Dillard/Lamott

When the INK Peppers were first introduced to us during class on Thursday I was really impressed. I thought back to when I was 15 and 16, and couldn’t imagine myself getting in front of a group of college students and speaking. I think teachers can learn a lot from young writers. I already learned something from meeting with the ink peppers: it is important to allow students to do what they do well, and encourage them to expand their talents. I am proud of the group the Cortland High School students have formed, and I found myself sort of saddened due to the fact that my writing had been cut short because I was not really encouraged to continue with the writing I enjoyed most. It is awesome that this group cancontinue with their writing, and I think it is great that they have “found a place” in an environment that can be very trying.

A favorite passage of mine comes from Dillard’s, The Writing Life. It begins on page 63 and ends on 64, and it is what I believe to be the description of an evolving writing idea. Dillard explains that the writing life she lives is an eruption of thought. It made me think about Peter, who spoke about carrying his notebook everywhere, so that whenever an idea came to him he could jot it down so he could look on it later and expand on it. –Autumn

Dillard/Lamott

I have not yet finished reading either! I should be done soon and will post about the two then!

Kaitlyn*

A little behind…

To be honest, I have not finished either book yet due to having the flu for the last three weeks of break.  I plan to finish each book by the end of this week and I will post then

The Writing Life

This book flat out captivated me.  To be honest, I did not like it that much at first.  But by the halfway mark I was unable to put it down.  Dillard’s style of writing is incredible and I’ve decided that the next book I read is going to be a Dillard book. 

One of the many parts that I found very interesting is the section where Dillard discusses the time that it takes to write a novel and how so few people can write quality novels quickly.  She also makes wise distinctions between writing a novel as if it were a screenplay and just flat out writing a novel. 

I loved the chapter dealing with the professor and stunt pilot Dave Rahm.  The way she described his stunt show put me in awe of her ability and how she views the world around her. 

The lesson learned from this book concerning teachers should be that kids who want to write should be given a safe and distraction free area to write.  The Ink Peppers have that and they are clearly flourishing.  Writing takes so much time and students need to be afforded this precious time. 

The Writing Life

The novel, The Writing Life, I thought was very interesting and intricate. The beginning of the book was an amazing representation of the journey of writing. It really is like a journey and the way people go through the process is so difficult. You have to treat a piece of writing as if it is your baby and that you need to care for it in all different ways. I really enjoyed how she wrote and describe different incidents that people experience and how she writes about them using such a descriptive language. I am not a good writer and I wish I was experienced as she is.

Dillard

In Anne Dillard’s The Writing Life, I was very interested in her description of a good workplace.  She said that she works best in a quiet place where there are no distractions.  I also enjoy what she did in the library by drawing what was outside.  It kept her focused at the task at hand.  I believe that we can all relate to this in that we cannot work with distractions.  For example, in order for me to do my best work, the television has to be turned off and I cannot be talking to my friends online. 

 In reference to the R&B Peppers, I believe that they also need to work in an environment like this.  Mrs. Triplett offers them a safe and quiet environment to work on their writing.  Although there are other people in the room, everyone is focused on their own writing and respect others.  As teachers, we must stress to students to work in a quiet area with little distractions.  We can also offer them an environment like this. –Alexis

Dillard/Lamott

My favorite idea expressed in Lamott’s Bird By Bird was that of the one inch picture frame. Writing has always intimidated me because of the amount of details that are needed, but this picture frame idea really helped me to ease my discomfort. It helped me to realize that I need only to focus on describing tiny bits of information at a time.

We definitely have a comparable amount to learn from the students from CHS, as they are our real-life resources, and posess valuable first-hand insight into the writing world. They are living the writing lives that we all need to be! Krystina

Dillard/Lamont

I know that in BIRD BY BIRD she talks about how her students greatest concern is getting their work published.  I know she says that there are others reasons to write, and that getting your work published is not the most important thing.  I think, however, that we would be less than human if everyone who writes did not have this as one of their primary goals.  As such, I think Amanda’s idea of putting together some sort of publication for her student’s work is a great idea.  I loved the idea of it being something inexpensive that anyone traveling through Cortland could pick up and buy as a sample of the writing talent in this area.  I think this idea satisfies the heart’s desire of every writer — getting their work published.  Darlene

Writing Lives: Annie Dillard and Anne Lamott

What was most interesting to you about either the Dillard or Lamott books? Both are writers’ memoirs; both women struggle to define and live a life that consists of putting words on blank pages.

What can we learn as teachers of young writers (think of the INK PEPPERS) from either of these writers? Do share your thoughts and a favorite passage from one of the authors. Do put up as a post rather than as a comment. And use the category Dillard/Lamott. KES