Reflection

Part I: Why I Chose My Pieces

When I first found out about Summer Institute I knew immediately that this would be an opportunity for me to begin writing about how my husband, Mark, and I met and came to be married. We have such a “Hallmark” story to tell. We actually talked about contacting Nicholas Sparks to tell our story. I now have the opportunity to tell it myself. I have included on my blog the first two chapters of our story. These chapters continue to grow as I write. I have to stop at times because the memory of some events are painful. I don’t want to tell it all because there are parts that are very personal. Chapter 1 is titled “The Unknown” for many reason. The unknown of tomorrow and the unknown of a person are only two reasons for this title. The title of Chapter 2 speaks for itself—“The Meeting”.
Another piece I chose for my blog was inspired by my daughter, Kaylin, when she was about 3 years old. Kaylin kept asking the questions while we were driving in the car. Another inspiration for this book was Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild by Mem Fox. Mommy, Who Made the Sky? is a children’s book that I would like to have published someday. If not by a company then I will publish on my own to give to her as a gift. I am proud of this book that I wrote.
I chose to publish to the blog my found poem that we created from a demo by Dr. Rebecca Kaminski. “My Child” came from the words in a precious book One Tiny Turtle. I dedicated this to all who have been pregnant or they are pregnant. What greater blessing than to be carrying a child. Writing this poem let me see pregnancy in an entire new light.
Finally, I have included my professional piece. When trying to write a professional piece, I found myself writing an article. It continued to grow all from my demo. I wanted to give teachers another strategy to teach writing across the curriculum. When I learned of the proposal for SCCTE I thought that this would be another great avenue for my career. I have included my abstract for the UWP fall conference and the proposal. Attached is a hyperlink to my article.
I have included on my blog other pieces that I am proud of or they are meaningful to me. I plan to continue publishing to my blog.

Part II: Revision

The two chapters of my book began as one chapter. That one chapter continued to grow as I added my descriptions into my piece. Mike Rush wanted to know more about how I found out about Mark. In the second paragraph of chapter 1 I took his advice and added about Mary telling me about Mark. He also wanted to know if she had died. I did reveal that she had. Frankie Mengeling had asked a similar question about his wife. Frankie wanted to know how she died and if they had children. I don't plan to add that information for now somethings are still too painful. I don't even plan to add the death of my husband. I feel that this is not about them, it's about us. Brian Slusher responded on e-anthology to the first chapter. The current piece had not been posted yet when he responded. I do agree with him about more dialogue on the phone with Mark. I do remember some conversations. Before reading his response I had already add information based on an idea from Kristen Gault.
It was after midnight when I finally completed the fourth draft. I sat in the dark of my house and reflected on what I had written and where my life and gone wrong. I wanted the night to end so that I could make the trip to the mailbox.

“Why did we have to build such a long driveway,” I thought to myself as I walked to the mailbox at the end of the road. The road seemed longer now. I could turn around. I don’t have to do this. He would never know because he doesn’t even know I exist. I continued on my quest. I was taught that you finish what you start. Did it really apply this time? As I approached my mailbox my heart began to race. I opened the door of the box as if something would jump out and bite me. I carefully placed the card and letter in the box treating it as if it was a delicate piece of china. I closed the door and raised the red flag at attention. It was done. I turned around knowing that I would not go back to retrieve it. This was something that had to be done. My quest for the day was over. Relief had not set in. I had no idea how lives would be changed from that day forward.
Brian also suggested added excerpt from the letter. I do not want to do this. I feel that the letter is very personal. I might consider adding what the card said since I did just say that it was simple. This part of the book is not complete. I know I will revise and edit many times.
Mommy, Who Made the Sky? had many revisions. As I wrote this book I began changing the order of the questions. Kaylin did not ask all of the questions in the book. I added questions and order based on Genesis. Erica Sweatman first responded by asking me who the audience is in the book. She made the suggestion of showing the aggravation and took that advice. Later there were some more responses made by readers on the e-anthology. The same questions were asked of others about the audience. After discussing with Erica and reading the responses I revised from first person to third person. I did follow the advice of Angie Neal other responders to adding a verse at the end to bring together the love of a mother and daughter.
I did not make revisions to my found poem or my abstract. After listening to others talk in class I will change the "you" in my abstract to "the teacher" or they.

Part III: What I Learned From My Colleagues/Classmates:
Paige Eubanks presented a demo on adjectives that really made me think about pictures being painted in the minds of the reader. As I revised I tried to imagine the pictures painted. I know what I see because I have experienced what I have written about. What pictures would the readers have in their minds? I tried to make sure that I did add adjectives and descriptions of the events. I wanted to "show" not "tell" in my pieces. I still need to work on a few areas of my short story.
I read Angie Kiker's "Flatulent Free" story and laughed myself silly. I liked the flashbacks in her story. I would like to try the flashbacks in my story of how I met my husband. Even Kristen Gault did this in her wedding story. I liked how she would flashback during the wedding. I am hoping to use more of this technique as I write.