Creativity sparks often from unusual places. As writers we are required to pay attention as part of the job.
I am continually writing down ideas in notebooks, apps on my phone, my hand, or doing the “I will repeat this phrase until I find a pen”. I do not recommend the last one.
I started composing a “List of 10” over a year ago. Shaunta Grimes does this, Austin Kleon does this too. With daily lists you always have something to write about.
I write what strikes me as funny, unusual, appealing or something I cannot stop thinking about.
Authors will tell you to keep a notebook of ideas. Most of us have several notebooks.
Here is a list of places to shop for ideas for those little worlds of paper:
- Tarot cards — just use the images on the cards or use spreads
- Open 30 random books and write down the first phrase or sentence that pops out to you
- Keep a collection of words
Please click here to read the entire post.
Also click here to read my article ENGAGEMENT: Invite vs Direct
During this past week, I have had many life-giving teaching conversations.
We are piloting a new curriculum for literacy and it is the most excited I have ever been for a program. Immersion is the word that comes to mind when I think of all the experiences which are created.
Students are immersed in a reading writing workshop where the pace is quick but not hurried. Every time I visit a classroom I forget about the time. Late last week I was in a 7th grade room where the students were working with character related to the setting in a novel.
In the debrief with the teacher I made the observation that students do not have a problem discussing what they are supposed to during the turn and talk portions of the lessons. Traditionally, if the routines are not clearly established students will go rogue with their conversations and talk about lunch or the neighborhood instead of what they are supposed to. It is often a struggle for teachers. In this program, I have not seen that at all. There might be a side comment but it is always AFTER they have discussed their point in relation to the materials. I asked the teacher why she thought that might be.
