Imagine: By Jonah Lehrer

It's been several weeks since my last post (actually, it's been more than a month, but since I only have two official "followers," I doubt anyone but me is counting!).

This summer has been filled with lots of living. Happy living.  Sad living.  Ecstatic living. Dark night of the soul living.  Reading. Thinking. Journaling.

Blogging...not so much.  The experiences I've been living this summer do not have close ties to the themes I have set out to address in my blog.  I'm sure there are connections, but I haven't discovered them yet (or I haven't chosen to introspect closely enough to recognize the connections).

In the past weeks and months, I've traveled to Greece with my family (a beyond-incredible experience).  I've juggled the emotional and physical challenges of all FIVE of my (living) parents experiencing dramatic medical events (this after helping to care for one of my six parents before she lost her fierce battle with cancer last year).  I've mourned the changes in my family now that my SMom is no longer with us to bridge the relationship between two quarreling family members that I love.  I've engaged in a stress-induced spat with one of my sisters, then found myself flooded with forgiveness as we've tightly held each others' hands through the journey of supporting the parents we share.

I've been filled with mixed emotions watching my own children grow and mature in amazing ways as our family has taken in the highs and lows of this unforgettable summer, and I've found strength and solace in their laughter and hugs. I've lashed out at my husband for sharing (spot-on) perspectives I wasn't yet ready to hear, and I've marveled at the life I've shared with this wonderful man for 27 years (24 of those in marriage, come the 19th of this month--yes, we married when I was five). I've eaten more chocolate than I care to recount, and I've read some glorious books.  One of those books, IMAGINE, by Jonah Lehrer, is what I'd like to write about today (and maybe longer).

I heard Jonah Lehrer interviewed on NPR about his latest book when I was driving my daughter to gymnastics one evening last school year.  I was fascinated and hooked, and immediately put the book on hold at my public library.  A copy became available just before our family left for our summer vacation, and so I packed a (hardcover) library copy of IMAGINE to Greece.  I LOVED this book. I DEVOURED this book.  I was COMPELLED to highlight, underline, and dog ear passage after passage in this book.  But, alas, it belonged to the library, so I could not mark it up.  Instead, I marked hundreds of beloved, thought-provoking passages with torn strips of sticky notes.

I read passages out loud to my (patient) husband and children (and possibly a few strangers).  I insisted that my husband read the book after I was finished (AND I suggested that he pass it along to his boss and team of fellow administrators).   I went to the bookstore after my return from Greece and bought my own copy of the book (and diligently transferred all of the sticky note strips from the borrowed library copy to my new, personally owned copy).  I bought a copy for my sister, and I talked it up at my writing group.  Chapter by chapter I was inspired and motivated.  I was even moved by the final acknowledgement on the last page of the book (to Rosie, the author's young daughter, who arrived in his life toward the end of the writing process): "Rosie! . . . I can't wait to see what you become, although I'm already certain that you're the best thing I'll ever help create."

Imagine my surprise when I learned (from my husband and children, no less) that NPR recently reported that Jonah Lehrer admitted to fabricating some quotes (amongst other journalistic transgressions), and the book was being recalled by his publisher.  Like contaminated food.  Another hero bites the dust.  I fell in love with a fraud.

I lamented to one of my writing partners, Sara T. Behrman, that I was glad I'd been too busy to write a review of the book, as I'd intended (procrastination finally pays off!).  She encouraged me to reconsider.  To go ahead and write a review.  To start a conversation.

I'm glad for her suggestion.  Here is the deal: The quotes in that book may not be authentic.  The author may well have repurposed his earlier writings without requesting appropriate permissions from his previous employers.  The stories he told may have been exaggerated or fabricated.  But gosh darn it, the words in that book awakened something inside of me. The stories inspired me.  The ideas intrigued me.

I'm gravely disappointed that Jonah Lehrer cut corners. I'm sad that he lied. I'm deeply bummed that someone that I looked up to for about a month turned out to be a cheater.  But I'm not going to let that stop me from growing.  I will re-read those delicious words I highlighted with scraps of sticky notes, and I will reflect (albeit with a grain of salt) on what those words, however true or false, might mean for my own creative life.  I will look for connections and meaning.  I will look for insights and opportunities.  I will look for good in the midst of disappointment.

