I am joining a group of writers who are linking-up twice a week for the next month to discuss some of the foundational ideas in writing. The topics for this link-up come from the book On Being a Writer by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig. This link-up is being hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog entitled Heading Home.
Today’s topic is identify:
When I was in high school I began to journal on a regular basis. My journaling began as a chronicle of my life, but soon morphed to include some of my personal stories and creative writings. By the time I was a junior in high school I had decided that I wanted to study English in college, because it had become a huge passion of mine. I wanted to pick a major that would lead to a career in English and so through numerous experiences I felt led to become an English teacher. I love having that title today because really it just means I’m a professional writer and reader who passes on my skills and experiences daily. I love what I do for a living and I couldn’t pick a more enjoyable age group with whom to work.
Sometimes I think teachers begin to lose their personal identity as a writer or reader because those things are associated with their job. Not I. Each day that I spend talking to my students about books that they are reading and authentic writing that they are doing brings me fulfillment in my goals for myself. They inspire me to continue my own writing and reading and not to let my career keep me from something I’ve loved for so long. I truly enjoy my content and my classroom and I look forward to fostering a love of writing and reading in my students everyday.
A writer is someone who finds inspiration in the mediocre and gives it life. Writer’s routinely polish their craft through regular practice. I never really considered myself a writer in school. I was a student learning the basics of writing, but once I took the reigns I began to develop that identity for myself.
Over time I began to write short stories, novels, articles, poetry, and blogs. I enjoy the variety of writing styles that I produce and I love a good challenge to my comfort zone. For the longest time my writing was just mine. I selfishly kept folders and notebooks with my writings hoarding them in my parents’ basement until one day I decided to open up and reveal the stories seizing control over my mind and hard drive. I shared those writings little by little. First with those I trusted, then with students, and finally when I published this blog I made a lot of my own writing public.
I now identify myself as a writer, because I’ve made writing a priority. In a way many of us are writers. You don’t have to be published to claim that title. You don’t even have to share your skills to be deemed a writer. A writer is anyone who has unique thoughts and keeps record of them. Maybe your medium is a notepad app on your phone or a napkin at the restaurant where you work (I admit that I stole that scenario from J.K. Rowling’s humble beginning). Whoever you are and however you do it YOU ARE A WRITER.
A writer is thoughtful. A writer is inquisitive. A writer is unique. A writer is courageous.
I have yet to receive my copy of the book On Being a Writer so everything I have posted today has been an original thought of mine. I saw the topic and ran with it. I hope you liked the finished product.
The Ameri Brit Mom 