Category: On writing

Story: Growth and Miracles

Posted on by docena

I have been writing and submitting since 1996. That’s twenty-six years. And I just received my 168th rejection. So I’ve decided to self publish or indie publish. To begin my indie publishing career, I purchased three e-books on Amazon. Two were in the genre I want to publish, fairy tale retelling, and one was a clean romance. The first one had a lot of plot or action, but not much character growth and the second one was pretty good. The clean romance, While You Were Speaking by Maria Hoagland, was well done and fun. Then I read through my book again and discovered that it was a lot like the first e-book I purchased, lots of plot but little connection to the characters.

At my writing group last night, Neysa Jensen shared from Jane Friedman’s website that plot is the external events and story is the internal transformation. We care about the character and the story through that internal transformation.

Today I read about Job from the Old Testament and his trials in D. Todd Christofferson’s talk, Our Relationship with God. I used to think that we study the scriptures for examples of people who always do what is right and try to emulate them. But Job cried out against God, saying that he’d been wronged. God chastises Job, and Job admits his sins and is humble before God. I can relate to Job. I can appreciate his story. His flaw, his despair, his abandonment. In our Come Follow Me study we’ve learned about Moses and the Israelites. They were a people who murmured and sinned again and again, but God refined them and prepared them for the promised land. They grew and progressed like Job, and that’s the story I can understand. The story isn’t about perfection. The story is about turning to Jesus Christ and allowing Him to teach and shape us.

I am fearful of this next step in writing. There’s so much I don’t know. My current manuscript is not as good as I originally thought. But I have a deep need, a desire, and a push from the Spirit that this is what I should be doing. I need to let my story be one of growth. Growth is painful. If expressing yourself through writing is not your thing, you may not understand this creative need I have. This trial may seem silly compared to yours, but there is probably something that is unfulfilled in your life for which God can do miracles if you let him. President Russell M. Nelson urged us to “seek and expect miracles.”

I’m committing to my characters’ growth. I’m committing to my own growth. I’m committing to story and miracles.

Daily Answers: In patience ye may possess your souls.

Posted on by docena

I read Elder Scott D. Whiting’s talk, Becoming like Him, and decided to ask Heavenly Father which Christlike attribute I needed to work on developing. The answer surprised me. It was patience. I already knew there were two particular areas in which I’ve been patient for many years: having a novel published and gathering Israel. I didn’t understand how I needed more patience, and I wanted to learn from my study how patience is more than just waiting. I wanted to know what I need to be doing right now, every minute to make those things happen. And that is probably why I received the answer to work on patience.

I learned from Ether 1 that patience is trusting in the Lord’s plan. The brother of Jared “[cried] unto the Lord” and was told to gather his family. He took the first steps and the Lord told him, “I will go before thee” (Ether 1:39, 42). Patience is taking the small steps even while not knowing the whole plan and trusting in the Lord. In the Christlike attributes chapter of Preach My Gospel I learned that Christlike attributes like patience are gifts from God and that I can’t develop them without God’s help. “The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to follow His example and to become like Him, which can only happen through the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6). I can’t make patience happen for myself. I need the Savior’s atonement. That gives me hope. I love what Preach My Gospel explains about patience: “Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition, or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated, or anxious. It is the ability to do God’s will and accept His timing.” When I want things to happen right now and feel anxious and frustrated that the words in my writing don’t come easy or my neighbor isn’t able to have missionaries visit because of the Coronavirus, I need to ask for God’s help in having patience, in enduring the delay with hope. Even the sons of Mosiah, some of the best missionaries, needed to be patient in sharing the gospel. They were told at the beginning of their mission, “Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls” (Alma 17:10-11). When President Nelson asked us to gather Israel, I wanted to be a part of that work and I felt like it should progress quickly. After all, these are the last days. But I need to be patient in the timing of the Lord and the opening of temples. Examples from The Book of Mormon like the brother of Jared, the sons of Mosiah, and Alma teach us that being patient means working and being diligent. The sons of Mosiah didn’t sit around waiting for the Lamanites to come to them. Alma and his brethren in bondage to the Lamanites were strengthened as they were patient in the Lord’s timing of deliverance. “They did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord” (Mosiah 24:15).

I learned from Doctrine and Covenants 101:38 that the attribute of patience makes me one with myself and with God. “And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life” (D&C 101:38). “In patience ye may possess your souls.” Wow! That is beautiful. When I seek the Lord in my writing, my daily tasks, and gathering Israel, I am at one with my soul and will have eternal life, or life with God. That is definitely more than just waiting or being frustrated and anxious.

