Are You a Writer?

It always surprises me when someone says, "I love to write, but I'm not a writer."

Or, "I'm a great storyteller, but I'm not a writer. "
This statement begs the question: "Are you kidding me?!"

We should all be so lucky or blessed to be able to be able to retell glorious stories from our experiences or our pasts! Half the time, I can't remember what happened this morning!

I was reading the bio of a man on Twitter the other day. In his bio, he said he was a storyteller but not quite a writer. I had to tweet back and tell him that in my book, he is a writer indeed. Stories don't come from nowhere, they start in our minds and hearts.

The storyteller is the best kind of writer of all...he's already painting pictures with his words. If he needs a secretary to sit down and type what he says, so be it, but wouldn't you love to be a writer like him? A storyteller sees things in his mind and weaves them into wonderful memories for others to hold onto or share.

I think most of us are too hung up on the publishing aspect of writing. Yes, it's nice to be published and make money. And yes, for some of us it's a goal. But I get pleasure from writing just for you. I revel in the power or playfulness of words. I wallow in the love of language and joy of writing as a basic form of communication.

How about you? Are you a writer? What are your goals? Do you put too much pressure on yourself and your children? Is writing fun for you or is it a job? Think about it and get back to me. I LOVE TO READ WHAT YOU WRITE!

P.S. I just received my first small check today for my google adsense ads. Small is the key word here. At any rate, thanks to all of you who took a minute to look at the ads that were relevant to you...I truly appreciate the time you took.

Use Your Senses for This Memorial Week

Since we just celebrated the Memorial Day Weekend, I thought it would be a good opportunity to remember someone who was or is special to us. A great way to do this is by using our senses to paint a lovely memory.

The thing I remember most about my Grandma Jones is that she always smelled like roses. I could never decide if it was because of the beautiful rose garden that took up a major portion of her backyard or if it was a fragrance that she actually put on every morning. In any case, my grandma smelled like a rose. I loved to curl up beside her in the big comfy chair in the living room and sip on green tea. Yep, my grandma had me drinking green tea long before it was fashionable!

Now it's your turn to write.

Writers: You can write about someone living or long gone. It's up to you. Just finish this sentence:

The thing I remember most about_______ is or was ______________________

Teachers and Parents: This is a great opportunity to talk about lots of different people, places, or things with your kids. Encourage them to remember by using any of their senses. Ask questions like: What did Fluffy's fur remind you of? or What does Aunt Em's house smell like?
You join in because without your input, any writing exercise becomes less important. Your joy and excitement make kids want to talk....and write!

Write a Song...

Rather, let's rewrite a song. Everyone knows the song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, right? Let's have some fun with it...remember playing with words is absolutely positively fun!!

I'll go first. Here's my new song:

Twinkle twinkle cruddy ring
Dirt and dust have shot your bling
Years and time have made you dull
Not like rings still at the the mall
Twinkle twinkle cruddy ring
Dirt and dust have shot your bling!

Your turn! Only one rule: Start and end with the twinkle twinkle part. If you can't think of anything, ask your kids or grandkids or neighbor's kids! I'm sure they will give you some twinkling ideas that are far greater than mine!

Ask Me Anything!

I've been bad. I promised a Friday night post and I was pooped! After three terrific days at the
horse show, I'm ready to get back to anything that has to do with writing and hope you are too.

Do any of you have questions about writing that you would like to ask me? This idea occurred to me after one of you emailed me last week with a really good question.

Writers: Ask me anything. I've been through the publishing process from rejection to publication and back again. If I don't know the answer, I'll find it for you.

Teachers, Parents, and Homeschoolers: Is there any area of writing that is difficult for YOU personally? Can I give you ideas for writing exercises that will help you meet state standards in a creative way? Tell me what you need or ask me anything. Since I get the privilege to work with kids at every grade level I have loads of writing activities that are just begging to be shared!

I'll look forward to hearing from lots of you. My answers will be posted under your question (comments) so that everyone can read them.

Ask Me Anything!

Paint With Words in Honor of My Horse Show

It's been a busy week. Saturday is my first horse show of the season and since I'm not as young as I used to be, I prepare all week.

