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Exciting Writing!

11/20/2013

13 Comments

 
Picture
     Hello everyone!  Many of you know that I am an author and I enjoy writing.  Also, many of my author friends are busy writing this month, because November is National Novel Writing Month; or Nanowrimo for short and Nano for even shorter!  Novice and experienced writers alike are trying to write at least 50,000 words of a novel this month.  More than likely, there isn't much editing going on... just writing, writing, writing!
     So, I thought I would write a post that features writing.  I actually hope to be able to offer writing classes and workshops, here at DUO Education!  Maybe this will end up being a great way to build interest and promote the idea.  If you have any interest, ideas, questions, comments, etc. about me offering a writing class or workshop; please feel free to contact me!  What kind of a writing class or workshop would you like?  What would you like included?  How would you like it delivered?
     As a writer, sometimes the ideas just flow right out of me.  There are days when I have no trouble coming up with ideas.  Sometimes, I sit at the computer in front of the blank screen and don't know what to write.  Writer's block hits us all!
     Writers get over writer's block using various techniques.  I will mention two of them here.  The first one is what is called free writing.  You just write.  Even if you don't know what to write about, you write.  Even if you have to write that you don't know what to write about, you write.  The idea, is that eventually you will hit on something that will spark an idea.  You might write something like:


     "Ugh!  I don't know what to write about.  Why does the teacher make us do this?  I don't understand how someone can tell us to write even if we don't have anything to write about.  I don't feel like writing.  This is stupid.  Uh.  I was called stupid once.  I didn't like it at all.  You see, it was..."


See?  Even if you start not having anything to write about, sometimes you can write and write...and something touches in your mind that creates a seed of a wonderful writing idea; a story just waiting to be told.  No, it doesn't always happen that fast.  Although, sometimes it does!
     The second way of getting over writer's block is to start with a writing prompt.  That is when someone or something gives you a topic, a beginning, or an idea...and you run with it to see where it takes you.  So, true to the poster at the top of the blog: It is writing prompt time! 


Here is your prompt:


You went to bed last night thinking about Thanksgiving.  And, you know that dreams can take you into some very strange places.  During the night, you do dream.  You find yourself in a new land.  No... it isn't where you live now...somewhere completely different.  It can be a real place, another country maybe, or a fantasy land.  It may be a different time maybe... maybe in the past or in the future.... or in the present.  Write about where you are.  Name the place and describe it.  What is the climate like?  What do you see?  What are the people like?  What do you hear?  What do you smell?  They are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving there...but it is different.  They have different traditions...different ways to show thankfulness.  What is it like?


     I would be happy to see parts or all of what you come up with in trying these writing strategies.  If you would like to show me, please contact me to make arrangements.  You can also connect with me (Jodi Desautels) on Facebook and make arrangements there.  (Did you know that DUO Education is on Facebook too? 

     

Notes and Announcements

*Speaking of writing and writers:  My friend, Author Rhonda Patton, is running a Facebook event for me.  It is to get more awareness for DUO Education, my books, me, and the rest of my work.  Please feel free to pop in.  It will be going until November 23rd.  (She has a new release out, which I formatted, titled: "Dylan and the Croak Orleans Gang."  It is about a frog who follows his dream.  It also teaches the names of a few musical instruments.)


*Please remember to comment for your chance to win a copy of "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" or suggest a place for me to donate a copy.  Oh...and here is a hint. The waterfall is in my home state of Vermont and it is on this list.  Please go to this blog post for more information and to comment!


*I am always looking for new people who share my passion in education.  I look for people who want to network and share in teaching and learning!  I have a new friend, who I think, also shares my passion in education.  It is Fran of Fran's World of Discovery.  You may see us promoting each other's work.  It is all about fun in education!  And... she and I both feel that is important!  If you have an educational site, educational ideas, educational books, educational products, educational classes....and you are interested in cross promoting or sharing, please contact me.  If it is something I feel I can stand behind, I am happy to chat or help share the cause.


