“Sometimes fumbling is better than silence”
~ Irene Latham ~
Recently, I finally had a chance to read Kelly Barnhill’s Newbery Award winning novel, The Girl Who Drank the Moon. This gorgeously written ode to storytelling is layered and full of wisdom.
I was particularly struck by these lines:
“Every day the world shuffles and bends. Every day I find something shiny in the rubble.”
“She drew both mindlessly and mindfully.”
For me, these lines capture the essence of writing. Sometimes those shiny somethings reveal themselves only during the mindless writing, but they’re there. Keeping our eyes and minds open for them is the tricky part.
This is my fifth year participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge, and it has always been a rewarding experience. It’s also a stressful commitment. But it’s a commitment I’m willing to make. I’m looking forward to this month of writing with all of you. I’m looking forward to discovering the shiny things hiding in the rubble.
Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Melanie, Lisa and Lanny for creating this community and providing this space for teachers and others to share their stories every day in March and on Tuesdays throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
“Every day the world shuffles and bends. Every day I find something shiny in the rubble.”
How I love this line…it’s true for writing and for life, isn’t it?
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Thanks for the book recommendation! I am forever stuck in YA and I love the language you captured! Welcome back to this best event signaling spring is here!
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I just started this book myself! Good luck this month. I’m starting year 3, and hope to be more successful than the past two.
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Catherine, this journey is going to help us all grow as writers. I am excited but I know that I had a hard tine meeting the deadlines of Laura Shovan’s writing community this February. Writing is just as fascinating as reading friend’s responses. The quote you shared is wonderful so here’s to finding something shiny in the rubble.
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I adored that book, much there that was shiny! And I see from your picture that you found a part of your own shiny! Glad you made it!
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Looking forward to all the shiny pieces you share this month, Catherine.
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I am reading “The Girl Who Drank the Moon” aloud to my class. Love these beautiful lines. Makes me think we should mine this book for lines to write from as we read. This SOLC is a huge commitment. I’m happy we are all in this together, supporting and connecting.
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First of all I loved that book SO much! And, please warn those crocuses that CT is supposed to get really cold this weekend! And…I’m so looking forward to connecting this month! I hope all is well!
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