March is just around the corner (she says, when today is a level 1 snow emergency), which means not only are blooming flowers and warming temps a few weeks away, but so is the Annual Slice of Life Challenge. The challenge was started as a way to encourage teachers to write. The single best way to have a lively, effective writing workshop is to be a writer yourself.
When we write ourselves we understand so much more about writing and this changes the way we teach minilessons. When we write ourselves we gain insider information and this changes the way we confer. When we write ourselves we understand the importance of sharing our words and this changes the community of writers.
In order to become an official Slicer, you need a blog. Now before you start with the excuses, hear me out. First of all, if you start a blog, it doesn’t mean that you have to post everyday. No siree! In fact, there are many Slicers who keep a blog just for slicing. They write only in the month of March or only on Tuesdays.
Next, just because you start a blog doesn’t mean you have to share your identity with the world. You can use a screen name, use initials to talk about your kids/students, and use general locations (Indiana, Midwest, United States, Northern Hemisphere, Planet Earth . . . you get the drift).
You also don’t have to share personal stories. Slices are just bits of your day. Share the funny parts, share the ordinary parts, share the boring parts. You don’t have to share anything that makes you uncomfortable.
The point is to have fun with writing. This is a reason for the challenge. Sure it’s going to be a challenge to find time to write every day for one month. In fact, it’s a challenge to find time to write a Slice once a week. But challenges are fun. And writing challenges are even more fun. And this one is totally cool (not just because we host it) but because the people who participate are committed to making a writing community. It’s not just about writing a Slice, but about commenting on other people’s Slices.
Since many of us are hunkered down because of the snow, I think it makes a perfect day to start a blog. Let’s make it official:
Today is Stop Waiting to Start a Blog day.
I {heart} Blogger (where I keep a blog about family life): To get started, click here and follow the steps.
WordPress isn’t too shabby either (this is where we host Two Writing Teachers): To make a WordPress blog, click here.
You are a smart person . . . you can start a blog. I promise. And if you run into snags, email me.
If you have a blog, leave some encouragement in the comments to those who are starting one today. And when you start one, leave us a note in the comments. Happy writing!
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
Ruth kept after me at school for the last 2 years to start a blog. I felt it was too overwhelming to have to keep up with it. I am now retired and enjoy the blog. I write in a notebook, too, but the blog keeps me grounded–really working on something to share which may end up as something larger.
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I was also inspired by Ruth’s post to start a blog. Publishing the first post was a nervous moment. The reaction from some of my colleagues at school has been interesting.
Diana
http://onelitcoach.blogspot.com
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Love the gentle nudge to offer encouragement and take the plunge. I decided to start a blog over Christmas break and am really enjoying being able to put my ideas out there. I love being able to schedule out posts in advance too – in case one day I’m really in the writing mood!
http://kindergartenworks.blogspot.com/
http://teacherstalkpositive.blogspot.com/
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Ok, so your post has jump started me to begin my first
blog. I am terribly nervous but am excited to start with your Slice
of Life. Thank you for the gentle nudge in the right direction. I’m
hoping that I can eventually be as inspiring as you have been to
me. New blog is: primarywordbyword.blogspot.com
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I also encourage the benefits of blogging. If you are worried about trying to figure it out, I remember the support of my sister being great, as well as other bloggers that I did not know in person. If I saw something that I really liked on another person’s blog, I would send an email to ask how to do it and received responses. The blogging community in general, from my experience, is very supportive and willing to help.
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Ok. I’m ready. My only hang up??? Naming my blog! Plus I have ideas of writing a personal blog about my family — slices about my 9 month old twin daughters, and writing a professional blog. I want to do too much, but need to take one small step at a time. Suggestions? Ideas? Thanks much and I truly enjoy reading and learning from you all!
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I am technically challenged (to say the least) but I have found the technical aspects of blogging to be easy and painless. Plus, the people you meet are wonderful, and the connections and readings you find are invaluable. Grab a mug of cocoa (with mint schnapps, perhaps?) and please join us! A.
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I can only echo what the others have said about blogging. I was a reader, never a writer of blogs, but I wanted to try the March challenge. So on a previous snow day, I set up my blog to hold my slices and random thoughts. It isn’t fancy and doesn’t have features I like on other blogs, but I figure it will get there . . . eventually. Go ahead and give it a try. I did.
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I was one of those people who just quietly, anonymously watched all the slicers at Two Writing Teachers for a year or so before getting the guts to jump in and try it. I am so glad I did. It turns out that it is far less intimidating to jump in and participate in the wonderful professional community Ruth and Stacey have created here than what I thought it would be. Please join us!
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Tara is right I have been teaching for 10 years and have tried Writing Workshop a different way every year. It wasn’t until this year that I feel as if I (and my kids) are “getting it.” I started my blog this summer. I don’t write on it as much as I’d like, but when I do I feel a great sense of accomplishment. This week was my first “Slice” experience…I didn’t get my link posted correctly but I still received a comment! It was so great! I feel as if I am on my way as a Writer, Blogger, Slicer and a better teacher!
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Stacey and Ruth opened up a whole new world in my teaching life with “Two Writing Teachers.” Blogging has helped me think through how I go about teaching, to reflect on new ideas and keep track of these. Best of all, it opened a whole world of passionate educators who share ideas and encourage each other to be better writers, better teachers and better colleagues. Besides…blogging is just plain fun!
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I started blogging back when it wasn’t called blogging. It was on a site called diaryland and I considered it to be an online journal. My husband was horrified that I would share such things online but I didn’t see a problem with it as I keep all names secret.
I got so much from doing that though. I found friends and connected with people going through the same things my family was going through and we still remain close friends. It was a way for me to journal (a love of mine) using the computer (another love of mine) that gave me so much more than what I was after back then.
Today, I have a private family blog and professional blog. It’s not a waste of my time but rather a way to release, reflect and grow as a person and a writer.
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Ditto to the other ruth. Blogging has been the best idea that Ruth shared with me. I was very hesitant about blogging, but now it has become a reflection tool as well as a place to meet others and gain ideas. Blogging has been a way for me to practice my writing and share with my students.
http://booksavors.wordpress.com
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Ruth is right! She encouraged me to start a blog–and it’s easy, it’s fun, and I’m so glad I did it!
I already have 1 friend convinced to start a blog, and she’s planning to join the challenge in March.
If you’ve ever even considered it a tiny bit–now’s the time! You can do it!
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