As I continue to study the Christlike attribute of patience, I will look for it in others and ask for the Lord to bless me with this gift. This initial study gives me hope. The Lord doesn’t expect immediate results, but when I submit to His will, I will possess my soul.

Daily Answer: How do I disrupt myself?

Posted on by docena

My daily question for my scripture story was “How do I disrupt myself?”

I listened to a podcast about creating instead of competing by disrupting yourself. https://www.ldsliving.com/pages/allin-e77-whitney-johnson-create-compete

And this past weekend I joined many other writers in the 2020 Virtual Storymakers Conference. As with every conference I’ve attended, I hoped I’d propel my career forward with an agent and book deal. Instead I learned that I have a lot to learn . The classes offered encouragement and excellent writing tips and a connection with other writers. Since the conference was virtual, registration is still open. I highly recommend this conference. https://ldstorymakersconference.com/

For my daily answer I read Mosiah 20 and 21. I learned for myself that I need to humble myself, ask in prayer (cry mightily to God), and my heart needs to be soft. Ammon helped to deliver the people of king Limhi. I need to accept help from others. And I need to witness and testify of the answers I receive by sharing them with others.

I don’t need to turn my life upside down, but I need to be okay with feeling disrupted and uncomfortable. That’s how I will learn.#

Daily Answers: Emotional Connection

Posted on by docena

I have been writing and submitting to agents and publishers for about twenty-five years. Many of the rejection letters I’ve received say, “I wasn’t able to connect.” Today I gained a better understanding of that seemingly ambiguous statement.

This week I’m attending the 2020 Storymakers Virtual Conference. I participated in the first pre-session yesterday and learned from Jennifer Nielsen. She is amazing! I had the privilege to work with her at a Children’s Literature Conference in Boise a few years ago. I took her to several school presentations in the valley. She is a great writer, and she is compassionate and inspiring. I was impressed by her presentations which were uplifting and encouraging, but I was even more impressed with the personal attention she gave to each student during the book signings. She was genuine and kind. Jennifer was also encouraging to me about my writing.

During the session yesterday, Jennifer shared that after being rejected many times, she re-examined her writing and discovered that she needed to include more emotion in her books. Today for my scripture study, I asked the question, “What does my writing need?” I already knew that my writing also needs more emotion, but through my scripture study I was able to gain a deeper understanding of why. I read Mosiah 14 which is my favorite chapter in the scriptures. Abinadi taught Isaiah 53 which is about the Savior’s mission and atonement told in beautiful language. Here are the words which caught my attention this time, “grief, sorrows, wounded, bruised, despised, rejected, oppressed, healing, pleasure.” Strong, emotional words for what Jesus Christ experienced on this earth so that he could connect with us. C.S. Lewis said, “We read to know we are not alone.” Stories allow us to connect and the emotion in stories allows for a stronger connection. Jesus Christ experienced our sorrows so that he can not only connect with us, but so that he can succor us and heal us.

Today in my scripture study, I learned the importance of emotional connection in stories and was taught through the spirit a deeper understanding of how “with his stripes we are healed” (Mosiah 14:3-5).

Daily Answers: Torment or Joy

Posted on by docena

I have a torment/joy relationship with writing. I need to write, but I dread it. I put it off choosing to do laundry, clean a bathroom, or feed the chickens instead and the whole time, the task of writing is hanging over me like the nagging to study for a test. I’ve thought about giving up writing, but then I’m anxious and not fulfilled. So once again I put it on my list of things to do and avoid it.

Now with more time at home and only one child to manage, I have more time to write. I decided yesterday that I would write while my son was doing his online school, but the thought of sitting down and pouring out my heart in my writing makes we want to clean a toilet or organize the pantry instead. So my question during my scripture study today was, “How do I pull down the barriers for my writing?” Phrases from my scripture study of Mosiah 5 that spoke to me were “mighty change in our hearts, infinite goodness of God, exceeding joy, keep the commandments, bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment (that’s what I do every time I have to write), heart changed through faith on his name, take upon you the name of Christ, always abounding in good works, mercy.”

The answer I received was that I need to ask God to soften my heart, that I need to start by writing this experience, that I’m meant to have joy, and God wants me to be happy. I can do that by submitting my will to his and asking for his help. I also received an inspiration for my character, Anice. She sacrifices for her family while trying to keep the secret of shifting from human to animal. She has to embrace her family’s ability or “take upon her their name.”

