Much of my energy in a day is spent protecting people from THE RUSH. I get up early, plan ahead, am intentional about conversations and length of minilessons and taking advantage of moments throughout the day in order to make space to breathe. At home I build in buffers so people can finish the thing they’re doing (building train tracks, reading a book, drawing a picture) before they have to move on to the next (dinner, bath, books, bed). I try not to look or sound harried on the outside (even when… Read more protection detail →
I’ve been playing with characters for a new YA story since April. About six weeks ago, I started to play with a draft. Last month at writing group, Ruth helped… Read more notebook #4 for my current wip →
This defines me. A few weeks ago someone emailed me a link to a blog. The note said, Here’s a blog I read and it makes me think of you.… Read more a glimpse →
A new staple to my writing life — a pirate quilt. Yesterday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day. I love (and I mean lovelovelove) Talk Like a Pirate Day.… Read more Aye! Aye! →
Yesterday I wrote a post and was pleasantly surprised to get a new glimpse into my writing life. Today I’m hoping to explore it more and learn more about my own writing process and finding time and gaining confidence and all of that stuff. So here’s a little unplanned list. We’ll see what is revealed…. (I’m a little anxious to see what pops up!) I think about writing even when I’m not in front of my computer. For my professional work, I find myself “talking it out” while I’m in… Read more my writing life (sols) →
For a long time Sunday evenings have been a favorite time of mine. I like the way they wind down the weekend. I like the anticipation of a new week.… Read more lunches & laundry (soLs) →
Last week my good friend and colleague, Deb Gaby, said in order to fully embrace a new school year, we must first let go of summer. This idea has been… Read more letting go of summer (soLs) →
Sam loves notes. He loves getting and giving notes. Lucky me I am the primary recipient. Although last week he did give a note to Amy (a high school senior)… Read more notes are very good →
I’ve learned a lot about Norway in the past week or so. Like the rest of the world, I watched the news unfold about the attacks in Oslo. The images scrolled by on the television and the computer. They looked surreal. Even more strange was the chat box opened at the bottom of the computer screen with strings of letters forming words I’ve never seen. It was a conversation in Norwegian. I watched the news unfold over the shoulder of a Norwegian who lives 25 minutes from Oslo. Well, she… Read more what makes a family? (soLs) →
Ruth Ayres Writes 