Round and Round a Writing Community Goes and Where It Stops, Well, Actually It Doesn't

About a month ago, I had a chat with two fellow writers, Nitasha and Nancy, that I worked with, in Mumbai, India, six years ago. While teaching there, we were members of the same writing group. This conversation sparked memories of our groups' prompts, fellow writers' pieces, and, most importantly, the community that was grown from this shared experience. During our conversation, Nitasha invited us to join her in this year's Two Writing Teachers' SOL challenge.

Instantly I signed up. No reflection. No wondering if I could have the stamina to write for 31 days. No doubts. There was a reason for my instantaneous sign-up. At the time, I was unaware, but a silent signal flashed in the frontal lobe of my brain. I was desperately craving to write with a community.

Thirty-one days later, I've realized that the writing community Nancy started six years ago has created a cycle of sorts. Now bear with me.

1. The group that Nancy originally formed and led was passed onto Nitasha and me.

2. When we left our school, I assumed the writing group ended, but like all cycles, it didn't. Two of our colleagues took the reigns and continue to facilitate the group.

3. Surprisingly, six years later, plus or minus a few months, Nitasha reached out and invited me here.

Our "old" writing group never really ended. It was just the beginning. At times our members, myself included, hibernated, but like bears, we seem to possess chemical reactions within our brains that deploy a silent signal that it's time to write again. I emerged from my writing den to share in this year's SOL writing challenge, all thanks to my original writing group, which began 8,000 miles and six years away from here.

Thanks to all the slicers who joined this year's challenge, which, as many of you have stated along the way, has been more of a challenge than usual. Your commitment and encouragement are appreciated and have inspired me.

Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers team for building this community and encouraging us to write and share.

Thanks to my Welcome Wagon driver, cheerleader, and nudger, Glenda, whose big change in her plans swerved her into this role and seat, and I'll be ever grateful for her expertise.

And finally, thanks to Nitasha for this invitation.

Looking forward to SOL21. Stay well and safe.

Books Make Hearts Happy: A Poem

Flipping your fingers
over each page
I'd touched
you said,
"Getting this book
made my heart happy.
I love you, Aunt Meg." 

The joy it brought you,
and your grin,
caused my heart
to radiate a glow
that drew my lips
into a smile.

I'm so glad you liked your book Eddie.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Snail Mail Love Through Making Books

I'm an auntie. I have two nephews. One is two. The other is four. So many of us are finding new ways to connect with our loved ones. Yesterday, I received a note in the mail from my older nephew, Eddie. I decided to show him some snail mail love today by making him a book.

Why did I choose to make books?

I had the privilege to work with Matt Glover, author and consultant several times when I worked in Mumbai, India, at the American School of Bombay. Matt provides some of the best in-school professional development I've ever participated in, especially for teachers of young writers! I learned so many things from Matt, but I loved being immersed in was the importance of young writers making books. In this video, Matt recently created as a parent resource (but I think it is useful for educators too); he shares the principles of why making books is so valuable. 

My slice today is the two little books I made for my nephews. I tried to like Matt does, choose everyday topics, so they know not all books have to have big ideas, just the process of writing is what it's about!

Please note, I'm modeling approximated drawings and writing too. Be kind!

I realized I forgot to put Eddie in the first position (words don't match the text) hence the addition of the numerals.

Here's Oliver's book.

Thanks, Matt. You've made it possible for me to share my passion for writing not only with the students and teachers I support but, even more importantly, with my nephews.