When I hear the phrase “a community of writers”, I instantly think of the students in the classrooms in which I work. I am always amazed at how quickly this community grows when fostered by the teacher.
When I completed my dissertation work, I saw this first hand. I utilized a Writer’s Workshop format and allowed the students to talk as they wrote. When conducting observations, I noticed several different conversation types including conversations related to idea generation and development, peer feedback, and sometimes even conversations unrelated to their writing. But what I did find, that for the most part, these students had created a community of writers in which they felt comfortable asking for help and receiving feedback.
How amazing is that? As an adult, I still cringe when I think about someone reading my writing and giving me feedback. Maybe I just need a community of writers, people who are there to support me, encourage me, offer me feedback, and help me on my way with my writing. So I am on the search for my community of writers!
Happy writing!
Michelle Olson is a reading specialist by day and wife, mom, and Usborne book lady by night! She recently earned my doctorate and focused on students’ attitudes towards themselves as writers and their own writing. Follow Michelle on Twitter at @molson414.
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