It's Day One of the Two Writing Teacher's Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge. It's the fourth year I've taken on this challenge, and I decided to go back and read my Day One posts from the last three years.
In 2013, I was still teaching in a special education resource room, with a ten-month-old degree in library science burning a hole in my pocket. The blanket I started on, as mentioned in that post, is still unfinished. Hoping to have it done by the time that young girl graduates from high school.
I was a newbie librarian during the 2014 SOLSC, nervous about facing the writing challenge again and basking in the glow of finally finding my niche, my job-that-feels-like-play. I am happy to say that I still feel that way, even during this past week of spring book fair and the upcoming chaotic schedule of testing season.
Speaking of book fairs...last year's Day One post was written during the event, as this year's post falls on our last day of sales. I'm bone-weary but grateful for the reading community that supports our library.
The experience of "Slicing" is one of the reasons I began this new blog platform. I believe my older blog, More Books Than Time, should remain literacy- and library-centric. One thing I've learned from my previous three years of March writings is that the more personal and vulnerable my posts are, the more they resonate with my readers. I didn't want to make anyone looking for a book recommendation uncomfortable with intimate musings; this new platform allows more elbow room for my thoughts and feelings.
Now, as before, fingers crossed for thirty more days of writing inspiration!
I love your thinking. I, too, wonder about having the same platform for everything. Now you've got me thinking! Lovely to see you this March.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to post next to your entry, Kimberley! And yes, I'm feeling much better with this new blog for Slicing and personal thoughts. Time will tell if I can maintain two blogs!
DeleteI love the reflection in this post, and how you've seen growth in yourself. I am so grateful I happened to click on it, because I know I'm going to think of your sentence "the more personal and vulnerable my posts are, the more they resonate with my readers" every single day of this month. Good luck, and happy slicing!
ReplyDeleteI read your post today, and you are off to a great start! I think you've got the personal and vulnerable part down. :-)
DeleteSo glad you are here! My dream is to be a librarian, too. As the testing pressures and classroom teaching demands increase daily, I turn to my love of reading and writing and think about how lovely it would be to share that with students. Looking forward to reading more this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathleen! It's never too late to walk a new path; there are 25 years between my degrees, and this is my third job-title in the education biz. Looking forward to your posts, too!
DeleteWhat a neat way to think about the first day of slicing! I'll have to file it away for next year. Librarians are superheroes and in my mind one day I'll be among you. :-) Happy slicing!
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to join us in the stacks, Kim! Thanks for reminiscing with me today; tomorrow will be time to move forward with some new thoughts! Happly slicing to you, too!
DeleteLove the look of your new blog, Chris, and being reminded of your journey these past years. Hope your new blog serves as an inspiration this month in your writing. But I also hope you throw in a few book recommendations along the way!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "like", Linda! And you know there will be books popping up along the way, though more likely my own personal reading versus children's lit. You can still find those posts on Mondays, at the very least, at MoreBooksThanTime.blogspot.com . :-)
DeleteA new blog and a new challenge - you are ready to rock this March Challenge!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely feeling my feisty fifties, four days before the big 5-0 becomes official...might be some opinionated posts popping up here this month!
DeleteWelcome back to the challenge! I wonder what you will write about this year?
ReplyDeleteMy blog is aggiekesler.wordpress.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I think it's going to be a lot more personal this year, with this new blog. Wonderings, feelings, observations...who knows what will inspire me this March?
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