ralph fletcher · writer's notebook

Words of Wisdom from Fletcher

Stacey Shubitz

I was rereading A Writer’s Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You for pearls of wisdom to lend to one of the reluctant writers in my classroom this evening. Here are some of those pearls that I dug out of Ralph Fletcher’s book that bear repeating. (If you don’t have this book, then run out and buy it tomorrow! It’s fantastic!)

You can train yourself to notice the details around you. Use all your senses — the smell of your grandmother’s kitchen, the funny faces your big sister makes while putting on her makeup, the way your cat’s shadow looks different in the early morning than it does at noon, the difference between how your dad’s cheeks feels from morning to night (27).

Learn to listen wherever you go. Your notebook is the perfect place to record the funny or disturbing things you overheard on the playground, the words spoken by a tired mother at the mall, or the complaints of a first grader who doesn’t want to go to school. Later, when you reread your notebook looking for writing ideas, you’ll find this dialogue invaluable (65).

Exploring a memory includes looking into not only what happened but also how it affected you then, and how it affects you now (89).

…The reasons for collecting sayings like this is purely selfish. Writing can be hard. You will want these words of encouragement nearby to help you through those days when the writing isn’t going well (113)…

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Published by Stacey Shubitz

Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her forthcoming book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.

5 thoughts on “Words of Wisdom from Fletcher”

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  4. Today, after school, one of our buses was late so all of the kids were chatting while they waited. All that is, except for a couple who were sitting against the wall. The teacher on duty went over to see if they were okay and she saw them writing. When she asked them if they had forgotten to do their homework they told her that they thought this would be an opportunity to write a slice of life for the 10 day challenge that ends November the first. The teacher on duty came to my room to tell me after the bus had arrived and picked up the students. I can’t tell you how happy that made me. I am so proud of them and I think I will write them a little note and tell them. Thanks for the inspiration. It is being absorbed in many ways. Sincerely, Tracy

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