I love writing!

In class today, we finally started to discuss the Vignette assignment.  I say "finally" not because I was in anticipation of and excited about the assignment, but because I have been concerned about doing the assignment since Day 1 (the first day of class when the syllabus was handed out and assignments briefly introduced).  I've desperately been waiting for explanations, examples, a "step by step" instructional sheet to tell me what my professors are looking for, what components of the vignette I need to satisfy, a rubric.  Our cohort has so many assignments and projects to keep track of, and it is vital that I organize everything that I can possibly organize.

Then we began listening to example vignettes from past students.  What a picture they painted using only their words!  When we were asked to take a moment to brainstorm ideas, I was surprised at how fast my pen was moving!  I could see myself smiling inside my body.  I had forgotten how much I loved writing stories!  I used to write stories all the time throughout high school.  In my undergraduate studies, I majored in Comparative Literature, so I became comfortable with writing essays.  It's how we were assessed.  I suppose, along the way, the creative writer in me went away.  I honestly don't remember the last time, before college, I wrote an actual story for someone.  I've written in journals for myself every now and then, but since it's for me I don't use detail, specific descriptions, and imagery.  Other than myself, I never had a worthy audience member to write for.

Because I am adult and have experienced being a student in elementary school, I know that the act of writing is the actual reward.  Kids are so concerned with logistics and get stuck on grades, correct spelling, correct grammar, forcefully supplying details, and other "requirements."  In Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott says "it's like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the tea ceremony."  I haven't started writing my draft for the vignettes yet, but I am really looking forward to starting it later tonight.  All the worry about organizing my projects, thoughts, and time have seemed to take a back seat...for the time being (or at least until tomorrow morning!).  

When I become a teacher, I hope my students will come to know this rewarding feeling of being a writer.