Write On! supporter Susan Goodkin has created an amazing online resource for parents: the California Learning Strategies Center. My article "Parents are Key to Nurturing Writers" is part of the "resources" page.
Check it out here: http://www.learningstrategiescenter.com/resources.html#a.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A Blog Event for Literacy
Our friends over at The Reading Tub -- huge supporters of Write On! and literacy -- sent me an e-mail about an exciting upcoming event from March 9-13, 2009. The online community of bloggers (librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, and literacy advocates) at Share a Story-Shape a Future (http://www.shareastory-shapeafuture.blogspot.com) are launching a grassroots effort to promote reading. Their goal is to create a community of readers, one book at a time.We aren't born readers; we learn to read. Reading is the foundation for all other learning, and like many other skills – shooting basketball, playing piano – it takes practice. Years of practice. Unfortunately, children in our communities don't always get the help they need to become successful readers. "Our purpose is to offer ideas on ways reading can be part of their everyday experience," says Terry Doherty, one of the event organizers.
Each day of the Share a Story-Shape a Future blog event has its own theme, with a host blogger and several guests. The organizers also have several giveaways planned, including a number of books related to reading. There will also be lots of free, downloadable content that includes ideas for making bookmarks and templates; links to book lists, children's book reviewers, and resources for selecting material; and tips for reading with kids and getting involved with your community.
Visit the Share a Story-Shape a Future blog today to learn more and to subscribe to the post feed for next week! http://www.shareastory-shapeafuture.blogspot.comSunday, February 22, 2009
Guest Post by Kelly Kilpatrick
Contemplation and Stream of Consciousness in the Art of Expression
In our hectic world we are constantly assaulted by advertisements, images, and sound bytes. Technology keeps us plugged in at all times, rarely giving us the opportunity to actually be alone with our thoughts. The art of contemplation is something that has been lost along the way, but it can be a crucial part of the writing process that ultimately brings about many benefits when used to its fullest capacity.
Getting Started
Contemplation involves being alone with your thoughts without interruption. Though there is no right or wrong way to just sit and think, guiding the process can help maximize the opportunity for those "eureka" moments.
Take out a notebook or journal and make a list of 100 questions that you would be interested in exploring more deeply. The questions themselves can pertain to any topic you would like to look at in a variety of ways. Spiritual questions, relationship questions, and goal-oriented questions are just a few things you may want to consider.
You will notice right away that the first handful of questions come quite easily. Remember that this is a living document and hierarchical order is not important; getting the questions themselves down is your starting point. As your list grows, you will notice that the questions are becoming more and more involved. This is a good thing.
What Comes Next
During the creation of your list, you may already know what the first contemplative question you wish to ponder will be. If not, simply go through your list and select a question that piques your interest.
Find a quiet room where you will be able to sit without disruption. Turn off your cell phone and shut down the computer. Notice how liberating it is to be unreachable even if only for a bit.
Write the question you'd like to contemplate in large letters and hang it up somewhere in your private room. Allow your mind to roam and look back at the question when you realize you've gone off on a tangent. Let your thoughts come and go; we have thousands of thoughts a day. Continue to monitor your thought processes for as long as you are comfortable doing so.
When you have finished, pull out your notebook or journal once more and do some stream of consciousness writing. Don't censor yourself at all and never let the pen or pencil leave the paper, within reason. This type of activity helps free your mind of mental clutter and soon you may find the right track. If not, you have been able to successfully disconnect and contemplate a question that is important to you personally.
Practicing the art of contemplation is a great way to ground your thoughts and appreciate time alone without interruption. Regularly participating in this activity will help to hone your skills as a writer and a thinker over time—the implications and possibilities are virtually limitless.
By-line:
This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of universities online. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
In our hectic world we are constantly assaulted by advertisements, images, and sound bytes. Technology keeps us plugged in at all times, rarely giving us the opportunity to actually be alone with our thoughts. The art of contemplation is something that has been lost along the way, but it can be a crucial part of the writing process that ultimately brings about many benefits when used to its fullest capacity.
Getting Started
Contemplation involves being alone with your thoughts without interruption. Though there is no right or wrong way to just sit and think, guiding the process can help maximize the opportunity for those "eureka" moments.
Take out a notebook or journal and make a list of 100 questions that you would be interested in exploring more deeply. The questions themselves can pertain to any topic you would like to look at in a variety of ways. Spiritual questions, relationship questions, and goal-oriented questions are just a few things you may want to consider.
