Sheila Sims Iding
As we are nearing the end of summer, I am nearing the end of the writings I did for the Red Cedar Writing Project. I do have one writing left to share but it is my children’s book and it needs to be illustrated before I will share it. I have to say it is one of my favorite writings this summer for these reasons:
1. It is a book that needed to be written. It is about a child
who is challenged by learning. That’s all I will say for now because
I want it to be fresh and new when I share it with you.
2. It was a writing that has been in my head (and heart) for years
and I finally got to put it on paper. Finally, FINALLY, I have
written that special children’s book I have talked about so long.
3. It was the writing this summer that showed the most growth
for me as an author. After sharing it with my writing group, I
revised the first draft dramatically and the story became better
thanks to the input of my fellow writers.
I started the blog as some of my friends had asked me to share my writings that I was doing for Red Cedar Writing Project. They were too long to post on facebook so I started a writing blog adjacent to my Care Corner classroom blog. What happened after that was amazing to me. Since I started the writing blog so many wonderful things have happened just by sharing my writing including the following:
1. reconnecting with childhood friends
2. people who have been helped by reading my stories
3. people who have been comforted through difficult times
4. writers who have been encouraged to do more writing
5. teachers who have been inspired by my experiences
6. people (not fb friends) who found my blogs and wrote to thank me
7. people who share my blogs with family and friends
And many more wonderful experiences that others have shared through comments or messages. I am just so grateful that my blogs have been meaningful to some people. The reason I write is to share stories about family, friends, faith…and life. If those stories are purposeful to others, then the writing becomes more purposeful to me.
So…I have shared most of my writings, including some new ones (that were not part of the Red Cedar Writing Project) that I snuck in for special situations this summer. And I do not want the blog to end. The writing for me has been therapeutic, comforting and fulfilling. Having said that, my blog will continue as I may change the name from “My SUMMER Writing Project” to just “My Writing Project”. I will continue to post writings several times a week reflecting on family, friends, faith and life. I will continue to share stories hoping that they are meaningful, inspiring and encouraging to some one at some point. Mostly, I will continue to hope that you enjoy my blog…my writing project. Here’s to Writing On!
Post Note: My Care Corner classroom blog will start again soon with daily reflections on the wonder and discovery of teaching in first grade so I will certainly get my writing fix each day. Life is good.