WRITE and WRITE and WRITE Some More!

I've been sharing the key learning points discussed in my young writers' workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

This week we'll cover the last point, Big Idea #5:  WRITE and WRITE and WRITE some more.  Your Pencil is Magic.  Use it to Let Your Ideas Out! 

This is when we discuss that writing ideas come from writing.  We discuss that something magical happens when we sit down and move our pencils (or tap on our keyboards). I mention that sometimes it's easier to write in pictures (i.e. doodle) than to write in words, and how that's okay, too.

During this portion of the workshop, I talk about how writing, even when you're not in the mood to write, can lead to something unplanned and amazing. The point is to sit down and move our pencil or click our keyboard.

Next, I share with students some of the things that have come out of my own magic pencil when I've forced myself to sit down and write.  Here is one example:

May 15, 2012: I don’t have anything amazing to say today.  I wish I was out playing in the sunshine.  If I were out playing in the sunshine I would be eating an ice cream cone.  My favorite kind of ice cream is mocha.  When I was little, my favorite kind of ice cream was bubble gum.  My favorite bubble gum ice cream had little chunks of bubble gum throughout it. Some kid choked on a piece of ice cream and the company got sued, so then they stopped making it for awhile.  The summer they stopped making bubble gum ice cream was the summer I got grounded from chewing bubble gum for the entire month of July.  It was the same summer they had a limited time offering of chocolate flavored bubble gum at the R and R Market just a short walk from my house….

You see…magic….grammatical errors and all! I haven't thought about the R and R market for years.  I had forgotten how much I loved bubble gum ice cream and I hadn't pondered how I felt about being grounded (or why I was grounded, which I still haven't revealed!) for quite some time.

At this point in the workshop, students are ready to unleash their pencils, (if they didn't already get a chance to do that during the discussion of Big Idea #3).  I briefly review the signs for  excited, sad, scared, nervous, sorry and hurt, and I remind students to look at their arms and imagine something holding something special in them.  I ask the students to think of the strongest story idea that comes from these feelings, and I ask if there is anyone who still hasn't come up with a writing idea that they would like to explore.

Usually there are at least one or two students who raise their hands to indicate that they still don't have a strong story idea percolating.  I ask these students to look at their own body (i.e. their legs, arms, hands) and find a bruise or scab or other wound.  I remind them the sign for hurt and ask them to show that sign once they remember how they got that wound.  If they can't remember, I tell them their job during this exercise is to make up a story about how they got that wound!  Most everyone else will work off of real memories, but some students ask if they can switch to a made up story, instead. You bet!

On the count of three I ask students to make the sign for the memory/feeling they are going to write about.  Everyone signs like crazy.  Next, we pick up our magic pencils and write.  For three full minutes.  The only rule:  You must keep your pencil moving the full time--no exceptions.  You can write whatever words come out (even if the words are something like, "Ugh! I don't want to be writing right now.  I don't know what to write about...my hand hurts from writing...."), and even if the words are in the form of pictures.

After the three minutes are up we stop. And that's when the real magic happens.  Students are always amazed at the magic that just came out of their pencils. They are always eager to share the stories they started and want to get back to work on. (Three minutes is enough time to get the ideas flowing, but typically it's not enough time to complete anything, and most students are frustrated that they had stop in the middle of something. Yay! Even students that chose to write in pictures instead of words come to realize they have story ideas hiding in their head and they are excited to share those ideas!).

So there you have it: the five key learning points discussed in my young writers' workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

I love teaching this workshop because it is so rewarding to see young writers genuinely excited about writing.  The letters and pictures I receive from students who have taken this workshop make me smile:

Next up: I'll share ideas covered in my workshop entitled, "Your Pencil is Magic."  This hands-on workshop demonstrates how writing props and prompts can help you unlock the creative ideas hiding inside of you.  I've taught this workshop for young writers and adults, most recently at the 2012 SCBWI-Oregon Spring Conference.  If you'd like to schedule a writing workshop or author visit for your school or community group, please get in touch!

READ and READ and READ Some More!

