{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"54845506","dateCreated":"1338994441","smartDate":"Jun 6, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jackiemiller4","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jackiemiller4","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377368714\/jackiemiller4-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/bswp12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/54845506"},"dateDigested":1532390740,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Powerful Analogies","description":"Anne Lamott\u2019s Bird by Bird is full of interesting and meaningful analogies. I love how she makes significant points through the use of analogies that not only catch your attention and are easily remembered, but also convey her thoughts in perhaps more meaningful and affective ways. Here are just a few of the analogies I latched on to and some thoughts about each:
\n\u201c\u2026I finally notice the one-inch picture frame that I put on my desk to remind me of short assignments. It reminds me that all I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. This is all I have to bite off for the time being\u201d (Lamott, 17-18).
\nDiscussion: I like the visual of the one-inch picture frame. I think this would really help my students to think about accomplishing one small task at a time. These small picture frames can add up to a magnificent piece of artwork.
\n\u201cE.L. Doctorow once said that \u2018writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.\u2019 You don\u2019t have to see where you\u2019re going, you don\u2019t have to see your destination or everything you will pass along the way. You just have to see two or three feet ahead of you\u201d (Lamott, 18).
\nDiscussion: This is a great analogy that I could use with my students. This is true not only for writing, but in life; we must first deal with what is right in front of us, and then move on from there. Students need to take their writing (and life) one step at a time, being fully present in the present .
\n\u201cAlmost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something\u2014anything\u2014down on paper. A friend of mine says that the first draft is the down draft\u2014you just get it down. The second draft is the up draft\u2014you fix it up. You try to say what you have to say more accurately. And the third draft is the dental draft, where you check every tooth, to see if it\u2019s loose or cramped or decayed, or even, God help us, healthy\u201d (Lamott, 25-26).
\nDiscussion: First draft = down draft (we all have to start somewhere, and many times this is the most difficult part); Second draft = up draft (revision is key to making things better); Third draft = dental draft (we want to share the healthiest piece of writing possible!)
\n\u201cThere\u2019s an image I\u2019ve heard people in recovery use\u2014that getting all of one\u2019s under control is a little like putting an octopus to bed. I think this perfectly describes the process of solving various problems in your final draft. You get a bunch of the octopus\u2019s arms neatly tucked under the covers\u2014that is, you\u2019ve come up with a plot, resolved the conflict between the two main characters, gotten the tone down pat\u2014but two arms are still flailing around\u201d (Lamott, 94).
\nDiscussion: I cannot imagine putting an octopus to bed, but I'm sure it's no easy task. It'd be kind of like trying to answer all of an octopus' questions...I don't think his arms would ever get tired! Just as you think you are weaving together all the important components, you will realize you accidentally left one flailing that you must tie up or the whole thing will get away from you. Writing the resolution to a story is no doubt an integral and complex process.
\nThis use of analogies is a really effective writing style. It is a great reminder to me of the importance of analogies in writing and teaching. Furthermore, I need to help my students see the power of figurative language in writing.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"54844928","dateCreated":"1338993792","smartDate":"Jun 6, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jackiemiller4","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jackiemiller4","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377368714\/jackiemiller4-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/bswp12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/54844928"},"dateDigested":1532390740,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"The Tyranny of Perfectionism","description":"Here is one quote from Bird by Bird on perfectionism that definitely caught my attention:
\n\u201cPerfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won\u2019t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren\u2019t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they\u2019re doing it\u201d (Lamott, 28).
\nI am undoubtedly a perfectionist! That is why it kills me that I don\u2019t know how to go in and edit the silly spelling mistakes I made on my first blog as I was beginning to learn how to post on this Wiki. Hopefully, you will excuse my errors, and I will learn to accept and grow from my mistakes. Furthermore, from now on, I will be sure to type my responses in Word and then cut and paste them into the posts. \uf04a Perfectionism is something I have dealt with my whole life, and I will admit that at times, I have chosen not to try things, just to ensure that I would not fail (or even not succeed completely). This is not an attitude that I want to have. Again, thinking back to Opening Minds, I have to ask myself, \u201cAm I exercising a fixed or dynamic mentality?\u201d and I have to continue to work to live out of the dynamic-performance framework. In many ways perfectionism can help you to be the best that you can be, but it can also hinder you as well. We need to help our students, especially our gifted students, overcome the tyranny of their own perfectionism, so they will have the opportunity to learn and grow!
