RECESS IS A COMIN'

I'd love to write for hours today
but I've gotta work instead,
Report cards are a waiting
and bringing a sense of dread.


So grade I must - oh yippee-yeah ...
(a sarcastic cheer breaks free),
But Summer beckons in two weeks hence
then recess springs for me.

HEY, TEACHER - GOT STRESS?

The month of May is a busy time for teachers. It's probably right up there on the busyness scale with the month of June. (Yes, that is an actual word - look it up!) Testing, finishing long term units of study, completing end of the year grading, finalizing calculations for report cards, constructing holiday projects, attending meetings, making material request orders, registering for continuing education classes, cleaning up the classroom, and managing an assortment of other duties all contribute to raising stress levels at this time of the year. So what's a teacher do to remain mostly calm and sane for the next few weeks?

I suggest one way is to relax by doing stuff around the home. Gardening, building stuff, mowing the lawn, or pulling weeds while listening to music with headphones on all provide a means of escape. Getting dirt under your fingernails and grass stains on your jeans has a magical way of releasing the tension from your body. These activities give time for your mind to wander and commune with nature. Plus, if you're like me, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment after completing projects around the house.

If working outside doesn't excite you, why don't you escape to the back deck and read a good book instead? Imagine the pleasure you'll get from kicking back in your comfy lawn chair, feeling the warmth of the sun wash over your skin, while you sip a fruity flavored drink with a tiny bamboo umbrella in it. Sound relaxing?

Another way to seek respite from the daily grind is to plan a vacation. The simple act of searching for places to visit and things to do via the newspaper, a magazine, or through travel sites on the internet help put the pep back in your step. The dream of visiting someplace different lets your mind wander for brief time and helps raise your endorphins. Stress abates, tension eases, and relaxation ensues.

Even though I geared this post toward teachers and the tension that they deal with at this time of the year, don't fret if you're not an educator. All humans in every walk of life could use the chance to take a break one in awhile. So, feel free to take any or all of the suggestions I mentioned above and just relax.

Take it easy ...

Thinking of a road trip?

Editing and Revising

Raise your hand if you love to edit and revise your stories over and over again? Okay then ... That wasn't the overwhelming response I was expecting.

Really? There's not a single person out there who absolutely adores polishing their work over and over again until every single word shines like the North Star?

Ah, come on! I can't be the only one who loves to push, pull, and twist the things they've written ad nauseam as if shaping a lump of clay into the perfect shape. Can I? Apparently, since I don't see any hands raised in the room, I am.

Editing and revising are a pertinent part of the writing process that cannot be ignored. In order to present your manuscripts in the best light possible to potential agents and publishers, you must take as much time as is necessary to get it right. You only get once chance to make a first impression so it might as well be a good one.

Here are some the the steps that may help you:

1) Read your story aloud to yourself. Make notes of any possible changes.
2) Put your story away for two weeks.
3) Read your story aloud to yourself again. Edit/revise.
4) Put your story away for two weeks.
5) Read your story aloud to yourself one more time. Edit/revise.
6) Seek professional help. At this point, join a critique group or have a editor or other qualified individual read your work.  I recommend that you don't use a friend. They have trouble being as honest with you as is needed.
7) Evaluate based on feedback received from the professional(s). Does your story show promise? If so, proceed.
8) Edit/revise some more.
9) Find some students in the targeted age group for your story. Read your story aloud to them and get feedback.
10) Edit/revise, if necessary.
11) Seek professional help again. At this point, ask your critique group, editor, or other qualified individual read your work once again.
12) Repeat steps 1 - 11, as many times as necessary. 

Sounds painless, right? Not really? That's good. It shouldn't be.

The reality is that writing is hard work. I personally find it to be quite rewarding, and don't know what I would do if I couldn't express myself creatively. I sincerely hope that you enjoy it too. 

Happy writing!

Where Have You Been?

I am back! Did you miss me? Or, are you the type of person that didn’t even notice that I was gone? After all, since there was nothing to read on my blog, you probably assumed that I must have fallen off the edge of the earth or experienced some other such calamity, right? Hopefully, you did miss hearing from me on a semi regular basis, and now are so tickled to read my tidbits of wisdom again, that you can hardly read the letters on this page through the crocodile tears of joy welling up in your eyes. (Hey! A guy can always dream, can't he?)

