How do you feel about writing?
When we are working with teachers, it is likely that they will begin by expressing their feelings about it -doubt, fear, lack of confidence; the sense that it is difficult; the sense that it is daunting, that they can’t write, that it is too exposing, that it is too scary to share.
We are overwhelmed by the blank page. We think we can’t write – and we definitely can’t write as well as anyone else. Sometimes we wonder what good writing is. Always we have a sudden spurt of creativity when it comes to finding anything – anything – we can do other than put pen to paper.
We may be a bundle of nerves and excuses when it comes to writing, and yet we expect our students to settle down and get on with it.
Professional writers know all about all those doubts, fears and delaying tactics. The know about the terror of the blank page. They know it is difficult. They know avoidance. Each one has found their own way around all this (The range of different solutions is important and we’ll come back to them later) because the other side of this coin is just how good writing can make us feel. How it can be refreshing, exhilarating, calming affirming.
Our students learn from us. They learn as much from what we don’t do and say as what we do.
Think about your relationship with writing. How do you feel?
Free write. You could begin: ‘My feelings about writing ….. ‘
Or write two lists. Make a list of all the negative feelings and a list of the positive feelings. You could ask your students to do the same thing.
Put your list away for a week or two. Then re-read it.
What do you think?
What are the implications for your teaching?
What have you learned?
Writing Box 