Over the summer, something magical happens. The organization fairy pays a visit to my empty classroom and transforms it into the most magnificent, color-coordinated learning environment on the planet. Books are sorted, supplies are materialized, papers are filed, new draperies are sewn, bulletin boards are trimmed, and desks are placed neatly in rows. When I arrive for in-service week, my co-workers and I take in a few workshops and meetings, and then have lunch and reminisce about our relaxing … [Read more...] about What My Teaching Career Taught Me About Writing – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @jaynamorrow
Elements of Awe and Wonder – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @jaynamorrow
Wonder n. 1. One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel Awe n. 1. A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might. So let’s get this straight, in order to create awe and wonder in literature, I need to include astonishment, surprise, admiration, marvel, reverence, respect, and dread? And I need to do it with a sense of authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, and might? Tall order. … [Read more...] about Elements of Awe and Wonder – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @jaynamorrow
Is Your Plot Too Contrived or Coincidental? – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @JaynaMorrow
In the quest to write something that is marketable, it's all too easy to slip into bad habits. Using plots that are too contrived, meaning they aren't natural, will no doubt blow up in your face later down the road. You might think that if it worked for others, then it's sure to work for you, but that isn't necessarily the case. If one person breaks onto the scene with a plot that is farfetched and manages to sell it to a major publishing house, it doesn't mean that others can put their spin on … [Read more...] about Is Your Plot Too Contrived or Coincidental? – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @JaynaMorrow
Dancing vs. Writing – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @JaynaMorrow
There are several hot dancing shows on television right now, but they don't quite do it for me. I watch them, don't get me wrong! But I'm an old-fashioned girl, raised with southern tradition. Ballroom dancing just isn't popular 'round these parts. Clogging? Yep. Square Dancing? Yep. And it's those dances that I cut my teeth on. I grew up watching my grandparents square dance. I loved the music. I loved the skirts and petticoats. I loved the flash of pettipants when the ladies twirled. My … [Read more...] about Dancing vs. Writing – Guest Post by Jayna Morrow @JaynaMorrow
