For students, summer often means freedom and flip-flops. And for teachers, it means freedom from students (I say this with love) and working in flip-flops.
So why not take advantage of both? Why not do your own scribbling while digging your toes into the sand?
Summer is the perfect time to revamp your writing by flipping your routine. This transition for many teachers from work to summer break can be difficult as we shed our school schedules, laden with planning and grading, and move into nurturing our writing selves.
So then, how exactly can we as teacher-writers shelve our winter wear and slip into our writing ware?
Write Naturally--Begin by letting go of what you think you should write and how you should write. Summer is the ideal time to rediscover your writing self. After all, what better season than summer to let it all out.
Flip your Routine--If you always write in the morning, try writing at night. If you always drink coffee while writing, try drinking...actually...no, don’t do that. Coffee is a must. Instead, try writing on paper rather than typing, or typing instead of writing on paper. You get the picture. Save your rigor for later.
Kick Back--Set up a writing spot. This can be in a hammock, a favorite lawn chair, or coffee shop. This is your go-to place to write.
Read your World--Read your surroundings and take notes about what you see and hear. Tap into your inner-scientist. Store your observations for future writings.
Think like a Child--Be playful with your writing. Go ahead and break the rules. Drop your punctuation. Write in choppy sentences. Make-up nonsense and write about it.
While these summer writing suggestions might seem nonproductive, I am okay with that, and you should be too. After all, it’s summer-writing and it should feel and look as such and so should our writing.
We can revise and edit in the fall.
Ashley Mayes lives in a tiny town near a big river smack-dab in Central Idaho. This is where she teaches ELA 8th-12th grade and serves as district librarian and library media specialist K-12. She is in love with her family, her students, her profession. She enjoys digging deep into what really matters while appreciated the simplicity of such things as coffee. You can follow her on Twitter @ajmayes1974.
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I'm so looking forward to slipping into summer writing, and enjoyed reading your tips. I'm going to remember to "Think Like a Child" a bit more when I write this summer--thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Molly! It is easy for us adults to abandon our child-like playfulness when it comes to writing. Happy writing!
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