I'm currently sharing the key learning points discussed in my young writers'  workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

This week's post is about Big Idea #4:  READ and READ and READ some more.  Reading is the EASIEST way to become a better writer! 

I begin this section of the workshop by asking students to share why they think the above statement is true.  We talk about how reading exercises the muscles in the brain and how a stronger brain can write stronger stories.  We talk about how reading other authors' books can help writers come up with their own ideas.  We talk about how re-reading your own notebook or journal can remind you of writing ideas you forgot you remembered! We also talk about how reading a good book can be relaxing, which might be just what your brain needs to help you come up with good ideas.

This is when I bring out my beloved trophy. I let students know that this is the only trophy I've ever earned.  I tell them that I earned it in the 5th grade, and I invite students to make guesses about how I earned it. (I'm always touched that some kids guess it's an award for my current books!).

I eventually tell students that this trophy is the coveted Pleasure Reading Award that I earned in Mr. Snook's 5th grade class.  Mr. Snook ran a pleasure reading contest each year.  The student who read the most books during the school year won the award.  I explain that I started at  one end of my school library and snaked my way around the room.  I do not remember how many books I read or how far I got into the library's shelves, but I do know that I read the most books that year.  I also know that all of that reading contributed to my being an effective writer today.

And this brings us to the last learning point, Big Idea #5:  WRITE and WRITE and WRITE some more, which I'll discuss in my next post. 

Keep a Notebook to Capture Your Ideas

I'm currently sharing the key learning points discussed in my young writers' workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

This week's post is about Big Idea #3: Use a Notebook to Capture Your Ideas. Add SOMETHING to Your Notebook at Least Once Each Day.

By now the students are usually bursting with great story ideas and they are dying to share them with somebody.  Instead of allowing them to share these ideas verbally, I provide some time for students to write down their ideas in their own notebooks and journals. (Depending on the timing or the format of the class, sometimes I keep them wiggling with excitement and tell them that they'll get a chance to write down their ideas a bit later).  For students who don't have a notebook yet, I suggest loose paper.

I also like to share samples of some of my own writing notebooks, including ideas that were scribbled hurriedly on old receipts, grocery lists and other scraps of paper and then taped into my notebook.  I emphasize that this type of writing does not have to be pretty, or perfect, or complete.  They are simply ideas to be captured that can be explored and expanded upon later.  The only hitch is that the writing notebook should have something written (or drawn) in it at least once each day.

I also like to share some of the notebooks I kept when I was a child:

This was one of my diaries.

If you're interested in reading about the notebooks other authors keep, here is a great blog to visit:
http://www.sharingournotebooks.amylv.com/

This was the notebook I kept the summer I was Harriet the Spy. 

  

This brings us to learning point #4, READ, and READ, and READ Some More (and my famed Pleasure Reading Award, which I'll share a picture of in my next post).

Story Ideas Hide in Your Head

I'm currently sharing the key learning points discussed in my young writers'  workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

This week's post is about Big Idea #2: Story Ideas Hide in Your Head. Use Your Nose and Wiggle Your Toes to Find Them.

I start this section by asking students to chant along with me:  "Story Ideas Hide in Your Head. Use Your Nose and Wiggle Your Toes to Find Them," then I ask students to share what they think I mean by these words.  Kids have great, on-target responses.

Story Time with Signs & Rhymes

Next I introduce my book, "There's a Story In My Head" and explain that this story will further clarify what I mean by the words in the chant. This book incorporates the ASL signs for parts of the body, but the story itself makes the point that our everyday activities and experiences can be the foundation for great story ideas.

I pause at select page spreads and invite students to think about the different story ideas that are hiding in their own heads.  For example, on the "wiggle your toes" page, I ask students to remember the last time they took off their shoes and relaxed near a lake or ocean.  I also mention that going on a relaxing or vigorous walk before sitting down to write is another way to "wiggle your toes."  I explain that the walk itself can help wake up the story ideas that are hiding in our head, and that when we "use our nose," we can get new story ideas when we pay attention to what's going around us while we're walking.

Here are some great pictures from students that show their appreciation for this learning point.  I love the nose and toes picture at the top, and I especially love the speech bubble that says "scrumple" your nose and wiggle your toes!

