Writing marathon: a secret garden
Magical Writing
This week I taught a writing camp with my friend and colleague, Stephanie Judice. We had 16 students ranging in age from 9 to 17. It was a wonderful week of writing. I’ve been teaching writing camps for about 10 years, and each time I am amazed at how writing together creates magic.
There were many magical moments this week. On Wednesday, we had our traditional writing marathon in downtown New Iberia. This is always a highlight of the week, walking downtown with our journals in hand. We met the kids in Bouligny Plaza. Before we got started, I noticed two girls sitting on a bench with their journals open. They were writing and talking about writing: “What word rhymes with light?” No prompting, no instructions, just the practice of writing together. Magic
On Friday, our last day, I led a haiku competition. I usually shy away from competition, but I thought that by the last day, these kids know each other. It should be a safe environment to compete. I was right. Each child waved his/her hands in the air anxious to share and join the competition. We voted, then upped the ante. Now you have to write a couplet to go with the winning haiku. We were engaging in an ancient practice of renga, making a poem from multiple haikus. I felt joy watching the students write and beg to share. The exercise did not produce a great poem, far from it. “The earthly cow is not chow” But it created an atmosphere of celebration, celebrating the art of writing. Magic.
The last day ends traditionally with Author’s Chair, the final read-aloud for parents and guests. This is the time when the light shines. The students read with pride a piece of writing from the week. It’s like graduation. I feel pride in how much they have grown in just one week.
At the end of our marathon writing, having written in Bouligny Plaza, along the bayou boardwalk, at the Shadows, in Books Along the Teche, in Victor’s cafeteria, in Epiphany Church, and finally stopping at A&E Gallery, I gathered the group together to create a collaborative poem. Sometimes, not always, a miraculous poem emerges. Each student contributed a line from their marathon writing as I called their names. I didn’t choose the order; it was completely random, but again, magic happened and a beautiful poem emerged. (see below)
A philosophy of the National Writing Project that I have embraced is the teacher of writing should be a writer herself. I write alongside the students. I show all my bumps along the way. I model frustration and joy. I am anxious to share alongside them. We are writers together, falling in love with the words and each other. Magic
Summer on a Cloud
(a Collaborative poem by Write your Way Writers)
Light is very bright,
undying beauty,
beautiful immortal memories,
thoughts in a bottle.
The lights are pretty and gold.
The sun is shining bright,
flows in blowing winds.
Humbled by this magnificent sight,
It should be kept in peace,
dancing, loving, looking, talking
-The first star-
The windy night is so bright.
Stained glass windows represent
the beauty of God.
Bluebirds sing a delightful song,
the stillness of this secret garden
beckons silently.
Writing side by side
Reflections on the Teche 