\nAs Anne Lamott says, the truth is we will die, so we might as well be living as if we are going to die, being fully present, willing to make mistakes, free of fear and regret, and having as much fun as possible. Although this is not always easy, it is definitely worthwhile! This quote is both a lesson to myself and to my teaching and what I need to explore with my students: the world of imperfections, uncertainty, change, interest, and growth.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"54873390","body":"I love your entry. As one who would very often prefer to be (at least imagined as) practically perfect in every way, it spoke to me deeply. Regrettably, it was so ideal and flawless I couldn\u2019t respond\u2026","dateCreated":"1339080291","smartDate":"Jun 7, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"Cliffo12","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Cliffo12","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1339078938\/Cliffo12-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54880350","body":"Cliff, that's not true, but thank you...you did make me laugh!","dateCreated":"1339096808","smartDate":"Jun 7, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jackiemiller4","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jackiemiller4","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377368714\/jackiemiller4-lg.jpg"}}],"more":0}]},{"id":"54844414","dateCreated":"1338993263","smartDate":"Jun 6, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jackiemiller4","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jackiemiller4","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377368714\/jackiemiller4-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/bswp12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/54844414"},"dateDigested":1532390740,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"An Idea For Book Discussions","description":"As I was reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, I found myself highlighting and post-it noting quotes that were intriguing, entertaining, or special to me in some way. When I finished the book, many quotes had caught my attention. As I read the book, I was thinking about the words not only in terms of being a writer, but also in terms of being a writing teacher and what it meant for my students as writers.
\nNow that I have concluded the book, I decided to use the quotes in a new form of reading response. I made what is called a Voice Thread, because it is a free program I wanted to test out for using with my students for collaborative discussion. There are so many options with this program for not only creating a slideshow of information, but for commenting. You can comment via text, microphone, or webcam. You can also comment via phone if you purchase minutes, and I tested it out but did not choose this option. Basically what I did was upload Powerpoint slides of various quotes. I even uploaded a youtube video that gave a 60 second preview about Bird by Bird. I included a webcam introduction of the book, and then I went through and read each of the quotes out loud, so they would play. Finally, I went through and commented via text on each of the slides. I could have also done this through discussion and speech.
\nVoice Thread is definitely a cool program I would like to use as a discussion forum with my students in the future. It is a great way to allow students with computer access to share ideas from home, and it was a lot of fun too. I have seen people use it for literature circle and book discussions too. You should definitely check it out. Just go to: http:\/\/voicethread.com\/<\/a>","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"53539320","dateCreated":"1335741647","smartDate":"Apr 29, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jessicawesthoff","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jessicawesthoff","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1326953375\/jessicawesthoff-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/bswp12.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/53539320"},"dateDigested":1532390740,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Book Selections","description":"Which writer on writing book did you select? Why?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"54054412","body":"I am reading Bird By Bird and I also got Writing Down the Bones.
\n
\nI chose Bird By Bird because it looked fun and like something different than I would normally choose. I usually go for more serious reads, but I love humor, sarcasm and people that are not afraid to write what they are truly feeling - so this seemed like a good one for me. So far, I'm really liking the way Lamott writes and I'm enjoying her anecdotes. I love learning about the life of someone who devotes all of their time to writing, it is fascinating and inspiring!
\nI got Writing Down the Bones because I like how it is split into short sections\/chapters. I thought this would be good to try and read one or two sections every night before bed. I truly want to work on making time to write often and to write more, so I hope this book will help me find good ideas to get the ball rolling!","dateCreated":"1336760485","smartDate":"May 11, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"lniederklein","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lniederklein","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54405554","body":"I chose Bird By Bird because it was the first one I found on the list at a bookstore on my way out of town yesterday. I was having a hard time picking one to read. A friend of mine read it aloud for most of the drive to and from Smith's Ferry. We both thoroughly enjoyed it because Lamott's style and the anecdotes made it easy and enjoyable to follow whie driving highway 55. Make sure to read the introduction. The advice she offers about writing is useful and hard to miss.","dateCreated":"1337625870","smartDate":"May 21, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"CDButts","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/CDButts","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377798026\/CDButts-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54597966","body":"I chose On Writing by Stephen King because I have always loved his characters. His books are populated with believable characters that stay consistent. His characters do not suddenly start behaving in new ways just to serve the story. There is an internal logic to the worlds he creates.I know he is a pi\u00f1ata for most critics. That does not bother me. Writers write for readers not critics. King has plenty of readers to write for.","dateCreated":"1338152041","smartDate":"May 27, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"theheadmaster","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/theheadmaster","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1338688450\/theheadmaster-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54654356","body":"Thanks Jessica! Guess