writing workshop

It’s Here!

Ruth Ayres

Guess what was on my doorstep tonight? Day by Day — the actual book! It is officially released and is in the warehouse. I have to admit, there is a lot about this whole process that seems a little surreal.

I used to say, “When I grow up I want to be a writer.” When it was time to choose a college major, I still wanted to be a writer. However, my parents pushed me into a major that would become a career. “Ruth, think of something you can do while writing on the side,” my dad said to me.

The real world set in and I let go of the plan to become a writer. Meanwhile, I focused on teaching and making reading and writing become important to my students. Little did I know this was part of the twisty trail to becoming a writer.

I sit here, now, with my first book beside me. I’m thinking about what I’ve learned about writing by traveling a road to publication.

  1. Above all else, writing is about tenacity. It happens because I make time to write, even when I don’t feel like it. If I waited until I felt like writing, I would never complete any writing project.
  2. The act of writing reveals thinking. Sometimes I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to say about a particular topic — until I started putting words on the page. I trust the process more because I’ve experienced the way writing uncovers big ideas.
  3. It’s a little scary to have my thinking captured in a book form. I know I’ll look back on some of these ideas and think, “What in the world was I thinking?” This is part of the risk of publication. It freezes ideas in time. However, I’m not frozen. I’m still changing and evolving . . . and writing my way through the journey.

Today I was reminded of the quote, “The writing life is all about faith in a fragment.” This describes my writing life. It is having faith in a fragment. And choosing to write instead of spending my time doing something else.

 

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Published by Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.

11 thoughts on “It’s Here!”

  4. Awesome, Ruth and Stacey! I’ve been eagerly awaiting my Amazon package containing your book :). I just thought about that today, actually. Good work!

    I wish I would’ve seen your blog earlier today, Ruth—this fit in perfectly with a writing project gathering I was part of after school!

    Keep writing :).

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  6. THANKS EVERYONE!

    @Bonnie: The books will be on sale at the NCTE Convention in Orlando. I believe we’re signing books around 2 p.m. on Friday the 19th.

    @Katie: We’ll be in Chicago for the 2011 NCTE Convention. Sorry that we won’t be there sooner. Great city!

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  7. I’m so proud of you two. Your blog has helped me refine my teaching of writing and been a voice of reason in crazy educational times. It has also inspired me to start my own blog, both for creative writing and a new blog about teaching. You must feel so proud to see this dream come true.
    I can’t wait to get my copy in the mail. My only question is when will you come to the Midwest so that I can get my book signed? Chicago needs you! (don’t come in the winter…)

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  9. I am so happy to the two of you. I feel like I’ve been watching this team blossom and I can’ t wait to get my copy with two signatures. Will you have them in Orlando?
    Bonnie

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  11. I can’t imagine how you and Stacey must feel holding the final product in your hands. How are you celebrating your publication! That’s an important part of writing, you know!

    I’m eagerly checking the mail. I pre-ordered it at KSRA so it should be here soon! Congratulations to the both of you!

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