So then, why it has taken me so long to get back to my writing online? Well, I could say that I was just being lazy and get on with the rest of this blog. Or, I could use the excuse that I just haven't written anything that was worthy of appearing on my blog. Or, I could say that I won the lottery and I'm now independently wealthy, and that I no longer feel the need to share my thoughts with the world. But, none of these explanations would be accurate.

The real reason that I haven't been writing is because my computer bit the dust! Crashed! Died! Stopped working! It is swimming with the fishes!

The slow march to recycling bin was not unexpected though. My computer had been staggering along like a boxer who received too many vicious shots to the jaw in a fight. Dazed and stumbling around the electronic metaphysical ring, my PC had not hit the canvas yet. It was hurt, I admit. But, I figure it would recover enough to battle another day after it got rubbed down by the trainer with a warm towel and inhaled some smelling salts. Unfortunately, before I knew it, the referee stopped the fight. My laptop was declared the loser.

My heart stopped at about the same time my computer screen flickered to darkness. I knew that I had a myriad of story ideas, unprinted digital pictures, and other things on it that I needed to save. But, what could I do?

Luckily, I was able to get some flickering life back to my screen. I discovered that by grabbing the power cord and twisting it back and forth and holding it at an angle, I could get my PC to work for scant few minutes at a time. It was then, during the cold and dark month of January, that I, while swearing under my breath and manipulating that wire for all that it was worth, was able to retrieve most of my files. In this way, I was able to save most of my important stuff.

What did I learn from this incident? I learned some valuable lessons that I would like to share with you today. So here goes...

First lesson: Always, always, always, BACK UP the information stored on your computer prior to it crashing.

In other words, don't assume that your computer will work forever. I have a friend who works at a large electronics retailer who related to me that he’s noticed that many computers built today will only last from 3 to 4 years. I haven't researched this tidbit of information to find out if it was totally accurate. But, his message to me was quite simple: Nothing lasts forever. In other words, don't treat your manuscripts, pictures, artwork, research, web page designs, login information, or other items stored on your PC so frivolously. Back them up! I learned the value and wisdom of this first lesson the hard way.

Second lesson: Always, always, always, BACK UP the information stored on your computer prior to it crashing.

If you forget this lesson, refer back to the first lesson.

Third lesson: Always, always, always, BACK UP the information stored on your computer prior to it crashing.

Are you seeing a pattern here yet? You should. Here are some ways that I am attempting to keep my work and family memories safe for future generations. Hopefully, one or more of these ideas will work for you, too!

I have started to back up my stories and pictures at least once a week on an external hard drive. My preferred schedule right now is to upload my information on Sunday nights while watching TV. This is fairly easy to do, and relatively quick. I just have to plug in my USB cord to my computer which leads to my external hard drive and … voila.

Another thing that I am doing for safety reasons is to email myself the manuscripts and notes that I've written, edited, or revised. I try to do this as soon as I finish working for the day. Whenever I write a new draft or come up with new story ideas, I email them to myself from one email address to another as an attachment. I use two different online email service providers so that in case one of the companies self destruct for any reason, I have a backup of my work at the other site. Low tech, but effective.

The last thing that I do to protect my files is to cross my fingers, and hope that my hard drive never completely has a meltdown and self-destructs. (Is crossing your fingers really a strategy?) As I found out when my desktop PC crashed a couple of years ago, there are several companies that can save your pictures and files from your computer hard drive. You just have to drop off your computer with them for a few hours. If you're lucky, magic happens, and the contents of your computer are saved on a brand-new external hard drive that you get to take home with you. A fee is charged for this service, but I found it more than adequate in order to recover pictures of my precious kids, my beautiful wife, and my beloved pets.

To conclude, I hope you are as happy to hear from me as I am to be back writing on my blog again. It's been a while, but with a little luck and proper precautions, computer crashes and the destruction left in the aftermath, will be a thing of the past for me and for you. Take care!

Spies on a Mission

“Sign our books!”