In writing out the answers I received this morning, my heart has been softened, and I’m filled with gratitude for my Savior. Now I need to go and do. Write, write, write!

A Look Back at 13 Years of Children’s Literature Conferences Coordinated by Neysa Jensen: Our last one as coordinators

Posted on by docena

This weekend is the 8th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children’s Literature and Writing. That’s quite a mouthful. We had to think of a name that encompassed the needs of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), the Boise State Department of Literacy, Language and Culture, and ICIRA (Idaho Chapter of the International Reading Association) and for which we could purchase a domain name for cheap. But before we began a joint venture with Boise State in 2009, Neysa Jensen coordinated the first SCBWI event in Boise, So You Want to Write for Children, on March 1, 2003. Neysa has been an organizer and proponent of children’s literature in the Treasure Valley for over 14 years. And this will be the last annual conference that Neysa and I coordinate together. We have both decided that after the conference this Saturday, other capable and enthusiastic writers and organizers can continue the tradition.

 

I had attended several conferences in Utah and wanted to bring conferences to our area. Neysa let me help out in small ways at first and then I suggested we team with Stan Steiner, the head of the BSU Department of Literacy in 2009 and it’s grown every year. Since then we’ve seen several of our local writers become published authors: Angela Ruth Strong, Laura Bingham, Sarah Tregay, Amy Allgeyer, Lana Krumwiede, Miriam Forster, Craig Lew. Let me know if I forgot someone.

 

Thank you Neysa and Rediscovered Bookshop for making these conferences possible. I’ve learned much about writing, publishing, friendship, communicating, and organizing. And thank you to Monelle Smith and other committee members and Stan Steiner and Maggie Smith from the Department of Literacy, Language and Culture.

 

As I do with most changes in my life, I write about them. Here’s a look back at the past 13 years.

 

So You Want to Write for Children: March 1, 2003, Log Cabin Literacy Center

Speaker: Kathleen Duey, author

“It’s not our job to teach children something. Tell good stories with what you want to teach well hidden in the manuscript.”

“SCBWI will teach you to market, but you need to know how to write first. Craft first. Business second.”

 

Celebration of Children’s Literature: February 21, 2005, Boise High School

Speaker: Jane Kurtz, author

“Write what would make a parent or grandparent put down $16.”

Speaker: Gloria Skurzynski, author

“Understand technology and be creative. Apply technology and utilize emotional content.”

Four librarians who shared their book picks for 2005: Angie Bergstrom Miller, Rubie Gallegos, Marilyn J. White, Rosemary Palmer

 

Children’s Lit. 101–a day for children’s writers: September 23, 2006

Speaker: Miriam Hees, editor at Blooming Tree Press

“Write great what you know.”

Other speakers: Elaine Ambrose Romano, Sydney Husseman, Lana Krumwiede

 

Inspiration and Perspiration: September 29, 2007

Speaker: Alisha Niehaus, editor at Dial Books

“Every page needs to propel the story, move it ahead. Rejection letters are part of the industry.”

Speaker: Sydney Salter Husseman, author

“I sold the fourth manuscript, not the first.”

Speaker: Ellen Hopkins, author

“In YA, don’t underestimate readers.”

“Words have power.”

Other speakers: Judy Cox led us in writing exercises and Lana Krumwiede taught about plotting your story.

 

Southern Idaho Fall Writer’s Day, Journeys from idea to publication to bookstore: September 20, 2008, Boise First United Methodist Church

Speaker: Samantha McFerrin, editor at Harcourt Children’s Books

“I like luscious rhythm.”

Speaker: Carol Lynch Williams, author

“Just write. Don’t stop and self-edit.”

“If I cry, I will buy.”

Other speakers: Sharlee Glenn, Sydney Salter Husseman, Lana Krumwiede

 

Literature is My Utopia: September 11-12, 2009, Boise State University

This was the year I became a co-coordinator with Neysa. I didn’t have much time for taking notes.

Speaker: Lin Oliver, founder of SCBWI

“Define yourself as a professional and demand to be considered as such by friends, family, yourself.”

