Writing from a Vulnerable Place … and Writers Camp

This summer, teachers and librarians who want to experience the joys, anxieties, and muddles that their students experience when writing can find inspiration and support through Teacher’s Write! A Virtual Summer Writing Camp begun by Kate Messner. I met Kate through blogging, so know first hand how the people we find on our computers can help develop our thinking and become friends.

Some who signed up mentioned being scared, and Kate responded with a great post about Writing and fear. I’m thinking about her words, and those of Jo Knowles who adds that we might as well have fun here. She offers a great kitchen-centered prompt as one way to begin, which is usually the hardest part. Here I’m adding  thoughts that theirs stirred in me.

Teachers have to look smart and responsible so much of the time, which may not be the best pose to take when writing, which, when it’s flowing, can ruffle us up. We’re going to look ridiculous and leave messes. And should remember that this is good. When we feel our bellies tighten, it’s a sign to keep going, not stop.  Our eyes may mist, and we can take out a tissue, but it’s fine to let tears flow. Of course writing doesn’t have to be emotional, but it may be, especially if you touch on a story that feels as if it’s been sitting inside you too long. Maybe you’ll just be funny, or write a silly poem, or an adventure taking place on another planet. Still, you’re going to be faced with challenges. If you’re like me, little comes out right at first, which means you’re going to have to move through more frustrations than we do when writing papers, evaluations, or letters home. Then we want to sound like an authority of some kind. But as creative writers, we want to connect more than instruct, and we may do that most when writing from places we don’t necessarily show when we’re wearing good clothes and loud shoes. Those who are used to being the people who others come to for answers, can find it tough to say, “I’m sorry, I don’t know.”

But it’s a beautiful place to begin.