Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Why Writing Resonates


It is hard to believe another March has arrived, and it is time for another Slice of Life Challenge.  This is my third year of participating.  Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this space for me to share my corner of the world.

Throughout my writing journey, I have often wondered why certain posts resonate with readers.

For the most part, I write for me ~ to capture a day in my life as a teacher, a reader, and a writer.  I started out writing slices for this community.  Eventually I became more confidant and brave and my writing territories expanded.  But there are still times when I wonder why someone would read my writing.

I am just a simple teacher with only eight years of teaching experience who lives in a small town surrounded by cornfields in the southern part of Indiana and who thinks she really has nothing important to say.

This past week I wrote a blog post and within a couple of days, I had over 200 views.   Why would someone read my post about finding research in my own classroom?

For some reason, this post resonated with readers.

Last August on the night before school started, I wrote a letter to my daughter and other first year teachers.  That post is my most popular post with almost 600 page views.  Why would someone read that?

I ask myself that question all...the...time.  Why?

I do not have an answer.  As writers...

We never know who will read our words.  

We never know how our words will touch someone.  

We never know why our writing resonates.

But this I do know...

We must write.

21 comments:

  1. We must write. YES! I read your words to hear your story. You make me think and you are smart and kind! I'm so glad to be on this journey of slicing with you, my friend! Keep writing!

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  2. Why would anyone want to read your posts? I can't answer for them, but I can for me. Your voice is genuine. You write from the heart. You teach through your words even when you weren't trying to teach. You entertain with your words. I'm going to be there to read, so write on!

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  3. Your words are part of the fabric of my days . . . every time I pick up a carton of milk at the grocery store and look at the date . . . you're there beside me. So glad to be here with so many friends!

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  4. Oh Leigh Anne, I so relate to this! I think those same things often: "I am just a primary school teacher teaching at a tiny school in the heart of a city . . . " But when we share our stories, we find ourselves and our truths in others. I am so glad you write!

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  5. Ah, but isn't that the life of a teacher? Who knows what your words will ignite? Here or in your classroom. I know you because of this community and many times your words have helped me, inspired me all the way from the cornfields. So grateful for that. Love to you and happy day 1.

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  6. You are correct...we never know. But we also never know when our writing will connect us with a kindred spirit! So glad it has brought us together. Looking forward to reading more of your words this month, friend.

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  7. I resonate with your question - why? I am still humbled that people choose to read what I write. I guess we really don't know until we take that first step and hit "publish". Thank you for writing.

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  8. Love this post, Leigh Anne. I'm also often surprised at which of my posts resonate most with readers. Often not the ones I intended to be read a lot! Like Cindy, I'm humbled that people read my writing--and especially that people connect with the stories I publish about my son, by FAR the most personal writing I do, writing that takes me right to the edge of what I can do technically as a writer and often past the edge of comfort! You've got me thinking, too, about why certain posts resonate with me as a reader, why I always find something to take away with me in certain bloggers' writing--yours included.

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  9. I think about this all the time. My posts about caring for my mom with dementia received ten's of thousands views. I received so much support from people about a topic I thought was really for me when I wrote about it. I think that is what makes a writing community - true response. I think we need to always write with an audience in mind, but in the end we write for ourselves.
    Clare

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  10. We never know the impact we have on others....the important thing is to follow our heart and reach out!

    Thank you for sharing your words!

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  11. So interesting and true. I sometimes wander into wondering the why of which posts resonate with readers. I agree with what others have said about voice and authenticity. I visit your blog often because I enjoy your voice and the virlew of your corner of the world. Sometimes I think certain topics-- that letter for instance-- pluck at an already vibrating string in the minds of people in the community, so it attracts readers. Happy first slice!

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  12. I want to read your writing to see what other writers from INDIANA are doing! I'm so glad you and I both found a great place to share, learn, and dream! Welcome back to the March Challenge! Have fun!

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  13. Oh Leigh Anne...I've only read your post after writing mine and YES! We must write...and one other thing...
    a simple teacher with only eight years experience...I disagree....not simply and not "only."
    Each and every year enhances us and we are never merely...simple.
    xo

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  14. We never know how our words will touch someone...so true! I'm so glad to be connecting with you this March! I always enjoy reading your words. :)

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  15. Leigh Anne! I'm so thankful for this post. It really resonated with me as I dust off the blog. I look forward to absorbing the words you write this month. Thanks.

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  16. I'm so thankful you share your corner of the world with me! I'm a third year slicer too, and I'm grateful to be here.

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  17. Leigh Anne, so good to see you still slicing! There are so many of us third year slicers! I fear that many will be looking for wisdom, but the sincerity of your words - we never really know which posts/words are the ones that really match our audience. Writing from the heart is something you do so well! YAY, YOU!

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  18. So many views because you share beautiful, honest and helpful things. Thank you for writing.

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  19. Your writing and stories do resonate with so many. Those connections you are able to make through words is powerful. As you say, we must write! Here's to another month! I'm looking forward to reading more of your words.

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  20. Connections are made. Your writing is real and refreshing.

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  21. I think that's interesting, too, Leigh Anne, to think about why some posts are so much more popular than others. I know your writing resonates with me - it's your honesty and tender heart!

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