Category Archives: writing

Creativity Is Everything

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I admit it; I am obsessed with creativity.  How do we access it?  How do we inspire and cultivate it in others?  I am especially concerned about this as a secondary teacher.  Over the last several years, I’ve noticed an appalling lack of creativity among students.  Many are content simply to move on to the next thing, complete the next step.  I particularly saw this during the pandemic.  It is what Robin Williams’ character in “Dead Poets Society,” Mr. Keating, discusses in one of his many monologues and develops into a theme throughout the movie, challenging the status quo, not to mention the idea of carpe diem.  Ultimately, his students pursuing their passions, against the wishes of their parents, lead to some horrific consequences.  While one would hope that such attitudes would have changed since the 1950s setting of the movie, I’m not so sure it has when it comes to education.  Unfortunately.

I’m just grateful that I have a creative outlet that I love.  Growing up, I loved the art class I took in high school.  Sadly, I can’t draw or paint well at all.  Yet, I loved coming up with different composition projects in various materials.  I can always come up with an idea.  Some, of course, are better than others.  I also adore art history and find it fascinating.  In the end, I wish I had had more confidence in what artistic ability I did have growing up.  Who knows where it would have taken me?

Over the last few years, I’ve subbed for an art teacher whom I got to know fairly well during student teaching.  I always loved subbing for her.  I had fun watching students work on their projects, including ceramics.  It made me want a place of my own just to create.  I have everything I need, including space.  I just need to take the time to make it happen.

What’s sad is that we live in a society that greatly rewards conformity.  As adults, we get caught up in work and other obligations.  Most of us have precious little time to further develop our creativity.  Can you imagine if we did .. or at least valued creativity?

Author Profile: Anne-Marie Oomen

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Michigan author Anne-Marie Oomen visited Saginaw Valley State University
and the surrounding area in April.

Anne-Marie Oomen

I am ashamed to admit it, but I have yet to fully read one of Anne-Marie Oomen’s memoirs or books of poetry, even though I own two of her books (signed) and have attended a couple of her writing sessions (one for teachers and other, this past spring, open to the general public), as well as a reading from her latest book, As Long As I Know You:  The Mom Book.  I’ve only read and heard snippets of her work … so far.

What I’ve read and heard thus far is wonderful, and knowing the topics/subjects/genre included in many of her books, I know that I will love them.  How could I not purchase a book titled Love, Sex, and 4-H?  Then there is As Long As I Know You:  The Mom Book.  I can’t wait to read it.  The passages that she read during her author event, along with the anecdotes she shared about herself, her mom, and writing the book, definitely left me hooked.

What I really want to discuss today is her capacity as a teacher.  Just over a month prior to the shutdown orders signaling the official start of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to attend a day-long writing program aimed at teachers.  Titled “Homecoming:  Coming Home,” it was sponsored by the Saginaw Bay Writing Project.  Anne-Marie Oomen happened to be one of the presenters that morning.

During her allotted time, she taught us the term ekphrasis – a method of using different works of art to create various forms of writing, whether poetry, personal essay, or short story.  Imagine studying a painting and then creating a poem from your experience.  That is ekphrasis.

After explaining the process and providing us with examples of her own work, Anne-Marie Oomen had us create our own art inspired piece.  She brought with her a large collection of postcards.  I chose one with a portrait of Annie Oakley on the front, “little sure-shot.”  I enjoyed the experience and still have a digital copy of her presentation from that day.  I left realizing that I could easily create vision boards on Pinterest to gather my thoughts and ideas for various writing projects.

Anne-Marie Oomen used the painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper
to demonstrate the process of ekphrasis.

As wonderful as that experience was, a few months ago I learned that Anne-Marie Oomen was to be a guest scholar at Saginaw Valley State University.  During that time, she conducted a similar writing session open to the general public at the Marshall Fredericks Museum on SVSU’s campus.  I am so glad that I attended.  It made me look at one of my favorite museums in an entirely different light.  I left with a notebook full of ideas and even a rough draft.  The following evening, Anne-Marie Oomen held a reading at the Wirt Public Library in Bay City, sharing snippets from As Long As I Know You:  The Mom Book.  I’m so glad that I attended as it brought back so many memories of the short few months I had living with Grandma Reid before she needed more care than I could provide.  It is never easy watching someone you love age and decline.

I took something away from each of Anne-Marie Oomen’s events.  On top of sharing her love and knowledge of writing, she is a wonderful teacher.  Better yet … she is a Michigan author willing to help aspiring writers and teachers.

Anne-Marie Oomen’s latest book As Long as I Know You: The Mom Book details her experience dealing with her relationship with aging mother.

Living History

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In March 2020, during Lent, this piece of art featured prominently outside my classroom door.
When we left school that fate Friday, March 13th, no one realized that we wouldn’t see each other in person for months.

A Journal of a Plague Year

Growing up, I always wanted to live through a historic event.  Unfortunately, little did I know what life had in store for me.  Now in my early 40s, I am amazed when I stop to think about what historic events I have lived through already – and how different the world is from when I grew up.  I vividly remember the Cold War; the fall of the Berlin Wall; both the first and second Gulf Wars; September 11th, 2001; the War in Afghanistan; and of course, the COVID 19 pandemic.

A year after September 11th, 2001, that somber anniversary inspired me to write about my experiences on that fateful day.  That entire morning is etched in my memory.  At the time, I had just started my semester studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador a couple of weeks before.  I was still learning my routine and adjusting to my new host family.  September 11th colored that entire experience as there was no way it could not.  While I didn’t write much for the 9/11 digital archive, what I did write sets the scene and provides a glimpse into what US exchange students were dealing with all over the world.  My full story can be found at The September 11 Digital Archive, story6757.xml.