As we continue reading, we get to the page spread that says, "There's a story in my arms.  Rock the baby nice and easy. Imagine all the stories I can write . . ." I ask students to hold their arms in front of them and imagine holding something very special to them in their arms.  It could be a younger sibling, or a doll, or a bear.  It could be a ball, or a trophy, or tickets to a special event.  We talk about how all of these special things can be the subject of great story ideas just waiting to be written.

By now, students are typically bursting with story ideas.  They want to share all the story ideas they have discovered hiding in their head.  I insist that they not tell me but instead write them down for me, which brings us to our next point, Big Idea #3: Use a Notebook to Capture Your Ideas, which I'll expand on in my next post! 

Find Your Feelings

I'm currently sharing the key learning points discussed in my young writers'  workshop entitled, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas."

This week's post is about Big Idea #1:  Find Your Feelings:  Stronger Feelings = Stronger Story Ideas.

I start this workshop by singing a song (such as "If You're Happy and You Know It" to teach students the ASL signs for the following feelings/emotions: excited, sad, scared, nervous, sorry and hurt. I replace the word "Happy" with the feeling words I want to teach, and make up the verses as I go along (i.e. "If you're sad and you know it cry, boo-boo..." "If you're scared and you know it, close your eyes...")

Story Time with Signs & Rhymes

Next I read related excerpts from my book, "So Many Feelings," and invite students sign along with the story. This story can be sung to the tune of "On Top of Spaghetti," (without the "echo effect"), so I often sing the excerpts rather than just read them.  Next I ask the students to sign each feeling word while they search their memory for a time they felt excited, sad, scared, nervous, sorry and hurt. This leads to a discussion about how each "feeling memory" they've uncovered is a story idea that might be worth exploring more deeply.  I remind students that Stronger Feelings = Stronger Story Ideas. I ask students to sign the feeling word that matches with the feeling memory they are interested in exploring further the next time they have an opportunity to write.

This brings us to Big Idea #2: Stories Hide in Your Head, which I'll discuss in my next post!

Gotcha! How to Find & Capture Great Writing Ideas

Story Time with Signs & Rhymes

Over the past month I've had the pleasure of teaching two of my favorite writing workshops at several different elementary schools and professional conferences.  Starting with this week's post, I'll provide a summary of the key learning points in my workshop called, "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas." This workshop focuses on the curricular learning targets pertaining to generating ideas.  It's a good match for young writers in a variety of different settings including schools, libraries, scout troops and homeschool study groups.

After this series of posts, I'll share the activities and ideas covered in my workshop entitled, "Your Pencil is Magic."  This hands-on workshop demonstrates how writing props and prompts can help you unlock the creative ideas hiding inside of you.  It can be geared for young writers and/or adults.  Here is a sneak peek at some of the writing prompt generator websites I refer to in this session:

http://www.thewritesource.com/writing_topics/

http://writingfix.com/classroom_tools/dailypromptgenerator.htm

http://jc-schools.net/write/create.htm

http://www.thestorystarter.com/jr.htm

http://creativewritingprompts.com/

Here are the key learning points discussed in "Gotcha! How to Find and Capture Great Writing Ideas": 

Big Idea #1:  Find Your Feelings.  Stronger Feelings = Stronger Story Ideas.

Big Idea #2: Stories Hide in Your Head.  Follow Your Nose and Wiggle Your Toes to Find Them. 

Big Idea #3: Use a Notebook to Capture Your Ideas.  Add SOMETHING to Your Notebook at Least Once Each Day.

Big Idea #4: READ and READ and READ some more.  Reading is the EASIEST way to become a better writer!

Big Idea #5:  WRITE and WRITE and WRITE some more.  Your Pencil is Magic.  Use it to Let Your Ideas Out!

I love teaching this workshop because it is so rewarding to see young writers genuinely excited about writing.  The letters and pictures I receive from students who have taken this workshop inspire and amaze me.  Here is a sample of the treasures that have recently arrived in my mailbox:

Stay tuned.  In upcoming posts I'll share more details about the above learning points.  And, if you'd like to schedule a writing workshop or author visit for your school or community group, please get in touch!