Other speakers: Brian Farrey, editor at Flux, Llewellyn Worldwide; Sydney Salter, Amy Cook, Angela Meuser, Emily Wing Smith, Gloria Skurzynski, STan Steiner, Docena Holm, Maggie Chase, Judy Cox

 

Writing with the Stars: September 11-12, 2010, Boise State University

Speakers: Cheryl Klein, senior editor at Scholastic; Jill Corcoran, associate agent at the Herman agency; authors: Christ Crutcher, Kelly Milner Halls, Amy Allgeyer cook, Sydney Salter, Laura Bingham, Sarah Tregay

 

Word by Word, 2011 BSU and SCBWI-Utah Southern Idaho Regional Conference: April 15-16, 2011, Boise State University

Speaker: Jennifer Rofe, literary agent with Andrew Brown Agency

“Agents advise their clients. The best offer is not necessarily more money. Think about marketing and connection with the editor.”

Speaker: Lori Benton, Vice President and Publisher for Scholastic’s trade publishing division

“Hone your craft. Writing is a muscle. Exercise it.”

Other speakers: Dr. Maggie Chase, Angela Kerber, Judy Cox, Carol Lynch Williams, Sydney Salter

 

Read, wRite, Revise: April 20-21, 2012, Boise State University

Speaker: Alane Ferguson, author

“Write from your experience.”

“Be not afraid of revision.”

Speaker: Gloria Skurzynski, author

“If rejection kills you, I would have died 57 times.”

From Fun with Feathers workshop with Sherry Dismuke and Dr. Susan Martin, I wrote this poem about a feather.

Feather

Veiny, Radiant

Dipping, Flowing, Bleeding

Stiff as a quill

Ink scratcher

Other speakers: Kate Schafer Testerman, owner of kt literary; Kate Kae Myers, Matthew Kirby, Sarah Tregay

Create Writing Connections: April 26-27, 2013, Boise State University, combined with ICIRA

Speaker: Anne Osterlund, author

“When you start a new scene or chapter, set the scene. Put your character in a place.”

Speaker: Sara Megibow, agent with Nelson Literary Agency

“Avoid comparing your career path to others.”

Speaker: Karl Jones, Assistant Editor at Grosset & Dunlap/PSS!

Karl quoted Rollo May: “If you do not express your original ideas, if you do not listen to your own being, you will have betrayed yourself.”

Other speakers: Mary Ann Cahill, Scott Cook, Sherry Dismuke, Miriam Forster, Jennifer Garnder, Meliah McCulley, Sherry Meidell, Kristin Oostra, Susan Reid, Roger Stewart, Ph.D., Michael Strickland, Lee Ann Tysseling, Diane Williams

Tell Me a Story, 2014 BSU, ICIRA, and SCBWI-Utah/Southern Idaho Regional Conference: April 25-26, 2014, Boise State University

Speaker: Jennifer Nielsen, author

“Start a scene with the character in trouble.”

Speaker: Melissa Miller, editor at Katherine Tegen Books

“Perseverance + Talent =Luck.”

Other speakers: Susan Martin, Craig Lew, Dr. Meleah McCulley, Jessica Nelson, Petros Panaou, Elizabeth Swearingen, Ed.D., Gregory Taylor, Lee Ann Tysseling, Jamie Armstrong, Mary Ann Cahill, Elissa Cruz, Sherry Dismuke, Kelly Gallagher, Jennifer Gardner, M.Ed., Byron Heath, Gabriel Horn, Neysa Jensen

7th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children’s Literature and Writing, 2015 BSU and SCBWI-Utah/Southern Idaho: April 24-25, 2015, Boise State University, Theme of Diversity

Speaker: Matt de la Pena

“Character driven, not issue driven.”

Other speakers: Sean McCarthy, owner of Sean McCarthy Literary Agency; Kristyn Crow, Suzanne Morgan Williams, Kate Kae Myers, Amy Cook, Gloria Skurzynski, Kristiana Gregory, Sarah Tregay

8th Annual Idaho Conference on Youth and Children’s Literature and Writing, 2016 BSU Department of Literacy, Language and Culture and SCBWI-Utah/Southern Idaho: April 15-16, 2016

Speakers will be N.D. Wilson, Harold Underdown, Valynne E. Maetani, Angela Ruth Strong, Sarah Tregay, Craig Lew, Amy Allgeyer

Check it out at IDCCLW.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. I’m a writer.

Posted on by docena

I struggle with being overwhelmed and stressed with all the good things I need and get to do. This is not just a Mormon problem, but a people problem. I need to make meals, buy food for the meals, clean the house, establish and maintain family and friend relationships, exercise, serve, write, do my church calling or job, volunteer at the school, complete and compile monthly bookkeeping reports, read to my child, study the scriptures, etc. I’ve addressed this problem in previous posts. I’ve thought that if I had less to do, if I eliminated responsibilities, I’d be happier. Or even better if other people eliminated those responsibilities for me, I’d be happier. Don’t expect me to attend the temple regularly. Don’t expect me to organize a fundraiser. Don’t expect me to make dinner for my family. Or maybe I need to learn to say no.

 

In March of last year I wrote about establishing good habits. In the book, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, he explains that having a keystone habit allows you to accomplish more. I know that three keystone habits for me are reading my scriptures, praying, and making my bed. If I do those three things every morning, it helps my day go better. And at least the first two are necessary because they help me communicate with God. They are important. But here’s another keystone habit that I’ve tried to eliminate and when I do, I am miserable. Writing. When I write, I’m balanced and everything else seems to fit into place. It’s like that object lesson where you fill a jar with rice then try to force in golf balls. It doesn’t work. But if you put the golf balls in first, then the rice fills in the spaces. I’ve seen this object lesson in church many times. This past Sunday our teacher used this visual to teach us why we need to put God first. Why the first commandment is to love God. But I’ve struggled with how writing fits into putting God first. How can writing be one of they key things I need to do to make everything else fit? It’s not scripture study, prayer, serving others, attending the temple. It seems like a selfish need for me. In fact knowing that it’s something I need to do, I’ve felt resentful of everything else expected of me. These feelings or thoughts are selfish, is what I’ve told myself. So if I gave up writing I would be happier and could do more selfless things.

 

Many of my friends have said, and I’m sure you’ve heard this before, you need to do what makes you happy. If Momma ain’t happy, then nobody’s happy. Do what you love and enjoy and then you can be a good mom. Those sentiments have helped a little, but I’ve still wondered why writing is such a need for me and why everything else seems to fall into place when I write. This week I think I’ve figured it out. Big reveal. Actually I still don’t know why writing is a need of mine, a keystone habit. But this week I did make writing a priority and I’ve been able to fit everything else in. I’ve been happier and more content. And here’s why. “As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). When I don’t write I have a continual cycle of negative thoughts where I am resentful of everything else I have to do. If only I didn’t have to go grocery shopping, I could write. If only I didn’t have to volunteer in my son’s school, I could write. If only I didn’t have to wash and fold the laundry, I could write. It’s not that I hate doing those things, but everything seemed to interfere with writing. But it was all in my head. Imagine my husband saying, “I knew that all along.”

 

Before Christmas, my friend and fitness instructor, did an experiment on me in front of the class. I held my arm out straight from my body. She told me to think of something positive, a good thought. I thought of my children and how much I love them and the good relationships we have. Then she told me to resist while she pushed down on my arm. My arm held firm. Then she told me to think of something negative. I thought about my writing and how my manuscripts have been rejected. She pushed down on my arm, and I couldn’t hold it up. We finished with a positive thought. I thought about my husband and how much I love him and our good relationship. My arm held firm again. I went home pondering that experience. Did it mean that I should focus on my children and husband and give up writing? No. That hasn’t proved successful in the past. I decided it meant that I needed to change the way I think about writing. I need to make it something I do. Not something I fit in when everything else is done, because I will never be done with everything else. A couple of weeks ago when I set my positive intention at the beginning of my workout, I told myself, “I am a good writer.” Then guess what? Later that day as I was writing, an agent requested my entire manuscript.

 

Obviously for everyone, writing is not the habit that will make everything else fit. I’m saying that as we think, that’s how we’ll act and feel. If I’m continually thinking negative thoughts, then I’ll be unhappy. If I’m thinking positive thoughts, faith filled thoughts, I  will be happier. And for me that means thinking of myself as a writer and acting on it.

 

 

 

 

If we are all children of God, how are we unique?

Posted on by docena

As Mormons, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that all of us are children of God. Not just Mormons, but everyone who has lived, now lives, and will yet live on the earth. Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits. We are all brothers and sisters as spirits and Jesus Christ is our older brother. Just as we can grow and follow in our earthly parents’ footsteps, we can grow and become like our Heavenly Father, a god. That makes each of us special. But if we are all children of God, all born to become gods, what makes each of us unique? How can we all be alike and all be different?

