Three Kings Day

I am posting a week late, pero más vale tarde que nunca.

Today is Three Kings Day.

When it I was growing up in Puerto Rico it was today, not on Christmas, when I received toys. On Christmas I got clothes, shoes, and maybe a box of pencils. Jesus brought those gifts.

(We had no chimney and Santa couldn't come. Now he spends his vacation in Puerto Rico. Wearing a red-and-white polk-a-dot swimsuit and a pava straw hat, he delivers gifts.)

But on the evening of January 5th, I placed a box with grass and a plate with water under my bed for the the Three Kings' camels to eat and drink. The next morning, I found toys in the box. I never forget the tiny dish set and my doll Julita.

Memories like this remind me that I have been blessed.

My first grade teacher Miss Bocachica made a huge difference in my life. (She is in my book In the Shade of the Níspero Tree.)

I didn't go to kindergarten, and when I began first grade, I cried and cried, thinking that, while I wasn't at home my mother would die. Soon I learned that wouldn't happen, and that my mother in school was Miss Bocachica. She made us take siestas on rugs that we brought from home, and she sang to us until we fell asleep.

Miss Bocachica didn't read much to us. Instead she told us stories, stories of her imagination, stories that made me imagine, too.

I didn't leave grass nor water under my bed last night. I didn't have to. I have had all the gifts I needed to become what I am. One of those gifts was Miss Bocachica.

A Teacher's Precious Gift

I have been blessed to know many great teachers during my life, from my high school English teacher, Ms. Stitham, to our own Stephanie Bodeen, who (along with Kirby Larson) mentored me during a summer residency at the Whidbey Island MFA program several years ago. In addition to providing insight, expertise, guidance, and valuable feedback about my work, the most important thing these teachers gave me is encouragement and a belief in my own abilities and potential. I believe all great teachers instill confidence in their students via their passion, knowledge and support. They also inspire by sharing stories of their own struggles and insecurities and, ultimately, success. And so, for all those who have given me – and countless others -- hope: a heartfelt thank you!

The Wide-Reaching Effects of Teaching

In this round of posts on how teaching or mentoring affects our own writing, both Stephanie and David have touched on the fact that teaching is also a learning experience for the teacher. I strongly endorse that fact!

In my early days of writing, I worked in solitude by trial and error—writing, rewriting, and only reluctantly sharing the results with a few others. Then I tried collaborating with another writer, which involved a constant process of sharing, editing, and plugging away at an ultimately successful two books. My next stage of writing involved moving ahead on my own and enrolling in a MFA program. This was a huge step forward for me, as I went into the program with the intention of learning everything I could and soaking up ideas and advice from all my mentors and fellow students.

During the process, I discovered another love—that of teaching the craft of writing. But I also discovered that beyond the basics of good grammar, spelling, punctuation, and proper sentence structure and format, there is no true right or wrong way of writing. Everyone’s approach, experience, and voice is different. The workshops that I now teach at Misty Hill Lodge are not lectures or “lessons” as such. My goal is to offer opportunities for writers to explore ideas, expand their knowledge of the craft of writing, engage in lively discussions with other writers, and, above all, to WRITE. Over the past five years of teaching, I have learned every bit as much from my “students” as they have from me. There’s nothing like preparing a lesson plan to force yourself into studying a topic and pushing yourself to a deeper level of understanding in order to get the idea across to others. Often just one comment from a student adds another depth of meaning to the topic. My own level of writing has grown by leaps and bounds since I began teaching, and I hope I never stop learning and improving!

Two months ago I began mentoring a young 12-year-old writer, who plans to apply to the Literary Arts program at the Barbara Ingram High School for the Fine Arts. How I wish I had had this same opportunity when I was 12 years old! I can’t help but wonder how that would have changed (or sped up) my own writing career. One day I hope Kimberly will look back on a long career and remember a mentor who helped her get started. Maybe she will then do the same for some other aspiring writer.

Oh, the wide-reaching effects of teaching!

Mentee or mentor?

Once I had my first book published, I thought I knew it all. Why should I take writing classes or go to workshops? Those things were for folks who couldn't get published. What a mistaken attitude I had...and one that slowed my writing career by years.

