m-w experiences

So I write with my students. Can you really be an effective teacher of writing if you don't write yourself? Can you coach hockey if you've never laced up, have only watched the Mighty Ducks?

I'm working on MEMOIR with the kids right now. Can't say I'm all that excited about writing a piece with the thesis, loads of correcting, and the student newspaper looming, (plus regular life like sweeping the black dog hair off of the floor and making sure the laundry gets put away, recycling gets put out). But I think it will be an interesting experience. And I know that all of them aren't super crazy about it either. But (yes, you can start sentences with conjunctions, stylistic you know) the only way to become a better writer is to JUST WRITE. No other way.

So we worked on Memoir-Worthy Experiences for a bit to get some ideas for writing. Here are mine. This really isn't a well thought out list.

Memoir Worthy Experiences
Traveling to CA when I was four
Camping/using acorns as Barbie toys
Too small to go on go carts at Disney Land
Too small to go on a horse ride that Lisa got to go on
Chandelier/surfboard at Great Uncle Dan's
Trampoline/hot springs at campground
Creepy hotel in LA while Mom and Dad were at Teacher's Conv.
Someone was stabbed there that very same night

Trouble with Mr. Serr when I was a senior
Trouble in 3rd grade- punching M. Saunders, writing notes to everyone with advice,
using tape (wasting) as a medical bracelet
Trouble in 1st grade- airplane pencil. stamping Smurf stamps in the tunnel
How I strove to be a good kid/do the right think, yet sometimes trouble struck

Divorce- I don't want to write about this for class

Car crash- changed how I think

Sandy/search for a dog as an adult/companionship

Eye surgery- changed how I think, feeling of loss, so young compared, fear of other eye going bad

Changed my life- step-parenting!

Guitar- follow through

How I deal with change-- cabin being sold, clarinet, Mini-Mart/old buildings, farmsteads

Important? Grad from college, travel to Europe 3X, study abroad/Spain

Night Chris was born, licorace

Travels to NY every few years to visit Dad's side, origin/place, who are we really, how much are our relatives like us without us really knowing them?

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I think my Writing Territories list is better, but those lists are all at work...
Wanted to put up SOMETHING so as not to completely lose the two actual people who read this...

Have a good weekend!