“I can’t think of anything to write,” is a continuous phrase I not only hear from students, but it also happens to myself if I’m honest. (However, the opposite is the case more often as I have so many things I want to write about that I have issues choosing.) When we know we have to produce writing every day, activating our awareness is pretty important and sometimes we need tools to help us develop a lens of what to look for.
I was introduced to Lynda Barry a few years ago by Austin Kleon on Twitter. In her book, Syllabus, she teaches her students how to create a Quick Diary page each day to keep track the happenings of the day. While I don’t do this every day, I probably do it once a week or when I just want to get something in my notebook for that day. I revised Lynda’s format a little – because its my notebook and I can do whatever I want in there. I’m pretty adamant about that.
So, I chose a nugget from yesterday’s Quick Diary entry to do a quick narrative for today.
In a sketch.
Because you can tell a narrative in a little sketch – and possibly tell the story better.
(And quicker – do you see a theme here?)
My sugar problems are also a theme in my notebooks.
Shari 🙂
I’m participating in twowritingteachers March Challenge of posting a blog post every day for the month of March. To check out other writers, visit here.
Islands of My Soul 
Your slug line hooked me right away! The use of photos to credit the source of your quick diary page was highly effective. Sharing your own version of the page after seeing the instructions made the task doable. I enjoyed the freshness of your sketch narrative-wrapper and all! I may try this w/my 4th graders when we bring back the narrative! Happy slicing…err eating!
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Ugh…all of it…far too close to home, Shari!
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Love love this! I keep telling myself to carry a notebook with me so I can “notice” things, but this takes it up a notch! I especially love the Reese’s PB wrapper! The visual alone helps to bring back the story about this. This is such a great way to focus in on what you’re noticing throughout the day and is completely do-able! Thank you for sharing this!
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Syllabus is one of my all-time favorite books on teaching (and Austin Kleon’s blog is one of my all-time favorite sites on the web!). I occasionally do one of Lynda Barry’s daily charts too, and I often assign them in my classes. Thanks for the reminder that this can be a potent exercise. I also love your little sketch with the candy wrapper! I am going to try something similar in my notebook.
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