Writers need readers. A full ecology of readers.Not just one type of reader.Not just one other person.But many interested readers.Readers waiting for drafts.Readers wanting to read more.Readers with curious questions.Readers who can say, "no, it's not working, yet…”Readers who affirm, "Yes, more of this!"Readers who remind us what matters.Readers who keep us going when it's hard.Because writing can be hard for many reasons.Truly, writers need readers. A few ... Read more ...
relationships
Professional Loss, Complicated Grief, and Responding to the Dissolution of CCCC
On Friday, July 27th, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) announced the dechartering of the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), the primary professional association for writing studies. Within a swift two-day period, this 77-year-old association was dissolved, and it has felt like a significant loss within ongoing attacks on and dismantling of higher education. There are many efforts underway toward strategizing and rebuilding a ... Read more ...
Bear Ways: A Commitment Statement in Poem Form
Earlier in June, after months of intense revision, I finally updated my commitment statement. It was a long time coming, as I returned to southern Appalachia and newly to Asheville—Cherokee Land in Western North Carolina (WNC)—back in 2024, ten weeks before Hurricane Helene hit. My writing has been coming slower since the move partly because of recovery and healing from the storm. Partly because of the time involved in putting down roots, building community, and ... Read more ...
Notes from the Early Days of Bereavement
After several months in hospice care, my mom passed on March 25th, and life rearranged itself once again. I write in these early days of bereavement to share initial reflections and enormous gratitude. I am so appreciative for many forms of support not only in these past few weeks but also (and especially) in the intense months before mom’s passing and in these times when everyday and systemic violence necessitate many forms of protection, nurturance, and guidance. ... Read more ...
Q&A with Sarah Gettel: Consultant, Operations Support, and Capacity Coach for Heart-Head-Hands
I am excited to introduce Sarah Gettel, a good friend and accountability partner who’s been working behind the scenes with Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice. Sarah and I met in 2019, soon after I’d left my faculty career, through mutual contacts engaged in racial justice organizing in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We deepened our relationship in the early days of the pandemic, forming an accountability pod and meeting regularly with Rasha Diab ... Read more ...
Writing Support for Your Campus? The Case of the UNT CLASS WRite Program
This fall, I am beginning the second year of a faculty writing and mentoring program with the University of North Texas (UNT)’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS). The program was proposed by Priscilla Ybarra, Ph.D. (Associate Professor, Department of English) and is sponsored by Steve Cobb, Ph.D. (Associate Dean, CLASS). I share a description of the program here to give a sense of what’s possible for tailored writing support: support customized to meet ... Read more ...
Mentoring Writers Well? 3 Assumptions about Mentoring Writing
What is involved in mentoring writers well? How can mentors support writers and writers’ various projects and aspirations? What are starting points for learning to mentor writing? So many of us (especially in higher education, literacy education, community education, and adjacent fields) are involved in mentoring and coaching writers. But, typically, we don’t have much training when it comes to mentoring. And much less for mentoring writing! Back in February, I ... Read more ...
Can Registration Be Relational? How I’m Longing for Sliding-Scale Registration to Work
This raw reflective post shares what I have been struggling to put into words: a desire for relationship and recognition, even during transactional moments like registration. Specifically, I’m reflecting on what I’m learning and how I’m longing for sliding-scale registrations to be a form of relationality itself—where all people are recognized and resourced. Can registration be relational? What would that mean, especially when money is involved and we live within the ... Read more ...
Begin the New Year with a Writing Group
Registration is open for writing groups starting in January! Writing groups can support us in many ways—from holding creative space to building community with other writers. I’m excited about a few new things: There are now options to join the weekly group on Tuesdays, Fridays, or both days. Dr. Candace Epps-Robertson is joining as a facilitator. There are expanded sliding-scale registration options. Registration includes a one-day writing retreat for every two-month ... Read more ...
Reflections on Writing Groups
It’s been a full year of facilitating online writing groups, so I’ve been reflecting on why these groups have felt and continue to feel so supportive, especially through the pandemic’s early days, escalation, and continued intensity. Typically, I share that online writing groups have the potential to: Hold creative space for incubating, developing, and completing writing projects Build and strengthen relationships among writers across distance Maintain momentum for ... Read more ...
