I've been trying to think back about the first year I participated in the
Two Writing Teachers Slice Of Life challenge in 2011. My decision to participate was quick. I had no idea what I was doing and zero knowledge about blogging. Getting through the first week was exhilarating. I'd written, revised, and publicly shared my writing more than I had ever done in my life. By the 3rd week, some school colleagues thought I was nuts and some family members were down right unhappy that I was spending so much time on the computer. I ended up hiding and writing at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning to try to keep the peace. Things have changed considerably since then. I no longer hide when I write, my family accepts that writing is important to me, and blogging and tweeting feel much more comfortable. My colleagues know about my blogs and my writing and sometimes even ask me questions. I did manage to persuade my sister to join me in
NaNoWriMo this year. She enjoyed the experience and it was delightful to share it with someone I love. Sadly, I've yet to convince anyone to start their own blog and join me in the TWT challenge. But I get it. Blogging and writing are personal decisions. I'll just keep planting the seeds.
Diana, the strength of this piece is its honesty and introspection. Writing is very personal and finding your comfort level is part of the journey. You are leading by example and that's a powerful model. It is through our writing that we learn to understand our world and ourselves.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'd love some local companions on this journey. I had hoped to get some folks at my building to jump in and write. A couple of teachers actually signed up, but no one has done it yet. Maybe next year…
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I had time to read your piece this morning. I am the only one of my colleagues doing this ...and most think I am NUTS for even blogging...but this year...I convinced some of my grad students to try...and they are...and THEY get it... I hope, like Alan proposes, that we lead by example. If that is so, than we are not likely to be "prophets" in our own lands but we might just serve that role as we "travel" virtually through cyberspace at 3 AM!
ReplyDeleteI started back in March of 2011 also, though I had a couple of professional blogs that I did during work time, this one was a personal blog. And like you, I had to hide my blogging a bit as people got a bit disgruntled that my life and time was being more and more devoted to writing. My daughter is starting her own blog now and I've convinced a friend of my daughter's husband to start his own outlet blogging. But like you said, you can just plant the seeds and keep on doing what you need to do!
ReplyDeleteThere is a real joy in participating, and jumping into the SOLC was one of the best things I've done. This year I was able to persuade a young collegue to participate, and it's been fun watching her enjoy the process, too.
ReplyDeleteI felt that last year when I started, I was also planting the seeds in my students. This year we actually began a class blog so that we can blog every day in the month of March! I am excited! Maybe I can get even more people blogging next year...
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to read about your journey and how you became more comfortable with your blogging! Keep planting those seeds -- you never know when one might take root! I've shared my classroom blog with my colleagues and many of them are following along as the kids write this month, and they think it's pretty cool. Maybe that will plant a few seeds... either for blogging themselves or trying it with their students!
ReplyDeleteI also jumped in with little advance preparation. I try to post before school to minimize family disturbance, but I so get that you sometimes hide and write in the wee hours. I would love to have someone else at my school join me on this slicing journey, but for now I'll have to be content with online friends who blog. When I scrolled down to comment, I recognized your One Literacy Writing Coach sign from last year.
ReplyDeleteI like that you are not giving up on finding a fellow TWT slicer close to home. Planting seeds is the right idea. What a great journey you have to share with all the people in your life.
ReplyDeleteWe have changed, haven't we? Confidence and joy have increased for me. Our community has grown stronger and I am happy with the people here as my support group.
ReplyDeleteI actually wanted to compose a simple remark to express gratitude to you for those splendid secrets you are giving out at this site.
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