A SLICE OF LIFE
The Author’s Purpose
Exploring perspectives on the art and craft of literacy instruction.
These pieces are snapshots from an earlier season of my writing journey—stories, memories, and everyday reflections written before The Wells of Grace was born. Though less overtly spiritual than my current writing, the seeds of faith, grace, and accompaniment are quietly woven throughout.
Powerful Women #SOL17
Posted on March 28, 2017 (https://theauthorspurpose.com/) Today, I thought I would share a bit about the book I am currently reading. As a lover of historical fiction, I downloaded a copy of Kate Hannigan’s The Detective’s Assistant, which is about the true...
My Seasons Playlist #SOL17
Posted on March 26, 2017 For the last two days, my writing has been inspired by the brilliant poet, Georgia Heard and her seminal work with Heart Maps. Near the end of the book, teacher and literacy leader, Penny Kittle, included an essay on her...
A Heartfelt Tradition #SOL17
Posted on March 24, 2017 This morning, I was watching marathon episodes of the TLC show, “Long Lost Family.” With a box of tissues nearby, I sobbed, listening to story after story of lost sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and siblings. One woman, who was given...
Dimmed Lights of Broadway #SOL17
Posted on March 24, 2017 It always seems, that whenever I have done something wrong, I get caught. Like when I stole twenty cents to buy a raffle ticket for a kitten, and even though there were only three participants and two kittens, I didn’t win. In this slice,...
Sacred Seeds #SOL17
Posted on March 22, 2017 Sacred Seeds Pine cones beckon me on Maine morningRising early, I head out to the dockInspired by the possibilities – a gift, a sacred quest… Gazing deeply into the new born day,I scribble in my journal – just words,just lines…...
Cabins & Cottages #SOL17
Posted on March 21, 2017 Today, I was uninspired until I found inspiration in some of my notebook entries from our summers in Maine. Between those words, a “word” exercise from poet and writer, Amy Ludwig Vanderwater, and a poem from Tony Hoagland aptly...
A Week in the Woods #SOL17
Posted on March 21, 2017 Although I normally wake up super early to read and write, this morning I slept through until after 7:00AM. Imagine my surprise when I noticed my phone lit up with a tweet from Stacey andMelanie announcing that I had won the commenting...
Majestic Warriors #SOL17
Posted on March 18, 2017 This morning, I awoke again to the light of the moon, and the shadows of the trees. Although I tried to take a picture, my storage was full. As I was perusing pictures to delete, I came across three images/poems that tugged at my heart....
The Gift of Grace #SOL17
Posted on March 18, 2017 The Gift of Grace 9 There are seasons we find ourselves bearing unbelievable circumstances,0 invisible pain,8 which lingers far too long, day and night. 6 Until we are rescued by prayer2 from angel...
As a literacy teacher and instructional coach, I have long believed that writers grow by writing. These pieces were written primarily in 2017 as part of the Two Writing Teachers’ March Slice of Life Challenge, which encouraged participants to write and publish a short piece each day.
What began as a writing exercise became an opportunity to capture childhood memories, family stories, and everyday moments for my children, nieces, and nephews. Because the challenge emphasized daily writing rather than polished publication, many of these reflections were written quickly and remain snapshots in time.
Readers may notice glimpses of the faith that has always been quietly present in my life. Though I was not yet writing as openly about God as I do today, the seeds were already there, woven through memories, observations, and moments of grace.
While these writings differ from the reflections found in Pausing to Ponder, they remain an important part of my journey as a writer. Looking back, I can see how God was preparing me, one story at a time, to write more boldly about faith, accompaniment, and His grace at work in everyday life.
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