“Fine, I’ll read the dang post.”
That’s what I told myself last night as I read another slice about band-aids and story telling.
#whatsthefussGus
When reading something that has struck a nerve, I tend to read the comments first. They range from “quitting the challenge” to “oh, thank you for pushing us” and most anything in-between!
I’m not even sure where I’d classify my own writing at this point. This is hardly a narrative, but it’s my style and I’m comfortable doing it. That to me is what the Slice of Life is all about, that idea of writing a slice of your day, your thinking, or your interest. Today, it happens to be about band-aid writing and community.
#whereisthecommunityyouask
I’m glad you asked! This morning, I came across an article on building community titled: ” The Only Metic of Success That Really Matters is the One we Ignore,” by Jenny Anderson. Without spoiling the article, her contention is that if you keep reaching out to the people around, to “future-proof” your life, those connections will grow, as will your community. You need make yourself vulnerable, to put yourself out there, to allow people to see you without your make-up, your best suit, and see you at your worst. If they can do that and still love you, you’ve found your community.
How does this relate to band-aids? If people see your writing, see you giving your all, making yourself vulnerable with what you share about that slice of your day, they are your community. I have no doubt that much of what I write doesn’t fit into a “story telling” mode, but at this point, I’ve found a community. I’ve found people who’ve read my writing, who’ve called me out when need be, who’ve laughed (seriously, I’m not that funny), but who keep coming back. That is a community of writers, and I’m ok with this.
#butareyoutellingastory
Some days, my story is literally what happened 5 minutes before, some days, the story is a rant about something read elsewhere, and some days, it’s not a story. But it’s personal to me, and that’s what I want. I encourage my students to be like Angela Maiers and notice stuff, to use that in their writing. I had a student write about coming into a classroom with her head in a book, not notice there was no chair at her spot, and fell. That’s storytelling! They get it, and that’s what I want.
#lordIamawramblingman
And on that note, please, if you quit the challenge and see this, I encourage you to stay. We all tell stories in a different way, but all our voices need to be heard. Why? Because we each HAVE a story to tell, something that made us laugh or cry. That’s why I joined this challenge, and that’s why I’ll stay.
And no, I have no plans in my future to write any poetry in my story! 🙂
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 
March 18, 2019 at 4:47 pm
A notification for this popped up on my screen as I was doing some research in between running to puny cries from my sick child, and the “fine, I’ll read the dang post” line immediately caught my eye. I really appreciated your clear-eyed take on the nerve-poking post (which I’m not even sure was supposed to be provocative). I agree whole-heartedly that this is a writing community for those who return year after year, and also that some days it takes all one has to put down ANYTHING in the final minutes of the daily challenge and keep the momentum rolling. The sense that we must have a narrative story on a regular basis instead of a little bit of writing that reveals a slice of our day/life actually runs counter to how I was introduced to the challenge three years ago. That one post made it feel like the emphasis is shifting, intentionally or not, from “slice of life” to the “story” part of the acronym, and I know that feels unwelcoming to some people, especially those who are not wholly comfortable writing. The person who first introduced me to this monthly challenge is one of those who quit after reading that, because with a 20 year old with special needs, an über busy 15 year old, a 10 year old, and a new grade level to teach this year, writing a little slice was all she could muster on a day to day basis. The subtle pressure to create something with narrative cohesion every day was too much for her, and that is sad.
Now I have written a big long reply that could be a slice for today, except that I too don’t quite feel that my random thoughts are wholly “slice-worthy” anymore.
March 18, 2019 at 9:38 pm
>The subtle pressure to create something with narrative cohesion every day was too much for her, and that is sad.<
And this is the unintended consequence of this post, that I agree, wasn't meant to be provocative. But it's caused a stir, and it's got people writing, so we'll see if the community as a whole embraces it, or if members leave.
My whole point, don't go. We need those voices, the varied experiences, heck, those people who write narratives really well, to be here and continue to share!
