Yesterday we had a meeting of the children interested in writing club. There were about 70 children present from grade one through grade four. Although I shouldn’t have been surprised, I was. This year we’re starting late. Normally, we start in October but the start of 2011 was fraught with atypical personal and professional challenges. So, here we are, it’s mid-January and just getting ready to start. Yet, despite the late start, there were lots of children interested.
Of course, it’s encouraging that so many children want to stay once a week during their lunchtime to write because they love it. However, there are only two us sponsoring writing club so we needed to set some parameters so that the children who finally end up staying would do so because (1) they love to write, (2) they are willing to spend a lunch period writing, (3) they are fairly independent when it comes to writing – they won’t need much supervision (a concern in the past with some playful grade one boys) and will use the time they have in a productive manner, (4) they won’t quit in the middle of the semester (we go until May) because another more enticing club has come along. In other words, writing is their passion.
We’re starting on Thursday this week and I, for one, can’t wait! I plan to spend a few minutes at the beginning of every writing club time doing my own writing, as well. I’ve recently come to call myself a writer who can write well. Therefore, I need to make a habit of writing in order to become a better writer. So, I’ve started a commitment to writing every morning for about an hour when I wake up. Since I’ve started doing this I find my days go more smoothly and I feel calmer. This last result is not something I was expecting. In New Orleans, where I lived for four years, we call this lagniappe!
Elisa Waingort 
Wow! An hour every morning. Good for you. I love that your passion for writing has passed on to the students at your school.
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How exciting that you had so many kids interested in the club! I hope you enjoy working with so many passionate young writers! I really admire your new endeavor to write more for yourself — I certainly couldn't get up an hour early to write every day, but what a great idea! Good luck with it!
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That is an incredible turn out for a club that is related to school! It speaks volumes for you and your fellow sponsor. Kudos to you for writing every morning!
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What a gift to have so many students show up! I imagine it'll be some great fun, some challenges, and in all, a wonderful experience for them all. I hope you'll tell them about your early morning writing!
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