Writing teachers need to write themselves.
I am participating in the Slice of Life 2015 Challenge,
where I attempt to write stories and narratives about moments in my life.
I apologize if this blog post veers off the informative "literacy lens" I usually write through.
This month I am pretending to be a writer, for my students' benefit (and my own).
Writers write.
#SOL15
CONFESSION:
All month I have considered writing a slice from the perspective of someone other than myself. I have chickened out every time. With this being Day 25, I figured it's now or never. Here is a slice about our lunch at Culver's, from the perspective of the single man who was lucky enough to be sitting at the table right next to the one my kids picked out.
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Oh great. A family is going to sit by me. I hope these 2 kids are quiet. They seem small, though. We shall see.
"Mom! Don't forget to get my ketchup and mustard."
Kid, could you have just walked over to your mom? The condiment table isn't that far away, and walking there would be better than shouting it across the restaurant.
The mom walked back to the table with their milks and straws and her own pop. She passed the other pop to her husband, and her son immediately started asking her to read a book.
"Please, Mom. Start Junie B. Start with the first chapter. Mrs. Jarz read us chapter 1 today, but start again. They are going to call her Pinky Gladys Gutzman in this book!"
"PINKY GLADYS GUTZMAN!!! I love this book, Mom. I think I am going to change Goliath's name to Pinky Gladys Whatsman. Wouldn't that be awesome, Mom?"
"Come on Mom! Start reading the chapter!!!"
Did this mom really bring a book to the restaurant? Well, that's a new one.
The mom read a chapter, with full fluency and feeling. The children were quiet and attentive listeners, nibbling on french fries and pieces of corn dog in between laughter. Every once and a while, they would erupt in loud laughter over something that the book character did. The mom came to the end of the chapter, and attempted to put the book down and eat her own lunch.
"MOM!!! Keep reading!!! Read about the barber shop!"
"It isn't a barber shop. It's a beauty shop. She just thinks it's a barber shop," the little girl said disapprovingly.
"Come on Mom!" the boy said as he started to cry loudly.
"Evan, moms should get to eat, too."
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
The dad didn't say a word. He just kept eating his burger and fries.
OK, I think I have had enough. His tears are not helping me digest this meal. Time to throw away my food and leave story hour. That Junie B. sure is funny, though...
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Nice risk! It paid off in the way you told the tale of your lunch from the other guy's observant perspective! This is a fun way to write -- I don't do it often, but certain it is a great way to write a well-rounded scene! Kudos! (And Culvers sounds good...)
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job and am glad you shared this. I love this experience with your family especially when you did a read aloud in the middle of the restaurant- priceless.
ReplyDeleteThe kids had a half day and we came straight from school. That's why we had the book with us. :) It was in his book bag and I read it because he didn't like his sister's choice of restaurants. It distracted him from his disappointment (kinda sorta). But, it was her birthday lunch. Children... :)
DeleteWell done! I love seeing your family sit down for lunch from the perspective of the man at the next table over. You captured his skepticism and attended to things that I imagine he noticed, like that your husband didn't say a word. I like that he heard the story, too, and left us with that as he collected himself to go. The only part that seemed slightly out of character was the sentence with "full fluency and feeling." I love the alliteration; they just sound like teacher words.
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I read it back to myself I thought the same thing about the fluency line. But, in my laziness, I decided that he must be a teacher, too, and hit "Publish."
DeleteI love this! I'm so glad you took a risk. You have inspired me. I'm going to be on the search for potential perspectives to write from. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to try something a little different. This turned out well. Thanks for sharing and for taking a risk!
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