I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers Annual March Slice of Life Story Challenge.
This year I decided to complete my slice of life challenge through the use of quick writes. By doing this, I hope to explore my own writing, identify problems my students may be experiencing with these quick bursts of writing, and show them authentic revisions in the writing process.
Today's quick write comes from Jennifer Laffin's word of the day. Jen is the mastermind and owner of Teach Write, LLC. Each day, she puts out a word of the day to entice people to form a daily writing habit. Today's word of the day is:
Shiny
In true quick write form according to Kittle and Graves, my process began like this:
- Choose a starter.
- Write rapidly for ten minutes.
- Change nothing.
- Lower you standards. (This is hard to do when you are writing publicly!)
- Let your own thinking guide you, not the prompt.
Shiny is not a word in which I would describe myself.
I don't dress shiny. I'm not a jewelry person, and I only wear my single gold wedding band every day. No diamonds - just a solid gold marriage of 28 years. I tend to dress more classic and conservative in black, brown, and grey along with cable sweaters.
My house isn't shiny. We built our cabin-style house 26 years ago, and it doesn't have the newest appliances or furniture or decor. We have hardwood floors made of rough hickory wood, showing all their grainy flaws.
My personality is not shiny. I tend to be an introvert, and I don't seek attention. If I would be in a room with a lot of people, you would find me in the back, probably in a corner. I'm rather quiet, and I would rather write words than speak them.
But my heart is shiny. I give freely and love deeply, and try to put others before myself.
No, shiny is not a word in which I would describe myself.
And I'm OK with that.
I bet I’d love those hickory floors— I like how you stack and layers the details in this slice.
ReplyDeleteI think it is better to be shiny inside than outside any day. You certainly SHINE Leigh Ann with your warmth and kindness. I love that you are using Jennifer's word of the day to quick write and get those ideas flowing!
ReplyDeleteShiny is a great word to think about. I can certainly see you shine in your writing, Leigh Anne. I, too, think that it is better to be shiny on the inside than out.
ReplyDeleteI love this piece, Leigh Anne. Your examples are so concrete and s specific. And then you have a perfect ending. Sounds like you are shiny in the important ways!
ReplyDeleteA shiny heart is better than jewels and a shiny house. Keep shining!
ReplyDeleteI love that you explained your process for this quick write/slice. It's been a long time since I've done quick writes...
ReplyDeleteLike you, I would not describe myself, my home, my clothing or my personality as shiny. And like you, I am ok with that.
This is beautiful! You describe yourself as more of an introvert....the power of introverts is essential to keep a certain balance on our planet. Thanks for sharing this word of the day idea as well....love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for including the steps how to do a quick write. (#4 particularly caught my attention.) Its helpful as a newbyish writer to understand the process and see the product. Your product is so insightful and refined that I infer that you have a writing routine.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed how you took ‘shiny’ and changed it into something meaningful for yourself.
I love quick writes and Jen's word of the day. I'm not a shiny person either and would be at the back of the room with you or would be very comfortable visiting you in your non-shiny loved in home.
ReplyDeleteIn time shiny loses its shimmer, loses its gleam. I suspect those who know you personally would describe you as living a life that shines above most others. As I’ve grown older, I’ve lost the allure of shiny, but I wish that had happened sooner. I also love your use of litotes. It’s one of my favorite rhetorical strategies.
ReplyDelete"I would rather write words than speak them." Lucky us, to be the recipients of your writing. I'll take your sparkling words and your shiny heart over jewelry any day. You shine in all the important ways.
ReplyDeleteOutside shine can become dull and tarnished. Inside shines just grow brighter. One aspect in which you definitely shine - writer.
ReplyDeleteYour discription of yourself is awesome-- You captured it perfectly and I think you know it. To be Shiny comes from within not what you have around you!
ReplyDeleteGreat quick write , Leigh Anne. While I do know you, you provided more information to appreciate the quiet side of you.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I'm not a shiny person either. I totally agree with "I would rather write words than speak them." Thank you for sharing the source of your inspiration and your process. I need to try this!
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! Sometimes I am accidentally shiny and I don't like it. I may have to use this word today.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Leigh Anne! I am not a shiny person, either, and like you, I'd rather write words than speak them. I think we share many commonalities, and your house sounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteLove this self reflection of shiny. You have me thinking about shiny teachers, and I always say that I am not the "fun" teacher that I am not overtly shiny but I do think some students can see my inner shine. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLove love love this! It's a quick write that let's us know you a little bit better! I have WOTD on my list for MSOL ideas! I give it to kids as a choice EVERY week, but I rarely use it! Time to make the choice myself! Thanks for sharing, Leigh Anne!
ReplyDeleteI love this! First of all, I love the quick write -- even to publish! It is excellent. And I love how you wrote this -- Helped me get to know you a little more. And I think a shiny heart is the best kind of shiny.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to see even across the miles that your heart is shiny.
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