Penny J. Johnson's Blog, page 17
September 5, 2020
Summer Reading Challenge: August 2-September 5
Here are the books I read last month. Many were audio books because I was working on projects or listening while walking or driving. I have been researching for my own writing, so some of these books reflect that endeavor. Others are ones I read with friends. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls […]
September 4, 2020
Life Maps: Two Takes on Trust
Writing about a theme changes depending on where we are on our life map. When I view these two poems titled with the same word, I see two takes on the same theme. Both are as true as when I wrote them. Both reflect a time, a place, and the person I was then and […]
September 2, 2020
Being a Writer: Question 10
In April, I was asked by a friend who teaches at a private school to answer her high school seniors’ questions about what it means to be a writer. While these answers were provided for a specific audience, I hope everyone viewing my video responses will learn more about the writing life.
August 31, 2020
Life Maps: Trust within the Current
Last week I mentioned a new hobby of mine–art journaling. The Let’s Make Art theme for August was Life Maps. During one of the tutorials, we made organic shapes and highlighted the spaces between to reveal a path between places. It was intriguing to see how others interpreted and adapted this exercise. I was intrigued […]
August 29, 2020
Search Engine: Revving up for Writing
Prewriting often feels like idling while waiting for the light to change. Or being in neutral and revving the engine before a race. It is about checking off lists (or making them), seeking direction, practice writing, and research. My research this month has been less technical and more about returning to some basics. I pulled […]
August 26, 2020
Being a Writer: Question 9
In April, I was asked by a friend who teaches at a private school to answer her high school seniors’ questions about what it means to be a writer. While these answers were provided for a specific audience, I hope everyone viewing my video responses will learn more about the writing life.
August 25, 2020
Search Engine: Sensing Novelty
What is the last thing (or one of the last things) you searched for on the Internet? Why? I am sensing a surge in my need for novelty lately. Sometimes when we are heading into a new chapter in our lives, we begin to explore and travel down new avenues. Sometimes we frequent old roads. […]
August 21, 2020
Role Call: Attending to Multiple Vocations
In August 2007, two pivotal events happened in the same week. My first collection of poems was released (on August 21 to be exact), and I officially started homeschooling my three sons. I remember feeling the shift from what I always wanted and thought I would be doing–writing–to what I never wanted or intended to […]
August 19, 2020
Being a Writer: Question 8
In April, I was asked by a friend who teaches at a private school to answer her high school seniors’ questions about what it means to be a writer. While these answers were provided for a specific audience, I hope everyone viewing my video responses will learn more about the writing life.
August 18, 2020
Role Call: The Only One Worth Keeping
Think about the various roles you play in your life. If you had to give up all but one, which one would you keep? Interesting question, isn’t it? It’s not an easy question to ponder. In part, it isn’t one most would like to consider. Most of us might consider giving up one of our […]