“What?” I confusedly answered after this unexpected demand.

“Sign our books to prove that we fulfilled our mission!”

“What are you talking about?” I stammered, still perplexed by the order. This command was being given to me by three nimble and wrinkle-free explorers who had just entered my abode. The squad had silently snuck up behind me and almost caught me by surprise. If I wasn’t blessed with the magic of peripheral vision, I might have been totally stunned.

In spite of it being over 70 degrees inside my house, the three members of the dangerous looking crew had on long coats and hats, with packs on their backs whose contents remained unknown. They also carried with them in their hands what appeared to be maps and light emitting devices. The oldest clutched a pointed object of some sort. To say that these three seemed out of place would be an understatement. They looked dangerous, and set me on edge.

My heart raced as sweat beaded upon my skin, and my other senses became heightened. I instinctively began to flex my hands. I silently cursed under my breath. If only I had been wearing my glasses, I might have been able to put up a better defense against these intruders.

“C’mon, Dad!” whined the three little spies. “Just sign our mission books already so we can get back to our job.”

The three, who I now took to be miniature Moen beings, all thrust out their self-made mission cards at me. Then, they all said loudly in unison, “Sign!”

As the small paper card from the largest child got closer to my nose, the print on it became legible. The piece of paper had on it a list of “missions” that each kid was supposed to accomplish. The first task – “Sneak up on Dad.”

“Would you please hurry up?” said my oldest. She then handed me the pointed object she was holding – a pen. “We have a lot to get accomplished today, and don’t have time to waste!”

“Okay,” I replied, while rapidly taking the pen from her and signing each child’s mission card. I handed each slip of paper back with my signature written as “Dad,” to each respective child. Then I asked, “All set?”

“Thanks, Dad!” they happily said. Then, all three of my imaginative children took off in search of another adventure.

As they traipsed around the corner, I quickly wrote down the spy gear they each had with them. Here is what I learned that each professional undercover agent needs in order to conduct a mission successfully:

Powder-Puff Girls Backpack
Notepad
Hand Sanitizer
Dictionary
Chapstick
Pencil
Pen
Light
Club Membership/Mission Card

Perry the Platypus would be so proud!

What you just read above is my second draft of an incident that I jotted down earlier in the week. I often write down a few words, sentences, or phrases on paper, record my thoughts on my digital recorder, and/or write out ideas using my computer’s word processing program several times a week. Sometimes these tidbits become stories or even blog posts. Others just become detritus.

In either case, valuable additions to my creative writing process has taken place – I get ideas, I think about them, and I decide which ones may have some merit. Then, I further develop the ideas that strike me as worthy of development. Others, I discard.

After writing for a bit on the “winners” for my stories and blogs, I sometimes sadly learn that some of pieces I’ve spent added time on don’t work. Rats! All is not lost though. I put these back in my portfolio and hope that someday I’ll happen upon them again just like I would a time capsule. Maybe these canceled ideas will work at a later date, and I’ll be able to recycle them in the future?

Below is my original ramblings about the “Spies on a Mission” short story I developed more fully above. Can you notice the similarities between the two?


My four year old son, along with his older siblings, snuck up behind me last night and caught me by surprise. Then, as all good spies do when accomplishing a task, my kids had me check off and sign their self-made “mission” cards to verify that they had fulfilled their spy mission by sneaking up on me quietly. They even had their own pens just in case I failed to bring one from my mission control reclining easy chair. Inspector Clouseau would be so proud!

To Write or Not to Write: That is the Problem

“I can’t think of anything to write about, Mr. Moen!”

I won’t even try to count the number of times that I’ve heard this sentiment expressed in my classroom. The pathetic sounding wail first takes wings and wafts across the room and to my ears from at least one, and sometimes more, of my students when I ask them to sit down and write something. Heck, I even say this to myself on those occasions when I find it difficult to get started with my writing. Of course, I don’t usually add the “Mr. Moen” part at the end. That would be too weird.