I have a new project :)","dateCreated":"1338333228","smartDate":"May 29, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"raymejones","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/raymejones","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1376610963\/raymejones-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54670074","body":"Like the Headmaster, I chose King. I'm glad I did. It is almost as good as his novels and the long history of being his reader is tinged with all the feelings, the changes I have gone through with him since I was in high school. I like that the book is down-to-earth--very much like the author. I do (eventually) want to do Bird by Bird. I do not want to write to change the world; I have better things to do...","dateCreated":"1338383547","smartDate":"May 30, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"Cliffo12","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Cliffo12","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1339078938\/Cliffo12-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54818882","body":"I choose bird by bird as well I enjoyed the writing tips in the beginning but found the second half of the book a little long. I keep thinking of the 1 inch frame as I try to construct my autobiography.","dateCreated":"1338915992","smartDate":"Jun 5, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"michelleanderson2","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/michelleanderson2","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377128446\/michelleanderson2-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54823984","body":"I've read On Writing<\/em> before and REALLY enjoyed it. It isn't the most practical\/"how to" book ever, but a very interesting read. Big fan of King's world-building and character development.","dateCreated":"1338927494","smartDate":"Jun 5, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"k8baker","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/k8baker","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1268075035\/k8baker-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54824038","body":"I love this sort of book and had several of them on my to-read list already, and then I went and found a few others. I'm going to pack a handful of them on my "hallelujah school is out" run to the coast this week and pick one to focus on for BSWP. I've got Dillard's The Writing Life<\/em>, several by Natalie Goldberg (including Writing Down the Bones<\/em> and Old Friend from Far Away<\/em>), Bird by Bird<\/em>, Hugo's The Triggering Town<\/em>... and pretty sure there is another book or two on my shelves somewhere from the list that I'd yet to read...
\n
\nI also have (and had previously read) Bradbury's Zen in the Art of Writing<\/em> - very much recommend if you want an extra read not from the original list!
\n
\nSo... I guess this was a long and basically pointless post... not sure which I'll end up with...","dateCreated":"1338927669","smartDate":"Jun 5, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"k8baker","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/k8baker","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1268075035\/k8baker-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54836884","body":"Because the Twin Falls library had such a limited selection, I chose "Wild Mind, Living the Writer's Life" also by Natalie Goldberg, and "A Broom of One's Own, Words on Writing, Housecleaning & Life" because I liked the title. And bordering on 'a book about writing', is the wildly hilarious "Waiter Rant" about a waiter in New York who anonymously blogs\/rants about his job, by Steve Dublanica. I'll read whichever one captures my interest, or maybe I might just read them all:)","dateCreated":"1338957610","smartDate":"Jun 5, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"sheryllsharp","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/sheryllsharp","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1338959641\/sheryllsharp-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54844164","body":"I chose Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott because I have had this book recommended to me by several people. Furthermore, when Jeff said it would make you laugh out loud (literally), I was sold. I love books that are not only valuable, but also entertaining.
\n
\nIn addition, I have already read some of Natalie Goldberg's work, which I thought was interesting but not mind-altering. I also have read Stephen King's On Writing, which I really enjoyed. I especially like the part where he talks about his writing toolbox and makes that analogy. I use a reading toolbox in my classroom and plan to read a section on King's book to share this writing analogy with my students in the future.
\n
\nI have now finished Anne Lamott's book, and I really enjoyed it. I thought she gave some great, practical advice for writers, and it was really entertaining too!","dateCreated":"1338992815","smartDate":"Jun 6, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"jackiemiller4","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jackiemiller4","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1377368714\/jackiemiller4-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54914820","body":"I am approaching the writing project with a strong desire to implement writing to enhance critical thinking in my elementary science classroom. When picking a book, I was all about what was going to give me a lot of practical ideas for doing so. Jess suggested Writing Down the Bones for assisting me in this endeavor.
\n
\nIn addition, I LOVE Anne Lamott's writing. She is so real and transparent about life. My husband already owns it, so I have added it to my reading list as well.","dateCreated":"1339255805","smartDate":"Jun 9, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"CherylOord","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/CherylOord","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"54938466","body":"Ultimately I ended up reading Old Friend from Far Away<\/em> by Goldberg. I needed a slightly stern (and if possible, slightly crazy and fairly sympathetic) teacher to tell me exactly what to do - to give me ASSIGNMENTS. This book did that, and is doing it, very well.
\n
\nI tried to read If You Want to Write<\/em> by Ueland but I guess my head was not in the right space... it just seemed ridiculous to me... :)
\n
\nIf I have time this month I would like to go read Bird by Bird<\/em> again(?). I know I at least began it at some point some years ago, but I don't remember much about it beyond the first chapter, so I'm thinking I may have set it aside and never finished. I could use some laugh-out-loud. :)","dateCreated":"1339417835","smartDate":"Jun 11, 2012","userCreated":{"username":"k8baker","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/k8baker","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1268075035\/k8baker-lg.jpg"}}],"more":3}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}