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One of the biggest barriers between us and the Slice of Life Challenge is TIME. We look at our schedules, we look at other’s slices, and we quickly jump to the conclusion that we… Read More →

It’s time to start talking and imagining and getting excited about the 6th Annual Slice of Life Challenge. Here are a few things to begin considering. If you’ve never participated, now is the… Read More →

One of the lines from the Voices Strong class mantra, taught by Christy Rush-Levine is Write Unapologetically. I love these two words side-by-side standing for genuine marks on the page. Today, I planned… Read More →

As an instructional coach, a key part of my job is to encourage and inspire teachers. This is one of my favorite things about my job. It isn’t easy to be the person… Read More →

One of the reasons I appreciate the opportunity to lead professional development is I get to continue pushing myself to new understandings and deeper learning. Every time I speak or work with a… Read More →

I hope you are spending your holiday in a way that restores your soul.  I know I’m one of the earlier back-to-school people in our little community here. We’ve been back for three… Read More →

Today I met with a teacher who said these words to me: I don’t like writing. I really don’t like writing. Give me math all day long every day and I’m happy, but don’t make me write. I appreciated her candidness. I love it when teachers are honest with me and I’m always humbled that [...]

Last year I joined the WFMAD challenge hosted by Laurie Halse Anderson. You know Laurie Halse Anderson, right? No matter what level of students you work with she writes books that you would be interested in reading (if you haven’t already). Young Adult: Speak. Wintergirls. Twisted. Prom. Catalyst. Historical Thrillers: Chains. Forge. Fiction for Young [...]

One of the best ways to get to know characters (or people in general) is to figure out what they want. Often these wants drive our stories Whether you are crafting a fiction story or living your own story, wants are a motivator for actions and choices. Today’s {Discover. Play. Build.} challenge is focused around [...]

Last week… Stacey blogged about updating heart maps. (See everything we’ve blogged about heart maps here.) B. blogged about hand lists. I was reminded about writing close to the bones. I kept thinking about my slice of life pepperoni pizza. Aren’t these just fancy lists? you may be wondering. The short answer is yes. But [...]

I almost forgot to blog today. How could that happen? Let’s see, maybe because today – It is in the midst of summer and I was playing catch in the yard, eating pancakes with my family, and watching Herbie the Love Bug. I revised the ending chapter of my YA project from 5:45 am until [...]

To anyone celebrating today, we hope you are enjoying all of the good stuff of Independence Day: Watermelon, grilled meals, corn on the cob, and the blessings of freedom. The {Discover. Play. Build.} prompt was inspired by the holiday. It is general enough for anyone not celebrating today to still be inspired. Hop over to [...]

One of the basics I’ve stumbled across while writing fiction is to know what your characters’ fears are. Often tension is built around fear, making stories weave around and get to the heart of the matter. Considering our own fears, as well as ways we have overcome past fears, also make worthy writer’s notebooks topics. [...]

Sometimes when an experience seems so big it is hard to focus a reflection. Sometimes it is hard to settle the thoughts and find the meaning. Sometimes it is difficult to even know where to begin processing. So I’m going to make a lists. Lists always seem to make things more manageable. The Twitter feed [...]

Thank you to everyone who left a note about the {Discover. Play. Build.} posts. I’m thrilled that you are feeling inspired and excited to pursue a writing adventure during the summer. I’m excited too. But… Here’s the deal. I see Two Writing Teachers as a place where I’m a teacher first. Although I believe it [...]

There are a million reasons why we don’t have time to write. What are yours? What is keeping you from putting words on the page?Today take some time to think about the things that are holding you back. Put them on the page so you can move on and spend the summer discovering, playing, and [...]

Last Monday I wrote something on a whim…in a blog post…about offering a writing prompt. Your responses have had me thinking all week. Thoughts like this: Can I offer worthy prompts? Can I offer worthy prompts multiple times? What if it isn’t worthy to anyone but me? And things like this: Do I believe in prompting [...]

Last week my dad turned sixty. My brother, his wife, Andy, and I decided it called for a party. So we planned (and pulled off) a surprise party for him. Saturday evening nineteen people came to my house to celebrate with us. It was great. We serve prime rib (Andy is an expert at steak), [...]

Sam: Momma, guess what. Me: I don’t know, what? Sam: Get ready, because this is a big one. Me: Okay, what? Sam: Are you ready? Me: I’m ready. Sam: Okay, brace yourself and hold out your hands. Me: Okay, tell me. Sam: (arms stretched toward the ceiling, the biggest 5 year old grin you’ve ever [...]

March reminded me to take care of myself. March reminded me of the power of a writing community. March reminded me I am determined. March reminded me my words make a difference to other’s lives. March reminded me I’m busy. March reminded me ordinary days are my passion. March reminded me to let go of unrealistic expectations. March reminded me to breathe. [...]

So this slice is found poetry. “Found” in the sense that I’m completely swiping Ruth Metcalfe’s idea because she “found” a poem in her iPod today. Then she told me about it and sent me a text and it sounded so fun I decided to try it too. Since her excitement was inspiration, I thought [...]

After school I went to my friend Jami’s house. It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other and I found myself looking forward to Monday afternoon all weekend . I called her after lunch today and said, “Will you share the beginning of your YA fiction with me if I share my first chapter [...]

I just started reading a new YA novel. And I’m hooked. For a normal person this wouldn’t be a problem. For me it is detrimental. See when I’m hooked, like I’m hooked with this book, I keep reading and reading and reading. Laundry needs folded. I read instead. My lunch needs packed. I read instead. [...]

I love to get up early on Saturday mornings. When Stacey and I were working on the book it was a habit I developed. I could score a few hours on Saturday morning for writing which didn’t steal from family time. Now, a year after the book was complete, I still find myself getting up [...]