*DUO Education does offer writing tutoring as well.  Please visit the online tutoring services page and feel free to contact me for more information.  Thank you!
13 Comments
Rhonda Patton link
11/20/2013 03:26:07 am

This is great. I know this too well when I do not have anything working on. :)

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/20/2013 10:57:43 pm

Thank you for stopping by, Rhonda! Yes, I think all writers have experienced it at one time or another!

Reply
cathy carper link
11/20/2013 03:33:24 am

What a GREAT post... every year I plan on doing NaNo but something seems to get in the way at the beginning of the month so I'm falling behind before it has even begun. LOL But I love your ideas about overcoming writer's block... great post.

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/20/2013 10:59:18 pm

Thank you, Cathy! LOL! I know what you mean about NaNo. I have considered it as well and haven't tried it yet either.

Reply
Renee-Ann link
11/20/2013 05:56:45 am

This is a great post. Thanks for sharing Jodi. :)

For those who, like myself, cannot commit to NaNo in November for whatever reason, there are options.

Some people do the NaNoWriMo every month. And to find those who do, just put the first three letters of the month followed by NoWriMo in your search engine. You'll find them.

I wanted to take part in NaNoWriMo 2009, but because we have a huge Christmas productionat church with practices/rehearsals in November, I was unable to. In Feb 2010, I stumbled upon a forum-type website where someone posted "I failed NaNo in Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb, so I'm doing for MarNoWriMo." I thought they do that every month? So if you really want to do NaNo, and I encourage you to do it, it's a lot of fun, challenging and hey, that's how I wrote my first novel. Stella's Plea.

Just thought I'd share.

Blessings, Renee-Ann <><

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/20/2013 11:01:23 pm

Thank you for stopping by, Renee-Ann! I appreciate the kind words and the info about Nano for the other months! That is great news! Maybe I will be able to try it some month after all! And, congrats on your novel!

Reply
Sheila Deeth link
11/20/2013 02:15:07 pm

When my son was told to write a poem and complained that he hated poems, I suggested he write one about not wanting to write one. Pretty soon he loved writing and loved poems. Not my doing I know, but I'm kind of proud of at least having nudged him into that first fun effort.

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/20/2013 11:05:33 pm

Hi Sheila. Thank you so much for stopping by! That is wonderful news about your son! I enjoy hearing stories like that! And... you may have a more to do with your son's love for writing and poetry! I believe we plant a little seed with everything we do. Sometimes we never know what happens with that seed. It looks like your seed blossomed! Great job!

Reply
cathy carper link
11/20/2013 09:21:35 pm

Renee-Ann... I get NaNo notifications throughout the year but have never done it - you're right... one could do it ANY month. Doesn't just have to be November. Good for you on doing that and getting a novel finished!

And Sheila... that was great about recommending to your son he write a poem about not wanting to write the poem! I love that.

Reply
Sandra L. Portman link
11/25/2013 04:28:14 am

Thanks so much for this helpful post, Jodi! I had seen this shared on Facebook and actually used it to get the ideas flowing to complete my last children's book that had been languishing.

Here's what I did... I took your idea about Thanksgiving and just started writing. Suddenly, the story shifted to my main character in the book I couldn't finish and it just flowed onto the paper (or in my case, the digital document!). It was amazing - love when you get in the zone and it flows.

Thanks so much!

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/25/2013 09:40:42 am

Sandra, thank you for stopping by! I am sooooo excited that my post helped you! That is one thing I enjoy about online teaching and learning! And, yes, as a fellow author, I know the feeling of finally getting a story to come together. Way to go! I hope this helps writers of all ages!

Reply
Sherry Ellis link
11/29/2013 03:19:42 am

This is a good prompt. I bet it will help quite a few people generate some writing ideas. Thanks for all of the well-wishes for Hanukkah and Thanksgiving. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too!

Reply
Jodi Desautels
11/29/2013 04:29:46 am

Thank you, Sherry! It is nice of you to stop by! I appreciate the kind words! I hope hope the writing prompt helps! And... you are most welcome about the Hanukkah and Thanksgiving well-wishes!

Reply



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         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner, educator, author, illustrator, crafter, creator, and photographer.  She lives by two rules:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."

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