I posted my reasons at my blog. http://www.raisingreadersan...

Just stopping by to say WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! :D <3

I know! Hooray, hooray, hooray!!!! Dust off your pom poms, girl!

Hi Gae! I can't wait to write with you this summer.

I just learned about Teachers Write and joined impulsively, which is completely uncharacteristic for me so I'm just going with it. I am hoping TW will give me the structure and accountability for my own writing. My goal is to have the same expectations for myself as I have for my students.

I have joined TW to be a part of an active writing community as I work on my own writing this summer. I have started and stopped so many times, and I'm determined to see things through this time.

This is my first time with Teachers Write. I am very excited! My main purpose for joining this group is to become a stronger teacher of writing. What better way to do that than to ask myself to do the same thing I ask my third graders to do daily, which is to write. I want to learn how to write in front of my students and to be vulnerable as a writer in front of them. My hope is that as I make this journey, I will put myself more in their shoes which will help me to teach my students better.

I have wanted to write for years, but working full time, being a mother of 4 boys, and marathon training makes fitting it in a challenge to say the least. (I am also the queen of run on sentences! My apologies in advance!) I'm hoping that this will be my first step towards making writing a regular part of my life. I am most interested in writing picture books, but I have also always wanted to write a book for kids who suffer from depression. My oldest, who is now 20, was diagnosed with depression in 3rd grade. He made it his mission not to let depression control his life by believing that one of the side effects of having to take meds was that it would make him a great athlete. Thanks to some amazing coaches, and a lot of hard work, soccer became his world. In high school, his doctors weened him off his anti-depressants, and he is now attending college on a soccer scholarship. Back when he was 1st diagnosed he drew a picture, and titled it "Side Effects." I have always thought it would make a wonderful book cover! Now I just need to figure out how to tell his story in a way that might inspire and help other children who struggle with depression. I'm really looking forward to learning from all of you!

While I've always loved to write, it wasn't until my son was born that I started writing novels. Writing a full novel from start to finish completely changed the way that I taught writing. But I'm joining TeachersWrite this summer to widen my community. I especially love that this is a group of teacher-writers/ writer-teachers. You people are my people. :)

So why do I write? Because, as someone wrote below, I can't NOT write. I've tried not to write during the school year because time is so precious. But, even my co-teacher notices when I don't write because I get cranky. Writing brings me joy. I love every bit of it--the invention of the first draft, the trouble-shooting of a plot problem, and the pleasure of revising and revising and revising. Let's dive in! I'm ready. Let's start a conversation. Find me on twitter at @emma_kress :)

My goals for the summer are to write at least 5 days a week and to use my experiences to become a better writing teacher.
My plan for this week is to get up early and enjoy the peace and quiet before the kids get up and moving. I plan to sit on the deck in my beautiful back yard and write!

Good morning! I am joining Teachers Write for the first time this year to improve my writing skills and to re-spark my creativity. After a rough couple of years I stopped writing because I felt empty (creatively speaking) and I want to get going again. I also want to spark that in my students! I want them to see how fun it can be to write whatever comes to mind. I also want to remove the "is it for a grade?" attitude my students have adopted.

Wow! This is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this. I've been reading a lot lately about following dreams and zoning in on a purpose in life and working towards that. There are some great books on creativity out there and I believe it's truly important that we do model this for students and encourage them to follow their passions. If we help them find meaning in what they are doing in school and writing, won't that help them find their intrinsic motivation for writing instead of worrying about their grades? Looks like you have a great "why" to get you started! Glad you are here!