No excuses though. I didn't want to let a Wednesday pass without posting a writing exercise. I thought the easy thing to do would be to paint with words again.

If you've been writing with me for awhile, you know that telling sentences are boring. They don't paint a picture for our minds eye. For example: "She was sick," doesn't tell us much.
"Her throat was on fire and she shivered and shook," paints a picture. This poor girl probably has strep throat or at the very least is contagious and should be home.

Here's another example: "He skated past," tells us that someone is skating, but it doesn't paint a picture. "His body glided over the ice in effortless twirls and spins," paints a picture of someone who is ice skating...not roller skating. See what I mean?

So, in honor of my horse week (I'll be traveling out of town), paint a picture for me. Here's the sentence I'd like you to turn into a work of art for my mind's eye: "She rode her horse."

Go for the gusto. Paint a picture that will stick with me. Paint one that makes an impression that I'll want to share. You can do it and so can your kids. Have fun at my expense!

Convince me.....

Quick and easy. Plain and simple.

Complete this sentence:

Imagine the fun you'll have when.........

Writers: You can explain why if you want to, but if not, my imagination can just pick up the slack! Maybe I'll share my ideas with you under your comment. Imagine the fun I could have with your sentences!

Teachers and Parents: Now's a good time to play with words. Let your kids be a little silly. They're ready. Give them permission to celebrate language!

How Do You Know When You Are Creative?

Someone posed an interesting question to me this week. The question was this: How do you know when you're really being creative versus just writing to complete a project?

I know when kids are being creative. They exhibit pure joy while they are pretending either with friends or by themselves. They take on the persona of the character they are portraying. They really become immersed in their role and they get lost in their actions.


I stopped to think about myself and my writing. I guess I'm not being creative when I have to labor to put words onto paper or when I keep glancing at the clock to see how late it is getting.


I think I am the most creative when I lose all track of time and allow myself to do what I encourage teachers and parents to do...wallow in spontaneity and the love of language.


I'm creative when I have no thoughts about today or tomorrow - only the here-and-now. All things are created equal when I write. I have no sense of good grammar or bad spelling. My words just flow onto paper.

There must be other ways to know when I'm really creative. How do you know when you're creative...better yet, how do you activate your creative mode?

I'm doing a school visit tomorrow. (or today if you're reading on Friday). Wish me luck!

As Good As Gold Writing Exercise

Think in similes and you will paint with words without even trying. Your words will come alive and seem to jump off the paper. Since writing starts in our hearts and minds, colorful thinking and talking translates into lovely exciting writing.

Fill in the blanks below and you'll see what I mean! You can use as few or as many words as you like to complete the sentences.

The bearded man looked as old as ____________.
The bearded man looked as young as ___________.
The day faded away like ____________.
The clouds poured rain as ____________.
Her face was like ____________.
The dog was as still as ____________.

Please share. You will see that everyone's words paint a different picture. These pictures create sentences that beg to be read!

Angie's Poem....Quiet Please Children Testing

I found Angie...or rather Angie found me. The poem I was looking for was posted on her blog called The Space Between Words. Angie's poem is titled, quiet please children testing. I think it's worthy of careful consideration. Do you know any children like the one in the poem below?

quiet please children testing

today is a testing day

you can hear a pencil drop if

you listen...put your ear up to that

closed door...the one without the sign

you'll hear the sound of

one child left behind

his routine is interrupted

they are using his space today

his needs aren't important

he wouldn't understand the questions

would he...he doesn't speak english does he

it's not his goals...what does it matter

anyway

keep him quiet...let him color...give him

extra recess if he's good

don't let him distract them

listen

can you hear it

soft like tiny feet

it's the sound of one child

left behind

Thank you , Angie, for letting me post your poem.

Teachers, parents, and writers: I would love to hear what you think about Angie's powerful words. All opinions are welcome here...you know that.

Who Wrote the Poem About Testing?

Okay. I give up. This past week (or week before last) one of you wrote a poem about the testing that our kids endure this time of year. It was thought provoking and direct. I asked if I could post it and YOU said I could.

I'm losing my mind. Who are YOU? I would really love to post your poem.

Please get back to me!

Jan

P.S. Please go check out my new blog. I just posted a story that honestly happened..... http://jan-mader.blogspot.com/