Bitten by a Bug

A writing bug that is!

Ever since I finished my book, edited it and made some revisions before sending it to my distributor to be printed and sent out to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other book carriers, I have writing on my mind. Always.

Once you begin to find the writer inside of you, it craves to be used. Daily if possible. I have always enjoyed writing and have dabbled here and there with writing but never really did any serious writing until this past year when I participated in NaNoWriMo. Then the crap hit the fan in my life and I started writing about it.

While the notion of it and all of the "before" stuff was being chronicled here and there, once Pandora's Box opened in January, the writer in me burst forth and I could no longer contain her. I no longer wanted to either.

Now with a published book out there, I crave writing time. I don't always find it daily but I want it. I need it. It has begun to define me. If I can't work on a piece that will eventually become some kind of published work, I blog or journal. I have to write something, no matter how long or short.

It probably won't shock anyone to know that On Writing by Stephen King and The Writer's Notebook by Ralph Fletcher are two of my favorite books. I love King's memoir section but also his wit and humor regarding the craft. Fletcher's work, of course, provides teachers with a way to engage their students as real writers.

The writer I have unlocked in myself is the writer I wish I could give to all of my students: the need and desire to write because that is who and what you are--a writer. The need becomes so great that it's another essential part of life, such as food and shelter.

When we make kids write about what WE tell them to write about, it slowly kills the writer inside of them. By the time they finish high school, often that writer is dead. They hate writing, it's a chore, something to do for a standardized test or to get their teacher off their back. They don't crave it. They don't NEED it for their survival.

I want to help my students find that need to write. This year, no matter what, I am going to find a way to help my students find the writer inside of them. The writer who HAS to write or they feel like something is missing. If I can help even one or two students find the writer inside themselves, I will be a success.

I only wish I had unlocked the writer in me earlier so as to provide more students with a glimpse at a writing life. I want them to crave it too.

Be sure to visit me on FaceBook for book details (including Kindle freebie days!) here.

Don't forget about my book giveaway! Winners will be announced this week! If you just can't wait, it is available at Amazon both print and Kindle editions! You can also order direct for 20% off through July 3 by going here!


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