Vital Conversations In the Writing Classroom

Some years back, I found myself talking to a group of enthusiastic grade one writers who were keen to commence their writing pieces. As they stood up from the carpet to return to their seats, I realized that the spark of imagination that would fire my own writing ideas, had suddenly snuffed out. The students all seemed fired up and ready to create the miracle of meaningful marks on paper. I felt completely blank and could not conjure up a single thing to write about. I was trying to will my brain into action. Writer’s block had descended upon me like a damp, foggy mist. An unexpected intrusion on my normal rich inner world of ideas.

 A boy stood beside me at this critical juncture and casually announced, 'I’m going to write about the first time I went fishing on Saturday with my Dad.'
'Oh thank you,' I said with a huge sigh of relief.

 The bemused child looked at me unsure as to what he had actually done.
'You have just given me a wonderful idea for my writing this morning. Like you, I’m going to write about the very first time I went fishing. Maybe we can share our stories at the end of this writing session?'
'Okay,' he said and wandered away to begin his writing piece.

 Our exchange was as simple as that, but suddenly I was visited by such a strong visual image of that first fishing adventure with my uncle John at Blackburn Lake and the associated thrill of catching three redfin. I was back there again reliving the moment. I was nine years old again, just for a while. In my head, it was as if a tap had been turned on. I was awash in memories . Writer's block instantly evaporated. I was ready to join my fellow writers.


 That brief exchange with a fellow writer underscored the critical nature of talking to fellow writers. - The free exchange of ideas. A fellow writer’s words had sparked an idea for my writing at a time when I was desparately seeking inspiration. That critcal conversation assisted me to discover my writing direction. Kids sometimes mistakenly believe that own topics and no one else can snaffle what they have idenitfied as worthy of their attention, Not that little writer. he allowed a more experienced writer to share an idea and write from a personal viewpoint. during the sharetime at the end of the workshop. I duly thanked my saviour with much deserved public acknoweldgement.

 Let us remember the importance of encouraging conversation in our writing classrooms. We can never by quite sure what it will lead to.


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