tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30717274324224836102024-03-05T10:02:14.672-05:00Word CoachAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-46682714621134128342013-10-28T15:55:00.000-04:002015-01-27T12:54:40.690-05:00Tips on Preparing for Class Discussions"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."
—African Proverb
To recap what we discussed during class (and to aid those who are not in my class or missed the session), these are key points for preparing successfully for class discussions:
Read the assignment before class and write down any questions you may have about it.
Ask questions Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-53874930115336803902013-10-09T12:48:00.000-04:002015-01-27T12:49:48.823-05:00College Writing Skills: Study Success Tips"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that people reached in life as by the obstacles that they have overcome."
—Booker T. Washington
To recap what we discussed during class (and to aid those who are not in my class or missed the session), these are key points for successful studying:
• Study in a place that has minimal distractions.
• Stay healthy and relaxed.
• Attend eachAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-77330522380237858222013-10-04T14:44:00.000-04:002015-01-27T12:45:41.419-05:00Formal and Informal CommunicationThis topic invariably comes up in my writing workshops and classes. It doesn't matter the age of the group or whether they are taking the class for personal enrichment/lifelong learning or for college credit. When we communicate---whether verbally or through writing---the outcome is always the same: to convey thoughts. Knowing your purpose and audience determines HOW you will communicate your Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-73311018567723170002013-09-02T12:34:00.000-04:002015-01-27T12:36:07.199-05:00Know Your Learning StyleThought for the week:
"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,
for this thing that we call failure is not the falling down,
but the staying down."
—Mary Pickford
NOTE: Learning Style Tips gleaned from exercises in our College Writing Skills textbook and MyWritingLab.com (I LOVE that program!) and recapped in the weekly course newsletter.
Your learning style Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-32957551028280695882013-08-24T12:08:00.000-04:002015-01-27T12:30:25.982-05:00College Writing Skills: The Writing Process This is dedicated to my students in the College Writing Skills program at ESC, though any writer--or student--will find it helpful. When I began teaching writing at the local college, I created a weekly sheet to help freshman students learn to manage the syllabus. It evolved into a "newsletter" of sorts complete with articles, study tips, and motivational quotes. I'll now post those on my blog (Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-36661734538410783082013-02-02T11:30:00.000-05:002013-02-02T11:30:01.842-05:00Learning from Published Authors
A version of this entry appeared Jan. 23, 2013 on "Wonderings & Wanderings," my blog about living the writer's life.
The best way to learn to write well is to note how published authors have applied all the elements of strong prose you’re learning about. Dissect published stories and articles to see how the pros build the writing puzzle.
Select your favorite short story from anAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-22038167671257578692013-01-26T09:30:00.000-05:002013-01-27T19:37:59.633-05:00Create a Routine
A version of this entry appeared on January 19, 2013 at "Wonderings & Wanderings," my blog about living the writer's life.
A regular writing routine sets a career in motion. Finding time is tough at first, so once you've set a schedule, it’s frustrating when life messes with it. It’s okay if the schedule is sporadic from time to time. It will settle back into place when the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-22135866979334684352013-01-19T13:42:00.004-05:002013-01-19T13:42:44.078-05:00Recharging Stalled Writing
I don't often have trouble with writers block. As a big talker it's rare for me to have nothing to say. During deadlines, though, I might freeze; sometimes because I'm working with a new editor and wonder whether I'm on target or not. Sometimes I even get stalled on projects without deadlines, such as my short stories and novel projects. When this happens, I use a variety of techniques to get Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-45616575980350385042013-01-12T13:17:00.000-05:002013-01-19T13:18:58.589-05:00Breaking Writer's Block
So, have your created goals for the year? I encourage my workshop students to, complete with action steps toward achieving them. Many who are in my workshops view the class as an action toward a goal. Perhaps you're doing the same, or perhaps you're reading some books on writing craft. If you're like a few of my workshop students, you may be facing a new problem -- freezing up or struggling to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-39038232102567308652012-12-30T07:03:00.000-05:002012-12-30T07:03:00.348-05:00Play it Again, SAM: Setting Goals instead of Resolutions
The new year is upon us. Have you set your resolutions yet? I hate resolutions. Declaring your purpose for the new year doesn't make it happen. I resolve to lose weight, exercise more, and get more done, but without a plan my enthusiasm waivers and I find myself drowning in my own resolve.
About a decade ago affirmations and intentions were the latest thing at the new year. Both are Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-47093980949353442572012-11-26T11:00:00.000-05:002012-11-26T11:00:12.055-05:00Weave in Story Details
Work on observing your surroundings using all five senses. What does the wind smell like? What does rain taste like? What does a wooded area sound like? Describe the bark of different trees. How is today’s rain storm different than yesterday’s? How is a hot day different than a hot night? Start now to really notice the world around you—listen, feel, taste, experience it.
