#SOL16 Day 31…this is it!
(My apologies to those who saw this post yesterday. In all my craziness I uploaded the wrong one. This bolsters my thesis that this challenge was indeed a challenge at times! haaa)
This whole month has flown by in a flash. When I decided this was the year I would finally take the challenge, I had no idea what I was getting myself into! I think my title reveals my lack of preparedness and level of understanding for this undertaking! I have learned so much about myself as a writer. Even after just finishing a book called CLOSE WRITING, (bashful shout out to my peeps at Stenhouse) I am humbled by how much there is still possible to discover.
Here are my Top 10 Take-Aways from the Slice of Life Challenge 2016 (These are in no particular order and would probably change if you asked me tomorrow!)
- Stories are everywhere-seriously…EVERYWHERE!
- We are not the center of the universe.
- Some days writing is hard.
- There is no standardized unit of measure for a “slice”
- Some slices whet our appetites for writing!
- Getting comments on your writing makes you feel good.
- Writing gets easier when it becomes a habit.
- Being a part of a writing community enhances your writing identity.
- Writing shapes the way you think about the world.
- I am going to miss the intensity of pulling story from experience each day.
If you had asked me February 29th what I would get out of this challenge I would have talked about the importance of writing teachers being writing teachers. This month of writing has confirmed and intensified that assertion.
Thank you, and I mean this so sincerely, to all of my fellow slicers.
Your posts gave me inspiration, made me laugh, brought me to tears, dazzled me with your talent, and made me feel grateful. Your comments made me smile, gave me ideas, and kept me going. I am going to miss you all.
To the “Two Writing Teachers”: Stacey, Tara, Kathleen, Deb, Dana, Anna, Beth, and Betsy… I say thank you! I can only imagine how much work this has been to pull this off and create this community.
Until we meet again I raise my glass to you, offer you a slice of lime, and wish you good health. “Salud!”
litcoachlady 
Bravo! Great reflections! I feel the same way especially about the fact that there is no standardized measure for a slice! Your ending is perfect, thank you for my slice of lime- I will go celebrate reaching our goal tomorrow!
Love this and agree with all of it!! I love – there is no standardized measure for a slice –so true!!! I too will miss this come Friday and I am already committed to going again next year!
Clare
This is a great list of “Take-Aways”. Keep writing. You should try the A-to-Z Challenge for April. You can continue to write and post and get comments all month! Just make it be a post about the correct letter! Lime will work very well for L! The info is here, if you want to check it out:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
Donna
mainelywrite.blogspot.com
Paula, I really enjoyed reading your work these past 30 days. Thanks. Thom Harnett
Thank you, Thom! As mayor of our great little town (and not an educator) that means a lot!
Dear Paula, I so enjoyed reading your slices all month. Congratulations on sticking with the challenge and coming up with such fresh, compelling, truly fascinating stories to share. I also love what you say here about what you learned, especially, ‘Writing shapes the way you think about the world.’ So so true.
As you know, I’ve had a hard time writing since last January, but you have inspired me to at least try again. It’s not only teachers who need to write, as Murray always insisted, it’s every single human being. Writing helps us cope with the world. Thank you again for reminding us.
When do you think you’ll be ready to talk about your next book???? We really should talk about that. Love, M
Thank you, Maureen. You have been such an influence on my writing as well as my life! When you are ready, I know those stories will flow from you with such heartfelt passion. Writing does help us cope with the world, or it can help us try to make sense of it, at least. More books? You bet!
#2 is so very true. Reading the stories from others – sometimes so vulnerable, heartfelt and emotional made it clear that we are all on such a journey. I have so enjoyed your slices this month!
#4 – Yes! And that’s what makes slicing so much fun!
Habit and community resonated with me. I enjoyed your slices.
#1 – Writers are ordinary people who look at the world differently. This challenge had me looking everywhere for a story!!
Nice meeting you here! Hopefully we will meet in person one day. And I loved the title of this post!
Yes, Rose we definitely need to connect! Will you be at ILA? Maybe at some Stenhouse event. It is been so great meeting amazing slicers this month!
I can connect to all your take-aways, especially #3 & #7. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog to I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings. Oh, and I’m going to take you up on that slice of lime!