Unschool for Writers

Photo by Zaur Giyasov on Unsplash Note from Alison—as always, do not share anything from our workshop space outside the workshop space. You know: what happens here… Note from Cindy—I’m leaving a lot of the stuff Kade draws up to an illlustrator. Thoughts? Also, I’m really not sure about the rock. It feels a little schmaltzy to me at the moment. But I like Kade leaving it at the end. And I think he needs something to do instead while others make cards in the classroom.

That little sign on top of the dresser says that Lucy Maud was born in this very room. We stumbled over this little house in Clinton, PEI, in which the writer was born and lived, after a visit to the more recognized “Green Gables,” now a national heritage site. Montgomery did live in the larger house in Cavendish, but only as a teenager, and for a short time. Really, Green Gables—which didn’t have the touches of green it now has—was the birthplace of not the writer, but the story.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, has exactly three bookshops. These past few weeks have been caught up in travel, thousands of kilometres across the country, along with battling some kind of summer cold that made me need to sleep in; driving hours became precious, writing hours nonexistent. So I apologize for the long silences here on The Unschool through this time. I have made a point of keeping notes about where we’ve been, what we’ve seen, and experienced. These notes become key when I return home.

So I’m out on the road. Day 2 I am blessed with some kind of head cold—still not quite gone. Within days we should be in sight of the Atlantic provinces. I’ve never been. Hoping to slow the pace then. The real problem with being unwell is the deep need for sleep, the getting up late, and the shortening of the travel day. Then, too, as we go east, the missing hours from time. Three of those now. Is it time for the usual Q&A that I tend to do as I travel?

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash I often do this with picturebook manuscripts. Though not often enough, and rarely with longer manuscripts. Yet at times, I recall all those years ago, when writing meant transcribing from hand-written pages to the clacking of the typewriter. All those years ago when a second draft meant assembling papers with carbon copies… if you wanted a copy. It’s useful to recall the nature of effort that went into our process then.

Photo by udia saransi on Unsplash NOTE from Alison: please do not share with anyone outside of Unschool writers any work posted in our workshop area! And thank you so much for participating in offering feedback to each other— ~~~ “The world may be on fire, literally and figuratively,” Ellrod thought, “but you can get a decent cup of coffee almost any… Keep reading with a 7-day free trial Subscribe to Unschool for Writers to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post...

Photo by Vika Fleysher on Unsplash NOTE from Alison: As always, with pieces shared in our Unschool workshop, please do not share this with anyone outside of our group. Thank you! ~~~ Note from Cindy: This story is inspired by the experience of my cousin’s 6-year old who lost his mom to breast cancer a year and a half ago.

Photo by Mike Newbry on Unsplash We are now in the depths of summer. The spring smells are gone, though I find myself appreciating floral wafts in early air when I take the dog for her morning walk. But I’m noticing the number of golden crunchy leaves beside the sidewalk. On my mind are thoughts of travelling, about to leave behind the known to go on a road-trip, with little idea of the route; all will be dictated by the fires.

Sometimes a photo reaches out from my library as the One to use. This, of some years ago at the Del Coronado in San Diego. When I was last there, they were “renovating.” I so hope they kept the beach brollies on the walls. What is the theme here? Hallways? Stairwell? Palms in setting sun? I don’t think I’ve addressed “theme” directly on The Unschool. I’ve talked about it in passing.

Photo by Zeynep S. on Unsplash A NOTE about our Workshop space: Please DO NOT share this written work or any feedback posted in response with anyone outside of The Unschool writers who are subscribed to the workshop.