Léna is also a Regional Manager for Writopia Lab whose mission is to foster joy, literacy, and critical thinking in kids and teens from all backgrounds through creative writing.

"Well, the question is, what do you want to believe? Do you want to live in a world where things are possible, or in one where they aren't?" Cin, Edges.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Writing: The Tortoise and the Hare

Greetings from Colonial Williamsburg my friends! This is a pic of some fabulous actor/historians who performed the Native American tale: The Terapin and the Rabbit (the tortoise and the hare) which got me thinking about writing, speed and volume.

Some of the kids I work with feel insecure about the LENGTH of their pieces, that others in their group are more prolific, their writing more voluminous. I tell them a shortened version of this story - basically that the tortoise and the hare may have different speeds, but they still get to the same place. I use myself as an example: I may be able to write a lot, but most of it will go in the garbage. My husband will write a little bit, but is able to keep most of it. What about you?

Of course, there are numerous other lessons in this tale - in the version I heard yesterday, the rabbit has gotten too big for his britches and needs to be taken down a notch, so the terapin outwits the rabbit (or "cheats") by placing other family members along the track, and doesn't even run the race at all!

Speed, racing, roller coasters - oh, and our car decided to break down on our way in to Busch Gardens - there are much worse places to break down! I got to go in with the kids while my husband waited for a tow truck and got a loaner - the kids and I were able to run around like rabbits while my husband waited, tortoise-like. Today it is raining, so we are off to Jamestown, and maybe Water Country USA

7 comments:

  1. Sometimes when I'm writing, or when I'm reading a particularly long novel (like Moby Dick), I tell myself, "slow and steady wins the race."

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  2. Welcome to VA! I hope you love it. It's pouring in Richmond, too, but I hope you had enough breaks to enjoy the day. Did you go to Jamestown settlement or the museum? Have fun.

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  3. Yes, Shira! I have to keep re-learning that slow-and-steady bit - I get so impatient!

    And Kristi - we went to Jamestown Settlement - amazing! And all agreed that we'd rather live the way the native's did! And it turns out we need a new alternator for our car, so we're staying an extra day . . .

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  4. I hope you enjoy your extra day. If you swing toward Richmond for any reason, shoot me a line.

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  5. Sounds like a great family vacation -- even with unexpected excitement.

    Don't know if you're interested in this stuff, but I gave you a blog award on my page today TexasRed Books. Hopefully it'll introduce your space to a new reader.

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  6. Thank you, TexasRed! You made my day - it is an honor to be included. I may blog, but boy do I have a lot to learn about the world of blogging! :D

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  7. The topic that you mentioned here is very motivated for the one who wants to get success. Many times i also perform best dissertation services on the topics like the one that you have explained here. It is really very true that slow and steady wins the race and i found this true many times in my practical life also.

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