Don't You Just Hate It When....

Some of the best writing we produce comes from strong feelings that we have. The feelings can come from our past experiences or our everyday lives. Talking and writing about how we feel helps us to savor memories and recognize our emotions.

I know that what I am working on is really going to be good if I'm crying or laughing as I write. It doesn't matter if you're a child or an adult, you have strong feelings about something. Let me help you figure out what they are!

Finish this sentence:

I just hate it when ________________.

I'll go first. I just hate it when I'm in the car with someone who yells at other drivers!

Imagine the story that could come from that sentence. If you want to know the truth, I'd like to hit the yelling driver over the head and ask, "Have you ever made a mistake?" I could go on and on. I'll stop!

If you're a teacher, start this exercise orally with any emotion you like. Make your way around the classroom allowing each child to quickly finish the sentence or pass. Writing isn't taught by telling someone to write, it's demonstrated by respectfully and playfully sharing ideas. As a teacher, make sure you join in...in fact, you go first!

If you're a writer/blogger, before you finish this sentence you might want to braindrop. Write the word, "hate" at the top of a paper. As fast as you can, write every thought, word, or phrase that falls out of your mind and reminds you of something that you really don't like! This could be more fun than you've had for awhile. Just think about it, you have a good reason to write about what YOU REALLY REALLY HATE! Don't you just love it?!