Thoughts about writing, and the universe.
Last week, I wrote about reading Shakespeare with my second-year literature students who, no longer bound by the IB exams, are exploring new terrain. My English-language students too have been exploring. We've had some marvelous philosophical discussions, and students have brought in articles, poems, and videos they would like to discuss. Although not many students... Continue Reading →
An update Three days after my last post, it was announced the school would close. We are sending students home. Last week's heartbreak is compounded. On Wednesday, we celebrated an early Graduation for the second-years. Each day since then, our numbers have been whittling. There are some students who cannot go home. Borders open up... Continue Reading →
This post is part of the monthly Author Toolbox Blog Hop, in which writers post great resources and information relevant for other writers. Check out other #AuthorToolboxBlogHop posts here! And a caveat to the above: how useful will this post be to other writers? Perhaps not very. It's somewhat journal-heavy. It's somewhat bland. But if... Continue Reading →
A paradox of fiction writing (and perhaps too of reading) is the power of the storytelling to make us more aware of our real worlds. As the painter studies a subject and seeks to understand each detail of light, color, and shape, so we, when we write, are looking into things' hearts and seeking the... Continue Reading →
I'm afraid a quick post today is all that I can manage. I've slept in late (9:44 the time reads now), and at 11:30 I'll head on down to campus for the Sunday study hall I lead, three meetings with students scheduled up, and a set of tests haranguing me for grades. It's also my... Continue Reading →
I wrote five letters of recommendation for students in the wake of Christmas. Five good students. Five iterations on a form. Five attempts to capture the standout. Five people to reflect upon. I'm not sure I've met a teacher who enjoys writing recommendation letters, although perhaps I just assume. We smile graciously when asked. "I... Continue Reading →
Today's post moves away a bit from writing. I apologize, even as I violate key blogger advice of "sticking to one's niche." In truth, this post is about what has been making it hard for me to do much writing recently, committed as I remain. Readers, I thank you for sticking with me. I can... Continue Reading →
Sunset above Denmark. Summer is done for me. A week of workshops with colleagues, a week's orientation for new students. The fjord is bursting now with a world-full of teenagers, and they have come loaded down with suitcases and nerves, excitement and their blue-toothed boomboxes, their overwhelmed emails, overwhelming excitement, their homesickness, fledgling independence, their... Continue Reading →
Words like trees 