A Small Slice

What a day!  We have our state testing next week, and it's crunch time at our school.  We didn't pass last year so we're under a lot of pressure to make AYP.  All year long, we've been practicing test-taking strategies, providing after school tutoring, and collecting data to monitor student progress. Stakes are high for us this year, and with only a few days left before the test, tension is growing.  I've been going since 5:00 AM, and I still have laundry to fold and a dishwasher to empty.  So, I'm going to keep this slice short.

I just read all the kind comments on the slice I shared yesterday.  Thank you for your encouraging words.   I'm so glad I joined the SOL community!  I just wish I had time to read more slices every day. I try to read as many as I can because every one of you have something interesting to share. Now, I'm off to make a cup of tea and see what you've been up to today!

Rejection

Writers are told to get used to it. We’re told it goes with the territory. We’re told not to take it personally.  We’re told it’s no big deal.  All this advice sounds good, but it sure doesn’t take the sting out of rejection.

Thesaurus.com lists the following synonyms : refusal, brush-off, elimination, exclusion, kick in the teeth, no dice, no way, slap in the face.  Wow! So much for not taking rejection personally! The thing is, writing is VERY personal, and rejection is hard.

Yesterday, I received an email informing me that my poem was rejected.  I had worked long and hard on that poem.  Researching the topic, writing and rewriting until it finally felt right,  I  finally sent it off knowing  rejection was possible, even probable.  It wasn't the first time I’ve received a rejection so why did it hurt so much when that email came?

I think it's because no reason was given by the editor. I rarely submit anything for publication so my experience is limited. However, in the past, when I 'd send a submission snail mail, I'd send a  reply post card with a checklist so the editor could simply choose a reason. The editors who reply via email, also usually state a reason. For example, I recently sent 3 poems to a large children's magazine. One poem was accepted, the editor wrote that other two "don't fit our upcoming themes."  In that case, I knew where I went wrong. 

But with this one, I have no idea why it was rejected. Did the entire poem stink? Was there a line that didn’t work? Was the topic all wrong? The more I thought about it, the more embarrassed  I was for submitting the poem, and then negative self-talk too over.

Now, I know editors are busy. But when an editor is also a writer, they know the questions and self-doubt a rejection brings.  If the editor had taken the time to include a brief but specific reason for the rejection (meter is off, too abstract, imperfect rhyme, etc.), I would have something to work with. I would’ve grown as a writer instead of wondering if  the poem was a total failure.

A teacher would never put an “F” on a piece of student writing  without a comment explaining why.   Writers need to know what went wrong. Editors are,  in many ways, our teachers. We listen to them and learn from them. The point of all this is not to bash editors. No way! They work hard and do an important job. We need them. I just think that it would make us better writers if we knew why when our work rejected.

It's almost 3 AM, and I've been up all night.  I hope this doesn't come off sounding bitter. I'm just trying to figure out if I have anything to offer the world as a writer.  

Time

"But there never seems to be enough time 

To do the things you want to do
Once you find them..."

           -Jim Croce

Time. There never seems to be enough of it. We all wish we had more.  Time is fleeting. Time is precious. Time passes by. We take time, and we spend time. We manage it, we save it, and sometimes, we even kill it. But, no matter what we do with it, we all get twenty-four hours each day. It sounds like a lot so why can't I find time to do the things that I want to do instead of always rushing and hurrying to get the things I should do done?  And, when I finally do get some free time, I'm too exhausted to enjoy it. Spending my days at break-neck speed has left me feeling that there has to be more to life.  I have goals and dreams. There are people and places I want to enjoy.  I need time to refresh and renew my spirit.

When we're young, it seems like there is an abundance of time.  By middle age, we realize time is limited.  Many years ago, my mother would talk about her dream of going on safari in Africa so she could see lions in the wild. She wanted to travel and see the animals she loved in their natural habitats. She talked about her dream, but she never did anything to achieve it.  There were kids to feed, diapers to change, floors to scrub. Someday, she'd have more time. Years passed, and she finally had the time, but she still didn't pursue her dream. She was often depressed and angry. She spent her middle years a hyperchondric constantly fearing she had an undiagnosed disease.  She grew old and sank into the void dementia. Time is now her enemy. She can't remember the past, doesn't connect with the present, and she has no dreams for the future. I can't help wondering how differently her life might have turned out if she'd followed her dream.  Each time I visit her, I'm reminded how quickly our lives can change.

So, I've vowed to myself to make time to work toward my dream.  Even if it's only a few minutes each day.  I don't want to look back someday and wonder what if... I've these two songs on my ipod to remind me to slow down and give myself the gift of time.

