The Transformative Power of Conversation In the Writing Classroom

Quite some years back, I found myself talking to a group of enthusiastic Year one writers 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 evaporated.  The students all seemed fired up and ready to create the miracle of meaningful marks on paper

There I  was the most experienced writer in the room,  completely blank, unable to conjure up a single thing to write about. I was trying to will my brain into action. A damp foggy mist had descended upon my writing mind. An unexpected intrusion on my normally rich inner world of ideas.

A small 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 an audible 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 with memories. The fog had 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. 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. 

Inexperienced writers 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.

We do well to remember the importance of encouraging conversation in our writing classrooms. We can never by quite sure what it will arise from such valuable social interactions. 

Alan j Wright

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