Go ahead call me a whimp. It won’t hurt my feelings. I have a novel that is done except for the edits and rewrites. I am in the process of contacting an agent. We’ll see if he likes my work. I am excited about this. It means someone else will be submitting my work.
I need to find a time that I can set aside to write daily. I was journaling with Jamie, but I have gotten away from that. I made myself write some letters that I have put off. They will go in the post on Monday. I find some much peace when I write you would think I’d do it more often. Life provides me with enough adventures to write about.
Like taking my grandchildren to dinner. They decided on FlapJack..not my choice. Both wanted breakfast. Jason decided on the bear shaped pancake, but he also wanted bacon, eggs, and hash browns, with hot chocolate to drink. Megan wanted eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Oh yes, let’s not forget toast for both kids. I settled for a simple grilled chicken and baked potato with my tea. Dinner alone was over $30. From there we went to the movies. The plan was to see High School Musical 3 of course we were too late, so we settled for Madagascar Escape 2 Africa. We had to make the decision what candy we would get and how many popcorns. Theater tickets were $21 and munchies were another $18.25. I understand why movie theaters are not full anymore. (Next time we stuff my purse with candy and just buy popcorn). Then there was the stop at 7/11 afterward so they could get slushies, or slurpies whatever they are called these days. It was a great evening. Made better when they both decided to immitate the male hippo in the show. Jason really has the moves. A good time was had by all.
Keeping up with what I have to learn to teach the kids pre-Algebra is making me nuts. I have spent months trying to learn everything they will need to know and still feel like I am learning as I go. We are doing well so far I hope it can keep on this way. These kids need every advantage if they are going to get diplomas.
I am reading My Thirteenth Winter by Samantha Abeel. She will be speaking in our area on Jan. 26th. I’ve been teaching special education for 20 years and her book is an eye opener to me. She has a learning disability and while I teach kids with this handicapping condition, I don’t know how they feel. I cannot walk in their shoes. I can only imagine and try to give them strategies for success. Her book is making me even more aware. Many of the students I’ve had over the years come back to visit so I must do something right.
Even in education there are stories to tell. Some I will save for the day I decide to write my memoirs. Others I will just shelve away. Still others I will share as I go. Some will be about students others will be about co-workers. All will have their place. In 20 years I have seen programs come and go. Some reoccur under different names others fade away never to be seen again. Some should be retired. The demands on teachers and students become more and more every year. Each teacher could use a personal secretary. Special education teachers are buried under the paperwork required by the government. Every time the government streamlines the paperwork I see more come across my desk. It’s a nightmare. I cannot imagine how the kids must feel some days.
Back to writing. I have a friend who frequently asks me to write a poem she can use in her class. What she doesn’t seem to get is that poems come to me. I cannot sit and write on demand. If I do the work is stilted and forced. I am mulling her latest idea. I am not sure I can bring it to fruition. I will give it my best effort. I find if frustrating that I cannot do justice to her request, yet I know she will be satisfied with anything I attempt.
Writing is personal. Each time I write something a part of who I am goes into it. Much of what I write is for me. It is not meant for others to read. My journals are for me. The ones I share with my daughter are for us. My many attempts to get novels or other pieces of writing to come together are mine. When I am ready to share, my piece has been edited and polished. It is ready for acceptance or criticism. I can take both. I prepare myself for the criticism. I can always improve what I write.
I hope you look at life as a chance to write. Just watching people can inspire stories. Sometimes it is the setting that starts the story. Just write. Give it your best shot.
TTFN–tata for now
about my writing today. Have had two people in the past two weeks tell me I should be writing for kids not adults. My reading levels are evidently too low for adults. Wonder if anyone has ever checked the reading level of a James Patterson book?