Next, translate these Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-52137911178426722412012-11-18T15:38:00.000-05:002012-11-24T15:40:33.159-05:00How Writing is like CookingNOTE: I'm trying to fix glitches with links between my different accounts. This blog, originally posted at Wonderings and Wanderings was supposed to also post here. I've posted a condensed version that focuses on the writing connection.
I usually spend a good portion of my weekend in the kitchen making meals for the coming week. This weekend, however, none of my recipes turned out.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-35335960832304296272012-10-27T07:30:00.000-04:002012-11-24T15:57:38.724-05:00Life only Seems to Get in the WayI know. I know. It's been too long since I've posted here. My only excuse is that this blog is dedicated to "all things writing." And, I've been blogging about life in general at my other blog: Wonderings and Wanderings.
Even at that blog, I haven't posted all that often because this has been one insane year! But, the holidays are approaching and as busy as I am personally, I am even more Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-82467834860321114672012-08-26T15:54:00.001-04:002012-08-26T15:54:58.591-04:00Winds of Change Blowing Southern Florida is getting ready for TS Issac. Since I've just emerged from an intense summer that has left me working hard to carve out writing time, the last thing I wanted to deal with was battening down and preparing for severe winds and rain at the least and a full-blown gale at worst.
I haven't posted much since spring because I promised myself I'd devote this blog to writing. But, IAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-42556535769946458572012-07-07T13:36:00.000-04:002012-07-21T13:40:29.162-04:00Too Busy Writing: Seeking Balance
Sorry, I haven't posted sooner. I know it's been a while. Too long in fact. But, I been so busy writing. Well, teaching and freelancing anyway. Those who know me know that I balance my time between teaching and writing, and between work with younger readers and adult learners. The adult learners are participants in writing workshops I offer locally (though I am taking a few of these workshops Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-22549845103737957832012-03-26T10:36:00.000-04:002012-03-26T10:36:12.214-04:00Writing DiscplineDiscipline is a big part of working as a professional writer. It's important to focus on the task at hand, but I may take a short break to play with new ideas if I hit a lag and need to get the creative juices flowing. After my deadline is met, however, I will have plenty of ideas waiting. How do I decide which to pursue next? I consider two things: exhilaration and marketing. With which of theseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-44958245571091906302012-03-15T16:30:00.001-04:002012-03-15T16:30:00.443-04:00Corralling IdeasWhen I was a 100 percent “newbie” writer, I actually worried that I’d only have one idea to write about. I was actually reluctant to send out my first MS for fear that I wouldn’t know what to work on next. This very thought is ludicrous to me now; once I became aware of all the potential ideas surrounding me, I quickly filled up an 18-inch index card file box! The same will happen for you. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-69685391713700989572012-03-10T11:30:00.005-05:002012-03-10T11:30:01.124-05:00Make Your ClayEarlier this week I finally had a chance to catch up with a dear friend. We went for a walk on the beach and talked about writing. Since she has taken my writing classes in the past (that’s actually how I met her), she reminded me about something I tell my students at all levels: "make your clay and then worry about details later." What do I mean by this? A writer’s draft is the medium of our Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-16927478186433496312012-03-07T09:15:00.004-05:002012-03-09T11:19:33.581-05:00Blending DetailsThese two exercises require you to use details from your journal and spring-board to a new idea. You'll blend the real and the imaginary to create a story.Exercise 1:Find a favorite magazine. Select an ad that inspires you. Find another ad or photo of a person.Write about that person in the setting or situation from the first ad. What happens? Is there a problem? How is it resolved?Exercise 2:1)&Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-77368541343417504402012-02-20T18:20:00.001-05:002012-02-20T18:20:00.847-05:00Wanted: The ‘Perfect' Journal<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-66788306387602727512012-02-12T18:31:00.000-05:002012-02-12T18:31:32.206-05:00Journaling: Writers Basic Training<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-4169183159449144902012-02-02T17:32:00.001-05:002012-02-12T18:37:45.709-05:00Tuning into Ideas<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-32757203162598453212012-01-18T13:24:00.000-05:002012-01-18T13:24:21.040-05:00Protest SOPA and PIPA to stop internet censorshipOn Jan 24th, Congress will vote to pass internet censorship in the Senate, even though the vast majority of Americans are opposed. We need to kill the bill - PIPA in the Senate and SOPA in the House - to protect our rights to free speech, privacy, and prosperity. Learn more at the SOPA Infographic and by visiting Stop American Censorship
Writers depend on social media, social networking, an Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-49630718436285924322012-01-12T17:15:00.001-05:002012-02-12T18:20:03.320-05:00Finding Ideas: Train Your BrainNew classes began this week for several venues in which I teach—college level writing skills, creative and nonfiction writing, and storytelling with my elementary students. No matter the age or level of the writer, before you can write, you need ideas.
Ideas are all around us, but many new writers need to train themselves to recognize ideas. Yes, being open to ideas from our experiences Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3071727432422483610.post-86076738551763703692012-01-03T22:06:00.001-05:002012-02-12T18:14:53.978-05:00Write Through the Year<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10093568093001096957noreply@blogger.com0