Over the summer, something magical
happens. The organization fairy pays a visit to my empty classroom
and transforms it into the most magnificent, color-coordinated
learning environment on the planet. Books are sorted, supplies are
materialized, papers are filed, new draperies are sewn, bulletin
boards are trimmed, and desks are placed neatly in rows. When I
arrive for in-service week, my co-workers and I take in a few
workshops and meetings, and then have lunch and reminisce about our
relaxing summer vacations at the beach.
Christian romance author, Jayna
Morrow, is published with Prism Book Group both in print and eBook
formats. With a B.A. in English Literature from the University of
Texas and elementary teaching certification from LeTourneau
University, Jayna has been in the position of both teacher and
student for many years. Jayna makes
regularl guest blogging appearances all over the internet, and has
even been featured at eReader News Today, eFiction Finds, and
Christian eBooks Today.
Did you pick up on the sarcasm in that
first paragraph? In reality, I am my own organization fairy, complete
with construction paper wings dusted with chalk. I spend several days
a week during June and July in my hot classroom (there’s only air
conditioning on certain days) sorting books by level and topic,
taking inventory on supplies, filing and prioritizing paperwork,
sewing new draperies and reading cushions, decorating bulletin
boards, experimenting with different seating arrangements, and
scouring yard sales for treasure chest trinkets, more books, craft
materials, and odds and ends. Summer is also the time for the bulk of
my lesson planning. Going through the TEKS and matching them up with
fun projects and engaging activities, so I’m prepared for every
teachable moment, makes me a better teacher.
And therein lies the key to success
that applies to writing as well – preparation.
I’m a plotter by nature and that
means putting on my teaching cap and doing a lot of prep work. I’d
never take on a class of 22 students without a lesson plan, and I’d
never take on a new manuscript without an outline. From characters
and plot points to problems and solutions, I have a method for them
all. Every day for a month, I uncover another layer in the
pre-writing process. Then comes the rough outline and first draft.
Finally, a finished product I can work with on many rounds of
editing. In all, it takes me about 4 months to complete a novel. My
goal is 4 books a year, so I’m working on efficiency to improve my
productivity. Like my students, I have goals.
I have many writer friends who are
pantsers, and all I can say about them is that they are like those
gifted students who never have to study and make straight A’s. I
commend them. Writing a novel is no easy task. I’m the kind of
student who has to study a lot, take good notes, highlight important
information, and keep a detailed binder on everything. Maybe that’s
why I’m a plotter? Teaching and writing go hand-in-hand. It’s a
process that spans a certain length of time, requires a fair amount
of learning, and involves setting and achieving goals.
Have I accomplished all my goals? Yes,
some of them. Then I set new ones. My experience as a teacher has
taught me to set high expectations. I’ll let you, the reader,
decide if I achieved those expectations.
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