25 p.m. today, I have ONE week of holiday break for Thanksgiving. I plan to read and write over this holiday in between bites of turkey, stuffing, corn bake,  and pumpkin pie. I will spend the time with my family and am thrilled.

In an 8th grade English class today, I’m reading for her program FIRST CHAPTER FRIDAY. The book is The Running Dream by  Wendelin Van Draanen. I am also reading ONE poem from Mary Oliver, The Sun. 

One. I am ONE, but I am not alone. 

November 16, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Five Minute Friday, FMF, Mywriting, Uncategorized, Writing PromptTags: fiveminutefriday, FMF Leave a comment

Snowy Morning #SOL18

The first snow descended yesterday as I drove home from work. The tiny flakes sprinkled my windshield and melted from the warmth of the car. It continued to happily come down throughout the evening. Dinner was pot roast and homemade bread which made for a perfect evening.

This morning the roads are shiny reflecting the lights of the cars as they plug along. The blue sky was light just before the sun came all the way up. The grass looks like it has powdered sugar sprinkled on it.

Snow makes me happy

Winter makes me happy and the coziness it brings.

As I pulled into the parking lot it rained leaves to remind me that we are still in fall, not yet winter.

#happy moment

November 13, 2018November 13, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Mywriting, School Life, Slice of Life, WritingLifeTags: SOL18, TWTBLOG 8 Comments

Weekend Coffee Share

Let’s sit with our coffee in large comfy chairs. It snowed here this week but didn’t stick. I hope that as we sit here that it starts to spit a few flakes.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that the progress on my novel seems slow but my word counts are fine. I am on track. I have to figure out a few things about the story though.

If we were having coffee I would tell you I read the short story Dimension by Alice Munro. It had some disturbing parts and then ending was different than I expected.

If we were having coffee I would tell you I read the short story Carpe Diem by Judi Walsh. You can read it here.

What do you think of these two stories? Have you read anything good lately?

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I finished reading VOX by Christina Dalcher today.  I kept thinking about what it would be like to only be allowed to say 100 words a day.  I cannot imagine how many words I actually speak in a day. I am not sure I want to know. Sometimes there are days I would prefer to speak 100 words or be silent all day. How do you feel about it?

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I worked out today finally. I had to go to the gym because it was too cold and windy to run outside.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I went to a writing class at the library yesterday. It was interesting. The funniest part was that 2 other ladies from my writers’ group that I regularly talk to were there too! When we originally signed up we were all on the waiting list. We didn’t want to tell others about it and then them not be able to get in. It was a nice surprise to see them!

I hope your week went well! I am so glad we are able to catch up each week.

 

 

 

 

November 12, 2018November 12, 2018 by TammyB Categories: Mywriting, NANOWRIMO, Short Story, Weekend coffee share, Writing Challenge, Writing GroupTags: weekendcoffeeshare Leave a comment