You will notice right away that the first handful of questions come quite easily. Remember that this is a living document and hierarchical order is not important; getting the questions themselves down is your starting point. As your list grows, you will notice that the questions are becoming more and more involved. This is a good thing.
What Comes Next
During the creation of your list, you may already know what the first contemplative question you wish to ponder will be. If not, simply go through your list and select a question that piques your interest.
Find a quiet room where you will be able to sit without disruption. Turn off your cell phone and shut down the computer. Notice how liberating it is to be unreachable even if only for a bit.
Write the question you'd like to contemplate in large letters and hang it up somewhere in your private room. Allow your mind to roam and look back at the question when you realize you've gone off on a tangent. Let your thoughts come and go; we have thousands of thoughts a day. Continue to monitor your thought processes for as long as you are comfortable doing so.
When you have finished, pull out your notebook or journal once more and do some stream of consciousness writing. Don't censor yourself at all and never let the pen or pencil leave the paper, within reason. This type of activity helps free your mind of mental clutter and soon you may find the right track. If not, you have been able to successfully disconnect and contemplate a question that is important to you personally.
Practicing the art of contemplation is a great way to ground your thoughts and appreciate time alone without interruption. Regularly participating in this activity will help to hone your skills as a writer and a thinker over time—the implications and possibilities are virtually limitless.
By-line:
This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of universities online. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Power of Words
No matter your political views, President Obama's inauguration speech today was a vivid reminder of the power of words to touch, move and unite people. His words inspired hope in my heart and a feeling of connection with strangers across not only our nation, but our world as a whole.
Not only are words powerful when said aloud to others -- the words we say to ourselves are also incredibly powerful, perhaps the most powerful of all. What words do you say to yourself? Do you lift yourself up, encourage yourself, push yourself to be better and learn and grow? Or do you beat yourself up, discourage your ideas before they get a chance to live, and destroy your dreams with negative thoughts?
What do you want from your life? How will you achieve those things? What words can you surround yourself with to fill your thoughts and speech and life with positivity?
It is also incredibly important to write down your dreams and goals. Hang them where you see them every day. Write down powerful mantras -- what about "Yes I Can!" -- for yourself.
Today was an exciting, empowering and hope-filled day for our nation. Extend that sense of optimism and courage to other aspects of your life -- today and every day.
Not only are words powerful when said aloud to others -- the words we say to ourselves are also incredibly powerful, perhaps the most powerful of all. What words do you say to yourself? Do you lift yourself up, encourage yourself, push yourself to be better and learn and grow? Or do you beat yourself up, discourage your ideas before they get a chance to live, and destroy your dreams with negative thoughts?
What do you want from your life? How will you achieve those things? What words can you surround yourself with to fill your thoughts and speech and life with positivity?
It is also incredibly important to write down your dreams and goals. Hang them where you see them every day. Write down powerful mantras -- what about "Yes I Can!" -- for yourself.
Today was an exciting, empowering and hope-filled day for our nation. Extend that sense of optimism and courage to other aspects of your life -- today and every day.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Article Published in Ventura County Star
I wrote a short piece about my experiences studying abroad in England, which was published today in my hometown newspaper. Perfect timing, as it was nearly a year ago -- January 7 -- when I left for my semester abroad in Norwich at the University of East Anglia.Here's a link to the article:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/dec/28/young-writers-study-in-england-unforgettable/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Article on Trojan Entrepreneur
I published an article titled "Turning Disadvantages into Advantages" on the Trojan Entrepreneur website. My thoughts about building a successful business are also very true about writing. Enjoy!
http://trojanentrepreneur.com/2008/11/turning-disadvantages-into-advantages/
http://trojanentrepreneur.com/2008/11/turning-disadvantages-into-advantages/
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Guest on Radio Show
Recently I was honored to be a guest on The Homeschool Companion Radio Show to talk about the cartoon I write for Listen Magazine, "Windermere Blogosphere." I also talked with the delightful hosts Rose and Candy about following my passion, overcoming rejection and disappointment, and lessons I've learned through my nonprofit literacy foundation "Write On!". You can listen to the full interview at this link:
http://www.lifetalk.net/media/HSCompanion/mp3/HS080924.mp3
Big thanks to Rose, Candy, and my amazing editor Celeste Perrino-Walker!
http://www.lifetalk.net/media/HSCompanion/mp3/HS080924.mp3
Big thanks to Rose, Candy, and my amazing editor Celeste Perrino-Walker!
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