November 15th is I Love to Write Day and I love to write. It is a day for people of all ages spend time writing. You can write a poem, a love letter, a greeting card, an essay, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel … the possibilities are endless.
John Riddle, started I Love to Write Day in 2002. He wanted people to take the time to put their thoughts down on paper. Writing can be fun, but also challenging. He feels that people need to write and while it may be challenging, writing is one of most creative ways to express yourself.
What is writing?
Writing can be taking a pen or pencil to paper or when your fingers fly across the keyboard, filling a page. We write every single day and we write in different ways: reports, lesson plans, letters, blogs, books, poems, text messages, email … you get the picture. Writing is an essential communication skill.
Why Do I Love to Write?
Once I learned to write the alphabet, the writer in me was born. I loved the beginning of the school year and writing in a new, lined marble notebook with my sharpened pencils. My love of picture books and reading all kinds of stories as a child became my inspiration for writing children’s stories.
- Writing allows me to create stories using my wildest imagination.
- Writing creating characters who do and say things that I might not!
- Writing allows me to tell a story with twists and turns
- Writing helps me to use the creative side of my brain.
- Writing allows me to share my love of writing with children
- Writing makes me happy
- I love writing because it is fun!
By the way, that is my typewriter, but I prefer using the computer!
First Draft November
November is a month dedicated to writing a first draft. A first draft is a first attempt to express ideas on paper, and it’s a crucial step in the writing process. I was taught progress, not perfection for first drafts. It is important to get the story down on paper. Do not stop to revise. Once you have written the story you can begin to revise it. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Schedule a daily writing time
- Find a comfortable place to write
- Create a schedule – What will you write each day? A page? 1,000 words? A chapter?
- Write in any order – You do not have to start with Chapter 1
- Just write – This is your first draft. It will not be perfect.
Thoughts …
As a former teacher, getting kids excited about reading and writing is a major goal of mine. I have taught children to write and illustrate their own books. Having their own books, being able to tell their own stories, helped these children to see themselves as writers. That is my wish for every child.
Writing for children is a passion for me. One that brings me great joy!
Early Alert
World Read Aloud Day is February 5th. This is one of my favorite days of the year. It is a free event and I can visit classrooms all of the United States and read my books. It is important to book early so if you are thinking about a visit please contact me as soon as possible. Learn more about World Read Aloud Day here.
With gratitude …
I am so glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am grateful that I can share my writing journey with you. It is an endless journey of learning and growing. A journey that I am enjoying.
I am now booking author visits for the spring, 2025 school year. If you are a classroom teacher, teacher assistant, Parent Teacher Association President, or After school Director I can work with you to create a visit that will meet the needs of your students. Please contact me to book your visit.
My website has been updates and it is now interactive. There are surprises everywhere. Click on the balloons and see where they take you. Can you find two writing videos? Freebies? A chocolate chip recipe? There’s even a special freebie to anyone who subscribes to my newsletter. Check out the resources for children, parents and teachers, librarians and homeschooling families.
Please consider purchasing a copy of Two Wins for Wiley or Gertie Saves the Day for gifts. The holidays are quickly approaching and books make great gifts. Books can be read over and over again. It is my wish to get as many books as I can into the hands of children. Children need to hear all kinds of stories. A book is the best gift for both children and adults!
Call to Action …
You can really help this author by leaving a book review on Amazon or Goodreads. You can leave a review for Gertie Saves the Day here or here. Two Wins for Wiley here or here. Reviews can be as easy as 2-3 sentences. It should take about 30 seconds to leave and would make a huge difference for this author.
