A Potluck of Writing Ideas by Trish Roberts

Good Readers Make Good Writers

I love to read and good books inspire me to write.  I’m currently reading “The Little Paris Book Shop” by Nina George and besides the beautiful love story, I’m enjoying the description language and dialogue.   When reading, I  jot down words or lines, in my notebook, that I find inspiring and use them to further develop my own writing.   I’ve always use mentor texts with my students as models for good writing, so the books I read become my own personal mentor texts. 

Create ‘Morning Pages’

I think it’s important to write every day. A few years ago, while at a retreat, I attended Julia Cameron’s writing workshop and learned a new method of writing called “morning pages.”    In Julia’s book,  “The Artist’s Way,”  she describes the technique of daily, morning writing exercises as a way of developing one’s creativity.  I think this practice also helps writers develop discipline it has helped me when I struggle with writer’s block. 


Quickwrites Inspire Students

Robyn Madden and I co-teach a 6th grade ELA class and our students look forward to this writing exercise every day.   We have seen first hand what happens when students write every day.  They build stamina and become independent, creative, and enthusiastic writers.  This writing strategy also motivates students and fosters their creativity.


Slow Looking:  Developing New Writing Ideas

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a newbie, if you’re like me, you always need to find new things to write about.  At a Harvard Project Zero conference, I learned about the slow looking thinking routine.   This routine helps students gain new insights that they might otherwise overlook.  Slow looking has changed my perspective on many things and now I develop new writing ideas while carefully observing my surroundings.

Happy writing!



Trish Roberts has been a special education teacher in the Garden City School District for over twenty years. As a published author and co-teacher, she is passionate about creating, in all of her students, an excitement for living and learning.  She strives to foster their curiosity and enthusiasm, both inside and outside the classroom, through her love of reading and writing.  As a staff developer, Trish’s goal is to inspire and motivate other teachers by modeling activities and lessons that cultivate independent thinking and increase student engagement. Trish enjoys traveling with her friends and family, gardening, bike riding and walking, reading & writing on the beach. You can find her on Twitter @Trishr85