One of the smartest things I ever did was to sign up for a children's writing class taught by Judy Delton at the Loft Literary Center. This was years after my first book was published, and boy did I discover that I didn't "know it all" like I had thought. Judy's class was good for me for many reasons. She gave me honest, sometimes painfully blunt, feedback on my work, which helped me grow considerably as a writer. She taught me the value of regularly producing new work. And she brought me in contact with a community of other writers who have become good friends. Without Judy's encouragement, I would have never had my first novel, Absolutely, Positively Not, published, and I'm proud I was able to dedicate the book to her.

This past year I was asked to be the teacher for a master picture book writing class hosted by the Loft, the same writing center where I first met Judy. Although I've taught writing to children for many years, my initial reaction to this offer was "No way! What could I possibly teach other adults?" But as I get older I'm getting braver at stretching myself, so reluctantly I agreed. The experience was wonderful. Just like Stephanie said in her previous post, I learned so much as I read and critiqued the work of the participants in this class. And to my pleasure, I discovered that I did have plenty of things to say to adult writers, many of them things I learned from my mentor, Judy. I think she would have been happy with this circle.

Mentor or mentee?

Our topic this go-round is how teaching and mentoring affects our own writing. For the past few years, I've been teaching Children's Writing for Gotham Writer's Workshop. The courses are all online, with lectures, discussions, and assignments, as well as a Booth, where students post work and everyone comments. Though I'm the teacher, I find myself learning so much from the students and what they have to say. And suggesting things for them to do in their own writing really causes me to evaluate those same things in my own writing. It makes me more aware of what I need to focus on in my own work.
I'm always learning more about writing. With each novel I write, I learn more and more about the process, as I hopefully get better at it. Honestly, to me, writing isn't like other subjects. I used to teach high school social studies and that is a subject where you can know all the answers. In subjects like history or economics or psychology, either something is a fact or it isn't. Writing isn't so black and white. I feel I will never know all the answers, and teaching is one way to keep learning...

USA Today Defensive Player of the Year

A friend brought this to my attention and wanted me to see the recent favorite book Jadeveon chose.
Happy holiday wishes to all.

Defensive player of the year

JADEVEON CLOWNEY

Defensive end for South Pointe, Rock Hill, S.C.

Height: 6-5; Weight: 235.

Why him:Considered the top recruit in the 2011 class, he combines rare speed (4.5 in the 40) with strength and size. Had five touchdowns on defense, 162 tackles, 29 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 11 caused fumbles and six fumbles recoveries. On offense, he had 20 carries for 274 yards and nine touchdowns. His team was 38-6 in the last three years. Showed he won't have trouble adjusting to next level by dominating talented athletes in the Shrine Bowl in Spartanburg, S.C., drawing five holding calls while making five tackles for loss, including three sacks in the game. He's undecided in his college choice.

Favorite musician: (Atlanta rapper) TI

Best book you've read recently:Box Out (By John Coy)

Little-known fact:"I am an extremely sore loser...I hate to lose at anything."

High school highlight:"Winning the 2008 State Championship in football vs. Northwestern ... They are our crosstown rival ... We actually beat them twice that year. But beating them in the title game was awesome."

Favorite teacher:"Mr. Joe Koon ... My English 4 teacher. He is the smartest man I know. He is a great guy that enjoys helping kids learn."

Football start:"It's a family tradition."

Funniest recruiting story:"People (coaches) always telling me what they can do for me and they really don't even know me."

After football, I'll:"Go fishing with my granddad and spend time with family and friends."

***

Holiday Traditions

I love the holiday season -- stringing lights and decorations, listening to seasonal music, inhaling the warm smell of cookies and pies baking in the oven, snuggling under a comforter to watch old holiday movies, even shopping!! Until I entered an early "retirement" a couple years ago and became a full-time stay-at-home dad, I worked with kids at a middle school and so I was able to also enjoy the yearly rite of a two-week Christmas vacation -- definitely a way to keep the "kid" inside me excited about the holiday season!

Like others, we have some traditions involving ornaments and tree-cutting and opening one present on Christmas Eve, but the "tradition" I most cherish is our private designation of our home as a "drama-free" zone during the holidays. As many know, the holidays can be stressful and, unfortunately, that stress can many times result in familial discord. It's nice to know that no matter what happens when we visit others during the holidays, our own home remains a haven for the holiday spirit of peace and joy and goodwill toward all. What more could you want, or wish for others?

I truly hope everyone who reads this can find peace and joy this holiday season, and beyond. If you need a little emotional pick-me-up, just find a child to share some time with -- their sense of wonder and instinctive joy during this season should be a good antidote to any potential holiday blues.