Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Dana, Tara, Beth, & Anna for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
Last week, Stacey wrote a powerful post about herself as a writer. She was inspired by Terje's post. Today I'm going to begin my answer to this question: What kind of a writer am I?
I am the kind of writer who needs words and sentences to make sense out of life.
I am the kind of writer who feels her way through writing.
I am the kind of writer who writes daily, many times a day, for herself.
I am the kind of writer who has filled sixty-three notebooks.
I am the kind of writer who has a story to tell, but isn't sure exactly what that story is.
I am the kind of writer who writes best first thing in the morning.
I am the kind of writer who has discovered this secret...so much about writing is having faith.
I am the kind of writer who must write, even if no one else reads.
I am the kind of writer who writes too much and takes out lots during revision.
I am the kind of writer who enjoys repetition and symmetry.
I am the kind of writer who is afraid of failing as a writer.
I am the kind of writer who wants to use words to make the world a better place.
I am the kind of writer who needs just the right pen, and just the right color, and just the right font to help my writing come alive.
I am the kind of writer who loves to read mentor texts and then worries that everything has already been said.
I am the kind of writer who uses ellipses…
the interrobang?!?!
and overuses exclamation points (and doesn't care)!!!!!!
I am the kind of writer who returns to my writing weeks, months, years later and doesn't remember writing those words...and finds that often that's my best writing.
I am the kind of writer who has had to work to compose digitally and appreciates the different styles of writing it creates.
I am the kind of writer who needs silence to write.
I am the kind of writer who always has my notebook with me.
I am the kind of writer who wants readers.
I am the kind of writer who will continue to search for the answer to this question.
I am the kind of writer who writes to untangle my life.Thank you, Terje and Stacey, for the inspiration!
What kind of writer are you?!?!
Oh this is awesome! That last line is a quote I want to write down and keep: "I write to untangle my life." I think you should frame this in your classroom. Such a powerful example for your students. I love to read your writing and your joy for all things jumps out whenever I read what you write. You are a writer that is a pleasure to read!
ReplyDeleteOh my...I found myself saying "Me too" to so many of your lines. I could have written this post! (Another way we are connected perhaps???) I especially agree with the line, "I am a writer who has a story to tell, but isn't exactly sure what that story is." I often feel the same way and trust that the story will reveal itself to me in time. Loved this post, Michelle! Keep writing!!
ReplyDeleteI actually had this in mind for my SOL today, too. I haven't written yet which is not typical of the kind of writer I am. This one resonated with me, "I am the kind of writer who loves to read mentor texts and then worries that everything has already been said." I so often feel that everything I could think of to write has already been said and better. These are those days that Just Do It comes in handy. I like to think that my words may somehow make a difference some day. Is that too much to ask?
ReplyDeleteNow YOU have inspired me to give this a try to see what kind of writer I am. Often I replied, "Me too" to one of your lines but then other times, "No, I do...." You remind me how we are so alike while being so different, as writers! Thanks for the inspiration! I can't wait to write my answer to your question!!
ReplyDeleteYou've shown well that writing is complicated, like our lives? Beautiful and thoughtful list, Michelle. How to make this all work the way we want it is not an easy task, but all through the months you've shown you can and do. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteI smiled throughout this post. May I add, you are the kind of writer that inspires others. :) Thank you Michelle.
ReplyDeleteThis made me happy today. I want to think about what kind of a writer I am too. Thanks for the share and the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWow. I am impressed. You are a reflective writer. You know yourself so well. Love your reflection. I read and to me it sounded like poetry
ReplyDeleteI love your first and last lines- making sense and untangling... reminds me of what Lucy Calkins says about why we write... I have it written in a notebook somewhere. And 63 notebooks? WOW!!! I also was inspired by Stacey and Terje's posts and wrote about what kind of writer I am. It was really a good experience to do that.
ReplyDelete63 notebooks?!!? Wow! That is impressive, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteYou've inspired me with this post!
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading this list, I KNEW I would see the ellipsis, the exclamation and the interrogbang!
ReplyDelete