Not sure if I told you or not…  A few weeks ago, I attended a writing workshop taught by Barry Lane.  I know I wrote about going to the workshop, but I don’t think I’ve written about it since.

Wow!  That about covers it.  Barry is a hilarious, delightful writing teacher who may just be the breath of fresh air all teachers need.  He is funny and even encourages humor with students as an educational tool.  His new video series Hooked on Meaning is a treat for me and my students.  The DVD menu has a catchy tune and every time I play it, my students smile because they know it is “Barry Time.”  “Barry Time” equals “writing time” since his video series is filled with useful writing craft strategies and activities.  The greatest thing about Barry, though, is that he is very humble, an average guy who just loves to write and teach writing.  While watching the video, my students feel as if they know Barry personally, laughing at his jokes, occasionally making fun of his silly ways.  But that’s okay.  They’re watching and listening.  And best of all…  THE STRATEGIES WORK!

I had the pleasure of sharing lunch with Barry at Whitewater Grill in the Marriott Hotel.  In addition to being a great teacher, he knows how to build friendships, as well.  He talked little and listened often to everyone at the table, to the stories of teaching, family, and anything else we wished to share.

At the end of the workshop, he interviewed me and asked me to share one of my recent lessons with dead verbs.  He held the camera close to my face and again said very little as I rattled on about burying dead verbs in a hole outside my classroom window.  The video should be coming up on YouTube soon.  When I find it, I’ll post it here.  Barry also gave me a copy of The Essay Manifesto, an excellent book about reclaiming the student essay and avoiding formula, and Why We Must Run With Scissors, a great book on persuasive writing that he wrote with Gretchen Bernabei.

I also just checked my e-mail, and Gretchen Bernabei (one of my all-time heroes) just sent me a reply.  Seeing it made me cry.  I can’t express in words how lucky I have been lately to meet and read books from teachers who have revolutionized the way I teach writing.  Teaching is a joy again and it is mostly because of the CWVWP and all of the opportunities I have been given because of it.

Thank you again to Barbara, Carol, Sharon, and most of all to Paul for striking my match so many times and finally got it lit.

Until later… “There’s no turning back now that you opened up to your mind.”