Mar 28
By Janice Ewing
At first it was called the Retired Writers Group, but that’s really a misnomer, as most of us are working in some capacity and we’re certainly not retired from writing. A more fitting, although clunky name might be Flexible Enough to Meet During the Day Writers. Actually, we’re doing just fine without a name. Read more
By Janice Ewing
I had been warned by a previous instructor that the night custodian was irritable, and just couldn’t wait for the class to leave so he could finish up his end-of-evening chores. I hadn’t met him until last night, when he came in to empty the trash. The last students had just left and I was still gathering my things. Read more
By Janice Ewing
We are approaching the conclusion of the month-long Slice of Life Challenge (twowritingteachers.wordpress.com). I had been aware of the challenge in past years, and read some of the posts, as well as some of the weekly SoL posts that appear on Tuesdays throughout the year, but this has been my first experience as a participant. I began the challenge with mixed emotions – interest, excitement, motivation to strengthen my writing muscles, and that “what am I getting myself into?” feeling as well. I wondered what I would write about, in what genre, and whether I would explore one topic in a variety of ways or wander around the landscape. Read more
By Janice Ewing
Yesterday, I wrote about attending an informational session concerning the Being a Writer Program. The morning started with a collegial breakfast, and ended with my misplacing the validated parking ticket (of course I found it as soon as I got home, hiding in my messy purse), and receiving a get-out-of-the-parking-lot-free pass from the attendant because I was clearly coming from the same event as my colleagues. In between, there was a lot of food for thought. In the previous post, I mentioned the assessment aspect of the program, which impressed me because much of it focused less on grades than on observation of writerly habits and participation in a writing community. Upon further reflection, something larger is standing out to me. Read more
By Janice Ewing
This morning I attended an informational session about the Being A Writer program, held at a hotel in Philadelphia. The presentation was interesting and interactive. It didn’t hurt that the setting was comfortable and a delicious breakfast was served. There were many aspects of the program that fit well with the philosophy of the National Writing Project, including the emphasis on building a writing community, the concept of teacher as writer, and the use of mentor texts as models of writers’ craft. Read more
Mar 23
By Janice Ewing
One tabby lounges on my lap
purring with pleasure
as the other curls on a nearby chair
lazily watching us,
catching glimpses of birds
that taunt us with song
from just outside the window.
write.share.connect 