Jen, sorry. I thought I posted a response on Sunday but it didn't pop up so I'm back... :o)
This is my 2nd year participating in Teachers Write. Last year, I was more of a lurker, periodically posting a response someone's writing or even occasionally posting my own excerpt from one of the prompts. This time around my intentions are to be more engaged and to really be more a part of the TW community.
My motivation or inspiration to write really comes from a couple of places: 1. I've always enjoyed writing but have not really ever had a support system or even just a group of people who were like me in terms of just activating the writer within. TW is where I've found a part of my tribe. 2. I want to write stories about my dad for Madeline. He died when she was 4 months old and so she's never personally known him. My hope is that she will know him from my stories. Last summer, I had this ephphany thanks to one of Jen's blogposts about books that we use as our own personal mentor texts. I found Allen Say's books to be good mentor texts for me so I'm going to continue to explore him and his picture books.
My plan for the week ahead is to get back in the habit of writing. This was a crazy busy school year with a new role added to my job and I had little time (or I didn't make the time) to write - I'm rusty. My goal is to write using the prompts as my inspiration.
I love this opportunity to build community through Teachers Write as well as to develop my own skills as a writer. I thank Kate, Gae, Jo, & you. :o)

I love this post and welcome, Jen! I tried to introduce myself last night, but my devices weren't being friendly and my comment never landed...Hopefully I can recreate it. I am a newly-retired school Library Media Speicalist. I'm done in the classroom after many years, but not done working with kids (or adults!). I've always been a passionate reader and writer, and have decided that it's time to devote my engery to things related to those passions. I've learned how to make time to write - published my first book and drafted and revised my second while working full time. However, I inherited my father's small publishing business and along with growing that, am ready to commit my time to why I write. I have stories in me which have been crying to get out! In many ways, it's that simple.The historical novel I need to finish... The picture book projects already being explored in the sketchbook.... The series for kids I've been dreaming about... These ideas are why I write. Because story has captured me in the books I've read all my life, and now it's time to share some of my own.

Part of the reason I’m doing #TeachersWrite this year is to embrace my own creativity again. I’ve been building it up slowly, with doing more creative stuff at work and with Storium games. I also printed a poster from Peter H. Reynolds that says “Create Bravely” and put it on my desk. How can I ask creativity of others if I’m afraid to do it myself? I'm also just trying to get in the habit of writing daily, as it makes me feel better. Can't wait to be a part of this community!

I think about this question a lot. I write to clear my head. I write to remember. I write to generate new ideas. I write to create. Why did I join Teachers Write? To make myself write more and more regularly. I've kept a journal, but like many of you during the school year that journaling wanes. As I review what I've written over the last 3 or 4 summers, writing more is consistently a goal of mine. Writing is scary and I'm hoping to learn a lot from all of you.

Why am I writing? Because I can't not write. I can't ignore the ideas and characters that come to me. I'm sitting in the Dublin international airport right now, waiting for my 11:50 flight back to Boston. For the past week I've participated in my first writing retreat in Derrybeg, County Donegal, and will arrive home with a notebook full of ideas I can't wait to explore in my fiction writing. During the retreat, more than anything I learned that I CAN do this as long as I build the daily routine of writing, making it just something that I do everyday, like exercising or brushing my teeth. From my previous writing experience and from my teaching experience, I recognize the importance of working within a community of writers, and really hope to provide and receive feedback to work.

I first learned about Teachers Write during a workshop at the 2013 NCTE conference in Boston, and after leaving that wonderful session (easily the best one I attended during my three days at the conference) I knew this was something I would be doing this summer. This summer I'm looking forward to building the habit of writing and writing at least four short stories that will be in their final drafts by the end of September. For the week ahead, I'm going to become accustomed to the TW routine and participate in every assignment and opportunity.

I look forward to getting started!!

Alex

I'm a first-timer also, and I know this is going to stretch me, but I'm excited to learn a lot. I did the March Slice of Life Story Challenge over at Two Writing Teachers, but I haven't written much since then. For Teachers Write, I'm looking forward to getting back into the writing habit and trying my hand at some fiction. I plan to write at least five days a week.

I want to write because I ask my students to write. I want to write because I hope it will become a habit.