Whatever the reasons behind the complaining by those under my guidance, I can relate. As a matter of fact, I am feeling that I don’t have anything to write about right now either. Maybe I should hurl myself upon the floor and flail around wildly kicking the ground? Or, I could scream at the top of my lungs until someone notices me? Or maybe I should just cry instead? Then, I would get out of having to jolt my brain into gear and compose a blog entry for today. Right?

Of course, maybe I’m having difficulty focusing right now because I am working in an environment that is truly not conducive for creative reflection. Right now I am repeatedly distracted by the vivid pictures and sounds of a football game blaring on the TV at the same time I’m writing this - Go Seahawks! All the while, I’m also within earshot of the happy sounds of two of my kids cooperatively playing a board game in the kitchen, bombarded by the noise of my 4 year old attempting to sing karaoke through an amplified toy, and am encountering a repeated barrage from my three dogs, noisily romping and fighting all over the living room, knocking over furniture and occasionally, a small distracted child.

So, what is it exactly that a person can do to overcome these instances of “writer’s block?” Well, I have a few pieces of advice that may help you become unstuck. Here are some things that have worked for me:

1) Sit down and write anything that comes to mind – This by far and away seems to be the suggestion that works the best for me. If you feel like you have nothing to say, write that down! Maybe you should start by writing about the weather, a fly buzzing near your head, or how excited you are to clean the toilets. The point is, you must keep writing no matter what! Usually, within 10 – 15 minutes of time, you hit upon a topic that strikes a chord with you. Then, words start to flow more easily.

2) Leave – Take a break and get away from your writing for awhile. Go for a walk, do housework, shop, or dance the tango. It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you get away from your prose for a bit. And, be sure to do something that allows your mind to totally escape from the task of writing. Otherwise, you will spend your time away fretting over what you still have left to compose.

3) Eat – I know … this is probably a horrible suggestion to make to those of us abundantly blessed with more than ample girth. (Dang government BMI charts!) But, based on years of personal research, I have found that my mood improves if I can get a little nourishment and chocolate into my body. Plus, a person gets the added benefit of putting the impending task off until the digestive secretions get kicked into high gear. No more rumbling in the tummy to distract you!

So there you have it. Writing, much like other talents in life, is a learned behavior. The more you practice, the better you become at it. So, I’d encourage you be persistent. Even though the job of putting your ideas to paper may seem exceedingly challenging, I believe that you can be successful if you incorporate some of the tips I mentioned above and keep working. Plus, the more advice and help you get along the way, the more confidence and aptitude you’ll acquire. Good luck, and keep writing!

Halloween Acrostic

Have a dose of candy
Add a shot of fright or two
Line up scary pumpkins and
Lots of ghosts that BOO!
Owls that hoot from trees
While kids in costumes bound
Each one seeking to find
Every sucker that's left in town.
Night of trick or treating begins...

Many teachers are aware that acrostic poems are a staple of any holiday season. Acrostics are a good assignment to use with elementary students because they teach kids how to write to a specific format, and allow teachers to incorporate the use of dictionaries and thesauruses into a lesson in a meaningful way. Plus, after the written work is completed, children can represent their poems in artistic ways as well. So, if you are looking for a fun and educational writing and art activity for your students, acrostic poems just might be for you.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Picture Book Art

If you are interested in seeing some of the creative artwork produced by artists and illustrators throughout the U.S., this site is a good one to visit. There is also a section for teachers, librarians, and others to learn more about the artists behind the work. Here is the link:

http://picturebookartists.org/


(Original Posting Date - October 21, 2009)

Realistic Dialogue

During class today, one of my students read the following line aloud while sharing a story that he’d written in his journal:

“My Dad has a lot of hair … but none of it is on his head.”

This line cracked my students up! I knew right away that I had to share this with my readers.

I felt it was important to pass this quote along because it provided a terrific example of the type of humor that kids in the upper elementary and middle grades find amusing. By listening to and learning how kids talk in “real life,” you are more able to capture the feelings of your characters and write realistic dialogue for your stories. The genuine word choices you make will help you connect with your potential audiences better, and bring increased depth to your stories.

Plus,the fact is, now that I am in my mid forties, my back is beginning to resemble my student’s comment.

