First Day of School/Becoming a Writer

First Day of School 1910

Somebody's crying for their mom. Somebody forgot their lunch. Oops . . . somebody wet their knickers. Sorry about that: the first day of school is scary for teachers!

But, now that you're here I'm feeling a little better. Since we're all new, let's go over some class rules before we get started:

1. We have open enrollment. Everybody's welcome whenever they can come; you don't need to have a blog.
   
2. Homework and class involvement are optional. But, there will be participation points for anybody who comments about an assignment. If you do an assignment on your blog, please give proper attribution and link it back to TravelinOma as part of our class discussion.
   
3. You'll grade your own work. (A for Accomplishment, B for Basic Effort, C for Class Comments, D for thinking the assignment is Dumb, and F for Failure to Communicate.)
4. Anyone who completes a written assignment for this class every week will receive an Associate Degree. If you finish the other School Days class assignments, too, you'll get an OMA degree and prize. Keep track and I'll let you know when to report in. (We're on the honor system.)
5. Honorary Degrees and prizes go to the two people who recruit the most new students. (Have them mention your name or blog.)
6. You're welcome to put the School Days button on your blog, and for easy access, don't forget to subscribe to TravelinOma.

Orientation's over. Are you ready for class?

Becoming a Writer: 101

Journalista

"Writing comes more easily if you have something to say."
—Sholem Asch

I've always had plenty to say. In fact, I learned early that writing is a way of talking without being interrupted. But it took me a long time to call myself a writer. It didn't make sense: people who ski are skiers; people who paint are painters; but it seemed almost sacrilegious to deem myself a writer. What if the other writers were insulted that I thought myself worthy of their title?

You may have known early on that you were a writer, but I thought I wouldn't be a real writer until I had a best-seller. So all the time I was writing 4 or 5 hours a day, I still thought of myself as a wannabe. Then I sold some articles to Woman's Day, Family Circle, The Ensign and Good Housekeeping. Do you remember them? Well, that's the thing. Nobody does. Even though I got paid a hundred dollars here and there for writing, I still felt like an impostor. The page looked just as blank the next time, and I always doubted that I could fill it up again.

It's scary to open your soul, show your innermost self to others with the possibility that they won't like what they see. I've always heard the stories of actors who dream they go on stage and realize they're naked. (Dave Letterman says, "I love that dream.") I'd never had dreams like that until I started blogging. Now, I dream that I'm at the grocery store, or at church, and I suddenly perceive that I forgot to get dressed.

That's how I know I'm a writer. My heart is coming out through my fingertips. I don't need a paycheck, or a bestseller to prove it to myself. Maybe this is what a runner experiences when she starts training for a marathon, or a quilter when she gathers up a bundle of fat quarters. It's a surge of anticipation and trepidation—I love the sensation of writing enough to put in the time and toil to try to outdo myself.

Sue Grafton, the author of the alphabet mystery series, said, "Writing is self-taught. Most of us learn to write well by writing badly for a long, long time."

Blogging is a great way to get writing practice and build habits of showing up at the computer to work regularly. Some writers wait for a mystical muse to show up and stimulate creativity (we'll talk about that next week) but I've found that if I make writing a priority, I will actually get something written. Maybe.

Homework Assignment: Do any or all, or be inspired.

~ Think of a writing project you want to do. Name it. Write down the ten steps to begin. Write each step on a day or week in your planner (give yourself enough time to make it fun) and follow through. For instance:

My Semester Abroad

1. Get a new notebook and file folders.
2. Make a monthly time-line in my notebook or on the computer.
   
3. Find the letters I sent home.
4. Put letters in chronological order.
5. Read letters and stick post-its on good parts.
6. Call friends who were there and jot down their memories.
7. Look through photos and pick the best ones.
8. Write down how I decided to go (this is the beginning.)
   
9. Write down how the experience changed me (this is the end.)
10. Start writing up the stories I've chosen (this is the middle.)
    

~ Write a page about you. Introduce yourself. Prompt: If you were a character in your own book, what would your name be? Describe your inner self and your outer self. Prompt: "He saw her sneak into the classroom. She was ____, but he could tell she was____. . ."

~Every memoir has a catchy title. What would the title of your memoir be? Use the title to write the opening paragraph. Would anyone guess the book was about you?

~Make a list of writing projects you'd like to do someday.

~Write a blog post about why you have a blog.

Now, write away!

"Trust in what you love, continue to do it, and it will take you where you need to go."
—Natalie Goldberg