After reflecting on why I write, I blogged through my thoughts.
Remembering Why I Write http://t.co/amoAB0sJWI

I'm joining TW to get back the joy of
writing. I love teaching writing and helping students revise and improve their
drafts. I used to write lots of poetry, and I adore that genre. Until I
started blogging this summer, except for writing every day with & in front of my students, I hadn't taken time to get my ideas down on
"paper." I know I'll be a more effective teacher if I can make time to
rediscover the joy of writing for pleasure. My goals are to write one or two
blog posts per week, compose some new poetry, and possibly get started on an
idea I have for a family memoir of sorts. Wow, writing those goals seems a bit
daunting, but there's no better time to start than with TW. Let's get going!

Why am I writing? I think there are several reasons, the first being that I want to be able to speak to my stature nots about writing using examples from my own experience. I think the more I can
write, and reflect on the process the better I can articulate what I enjoy about it, what I find challenging and how I make my writing better. I am also writing because I have ideas in my head and I am curious to see if I can tease them into actually stories. I look forward to being a part of this community. I am off to get some rest and I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
- Georgette

Hi Jen and fellow writers! I am so excited for this journey ahead. Honestly, I'm writing because I've grown to love the process over the past few years. The icing on the cake is that it helps with my work as a literacy teacher/coach! My goal is to write five days a week. I really do not know what about yet. We'll see where it goes! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's work and ideas as well!

This is also my first time with Teachers Write. I am teaching 7th grade ELA in a block and, while I love to read, I don't feel that I'm a strong writer. I love teaching. I feel like I need to be a better example for my students so that they see I practice what I preach.

This is my first time joining Teachers Write. Greg Armamentos @dashthebook told me about it and encouraged me to join. I want to continue to grow as a writing teacher for my fifth graders, but to also improve my personal writing skills. This April I started blogging and I love it. I still have a lot to learn about writing for an adult audience. My goal is to blog twice a week. Writing is an outlet for me. My other goal is to write a short pictorial book chronicling my year with my student teacher and teacher intern or my first year co-teaching math. These would both be gifts to the other those teachers.

Why Teachers Write? I've been thinking about this all day and I think my answer is because I like to challenge myself to do things that make me work hard. I love to write, but to write for an audience and put it out there for feedback, that's hard. So this is my second summer of Teacher Write and my goal is to get an outline or draft started. Thanks for all the support from you Jen, Kate, Jo, and Gae!

I am writing to get myself back into the habit, to bring my confidence back up into the black, and to have an outlet for the craziness that is work, home, and everyday instances. I miss having the time/space to write for myself, and though I've never really had the confidence in my writing to share it face-to-face, sharing it online feels less intimidating and as a more open space to learn, develop and grow. Working at a year-round school, I will use the few extra hours a day in the summer to put aside time to start a writing schedule, and hope to continue it into the fall. I am excited to begin!

I have been blessed to be part of Teachers Write from the beginning, thanks to those who spread the word. I am writing this summer to 'walk the walk' as a teacher of writing, but also for myself. Teachers Write has brought back the love of writing I had neglected and made it part of my daily life again. Thanks to all involved!

Why am I writing this summer?

I’m going to START writing this summer because it will help me be a better writing teacher. It will give me a better understanding of what I’m asking my kids to do each and every day, and maybe some ideas to share with them so that we all become better writers.

I’m going to START writing this summer because it scares me. And I need to push myself to do scary things.

I’m going to START writing this summer because I think it will help me clarify my thinking about many things, both professional and personal.

I’m going to START writing this summer because I believe in the power and beauty of words, and I want my words to be powerful and beautiful.

I, too, am looking forward to this experience and am looking forward to taking time and slowing down the days ahead. Watch, listen, and enjoy the world around me. I want to capture my thoughts and ideas and practice the craft of writing. Presently I am a teacher educator and am encouraging my students to write for themselves, their children, and for parents and yet, I find little time to write for myself. I wish to enjoy and even be frustrated with the process to fully become engaged in writing for writing sake.

To answer your first question Jen, I am writing his summer to get back to the enjoyment I once had when I wrote as a kid. I loved making stories. As I got older I wrote in journals and sent letters, sharing my feelings & innermost thoughts. I don't do that anymore. I want to being back the excitement I once felt. My goal is to make daily writing a habit, a necessity. If I can start during the summer, I hope to keep going throughout the year and see where it leads me.

