School starts this week. Monday and Tuesday are inservice/orientation days and the kids come on Wednesday. 2018-2019, here we go!
“How will you keep up your writing?” my writing critique partner, Catherine Flynn, asked me at our online meeting.
I hadn’t really thought about it.
#TeachWrite chat on Monday night asked the same question. “What is your plan to continue writing when life gets crazy as the new school year begins?”
Oh, no. A plan?
So here’s my plan for all the world to see:
1. Keep calm. Keep writing.
2. Open my notebook at least once a day. Write the date at the top of the page. See what comes…
3. Write alongside my students. (I have done this as long as I’ve been teaching writing. It’s one of my guiding principles for teaching.)
4. Don’t feel guilty if a day goes by, and I didn’t write. Some days are like that. Realize that there may be other days when the writing is easy. Let go of ridiculous expectations.
5. Set realistic goals. A poem a day may be too hard, but a poem a week is doable.
6. Be an advocate for my writing life. Make time for it because in the long run, I’m happier when I am writing.
There. That’s wasn’t so hard. It’s not so much a plan as a promise to my writer-self. What will you do to keep writing when life gets crazy-busy?
Sounds like a great plan to me!
“Set realistic goals.” I believe I’ll start there. Thank you!
I love this as your “promise” instead of a plan. Makes total sense. Having the notebook open . . . may just lead to recording a thought or two about the “writing in your head” in that “thinking space” that sometimes occurs before the ink meets the page. ❤
I, too, love the nuance of a promise to yourself, rather than a plan. Good luck with your transition back to school. I’ll be thinking of you this week!
I am thinking through the same thing! I’m back to school tomorrow, and needing to keep my writing alive and continuous. I agree especially with “Be an advocate for my writing life.” Happy new school year! Happy writing!
Ack- I have to plan to write for sure! So far I am only committing to once a week and I know that is not enough. I have to get past this frenzy at the start of the year, but know I am better when I write more.
A solid plan. I especially like #4 as I am guilty of having ridiculous expectations. Best of luck when the kiddos arrive tomorrow. I can’t wait to read about your new experiences this year.
Making time is so important. Open that notebook! LOVE it! Happy writing!!!
I love “Keep calm. Keep writing.” All of this talk of plans makes me feel a bit panicked: wait, I need a plan?!?! The reminder to “keep calm” made me laugh–and felt comforting. I actually find that I usually do more writing during the school year, despite my best summer intentions. I find it easier to keep writing when I’m teaching writing and writing several days a week with my students.
I agree. It’s different, though, but still good writing.
Good question. Making time and opening a notebook. A promise sounds better than a plan. Intention might be a friendly word too.
Great plan! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I start next Tuesday with detailed plans for my students. I’ve got a new notebook. That’s my writing plan!
Hope you have a happy first day of school.
I especially love #6. As with so many good things that go into self-care, being assertive in one’s own behalf can be challenging. We haven’t met, but I must say your writing inspires me to try.
[…] Facebook. Tuesday I saw a post from Margarita Engle about sand poetry. I also thought about my promise for writing during the school year and opened to a clean notebook page. And this comment from Cathy Mere made […]