TSS: August 23, 2015

Tomorrow is the first day of school!
I have ALWAYS loved this time of year: a fresh start - a clean slate - a time to learn and reconnect with old friends. Can you tell I'm excited?!

Reading:

Last night I made a decision.
I am (finally) going to read the Harry Potter series.

There. I said it. I made my intentions public (here and on FaceBook), hoping the threat of embarrassment will hold me accountable.

And to up the ante even further, I've created a Harry Potter read-along. If you are interested in joining me on this adventure... please consider signing-up here. I would love to create an online book club, where we can discuss the story, the themes, the author's writing style, etc. The more the merrier!

Writing:
I've re-evaluated my writing goals - again. But that's ok. I'm growing - I'm improving - and that's the point.

At the onset of summer, I wrote a blog post entitled, Fake It til You Make It where I discussed "going back to school" to take a creative writing class developed by yours truly. I liked the academic approach to storytelling, and the daily routine of going to the library suited my learning style.

Now at the end of the semester, I am evaluating the class and tweaking it for the fall.

Rather than using texts about writing, I plan to use novels as my textbooks.

Christine of the Better Novel Project inspired me to deconstruct the middle grade novels that most resemble my own work-in-progress. By analyzing character development, scene construction, backstory, theme, and especially conflict... I will learn to infuse my own writing with these key components.

My textbooks include:

• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (E. L. Konisgburg)
• Marie, Dancing (Carolyn Meyer)
• The Magic Tree House series (Mary Pope Osborne)
• Linnea in Monet's Garden (Christina Bjork)
• Recipe for Adventure (Giada De Laurentiis)
• Ranger in Time series (Kate Messner)
• A Weekend with Renoir (Rosabianca Skira-Venturi)

I am armed with colored pens, index cards, and a mission. I'm excited!

Teaching:
Yes... I am returning to the classroom!

This time last week only one student registered for the Storytelling Workshop - and I resigned myself to putting the class on hold until next year.

Today, at least eight students are interested.

We will meet for the first time tomorrow afternoon, and I'm not sure who is more excited... the students or the instructor!

I will post an update next week.

For those returning to school - I wish you the best.
And for those who are still celebrating summer - enjoy!