This is my first year. I'm joining this year so that I get back to writing more.

I write today to make space for tomorrow's idea. I might have the makings of a new blog around this very idea that came sneaking out of my mouth just the other night over drinks with a dear friend. I have noticed in my writing process that what E.L. Doctorow says (quoted in Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird): "writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." I used to think that if I didn't have a vision for an entire story from start to finish, I couldn't get started. I would start pieces with my students and never finish them unless the lesson called for it and even then the piece was far from complete. But now, writing is about making space. It takes a lot of the pressure off and gives me a new reason to put my fingers to the keys.

I've been writing my whole life it seems and have finished one novel with another in the works...just graduated undergrad this May and about to embark on my first year as a teacher of writing...hoping to get back into daily writing and pick up some tips as a newbie teacher! :)

Ps so glad I heard about TW! At NCTE last November...I've been itching since then to see what it's all about :)

I've always enjoyed writing. I've actually signed up for Teachers Write for two years now. I've mostly been an observer to this point. This summer, I would like to be a more active participant. I've recently rediscovered my love of poetry and I've been writing poems for my products on Teachers Pay Teachers. I started a teaching blog last summer, but rarely find time or motivation to post. I guess I'd like to make writing more of a habit and maybe even get inspired to actually start writing the children's book I've been thinking about for years. I'm looking forward to working with and learning with my fellow teacher writers.

Hello Jen, Gae, Kate, and Jo. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity in the summers. I'm not exactly sure how to answer this question, "Why are you writing?" so I'm going to borrow from Kate DiCamillo's Newbery acceptance speech. She said, "This, I believe, is the work of stories, bookmaking, art. It is the work that we are all— writers, illustrators, librarians, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers—engaged in.We have been given the sacred task of making hearts large through story. We are working to make hearts that are capable of containing much joy and much sorrow, hearts capacious enough to contain the complexities and mysteries and contradictions of ourselves and of each other. We are working to make hearts that know how to love this world." Isn't that beautiful? I love to read stories, and while I was writing each day in March for the Slice of Life Story Challenge, I felt myself feeling like a writer. I was writing every day about childhood memories, and I loved how they poured out of me every day. This summer I'd like to take those memories and fictionalize them. I'm not sure how that will go, but I'm going to try because I want to make hearts large through story!

This summer I would like to continue to work on my autobiography. I started it during my Maine Writing Project program and need to fill in more. Fortunately it's vignettes, so I think it will coincide nicely with the way Teachers Write! is set up. I am really looking forward to being an active participant this year. Teachers Write! transformed me as a writer two years ago and I need that again.

This is my first time at Teachers Write. My goal is just to write everyday and hopefully carry the practice into the school year. I do a lot of writing in my head, but not much gets on the paper.

Rita...what year did you do writing or lit at PAWLP?

This is my third summer with Teachers Write. I've dipped in and out the past two summers, but this year I've made a big change to develop a new career as a freelance writer. I've been exploring options and writing already this summer. I'm looking forward to the community and support that's here as I push myself in a new direction.

Hi Jen,

You have been inspiring me for quite a while as a reader, and I am so excited to be part of Teacher's Write for the first time. Why do I write? I wasn't always a writer, but I've always been a reader. In the summer of 2012 I participated in the Area 3 Writing Project's summer institute and that's where I finally became a writer. I never felt like a good writer although I had enjoyed journaling and writing a little poetry, I wasn't a real writer in my mind. Donalyn Miller once said "if you write, you are a writer" and I love that! I love blogging and I find that now I'm always thinking about writing- even when I am on a hike I'm usually composing a blog post in my mind. I write because it gives me a chance to reflect, and gives me a place to capture my thoughts, my hopes and dreams. I can't wait to write this summer and I have no idea what will come out. I'm just starting my 2nd year as a principal, but I am truly a teacher first and love to write. I hope to model being a writer- for our school, our teachers, students, families, and even other teachers. Thank you so much for connecting us!
Jennifer Kloczko

My reason for joining in - to make writing more of a habit. I love writing and characters appear in my life all the time asking to have their stories told, but with a busy life (and yes I read the post on Kate's blog about this!!!) I don't always find the time to write. I'm thinking this will give me the movitation and schedule I need. I'm currently working on a novel, so I'm also hoping this will help kick that into high gear as well.

