Growing up, I loved writing--until a teacher ripped up a paper in front of me and told me I would never be a good writer. I stopped writing anything that wasn’t required, until I joined Wyoming Writing Project (WWP).
I was not prepared for all of the amazing parts of WWP. I was petrified at our first meeting. My inner voice kept telling me, “You’re not a writer! What makes you think you can even pretend to be one?”
Yet, I went. I wrote and eventually shared my writings with our group. These amazing people accepted me as I am. They encouraged me to do more than ever before in writing. They pulled me through the rushing rapids of self-doubt and helped me to the other side where I felt free and accomplished. I was able to play with my writing and never feel like a failure. I wrote poetry, narratives, and historical fiction with some romance thrown in for fun. I wrote about my students and my old dog who left scars on my heart.
I never felt judged or less than a human when I shared my writing. Why? Because these other writers were there with me, in the trenches, shaking the dust. We laughed and cried together. We shared stories that were personal, heart wrenching, and left us wanting more. We grew as a community of writers and became family.
In the end, I learned that I am a writer! I make time most days to write. I love writing! I am updating my blog more. I am teaching classes in my district to help other teachers improve their writing and teaching of writing. I want my students to be able to say they are writers and mean it. Isn’t that a great goal for us all?
This is Wendy Chaulk’s eighteenth year as a teacher. She has taught fourth grade in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; second grade in Jacksonville, NC; K-5 special education in Rio Rancho, NM; 4-6 special education in Gillette, WY; and currently teaches in a fifth and sixth grade looping classroom in Gillette, Wyoming . You can connect with Wendy on Twitter (@wluvs2teach) and on her blog (https://chaulk-it-up.blogspot.com/). Wendy loves being a teacher writer and is proud to be a Teacher Consultant for the National Writing Project.
The Writing Project rescued my inner writer, too, Wendy! We are all writers. Your post is s testament to it.
ReplyDeleteI just can't say enough good things about writing project.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story of realizing you are a writer! Sounds like an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteIt really was.
DeleteThis was a great slice. I'm so glad you found a path back into writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Me too!
DeleteMy writing project institute was 23 years ago this summer. It changed me. It changed my life. It gave me a goal and dream and hope. I love how you described your experience as all sharing the dust in the trenches. That's what a writing community should be about. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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