October Notebook

What's getting in your way? Plus a poem in the mail, a Savor poll, and The Heard

Some stray notes for you today.

First, as I’ve mentioned a few times, I’m a big fan of the National Writing Project’s “Write Out” event — encouraging student writers, and really everyone — to write outside. As a reminder:

Write Out is an open-to-anyone annual two-week event, which the NWP promotes through various prompts and resources aimed at educators, but available to all. This year Write Out happens October 12–26, with the theme, Awaken The Senses — which I obviously love.

I contributed one of this year’s menu of prompts: Shuffle Your Senses. And I was thrilled to have a video conversation for The Write Time with educator Kevin Hodgson, which you can now watch here. The show is somewhat aimed at educators, with writing prompts from Kevin (who teaches sixth grade in Southampton, Mass.) built in at the beginning and the end. Here’s what he suggested at the top:

“I want you to think about some of the obstacles that get in the way of us paying attention to the world. So: create a bullet-point list of things that prevent you from practicing the art of noticing in your daily life.”

I really like that (and wish I had thought of it myself). It’s a particularly good follow-up to the Artists of Noticing post.

We also talk about Write Out, as well as various TAoN topics, including “missing words” — turns out he has his students invent words, and has a list of thousands! Thanks, Kevin, and thanks NWP!

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IN THE MAIL

Thanks to reader Alex for this postcard with the poem “Handkerchief” from Robin Coste Lewis — I loved it. And receiving a lovely little poem in the mail made my week. Thank you Alex.

[And Alex, if you’re out there, email me for a three-month free sub if you’re … interested ;) consumed@robwalker.net.]

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SAVOR OF THE MONTH POLL

The current Savor of the Month thread — with the theme “Outliers” — is terrific. But of course I’m looking ahead and seeking feedback on next month’s theme. Here’s a poll for you: