Sunday, August 23, 2015

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:


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!




12 comments:

  1. Hope you have a lovely school year! The students arrive at our school for the first time tomorrow, too. Can't wait!

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2015/08/weekly-wrapup.html

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    1. I know you will have a GREAT school year, Deb!

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  2. I was wondering about you returning to school since I thought you had retired...

    ...interesting that you'd be reading Harry Potter now. I have a neighbor who just started the first one and is planning to read them all too. I read them a few years ago right before the last movie came out because I realized I only had read the first one and wanted to read all of them and watch the movies up until that point before I saw the last movie. I enjoyed the books much more than the movies, although the movies were very good.

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    1. This week I have had to admit that I am failure at retirement :) Oh well...

      I always prefer books to movies, but I plan to watch each movie after I finish the corresponding novel - for comparison purposes only ;)

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  3. My youngest grandchild starts kindergarten tomorrow. I'm both happy and sad about it.

    My son has the Harry Potter books and gave me the first one to read. If I like it he'll give me the others. I haven't started it yet, but I plan on reading it in September.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Let me know how you enjoy the Sorcerer's Stone once you finish reading it :)

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  4. Good luck with your class! And good luck with your HP reading!

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  5. Sounds like fun. Good luck with your class. I'd like to reread "From the Mixed-Up Files .... " That was a always good one but it's been way too many years since I read it to recall everything. A classic no doubt.

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    Replies
    1. It is a great read ... takes me back to 6th grade and the romantic notion of "running away from home"

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  6. I totally get the return to the classroom. I don't have much desire to retire ... even as I near the age.

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    Replies
    1. A sign that you are doing what you truly love :) How blessed we are!

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