Writers' notebooks are great, but only if they are part of a frequent, predictable writing practice. A new school year is the perfect time to re-establish good habits. Dedicate time for writing and be willing to protect it. Hold yourself accountable by putting your schedule in writing. Set commitments, create goals, and make them public.
Your commitments are equally important in your life as a teacher writer and your students’ development as writers.
I commit to “being in the chair” journaling, drafting new material, and editing/revising previous manuscripts at least 10 hours per week. I'll get four of those hours in the mornings and nights while kids are sleeping and the others on the two days that both will be in "school." My goal is to submit my first novel manuscript to agents by October 1st.
