Introducing Writing Territories
When I ask students to tell me about themselves as readers, all hands go up:
- I love fantasy...
- My favorite author is...
- I read a lot of books about...
- I am great reader because...
But, when I ask them about their life, their loves, their strengths and dreams as writers, the room falls silent. There is a unstated belief that writers are the ladies and gentlemen who have their names on books in libraries and shelves at Barnes and Noble. They do not see themselves as "real writers"; they are just students who write.
The first conversation I have with writers of all ages, is about Writing Territories. Inspired by Lucy Calkins, exploring and articulating WHO YOU ARE AS A WRITER helps us understand that writing is "lifework" not "deskwork". This transformative conversation begins by sharing with students the following:
- WHAT I write about (topic)
- WHO I write for (audience)
- WHY I write (purpose)
- HOW I articulate my messages (Format/Genre)
- WHERE/WHEN I do my best writing (Style,Habits)
Students very quickly recognize the writer in themselves. So, I invite you to give it a go. Start the conversation by using the following tool to share out loud and in public all you are and all you do in your lifework as a writers.
Download your own Writing Territories worksheet (pdf)
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education
it was very good, and its crazy....
I dont really like to write It freaks me out and I get stuck every time I star writing ..
what sholud I do??
Posted by: Mandie Herren | February 02, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Mandi-
The Golden Rule for Writer is this...writers write what they know about, wonder about, and care deeply about! Write how you talk! Don't worry about the end product- just write what you know, care, and wonder most about! YOU CAN SO DO THIS!
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