You never what you can really do until you try. Like every old cliché, it holds a kernel of truth. When I impulsively committed to #AprilBlogaDay, I really wondered if it was possible. I worried about time and ideas. How could I do it?
As a teacher and principal, I have worked with students who had trouble with writing. A lot of the difficulty was around writing stamina. They couldn’t think what to write about. They couldn’t write more than a couple of sentences. One successful strategy was timed daily free writing. Writers begin on the first day with five minutes writing on any topic, then gradually add a little time each day or week.
#AprilBlogaDay increased my writing stamina. Once I began and then blogged for a few days in a row, I gained confidence and wanted to continue. I wanted to meet the challenge! People began to read my blog regularly and even comment. I have to admit that was cool. Then around Day 16 it became harder and I struggled to find meaningful ideas to share. So I paid more attention to Twitter and others’ posts. That helped me think a little more deeply. Another solution was mining my daily experiences and trying to see them through a reflective lens. Not only did that help my writing, it helped me make sense of each day in a more focussed way.
When I look back over the month, I am pleased with many of my posts. Some came really easily, others took more time. There are a few weaker ones (I’ll let readers decide which ones!) but the month represents who I am in many ways.
Thank you to everyone who witnessed this journey. And thank you especially to Chris Crouch, the brain behind #AprilBlogaDay.
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