Q & A and a Free Write - In Monday!
Answers to Some Writing Questions
Whenever I teach a class, I survey my students at the end. I did this when I taught elementary school too. I once had a fourth grade look at me incredulously and say, “You want ME to GRADE YOU?” The class questioned my sanity for asking for their evaluations.
It is helpful to know if the exercises landed and if there are suggestions for improvement. It is also helpful to know what is the most valuable from the class.
I thought I would share some of the questions posed to me and their answers!
Remember! Tomorrow, Monday, January 8, at 6 pm Central/7 pm Eastern I am hosting a free write-in! I invite you to write with me!
You can register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuf-CtrTorHtW7KgAF0bExkqmro0iKM4Nx
Q: How do you stay so organized?
A: I often feel like this is an illusion. I seem more organized than I am. Having a public education as a background and working with small children I had to be organized with 5 and 6-year-olds. They will run amok if you are not.
I have a lot of files in Google Drive. I use my calendar alerts. I make a lot of lists. I have ADHD! I also pay attention to how other people organize classes and workshops and such. I make notes of what works well for me and what I want to try. That is how I came to know Wet Ink. I took a class and thought that could work really well for me. I just try stuff too. I got over the idea of being exposed to a certain degree because of my coaching job. When you go into someone's classroom to teach they are judging you 100 percent the whole time. Writing seems easier. When I was writing on my blog, I knew if I made a mistake I could go back and update the post.
For writing on Substack, I have certain days for certain posts. Tuesday is the Tammy's Trio, and Sunday is the Coffee Share. I used to do other themed days. I write every day and go through spurts of routine. For example, right now I am reading the Pivot Year every morning and then reflecting on a quote from that reading.
Q: How are you a natural leader and instructor?
A: That has been developed over time. It is the coaching and teaching experience I think. Plus I have a drive. If I have an idea I will deploy it quickly. I do not want to wait around and over-plan. I figure I can build the airplane and fly it at the same time. I have done it numerous times before. Again, I pay attention to people who are successful and emulate what works for me.
Q: Were your expectations met in this class?
I was open. I have taught a lot of classes online with Centered (Sarah Selecky’s Writing School Community) and outside of it, so it is always an interesting mix to see what happens. I taught a Flash class and one time it was interactive and lovely and the second time everyone wrote with the prompts in their own notebooks, but never shared. I think there is a lot to be gained from interaction. Everyone’s lens is so different and interesting. That is the stuff that drives me. For people to notice their own reading changing is a high for me as well and to know I had influence on that - like K. said she needed to learn to read slower because flash and poetry are different than novels. AMAZING! It also was fun for me to reread the pieces I assigned to you all.
This is great. Definitely asks to pause for reflection.
This is inspiring ❤️