 

This past weekend, I hosted an all day writing retreat for my writing group. I had to clean my husband’s office beforehand and I prepared and bought food. I looked forward all month to spending time with my fellow writers. We critiqued each others chapters, discussed strong writing, chatted about non-writing topics, ate, and read and wrote. You might think that sounds like an ideal way to spend a day. You might also think you’d rather have your toenails pulled out than write and discuss writing all day. With the support and critiques of these writers, I’m able to learn and improve my writing.

 

Sunday night I attended a performance called “Hymns of Thanksgiving.” This is a community event where local talent comes together to sing in a choir and play in an orchestra. The pieces are chosen to support the theme of gratitude. I marveled at the bass player, the beautiful blend of the choir, the swift hands of the piano soloist. Those who participated in the choir and orchestra created in me a greater appreciation for music and the beauty around me.

 

Tonight my friend, Monelle Smith, sang six songs that she wrote at a local lounge. She played the acoustic and then the bass guitar. While she sang, she shined with her love for music. I have no desire to perform on a stage or sing into a microphone, but her soulful voice touched me and I marveled at her talent and the time and effort she’s put into developing that talent. Other musicians performed before and after her.

 

There is a need within each of us to communicate and connect with each other. We do that in different ways. Some of us prefer writing, others singing or writing music. There isn’t just one person who does each of those things. In that way, the people who express themselves in the same medium are similar. But as I saw with the many different artists at the lounge tonight, not one of those performers was exactly the same.

 

We each have gifts to contribute. Talents or abilities that help us communicate, connect, and bless lives. In the church we call those spiritual gifts. Marvin J. Ashton a deceased modern-day apostle said, “One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents or gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self-appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable” (October 1987, There Are Many Gifts”). He reminds us that God has given us each a gift, maybe more than one, and each of us must search for and develop those gifts with the help of our loving Heavenly Father.

 

When I’m in a big city or at a concert or a new place, I’m amazed at all the people that exist whom I’ve never met. I don’t know how our Heavenly Father keeps track of or loves each of us. But I know He does. I know that I am like every one of you because I am a child of God. I also know that I am unique. I know that because when I pray, Heavenly Father speaks to my heart that he knows me, that I am His daughter, and that He wants me to succeed.

Let’s talk testing, a non-religious topic

Posted on by docena

This past weekend I attended a conference at Boise State University called “Tell Me a Story.” Along with topics on writing, plot structure, and what publishers don’t tell you, I heard Kelly Gallagher speak about reading, common core, and testing in our schools. Kelly is the author of Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It. He contends that because schools spend so much time on testing and teaching to the tests, students lack strategies for deep understanding of reading, do not enjoy reading, are failing at reading and are therefore less creative thinkers.

 

For the most part, Kelly supports common core. From what I’ve seen with my children this school year, I think common core can be an avenue for deeper understanding and thinking. Testing is no longer multiple choice. Students submit short answer or essays in a text box. Our foreign exchange daughter had not seen a multiple choice test until she attended the high school here. In Switzerland her tests were all short answer or essay. I think this promotes deeper thinking and as teachers teach at a deeper level, students will be successful in learning. My children are discouraged because the teaching is different, but I think it will be better for them in the long run.  However, I do not support the increased testing. My daughter who is a junior this year was told last year that she wouldn’t be testing anymore if she passed the ISAT. But because the state wants to establish a baseline for measuring growth, all juniors are taking the SBAC. The juniors are very unhappy. One student used the text box to create a map of Idaho out of capital letter “I’s.” They are missing a lot of class time to prepare for tests and to take tests.

 

I agree whole-heartedly with Kelly that students should do more recreational reading. That is one of my deep loves, reading. Students should be reading for fun. They should be reading for information. They should be reading to learn and to connect with their world. That’s why I read. That means students should read books that are easy for them and books that are challenging. Kelly offers suggestions and examples for scaffolding reading in school so students can succeed with difficult novels and articles. During my oldest daughter’s junior English class, she did not read one single novel all the way through. They read excerpts and watched movies. In my high school students’ classes this year, the teachers read out loud which is a good way to begin, but the students need to read the book themselves. And re-read and discuss. They should not be stopped every few pages to analyze. This disrupts the reading flow, as Kelly calls it.

 

I do not know how to change the system. I appreciate the teachers who weave what is expected with what they know is best for students. As a parent, I will do my part by taking my children to the library, reading to them when they are young, discussing books and articles, and letting them see me read (often).