Writing and Teaching

I’ve written three graphic novels that will be published this August. In a strange way, this led to a Graphic Novel unit on Heroes at my school. It’s been a truly worthwhile venture so far. My students are learning a lot about the editing and revision processes.

There’s nothing–and I mean nothing–like modeling your own writing for students. I’m fortunate to have these books coming out, but I frequently model whatever type of writing we are doing for my students. As they watch me struggle with word choice, sentence variety, leads, closings, and everything in between, they come to realize that writing is a process for everyone, including teachers and professional writers.

Sometimes I use exemplary student writing that I’ve saved from previous years as a model, but I still try to do my own spur-of-the-moment modeling at each stage of the process.

It seems as if there is always a new project on the horizon, which is something no writer should ever complain about. I have three graphic novels coming out this year which I am very excited about. I’m also working on a rewrite of a YA novel I wrote, which came close to getting agented but in the end still needed work. I’m engaged in that rewrite now.

I’m also still plugging away at my education books. I am currently working on a book on author studies, which is coming along well but slowly. The problem is that I have to “field test” each lesson to make sure it works, then tweak it afterwards to reflect what I have learned. I think it will be a great and useful resource when it is finished. If any teachers out there have any good ideas for author studies, please comment. I’d love to hear.

Both writing and teaching have some great moments. Most people, even those who aren’t teachers, can fathom great moments in teaching: getting through to a student after much difficulty, turning a student on to reading, and getting a visit from a successful former student all spring to mind.

Writing is a lonelier task. Whereas teaching is often an activity undertaken with 35 people in the room, writing is best done in solitutude, or as close as I can come to solitude with 2 children and 2 dogs. Still, there are great moments in writing, as well. Finding the perfect phrase, getting a contract (or a check!) in the mail, and one that non-writers might not think of: having your book appear on Amazon.com.

I remember when my first book, The Middle School Writing Toolkit, first apppeared on Amazon. Right next to the title, plain as day, it said Author: Tim Clifford. I was no longer a writer wanna-be–I was an honest-to-God writer. I think I’ll always remember that moment of revelation.

I was reminded of that moment today as I checked on my sales on Amazon (an activity that can become addictive quite quickly). I clicked on my name, and several titles came up that I hadn’t seen before. They were for the graphic novels I have written for Rourke Publishing, due to make their appearance in August 2009. I haven’t even seen the covers yet, or even anything approaching the final illustrations, but the books are there, under my name.  The series is called Jobs that Rock Grapic Illustrated, and I wrote the books on Mountaineer, Forensic Scientist, and Safari Guide. They are available for pre-order, if you can’t stand the thought of waiting on the inevitable long lines that will snake around your local bookstore (in my dreams, at least).

Another great moment was when I first heard from Julie Graddy, publisher of Maupin House after sending in my first book proposal, and my subsquent phone call from her that turned a maybe into a yes.

This is my first post–I only recently set up this blog. I don’t know what direction it will take, but feel free to leave comments and suggestions if you wish.