Time in a Bottle- Jim Croce

I'm in a Hurry- Alabama

One Writer's Process

Survival of the Fittest: The Last Hope for the Human Race

by Michael Taylor

For today's slice, I decided to interview friend and colleague, Michael Taylor who recently published  his debut novel, Survival of the Fittest.  Many of my students have read his book and absolutely loved it1 I think one reason the book has become so popular is because readers identify with the characters and see themselves through their eyes.

The story begins one night when the seven teenagers awake to find they are completely alone. Their parents are gone, and it seems everyone on earth has disappeared as well. The electricity is off. Surrounded by darkness, the differences among them that once seemed so important no longer matter.  They are the sole survivors of an alien attack and the last hope for humanity.

A big thank you to Michael for giving us a peek inside his writing and publishing process.

1. What made you want to write a science fiction novel?
I didn't really pick the genre of the book before I started. I began writing and this is where my story took me.

2. Where did you get the idea for Survival of the Fittest?
Most of my ideas come from movies, reading, and television.

3. How has being a teacher influenced your writing?
I think my style of writing has been greatly influenced by teaching. When I was in college I had a professor who hated my creative writing because I didn't use a lot of imagery and metaphor, but I think my style is what teen readers really look for. I feel kids today are part of the instant gratification generation and to make them stop and think about what they have to picture in their mind is, at this time in history, too much. Let's hope this will all swing back to more thoughtful writing.

4. As a full-time teacher, how do you fit writing into your schedule?
I make time. Writing is what I love to do, so no matter what, I'll build my fun into my schedule. It's very much like people who golf, do ceramics, or are active in social groups.

5. More writers are beginning to consider self-publishing over traditional publishing fpr various reasons. Why did you chose to self-publish your novel? Would you tell us a little about the process?
I self-published because I was getting nowhere by sending my manuscript to literary agents. The market isn't scrambling to find authors. So in doing some of my own research, I read that most literary agents won't even look at a manuscript until the author has been published. It's a smart thing for literary agents to do, it shows them who actually wants to be an author and who might be wasting their time.
The process was easy for me. I worked with iUniverse who basically walked me through the whole process. I had to pay for everything, but in the end, realizing a life-long dream, it was well worth it.

6. I know that you are an voracious reader of YA fiction. Which authors have been the biggest influence on you as a writer?
The biggest influence for me has been Neal Shusterman. I think this man is an unstoppable force in the realm of young adult literature.

7. What can your readers look forward to next?
I'm in the process of editing the first book in a second series I'm writing, The World Beyond - Ancient History and hope that the first book will be out by spring. I've also just finished the second book of Survival of the Fittest, subtitle, The Closest Enemy. The second book is a whole lot edgier than the first. And spinning in this head of mine are a million other stories that I hope to write. If all goes well, and writing turns out to be successful, I will keep readers well stocked with series upon series.

Here are a few of the comments students shared with me:
"My favorite character is Trevor because he acted very closely to the way a person would be expected to act in these circumstances. I really loved the ending, it was very interesting and suspenseful. The ending left room for another book, but it was still exciting." -Serena (7th. grade)

"The best part was when the blade comes out of Trevor's arm because it was really surpising. It was the beginning of the end! - Alexei (7th. grade)

If you enjoy reading fast-moving, action-packed science fiction,  Survival of the Fittest is for you! You can read more reviews here.

Poetry Lessons

I am a big fan of Mary Oliver's poetry. I learn so much from her poems. 

Praying

It doesn't have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway

-Mary Oliver

I especially love the lines "pay attention, then patch/a few words together and don't try/to make them elaborate..." because it reminds me to keep it simple and just get what I want to say down on paper.  I tend to over-analyze things and make them more complicated than they are. That kind of thinking keeps me stuck not only in my writing, but also in teaching and in other areas of my life.

I also like the lines "this isn't/a contest but the doorway..." I'm not seeking fame or forunte with my writing. For me, writing is a doorway to learn about myself, keep memories alive, and connect with others. 

I jotted this list of  lessons poetry has taught me so far.
What I've Learned From Poetry

Be still.
Look, listen, feel.
Pay attention.
Say what you mean.
Speak from your heart.
Wait for the words.
Believe they will come.
Thank them when they do.
Tell your truth.
Take risks.
Make mistakes.
Learn from them.
Embrace your voice.
Embrace others.
Work hard.
But most importantly—
Celebrate the joy!

-Linda Kulp

So what has poetry taught you?  Leave me a comment and share your own poetry lessons.

I never know how much of a poem I can print without interfering with copyright,  so you can read the last lines of Mary Oliver's lovely poem here.

Ready for more Slices of Life? You can find a plateful here.
Then head on over to Dori Reads for Poetry Friday.

Happy Friday!

