My Dad is still Teaching me New Things

A year ago today my father passed away and although it could have been a very sad day I have amazing coworkers who made me laugh throughout the day. Tonight I have a little more time to think and thoughts of my wonderful father have made me a little heartsick. I do promise not to keep the melancholy going, but would like to share some wisdom he had tucked away in a notebook I found this summer. The second week in June, I spent time clearing out a garage stall full of memories from his 40-year teaching career. In the piles of student writing samples and holiday decorations were notes about the writing process in a modern world and how it had changed over his career. In his wisdom my father pondered, “We live in a world in hyper-mode, sped-up and with everyone needing instant feedback. How can we teach kids today that the steps in the writing process are needed and that the first draft you have is not always your best?” My father’s solution was simple. He had jotted down a set of simple steps that anyone could follow along with the thought, “Great writers learn with guidance and feedback from other writers.” Afterall, you cannot teach the writing process for 40 years without some brilliancy right? 

Here also are the steps he described:

1. Draft ideas-Brainstorming, original or with feedback first list your ideas thinking about your audience and what you want to tell.
2. Just Write: With your ideas in mind write down a list or a few paragraphs  about what you want your writing to be (don’t pay attention to style, spelling or punctuation.)
3. Organize: Delete what you do not want and revise what you do want.
4. Draft: Write your first draft.
5. Feedback: Read to others to get feedback.
6. Rewrite
7. Feedback: Again from readers or other writers and again rewrite. (Repeat as often as needed).
8.  Hand-in and Reflect: What went well and how will you improve next time?

Perhaps I will follow these steps when next I blog?