Living Life Twice

  At the conclusion of each school year, I feel compelled to write, urging teachers to quarantine a little of their well deserved holidays break time for some writing.  As we rapidly approach the end of another challenging year, my message remains unerringly simple.  If you are a teacher who writes, it is easier  to present as a writer who teaches.  Will you be embracing the challenge of keeping your own writer’s notebooks in 2022? Well, that notebook will greatly benefit from some early feeding and the summer presents as a potential feast… I am aware of the level of exhaustion that exists in schools at year’s end. It is probably more so following the unerring demands of these Covid years.  The need to tie up a multitude of loose ends prior to school closing for the summer holidays remains.   The final days of school seem to take the longest time of all the many school weeks. School becomes the epicentre of fatigue for both students and staff. I am also aware that on summer’s horizon t

  We can use our Writer's Notebook in an infinite number of ways to collect limitless entries. Once collected these entries can be used to inform writing projects we wish to pursue -now and in the future.  Here are some random entries from some of my notebooks to highlight the range of entries I gather from my various worlds. Some have been gathered from the physical world. Some are observational,  while others are personal reflections. Inexperienced writers need to be shown all the places a more experienced writer goes in order to add notebook entries. Remember, a writer's process is important.  The question might be pondered after reading such entries-  Why did the writer choose to gather this particular entry in their notebook, and how might it be used later ? I’ve decided I would never make a good pirate, despite my illusions. For a start I possess the buoyancy of a boulder and the thought of climbing up to the crow’s nest gives me nose bleed and wobbly legs. My balance is

   My involvement in presenting the Young Writer's Program in conjunction with P.E.T.A.A. (Primary English Teacher's Association of Australia) and the Victorian Government over the last two years has enabled me to share a range of writing ideas to support the continuing development of enthusiastic young writers.       These student writers have demonstrated an aptitude and interest in writing and have participated with much enthusiasm in these two day workshops.       For more information regarding this program, contact PETAA.    *  Many of the recurring messages shared with these young writers are applicable to all writers, so I happily share them now: You need a good pen or pencil with you at all times. It should feel balanced and comfortable in your hand when you write.  It is an advantage to carry a writer's notebook at all times. A notebook that suits your particular needs as a writer. A notebook that is not just for school.  Writing in a writer's notebook can have

  Some writers are known for their unusual story lines and their edgy, unconventional characters. Often these characters are hard to forget, such is their unforgettable image planted in the mind of the reader.  Writers also use tension and suspense to maintain a reader's interest. Writers use imagery and fine details to engage the reader and often throw in something quite unexpected to ensure the reader stays engaged.  Encourage student writers to create a list (in their writer's notebooks) of unexpected or unusual events that have taken place across the course of their lives. Think about a surprising turn of events, or a mysterious or inexplicable occurrence.  Remind them they can use these listed events to create a piece of writing. They can apply an unexpected event to themselves, or link it to a character of their choosing. They can place the event anywhere they like and have it happen at the time that suits the story they wish to tell. Alert them to the mood and reaction o

   W riters choose to write about those matters that possess meaning for them. They write about things that deliver excitement, enrich them or inspire them. Through their writing, readers gain insight to what the author found meaningful and the reason why that matter is important to write about.       By choosing to write about topics and ideas that have personal connections, the author's task is made easier. The task of engaging the reader also becomes easier.       When writers choose to write about familiar things and things critical to them, they tend to include specific detail and vivid imagery to assist the reader to understand the true significance of the writing. This increased care frequently leads to the writing being elevated well above the ordinary.      Being aware of this critical consideration is invaluable to inexperienced writers. If they choose topics with which they have a strong connection, then they will find it easier to create pieces of writing aligned to the

Curiosity Writers are well served by the presence of natural curiosity. Curiosity about a wide range of things. The great thing about curiosity is that once it takes hold, there is no cure. A curious writer is never in danger of becoming bored.  At least that's how it has always been for this curious learner... Curiosity frequently leads me to writing. It is a natural form of learning and helps us to become more attuned to observation. By becoming a collector of information-whether trivial or significant, I can apply the findings to my writing projects. Writing provides a powerful outlet for the learning and observation we have acquired. Writers learn to observe closely the world around them. They read books, watch news and current affairs programs, they do a lot of people watching and examine things within their daily lives. They also ask themselves lots of questions about the things they've seen. Furthermore, they jot down their observations and then use their notes to help t

