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{dear reader} 1/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge
hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.
Join us for a month of writing!
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Dear Reader,

You are here! I celebrate that YOU are on this writing journey with me for the month. I cannot even believe this is year eight for me. Each year has felt different: from feelings of anticipation to nervousness to excitement to everything in between. 

Yet, here is what I know for sure:

In this community, we celebrate words on a page. 

A short, simple slice of your life is about capturing small moments from an ordinary day.  

You will understand how your student writers' feel.

Use your notebook to hold a thought. (You think you'll remember that great idea for a slice.)

Play with words, write a poem, or try something new. Other slices make great mentor texts!

It's not easy to write every day -- publicly -- for thirty-one days. 

But you'll soon realize writing day-after-day is oh-so rewarding.

Comments matter. You'll see ... because there will be a day. 

A day when you have nothing to write. Nothing

But you will dig deep and still write.

Because remember? 

We celebrate words on a page. A short, simple slice of life.

Welcome to our first of thirty-one days of writing! It's going to be an amazing month!

Just write,
Michelle








Comments

  1. Thanks for reminding me to live like a writer throughout the day by carrying a notebook. This idea is going to save me in two ways, keeping me grounded in a happy identity I love, being a writer, (as I teach second grade) and helping me be more efficient in the morning when I need to write quickly! Thanks so much, happy March!

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    1. Awesome! Let me know how it goes ... Happy writing!

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  2. Welcome back for year 8! I still remember reading your slices when I first started 8 years ago...:)

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    1. Aw, that's awesome! So happy to be on the journey again!

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  3. Hard to believe that you've been on this journey for 8 years and me for 7 years. It's an amazing community and I'm anxious to start sharing, reading and commenting. Happy writing. Love ya, Mom

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    1. Thanks, Mom! So excited that you are continuing on this writing journey with me!

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  4. A notebook. So simple. So many ideas cross our minds during the day and get lost durig the shuffle. I'm going to start carrying one. Today. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  5. So glad to be back for my third (I think!) year. You are right: it's not easy to write publicly for 31 days. But so worth it. I look forward to seeing what slices we'll all create and discover this month. (And I love the reminder about seeking slices in other slices.)

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    1. I'm so happy that you are joining in again, Elisabeth! Happy writing!

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  6. Happy year 8, Michelle! You've captured most of the benefits of slicing. But I think you forgot making new friends even though you have never met in person. Here's to 30 more days!

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    1. You are SO right, Deb!!!! And I cannot believe it's year 8 and there are so many of still around writing ... that's the power of this community!! Cheers to "slicing friends"!

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  7. I love this line: In this community, we celebrate words on a page. The simple idea of celebrating words on a page. So refreshing and releasing. Thank you for the pep talk!!
    Clare

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    1. This slice of life is just that simple ... words on the page. Happy you are joining in again, Clare!

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  8. I love this! I'd love to write something like this for my children! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  9. These words are most encouraging: "We celebrate words on a page. A short, simple slice of life." Great reminder to us all.
    Just Write

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    1. You got it, Christine. Happy you are joining in again this year! Happy writing!

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  10. I'm teaching a grad school class in writing in a couple of hours and I will be sharing this post with them How do you teach writing? You have to write because it's about celebrating the words on the page! Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. That's great! I am humbled my little words will be shared with a grad class! That's awesome and happy writing to you all!

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  11. Celebrating words for thirty one days in a row. You are right, it is going to be an amazing month.

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    1. And I'm thrilled we are doing it together! :)

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  12. I love everything about this slice because everything is absolutely correct! I am going to share it on our #TeachWrite Tribe Facebook page for our new slicers. Thank you for being such a positive supporter! You are the best!

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    1. Aw, thanks, Leigh Anne! Share away! I've been pretty calm about this challenge, but now today I can feel the buzz of excitement!

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  13. Thanks for getting those words in my head....just write, just write, just write!

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    1. Trust me ... there will be many days I need that reminder too!

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  14. Great connecting with you again at #SOL18, Michelle. I am glad that Leigh Anne shared your post tonight. I can say that your line: "Comments matter. You'll see ... because there will be a day," is so true. I have been in a month-long poetry challenge and when I was unsure of what I wrote, I put it out there and the supportive comments came in. That makes the unsure writing still appreciated. (How old are your twins now-8?)

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  15. This is such a fun, encouraging celebration of why this community matters, Michelle! So glad to be here with you again!

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  16. Celebrating that words on a page have meaning was the topic of conversation at a grade level meeting of kindergarten teachers this morning. A few years ago when I first started slicing you were a great source of inspiration and support for me. Looking forward to slicing with you!

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  17. Thank you for the encouragement! I was having a great conversation with my creative friends on the purpose of a journey such as a 31 day writing challenge. And it comes back to community and story! Such powerful tools to bring us together!

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  18. I love this! I think it's that "publicly" part that makes this tricky --- and wonderful.

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