(Original Posting Date - October 6, 2009)

Singing Pants

What would you do if someone smiled at you and said, “You are so talented, even your pants sing?” Would you be thrilled at such a compliment? Would you be embarrassed and confused? Or, would you just think that the saying sounds like a great title for a book? If you’re like me, you chose the last option – great book title!

Every day, things said all around you could and should be woven into magical and original stories. All you have to do is look, listen, and be aware that your next great book idea could be just hanging there in the air, waiting to be snatched out of the ethereal plane, and plopped down on a page for all to see. Don’t miss the chance to find inspiration that comes from out of nowhere and sets your creative juices flowing!

p.s. Yes. The comment made at the beginning of this short entry about my “pants singing” truly did happen to me today. But, it’s not as irreverent as it sounds. The remark was simply made by a co-worker of mine to me when she heard my cell phone, which I carry in my front pocket, ring. My ring tone … “Always look on the bright side of life!”

Middle School Memories

Based on my middle school teaching experience last year, I guess it’s a good thing I moved back to the elementary level. I’d now equate my year working with middle school students to the sport of skydiving.

You start by going through ground school in an attempt to get ready for your first jump. Only, once you get in the plane and up in the air, you start to get a little nervous. Eventually, you overcome your fears, and jump out of the plane anyway. You figure that you’ve got to be safe ’cause you have a parachute on. Right?

Unfortunately, once you start falling, you reach for the rip cord, only to discover that your main chute has malfunctioned and won’t open. You panic for a moment. But then, you thankfully realize that you have a back-up chute. Whew! So, you quickly grab for the 2nd rip cord and yank. RIP!!! Uh, oh. The 2nd cord, now detached from the parachute bag, dangles from your sweaty palm, and your back-up chute is nowhere to be found. All at once you find yourself free-falling rapidly. Now is the time to panic!

I jumped out of that metaphysical plane last year, and found the free-fall incredibly different than I’d first imagined. The wind did whip through my hair on the way down, and it was thrilling for a time! But, hitting the ground (and my head against the wall over and over again) really hurt. I can honestly say though that it was … interesting.

(Original Posting Date - September 11, 2009)

Daughter’s Day at School

Today was a day that my daughter got to go to school with Daddy. She doesn’t “officially” start school in her own class until next week. But, since she loves learning so much, she often comes to my classroom on her days off.

While at school with me, my daughter enthusiastically participates in all the activities, and even completes the assignments along with the rest of my students. In fact, she feels like she’s such a part of my class that she begged me to assign her a desk. She even made herself a “name tag” while I was out of the room at a meeting in an attempt to prove to me that she was really serious about getting her own seat! I finally succumbed to her pleadings, and selected a school desk for her next to all the other kids. As if that wasn’t enough, she then twisted my arm until I assigned her a social studies book, a reading book, math materials, and a journal for her to write in while she attended class.

I guess things could be worse though. She could be a difficult child that hated school. Then, whenever she got in trouble in my classroom, I would have the unenviable task of having to call my wife on the phone to report her poor behavior…

(Original Posting Date - September 3, 2009)

School Begins!

School is officially off and running and I couldn’t be more thrilled!

First impressions: I am so lucky! I have a cohesive group of friendly, well-behaved, gifted, and talented students.

In fact, I was so excited by how unbelievably respectful, attentive, and hard working my students were on the first day, that I called my wife during recess time. I told her that I was ready to cry. Showing great concern, she asked me what was wrong. I told her that my students are wonderful, and that I was looking forward to spending the next 10 months teaching them and working as a team. Naturally, she was relieved.

After a brief conversation, I ended the call. A smile crossed my face as I hung up the phone and sat down in the closest, kid-sized plastic chair.

(Original Posting Date - September 1, 2009)

Triumphant Return

Today was my first day back at school/work. I have been off for a couple of weeks due to a knee injury. The last time I got motivated to trek into school, I came home in pain. So, I was not looking forward to uncomfortably hobbling around for several hours and moving boxes, tables, and desks in preparation for the first day of school.

My triumphant return went okay. I mean there were no cheering minions or a trumpet fanfare to announce my return. But, at least I didn’t trip and hurt myself again. Life is good!

(Original Posting Date - August 24, 2009)