Making Connections

Today begins the Slice of Life Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. This is my first time participating. One reason I decided to join the challenge is because I want to connect with other teachers and writers. I often write in my notebook, it's a very safe place because it's for my eyes only.  But, listening to my own voice can get a bit lonely, and sometimes I feel the need to reach out to others. Going public with my writing is very hard for me. I've had some pieces published, but I rarely send anything out anymore. Lately, I just don't feel like anything I write is good enough, and like most teachers/moms I struggle to find the time to write. Author Anne Lamott suggests starting with short assignments and writing only what can be seen through a one-inch picture frame. So, that's how I'm trying to think of my SOL posts, just a collection of small bite-sized bits of writing. I'm not sure where this adventure will take me, but I can't wait to find out.  I'm hoping that by going public for the next 31 days, I'll begin to feel more comfortable sharing my writing.  I look forward to reading what other slicers are writing and joining a writing community.

Read other what other slicers are saying here.

Poetry Friday: Take Two: A Celebration of Twins

I’m happy to be sharing Take Two! A Celebration of Twins, a brand new poetry collection by two of our most beloved and prolific poets, J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. I know those two names alone will make you want to order this book right away!

The collection is divided into sections: “Twins in the Waiting Womb,” “Twinfants,” How to Be One,” and “Famous Twins.” All forty-four poems are just delightful! Topics range from twins in waiting, to learning and growing together, to seeking individuality. The illustrations by Sophie Blackall (of Ivy & Bean fame) are sure to entice even the most reluctant readers. I also love the facts about twins sprinkled throughout the book!

I asked Pat a few questions about the collection, and he was so kind  (as always) to respond quickly so I could post this today. (Thanks, Pat.) I think you’ll enjoy his responses.

1. You've written several poetry collections with other poets including: Jane Yolen, Rebecca Kai Dotlich, and Paul Janeczko. How is the process of co-authoring a poetry collection different from writing solo? What are the joys and challenges of working on a project with another poet?

Collaboration is probably the wrong word to use (though I use it all the time) because the process does not involve two people slaving back and forth over the same poem.Think of these co-authored books as just that: a collection of individual poems, half written by one poet, and the second half by the other poet.

2. Which of the poems you wrote for the collection is your favorite?

Well, I am a twin (the gods be thanked) so one of my favorites in the book would have to be "Pat and Mike," even though I've played fast and loose with my twin's and my respective facts. The longer poems about Cynthia and her sister getting baths isn't bad, I think. And I do like the villanelle about the two young twins who teach each other everything.
3. You've mentioned that your brother is your first reader. Did he offer any advice/suggestions for this collection?
Oh, I pass everything I write along to him first to see what his reaction will be. Since I value his judgement more than anyone else's, I'm eager to get his take on my work. If he says it's fine, then I'm happy. If he says it needs more work, then I get back to work on the poem.

Now, without further delay, I'll share one of the poems Pat wrote that is one of his favorites (but not "Pat and Mike," I'll  keep that one a surprise for you to discover when you get your copy of the book). 

We Learned to Sing

We learned the alphabet; we learned to sing
Because my twin had called it "double-play."
We taught each other almost everything.

I showed her how to push me in the swing.
She's smart. She learned it quickly, the same way
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.

And entertain with puppets on a string.
Our mom and dad came for the matinee!
We taught each other almost everything.

Remember how it stung— that first bee sting?
But there she was, and it was like the day
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.

If she was some bright bird, I was the wing.
If I was like a model, she was clay.
We taught each other almost everything.

From summer, autumn, winter into spring.
and after kindergarten we would say
The alphabet together and we'd sing.

This poem has its own familiar ring—
Two twins who stick together come what may.
We learned the alphabet and learned to sing.
We taught each other almost everything.

           -J Patrick Lewis. all rights reserved

Isn't that lovely?  I especially like the lines:
If she was some bright bird, I was the wing.
If I was like a model, she was clay.

Jane was also very kind to respond in time for me to include her favorite among the poems she wrote for the collection.  Check out the clever wordplay.  I can't wait to try this as a choral reading activity with my sixth grade group. I think I'll divde the class into two groups and have them alternate reading a line at a time. What do you think, would that work?

Twinfestation

Some time we twincubate in Mom,
   For not quite a year;
The twindow opens up for us,
   We twinstantly appear.

Not yet quite twindividuals,
   So twinsomely we smile
With winning twincandescence,
   They let us stay awhile.

And soon, from spring to twinter,
   We've lived with them so long,
This small twinfestation
   No longer seems so wrong.

-Jane Yolen, all rights reserved

Wow! Jane's poetry is always amazing, inspiring, and surprising!  Can't you just imagine kids making up their own "twin" words after reading this poem? 

 No matter if you're a twin or a singleton, I know you'll enjoy reading Take Two! A Celebration of Twins.