August Reflections and September Back to School Excitement: Savor Summer's End

It is time to review the writing journey from August. (You can use the idea of the Comeback Journal introduced in this post). After the reflection, the page turns to September.

I encourage you to look out for what makes you feel good and what adventures are calling out for you.

Notes from the Comeback Journal: Reflections on August

Let's take a moment to reflect on the writing journey in August. Grab your Journal and consider these questions:

• What sparks of inspiration did I capture in August?

• What emotions surfaced? Did any emotions surface that I could explore in my writing?

• Did I experiment with any new styles or genres? Did I step outside my comfort zone?

• What progress did I make? What small wins did I achieve? Did I write more consistently?

• What sparked my creativity in August? What sights, sounds, tastes, experiences, or books ignited my imagination

By revisiting your notes, you gain valuable insights into your creative process and identify patterns that can inform your new adventures for September.

Here are some of what inspired me in August:

• Visiting The Louisiana Literature Festival

• Visiting Bornholm

• Watching The Olympics on TV

• New Coffee Machine

• Reading new to me Authors // Max Porter, Lauren Groff, and Anne Carson

August Entries: Lousiana Literature Festival 2024

It is one of the year's highlights for me to listen to authors discussing writing and books. A recurring theme this year was the limitation of language and how art can help cast a new light on structure and form. I think the books I bought reflect this.

New Books

• Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson

• Transit by Rachel Cusk

• Florida by Lauren Groff

• The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

• The Collected Stories by Lorrie Moore

• Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter

Turning the Page to September: The Back to School Entries

As the calendar flips to September, a new chapter unfolds in the journal – a chapter filled with the sights, sounds, and sensations of Summer's end.

For me, it also means returning to University. And this time around I want to get better at taking notes.

Back to School Excitement

It is a privilege to be able to study. I get to learn, read, and write. And the week before is all about the fun of getting ready. Today I bought a new lunch box and tomorrow I will gather stationery.

I always like to dive into the lesson plan and reading list.

Like so many before me, I have dreamt of making up my own after reading Harry Potter. Except for wizardry, it would revolve around creative writing and fiction books.

So let's go on an adventure . . .

YOA // Choose Your Own Adventure: Back to School Edition

The First Day

No bells, no rigid timetable – it's the first day of school, your way! How do you kick it off?

A. Head straight to the library eager to dive into a stack of books you've been eyeing all summer.

B. Gather a group of friends and brainstorm creative project ideas in the student lounge.

C. Explore the elective workshops, curious to discover new passions and hidden talents.

The First Chapter

The library beckons. Where do you start your exploration?

A. The Classics Section: Delve into the timeless works that have shaped literature for centuries.

B. The Young Adult Corner: Immerse yourself in the contemporary stories that resonate with your generation.

C. The Creative Writing Nook: Find a quiet corner and let your imagination run wild on a blank page.

Crafting Your Curriculum

With a flexible schedule, how do you curate your literary journey?

A. Genre Hopping: Sample a variety of genres, from poetry to fantasy to historical fiction, expanding your horizons.

B. Author Deep Dive: Focus on a few beloved authors, studying their works and analyzing their writing styles.

C. Project-Based Learning: Create your own anthology, write a play, or launch a literary magazine with your peers.

The Writing Challenge

Your teacher announces a school-wide writing contest. What genre do you choose?

A. Mystery: Craft a thrilling tale of suspense and intrigue.

B. Fantasy: Build a world of magic and adventure, limited only by your imagination.

C. Realistic Fiction: Explore the complexities of human relationships and everyday struggles.

The Elective Dilemma:

You're faced with an array of fascinating electives. Which one piques your interest most?

A. "World-Building 101": Learn the art of crafting immersive fictional universes, from sprawling fantasy realms to intricate sci-fi dystopias.

B. "Poetry in Motion": Explore the rhythm and beauty of language through the lens of performance poetry and spoken word.

C. "From Page to Stage": Adapt beloved stories into theatrical productions, bringing characters and narratives to life.

The Independent Study Quandary:

You have the opportunity to design your own independent study. What will you focus on?

A. Literary Analysis: Delve deep into the works of a specific author or literary movement, conducting in-depth research and analysis.

B. Creative Writing Intensive: Dedicate focused time to honing your writing craft, experimenting with different genres and styles.

C. Book-to-Film Adaptation: Explore the process of translating stories from page to screen, analyzing successful adaptations, and creating your own.

The Reading List Revelation:

Your teacher unveils a massive list of recommended reads for the term. How do you navigate it?

A. The Strategic Planner: Meticulously create a reading schedule, balancing classic literature with contemporary favorites and leaving room for spontaneous discoveries.

B. The Mood Reader: Let your current interests and emotions guide your choices, allowing yourself to explore different genres and themes as your mood shifts.

C. The Serendipitous Selector: Embrace the element of surprise, randomly selecting books from the list or seeking recommendations from friends and librarians.

The Writing Project Inspiration:

You're tasked with embarking on a major writing project. What sparks your creativity?

A. Historical Fiction: Dive into a fascinating period of history, weaving a captivating narrative around real events and figures.

B. Personal Essay: Reflect on your own experiences and observations, sharing your unique perspective with vulnerability and honesty.

C. Speculative Fiction: Push the boundaries of reality, crafting a thought-provoking story that explores the "what ifs" and possibilities of the future.

The Writer's Block Breakthrough:

You hit a wall in your writing process. How do you overcome it?

A. The Research Rabbit Hole: Immerse yourself in related books and articles, seeking inspiration and new perspectives to reignite your creativity.

B. The Nature Walk: Step away from your desk and venture into the outdoors, allowing the beauty of nature to clear your mind and spark fresh ideas.

C. The Collaborative Brainstorm: Gather a group of fellow writers to bounce ideas off each other, generating new possibilities and overcoming creative blocks together.

The Penultimate Page

As the first semester draws to a close, what's your biggest takeaway?

A. The Power of Words: You've discovered the transformative power of language to connect, inspire, and change the world.

B. The Joy of Reading: You've fallen in love with the written word, finding solace, adventure, and knowledge in every page.

C. The Confidence to Create: You've embraced your unique voice as a writer, ready to share your stories with the world.

Your September Writing Invitation

Whether you're returning to familiar classrooms or venturing into uncharted literary landscapes, let your September embrace the back-to-school energy, fill your pages with dreams and discoveries. The journey continues...

You can plot it into this monthly calendar.

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