  Writers  Collect Writing They Admire   Writers need to read extensively. They often read a wide variety of things and are frequently drawn to words and ideas written in particular genres, styles and forms according to their individual interests and writing projects. Writers frequently collect different kinds of writing. Why? They harvest these extracts, quotes, words and works for amusement, inspiration curiosity and fascination. Writers often closely study such pieces in order to develop their own writing; their own technique and ideas. The point I’m making here is that it is quite legitimate to collect such words in your own writer’s notebook. By doing this, you allow yourself and your words to be guided and inspired by writers you admire. Hopefully the words nestling beside your words encourage you to strive to emulate your writing mentors. For many young writers, the thought of collecting examples from writers they admire might never have crossed their minds. This knowledge

I am immensely proud to be one of 58 poets, both new and well established, from all around the world to be part of a brand new, freshly minted  poetic publishing collaboration under the wonderful guidance of editor and compiler, Bridget Magee.  10 categories  based on  TEN : TEN tative TEN derness TEN acity TEN  More Minutes TEN sion I Wouldn't Touch That With a  TEN -Foot Pole TEN  Little Fingers /  TEN  Little Toes Take  TEN TEN th _____ I  TEN d To '10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways' is now available in most places in paperback and Kindle versions via your preferred on line book seller or local book shop. It is available in paperback and hardback (plain blue cloth cover) versions distributed by IngramSpark.  You can ask your local independent bookstore to order a copy, or order directly (to be sent anywhere in the world) via the website bridgetmagee.com. This brand new book would make a great gift! These  58 poets  from around the world, both we

  Writer Joan Didion famously said our (writer’s) notebooks give us away. We are revealed by the contents. Our notebooks are a place to collect, then take those collected items and use them to spark further original writing. As Ralph Fletcher, writer and educator reminds us, we use our notebooks to breathe in (collect) and breathe out (generate). With these thoughts ringing in my ears, I envisage notebooks brimming with words and ideas across a range of subjects and genres. The notebook is a place to experiment, take risks, make important discoveries, or excavate memories and ideas from deep within. It can be a place to have fun with words. So why is it that in some classrooms when students take out their notebooks the pages reveal a picture far removed from the images I just outlined?     Why does one get the impression that the notebook in these school settings is only realizing a small part of its potential? Why is the critical ingredient –‘writing,’ so lacking as to be almost missi

N otebook N ourishment Video I am pleased to share this video outlining my four decade journey with a Writer's Notebook. The video explains my beliefs about the use of the notebook and also some suggestions for encouraging student writers (and their teachers) to fully utilize this writing resource. I hope my words and my personal journey help you in yours.

  Book Week 2021 I had so much fun this morning with on line reading of poems- older poems from my books and some freshly minted poems from my recent notebook gatherings. I shared them with two groups of impressionable 5-7 year old  readers & writers from Rowville PS. We explored poetry's vast terrain to show all the worlds in which ideas for writing await us... Not surprisingly,  I enjoyed presenting and sharing. I hope my enthusiastic reading and sharing delivers some writing energy and confidence. Some little spark of an idea to set these young poets going... Finger's crossed. It was fun for me to be able to share a little of my experience and hopefully my love of poetry was apparent to these curious learners. Here are two of the poems I shared. Hope you like them too. Feel free to share them with other curious learners and probationary poets.

I have made a point of giving each of my grandchildren a magnifying glass at an early age. I want them to have the opportunity to discover and celebrate natural wonder. I recall how much fun I had as a small boy with my own magnifying glass. –Seeing snails and slugs up close, watching ants and noticing their fine feelers, or exploring nature’s wonders in the fine lines and patterns on leaves and the trunks of trees. Worms, butterflies, slaters all warranted closer inspection. I became a curious learner. I had a fascination for observing the world through this magic portal; this round window.  It is important to foster the natural curiosity every child possesses and this can be further stimulated by the experience of seeing small wonders up close and personal. I have always held the view that the simple gift of a magnifying glass can further stimulate imagination and creativity.  I retain one in the drawer in my study... A magnifying glass is not a piece of cutting edge techno wizardry,