Thank you for your thoughts today! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 10:48 pm
I definitely did not have a narrative sort of day, with influenza mowing us all down one by one, but I am still here and hanging on, even when my story is not so much a story!
March 18, 2019 at 5:16 pm
I have tried to stay away from the “bandaid” posts because some days that is what we need. Some days there just isn’t a story to be told or at least one that you can share. I know myself, that I am afraid to put the rants out there, to let people know it was a bad day, I really don’t need the wrong person seeing what I have written and then turning me in. It also bothers me that people are dropping out because of this. Isn’t the main goal here to get teachers writing? Then again, maybe we are starting to feel like our students feel when we don’t support their very personal writing and then the student no longer puts themselves out there for others to read.
March 18, 2019 at 5:37 pm
I would have been the kid in the back who had their head down, oblivious to what was going on, just happy with the time to write…
I hadn’t read the blog post… (lots and lots going on..)
March 20, 2019 at 10:32 am
>Then again, maybe we are starting to feel like our students feel when we don’t support their very personal writing and then the student no longer puts themselves out there for others to read.<
This is what I'm thinking. If the support isn't here, there are SO MANY other things we as teachers can be doing. It's easy to say "I don't have a story, so I won't write". Sometimes, your story is, you don't have a story!!
Anyway, bandaid away, you won't hear me complain, unless your day was like mine, then I'll commiserate! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 5:20 pm
“This is hardly a narrative, but it’s my style and I’m comfortable doing it. That to me is what the Slice of Life is all about, that idea of writing a slice of your day, your thinking, or your interest.” My thoughts exactly, Darin! I can’t always manage writing a narrative every day. I’m not a very good writer in the first place; I’m trying to improve my writing by experimenting and trying new things and attempting to have a little fun with writing…and that means NOT always trying to write a narrative. That’s just the way it is, for me anyway. ~JudyK 🙂
March 20, 2019 at 10:33 am
>That’s just the way it is, for me anyway.<
And that's ok (for me anyway)! It's about growing comfortable in what we do.
March 18, 2019 at 5:33 pm
Loved this rambling slice and your plea to everyone to stick around because “We all tell stories in a different way, but all our voices need to be heard.” Amen, brother.
March 18, 2019 at 5:46 pm
The SOLC is the only thing I look forward to all year, and unfortunately, I don’t have anyone to share this with at work, except for here.
I’m sure my posts don’t fit into the ideal (the storytelling one or prior ones).. I’m STILL trying to figure out my interpretation of it and what I will allow others to see.
I hope people don’t leave. We need more teacher-writers, and from what I’ve seen, there are very few, if any forums for us to pour forth what comes from our hearts. I’m not sure TWT sees that this is very much linked to teacher mental health. Please don’t leave..
If it weren’t for this space, during this month of March, I don’t know what would happen to me. I have found a voice and a little bit of an audience. You’ve given me bigger dreams that I have yet to write about (yes, picture books). I love you guys. Please don’t leave..
March 27, 2019 at 11:53 am
I apologize for how long it take to respond here! First, that quote: “I have found a voice and a little bit of an audience.” That’s all a person wants, it’s not, to be noticed and heard? That’s why I’m here, writing on Tuesdays and Fridays. That’s why I write in the late night or the early morning, because it’s making a difference for me and maybe, just maybe someone else too.
I also appreciated your pointing out that much of what we write “comes from our hearts”. For me, this is so true. I write what I really don’t feel I can say (which is a lot because I’m painfully quiet), so this forum has helped me to find and develop this silly voice. It’s nice to have a place where the writing isn’t judged and the message is heard.
Thank you for being part of this celebration of writing. I hope you stay too! 🙂
March 28, 2019 at 4:15 pm
np.. I know there’s something out there of yours I haven’t responded to, probably bc it merits a good response. 🙂
I’m staying, but I tend to start another blog. I *used* to be like that.. maybe that will change w long-term projects. 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 5:54 pm
You know I just write. sometimes it’s more narrative than others, but I think I’ve come a long way. My writing is not for everyone but it is certainly for me. I used to care more who read it but much like you I have friends in the community who give me good feed back and sometimes a little criticism and I’m good with that. I was a little rebuked, but only because I’m still a sensitive blogger. For me it’s more about relating and I related to what you out down. ✌🏻
March 18, 2019 at 7:13 pm
>I was a little rebuked, but only because I’m still a sensitive blogger.<
This made me smile because I've never seen you as this! I've always read your blog and gotten a "devil may care attitude". See, I learned something new, from your writing! 🙂
I would agree about writing. Each person's writing may not be for everyone, but it should be good for the writer! I feel good writing, and I feel good that there is this community of writers who understand the "teacher stuff" I post.
Thank you for your thoughts. They are much appreciated!
March 18, 2019 at 7:26 pm
ok, I’m not all that sensitive, but I did prickle up like a rocked cat about the ‘slicing’.
March 18, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Every kind of writing is using your writing muscles.
March 18, 2019 at 7:09 pm
This is a T-shirt quote! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 7:20 pm
Oh boy did you call me out without even meaning to! I by no means want to “quit” this journey, but I’d be lying if i said i let my busy day, crankiness, and tiredness get in the way some days. I wanted to write tonight, but i didn’t want to get on and do it because, well, IM TIRED. But, i logged in, saw your post, and that’s enough for me to even write a SNIPET of my horrible day (lol yes it was horrible). So, thank you for the little nudge. And thank you for always sharing!
March 18, 2019 at 8:28 pm
Hahaha! I was not calling anyone out, but I just didn’t want anyone to quit, that’s all. This is the one place I’ve found where teachers can not only learn about writing, but practice the writing they are teaching too! So, write about your horrible day (you now I did this too) and keep writing! We’d miss you if you didn’t! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 7:21 pm
I appreciate this comment. This is my first year doing the Slice of Life challenge, and I found that post about band-aids pretty discouraging. A lot of times I want to write about what I’ve read and what I’m thinking, which maybe doesn’t always read as a story, but it is the writing that I feel like doing. I feel more encouraged after reading your post to keep going with it. Thank you.
March 18, 2019 at 8:35 pm
I love writing about those other blogs, articles, or pieces I’ve read! Don’t think that this isn’t worth of your time! Share it, share your thoughts, share your reactions, and your emotions. That in itself tells a story! Thank you for the kind words, but it’s about your story. Find your voice and let the words fly! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 8:24 pm
I think many writers have had mixed feelings about that post, but you have pointed out the most important reasons of being in this community. Yes, we all have stories and they do come in different forms. Thank you for bravely sharing your thoughts today.
March 18, 2019 at 9:09 pm
>Yes, we all have stories and they do come in different forms.<
Thank you for your thoughts! I agree, we all have stories, and if blogging has shown me anything, it's that we all have a voice too. That's what I tell my students that this is your ability to project yourself not just classroom wide, but worldwide! We need to use that, both our own voices and classroom voices to our advantage! 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 8:35 pm
Ì look at these days as personal narratives. We tell our students that they are a snapshot of a moment. The moment can be of present day or the past. As long as we are including details about that moment they’re writers. Maybe it’s about their favorite book or maybe they write about why they loved art that day. But they are writing their thoughts, their feelings, and baring their soul for a split second. To me the term band-aid writing had a negative connotation. It gives the idea that what I’ve written is ugly and should be covered. We need to encourage each other in the SOLC community. So #truth to your slice today.
March 18, 2019 at 9:06 pm
So much truth in what you are saying as well. For both our students AND us, we are all writing about thoughts, feelings, and our souls. To cover those, no, I can’t accept that thought. Right or wrong, it’s writing and it’s personal!
Thank you for your thoughts today! 🙂