So much more than writing

So much more than writing

Dearest Julie,

Just a quick note to tell you what a treasure you are in “homeschool world.” You/Brave Writer are about so much more than writing. You are about LIFE, about DREAMS!

As a homeschool veteran of 23 years, I learn from you every time you send out a post. This article encouraged me so much to just BREATHE, to know it is going to be OK. You and your materials are so real-life focused, not just another tool in the homeschool belt.

I have had 4 of my 6 children take various classes with Brave Writer over the years and they were marvelous. My oldest son, 27, still talks about how he found out he had more to say than he realized taking one of the classes (one of my quiet ones, haha.) He went through a period of great stress in his late teens and writing became an outlet for him to decompress.

My 17yo, whom I called you about last year, took your Movies class. Though he didn’t really write much, he seemed to have found his “voice” (another quiet guy) and really opened up more with his own opinions. When I picked him up from class today (he is in a specialized school for 11th and 12th graders and is learning welding) he was so excited about an essay contest that is open to the welding students! He has never been excited about writing! His teacher said that no one from her class has ever entered an essay. He said (with much confidence), “I can write a 500 word essay, Mom. Can I do it?” I am thrilled! The prize is $250, and the topic is “How welding has/will affect my life or someone else’s.” Go figure.

Anyway, thank you, you are a gem. Looking forward to more classes in the future as my youngest is 10. Winking smile.

Have a blessed week!

Lori

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Poetry Teatime: Halloween theme

Poetry Teatime

We picked up Halloween Stories and Poems edited by Caroline Feller Bauer. Put some instrumental Halloween music in the background to set the mood and just had a blast reading poems and stories while enjoying our treats. So much so I’m sure we will carry this theme throughout October.

Poetry Teatime

Yvette

Visit our NEW Poetry Teatime website!

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Criteria for Feedback

Be your kids' trusted writing coach

Elizabeth Gilbert, professional successful writer, shared about how she handles criticism of her work. She avoids it. She doesn’t entrust her self or her work to those who haven’t earned the right to speak into her life. Then she wrote a list of criteria she uses when asking for feedback for her work. My jaw dropped. These are the criteria I advocate for how a parent can be a trusted coach and ally to their children in writing.

Here’s the list of how she finds her critics. Imagine your child asking these questions while evaluating whether or not to trust you with their work. If they can say that you are this kind of person, they will ask for your help and feedback! Promise!

1) Do I trust your opinion and your taste?

2) Do I trust that you will understand what I am trying to create, and therefore can help me to improve it?

3) Do I trust that you have my best interests at heart — that there is no dark ulterior motive, and no hidden agenda in your criticism?

4) Do I trust that you can offer your criticism with a fundamental spirit of gentleness, so that I can actually hear it without being mortally wounded?

She concludes:

Gentleness is very important.

YES!! Take these words to heart today when you partner with your kids in ANY part of the school experience. Gain their trust. Be gentle.

–Julie

The Writer's Jungle Online

Header image by Jess Pac (cc cropped, tinted, text added)

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Friday Freewrite: Leaf it to me

Friday Freewrite

When describing scenes, people, or settings, give your readers enough detail to set them on the track you want, but let them use their imaginations to fill in the rest.

It may be important for the reader to know that the old oak tree had creases like crumpled paper in its bark, but ask yourself, how much more do they need to know?

Too many details can become overwhelming. Use vivid language to set the scene, and you will achieve a stronger reaction than if you had described every leaf on the tree.

Now pick an object and describe it both ways. First, give so many details it will make your reader’s eyes bleed. Next, choose one or two of the best details and describe the object in a way that sparks your reader’s own mental picture of it without wearing them out!

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Image by Deb Hultgren (cc cropped, flipped, text added)

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Poetry on the racquetball court

Racquetball poetry

Here’s a poem by Brave Writer student, Ivy, to enjoy with your Poetry Teatime:

Racquetball

by Ivy (age 11)

a bounce and a thunk
a person falls
it’s an injury
in racquetball

the racket clanks
against the wall
this isn’t like a trip
to the south end mall

not too tight
not too light
or you’ll end up
with one black eye

a nice firm grip
a nicer swing
if it isn’t that
you’ll end in a sling

so always pretend
your home sick in bed
there’s lots of hope
in a sore forehead

Image by Brave Writer mom Venessa

Want to start your own Poetry Teatime? Here’s how.

Would you like your family featured on Tuesday Teatime? Email us your teatime photos with a few lines about your experience (put “Teatime” in the subject line). If we share on our blog then you’ll receive a free Arrow or Boomerang title of your choice (once per family). Note: all submissions fall under Creative Commons licensing.

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