This is my first year participating as well. I just want to write more. I write primarily poetry and shorter personal narrative pieces.

When I was in school, high school and college, I fancied myself a writer. I never wrote stories, but wrote a bit of poetry (that never did rhyme), and some opinion pieces, but never felt that any of it was worthy of publishing--I feared peer criticism something fierce--so I wrote for myself. I worked for a professor of English in college, who was a self-published poet, and admired the fact that her work was from her experience, her life, her heart. I submitted a few pieces to the college, and wrote a bit for the college newspaper (a horrible experience!), and even read some of my poetry at small gatherings. Somewhere along the way, I just kinda...stopped. I stopped writing for me, stopped sharing the little I did write, and when I began teaching, simply had no time to write. This year, we started using Lucy Calkins' Writer's Workshop model, and the parts I struggled with most was providing my OWN writing for the kids...because I really didn't have any... It was *hard* to come up with things, and so I'm looking to rekindle my inner writer...

I am writing to help be more comfortable with my own writing. I become nervous when I need to create a piece to use within my classroom. So, I guess the why and goal are the same. I want to become comfortable as well as make my students comfortable with their creations. I HAVE learned to not take over their pieces when conferring with them. So I am proud of that. I am looking forward to the sharing of ideas that will help inspire writing workshop! Ok big step for me....here goes.

Ever since childhood, my memories exist as a journaling person. I don't feel that the question why do you write is for me or many of us. How can't you write is what I'd ask of every other person I know. Stories, poems, titles and list are with me all day long. I'm sure many can relate, it is a part of who we are as humans to put it in word form.

This is my first summer and I am really looking forward to it. I am a 9th grade English teacher and I never seem to have time for my own writing. I am looking forward to spending 4-5 mornings each week writing, probably fiction/science fiction ideas I've had swimming around in my head for the last year.

Greetings to you Jen! This is my first summer to participate in Teachers Write! Writing is my voice. Writing identifies who I am and what I believe. As an educator, I believe that writing and reading go hand in hand. My goals are to continue to hone the craft of writing, as I learn and grow. I must be true to myself and to be more accountable to myself and read, write and create every day. ~Suzy Leopold

First of all, thank you Jen for your Weekly Reflection. I know this forum will be a necessary and rewarding part of my Teachers Write camping experience. This is my third time as part of Teachers Write, but only the second time as a participant.

Why am I writing? - I'm writing because I love it, and have for as long as I can remember. I love to put stories on paper and see what my characters will do. I love creating vivid and emotional scenes that people react to. My love of writing stems directly from my love of reading. I can't imagine life without either one, although writing has tended to take a back seat over the years as I worked my way through college and grad school, and then while building my career as a school librarian, and now as I'm raising my two children. I'm slowly indoctrinating my family to know that writing is becoming increasing important to me, and that they need to respect that. I'm not there 100% yet, but someday.

What is my goal for TW this summer? - My main goal is to just sit down every morning and write. This is perhaps the hardest thing for me to do, because sleeping in is very tempting! My other goal (assuming my first goal is met) is to get as much done on a rough draft of my middle grade/ya novel as possible. I started it last year, took some time to do some historical research for it, and then have not done much more than think about some of the scenes.

What am I looking forward to and planning? - I'm looking forward to the writing prompts and exercises, but mostly the companionship of an amazing writing community. Everyone is so encouraging and supportive. I'm planning to use Friday Feedback as my motivation and self-imposed deadline to get some writing done.