As I read, I am first the reader
making a movie in my mind
and connecting to all the bits and pieces.
Then as a writer, I leave a comment.
I’ll ask what really worked here
made my movie crystal clear
got me to really see it and feel it.
Then I have the priviledge of leaving a comment.
I’ll try to highlight the craft move.
I’ll sometimes share my connections.
I’ll sometimes copy and paste my favorite line.
All to keep the writer writing.
Today as I read a comment posted after midnight by Fran
I realized something I wrote so quickly yesterday
was really seen and possibly even was a pretty good piece of writing.
All because of her comment.
She reminded me of my own craft moves.
She liked my structure
She liked my ending.
To her, she felt a caringness.
Wow! Thanks to Fran (and this entire writing community) I’m motivated to keep writing!
Fran’s comment:
The free verse really works here. Beginning with you, as the poem itself begins, grounds us in caring. Then… the reality of testing. Multiple choice???!! And you end with a wish. To ‘show off their genius in an equitable manner.’ I do hope they can soak up the good feeling you have about them, and hold onto it in spite of testing requirements.
Writing Stories by Sally 
I love the way you reflected this back out. I must admit I am usually the kind of commenter who comments on the feeling I get from the piece. I do notice the way the writer crafts and I do know that comments that focus on that tend to help the writer more. What I am realizing is that those kinds of comments can also positively influence the reader too, as we are all. entering this space as readers and writers. You always synthesize your thinking so clearly, which helps me take away lessons!
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I love learning your approach to commenting! And thanks naming me as a strong synthesizer – makes my day!!
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I appreciate comments so much. I wish I were better at them. Fran is always spot on and encouraging. When Sara Donovan wrote her “Pile of Good Things” at Ethical ELA, she wrote a line about how someone read her poem and she felt seen. That is it. When someone reads and takes the time to comment, we feel seen. You matter!
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That is it – we feel seen. Thanks for naming it. This comment of yours is spot on for me!!
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You perfectly captured the essence of this SOL community! Comments fuel us, just like specific feedback fuels our young writers in our classrooms.
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I so agree and like your reminded that this si what happens when we give feedback to kid writers!
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You captured well all that goes in reading and writing a comment. As a newer slicer, I appreciated the 4th stanza of what to write about, all “to keep them writing” I too have been blessed with comments by Fran and I am always struck by what she sees that I, as the writer were unaware of. Truly a gift, this writing community.
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So glad ,as a new slice, you found this community and I do hope the comments you receive keep you writing! It is so true that a reader can see something I, as the writer, didn’t even realize was there. Such a gift, indeed!!
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Two lines strike me as of vital importance: “I have the priviledge of leaving a comment.” an “to keep them writing.” These speak to rights and responsibilities we take for granted. I try to remember commenting is as important as posting a blog post.
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Thanks for allowing me to reread these 2 phrases and for naming it as our right and responsibility. So powerful!!
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I love how you outline the process of slicing here, ending with our ability to read one another’s writing! Not only are we building a community, but we are gaining confidence as writers. How fun it is to receive that “left a comment’ notification! Highlight of my days so far in March 🙂
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An ode to comments! Yes, they can fuel you when the name what you e fine we’ll. Sometimes we write in ways, use moves and language and structure unintentionally. Again it’s nice to have the reader who notices and names.
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I love you naming this as an ode to comments! And you are so right. Often our writing moves are unintentional and it is so powerful to have another notice and name it for us!
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A comment is a little slice of “I see you.” We all need that. ❤️
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This makes me very happy. And your opening is perfect – you are a writer, then you are a reader. Both are pleasure and responsibility. But I also want to add, I have learned so much about writing from commenting on others in these March challenges. It’s a loop, for sure.
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What a great image – loop. So true!! Our learning occurs in all steps as a member of this community!
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Sally, what a great post, today’s and yesterdays. I love how you identify the reader and writer in you, as you read others’ posts. I’m being inspired to notice the craft moves that people do. Rebecca Tell yesterday wrote how she tried different writers craft moves on her blog. It was a good reminder for me to try a variety of structures. I like the mirror that commenters hold up to help us see if we’ve been successful. All the best to you and your students as they continue their testing. What a sad way to celebrate the coming of spring, eh?
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I love the image you use in this comment – a mirror.
Also, spring and testing shouldn’t have to go together.
But my post today shows a little bit of spring brighten related to testing.
Got to take it when I see it!!
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My favorite comments are the ones that acknowledge meaning over craft. I love knowing my writing connected to a reader! I love when you say, it’s a privilege to leave a comment. I couldn’t agree more.
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I’m glad you linked this post because I missed it this week. You captured so well in this format why we come back year after year to SOL. Because we have an audience, through comments we feel seen, and like you said so precisely “All to keep the writer writing.” Thank you for your reading and writing nudges. You definitely spread joy and inspiration everywhere you go.
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