Your Greatest Gift to Yourself
by Ann Parr on 10/06/11
I found a hint from writing coach, Jack Hart, that has changed how I get ready to write, whether a book, an article, or even a letter to my nusiance neighbor. Hart says that a simple, concise, on-target thesis statement will simply your writing immediately--sometimes only three words: (1) the subject that you will write about, (2) an action verb that raises the question "what?" or (3) the object. I worked with some eighth graders yesterday, and we experimented with this new gift. Examples: Photography preserves memories, or photography transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Seatbelts save lives or the opposite if that is your opinion. Farmers feed the world. Annie Taylor seeks more income (look up who she is!). Sam Walton changed how we shop. Or for my writing about Gordon Parks: Gordon Parks overcame racism. Happy writing!!
Somersaults: Problems and Gifts
by Ann Parr on 09/19/11
Welcome
to my website! My friend, Betsy, set it up for me, and I’d recommend her to
anyone who wants writer support of most any kind. She is a great graphic
designer as well as a terrific writer and editor. She has critiqued much of my
work, and we’ve become a good team. I become a lonely writer without her.
I had a
sad thing happen today. I found out one of the senior citizen writers, Jo, who
told her World War II story this spring died Saturday. She was 91, lived alone,
drove where she wanted to go, and was going to help with the marketing of our
new book. I learned to love her dearly in the few short months we had together.
I’m in shock. Her sixth grade (now seventh grade) partner and I will go to her
memorial service Wednesday. I’m glad we have her story in print, and I bet her
family is too.
Life is full of ups and downs. Writing helps me turn the downs into ups. There seems to be a gift in each setback when I look long enough and carefully enough. Like Abraham Lincoln’s story. He dealt with long periods of depression throughout his life, but he used those “down” times to remind himself that he wanted to do something special, and that he needed to get to feeling better so he could make a difference for someone or something. Then there was my dear friend, Gordon Parks, who refused to let poverty and discrimination ruin his life. What will be the gift of Jo’s death for our writing group? How can you find the sunny side of a problem? I believe it’s there, and I believe you can find it. Remember that I’m dealing with a problem too and looking for the gift in it.