This past spring, a conversation with a fellow writer made me realize that I could do the same with my experiences throughout the pandemic.  I found a place to archive all of my writing relating to the pandemic, past and future – A Journal of a Plague Year.  I may include some videos I have from that time frame as well.  It may become a cool little side project.  I’m definitely looking forward to it.  Maybe I’ll be able to finally put all that the pandemic disturbed and disrupted behind me.

There are SO many things that stand out.  That first awful week of the shutdown during which I had to go to school, alone, and pack up all of my 6th graders belongings (pictured below).  The conversation that I had with Norma and Ashley as school dismissed that awful Friday, March 13th of Lent, not realizing that we would not see each other in person for months, will always be remembered.

In the weeks following our last in-person day of school (March 13th, 2020), as a teacher, I had to pack up my students belongings and prepare them for pickup by parents. Each teacher had an assigned time to be in the building. Doing so in the middle of the stay at home order, not knowing when I would see students, teachers, and staff again, was nothing less than surreal.

That weekend, my mom had had several old high school friends over for a get-together.  The venue changed from a friend’s house to my mom’s in order to limit contact with her friend’s disabled and susceptible son.  All so very strange and new.  Keep in mind that this is just before the stay at home order was issued for Michigan. 

After I learned that we would not be going back to school the following Monday, I just packed clothes and headed to my parents’ house.  I didn’t know what else to do.  I would stay there with them well into May/June.  What I remember most is that I happened to catch some of my mom’s friends, some of my favorite people, before they left.  It would be the last time I would see them for several months.

I could easily keep going.  The spring of 2020 also represented the end of my first full year of teaching, my first 6th grade class.  Definitely not the way I wanted to start off my teaching career.  Personally, I believe the education system is still reeling from the shutdown.  Students and teachers are still trying to pick up the pieces.

This is just a glimpse of what I plan to share and document.  I hope that I inspire others to do the same.

Of Hunting and Fishing, Reading and Writing

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Teddy Roosevelt is easily one of my favorite Presidents.

Sometimes I question whether or not Dad realizes what an example he set for his children – or at least me, as I can’t speak for my brother or sister.  He, along with my mom, spent the last nearly 46 years owning and operating Russell Canoe Livery and Campgrounds, Inc. and are still actively involved in the business.  They purchased the canoe livery from my paternal grandmother, Judy Reid, in June 1977, a few months prior to their wedding.  Growing up in and with the business, I saw firsthand what my parents and grandparents did to grow the business, including the sacrifices they made.

As a child, whenever anyone asked what my dad did for a living, my response of “he owns a campground and canoe livery” fascinated many.  As the canoe livery developed, Dad focused on creating a business that not only worked around our family life – it complimented my mom’s teaching career and our school schedules well.  It also allowed him to pursue his hobbies of hunting and fishing in a way impossible for most people.

I admit it:  I know more about hunting and fishing than any non-hunter, non-fisherwoman I know.  All thanks to Dad.  I grew up feeding Beagle hunting dogs used for rabbit hunting; with various mounts in our basement; and learning what a Pope and Young record meant, once my dad killed a Canadian black bear with a bow and arrow.  That bear now infamously resides in our main office/store in Omer, a legend in his own right.

This guy gets a lot of attention during the summer months, holding down the fort in our office.
Russell Canoe Livery, Omer, Michigan

As a young child, when I asked Dad why he hunted deer, he took the time to give me the full, true explanation.  At six years old, he explained how deer hunting helps control the deer population in Michigan.  If they weren’t hunted, there would be many more car/deer accidents, and they could become over-populated, causing starvation and disease.  I have never forgotten that lesson.  Even though I am no hunter myself, I have no issue with it – as long as rules are followed and as much of the animal is used as possible.

What I admire most about my dad is how he was able to create a life for himself in which he prioritized what he wanted out of life – and it wasn’t money – it was about lifestyle.  Even though he didn’t directly use his degree in wildlife biology in his career – he didn’t become a conservation officer – that knowledge allowed him to more fully understand what was needed to become a better hunter and fisherman.  Dad’s passion for his hobbies, even today in his 70s, still inspires me.

Dad and Me – Camp Russell 1981, with his first bear.

What I’ve long realized is that I am just as passionate about reading and writing.  He may not see it or recognize the correlation, but I do.  It is the reason why I earned my writing certificate from Delta College, took additional humanities courses when possible, joined Mid Michigan Writers, attended several writing workshops, and so much more.  Everyone should be so lucky.  I am never bored.  I am eternally grateful that my dad was able to find a way to make it all work and set an example for me to follow.  Per usual, I’m just doing things the “hard” way.  I will get there … eventually.

Reading Inspiration for Writers – Part 2

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As with so many writers, I fell in love with reading first.  Over the years, I have found my reading life crucial to my continuing education as a writer.  The best writing advice I’ve ever received is to read as widely as possible.  The best part:  Most of the tips, resources, and suggestions I am sharing here are little to no cost.  One crucial requirement:  a library card.

The following is a continuation of the list I started in Part 1.  You can find it below.

Reading Inspiration for Writers – Part 1

Join Book Clubs

I currently belong to three book clubs, and all three serve different roles in my reading life.  First, as a writer, I would encourage you to join a book club similar to Mid Michigan Writers’ own Scribblers and Scholars.  We meet every-other month to discuss books from the point of view of writers.  Lately, we’ve been working on comparing Educated by Tara Westover to The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.  Scribblers and Scholars aims to provide writers with a book club focused on dissecting the craft of writing, although we tend to discuss just about anything related to the books.

I’ve also belonged to the Standish-Sterling Book Club for years.  It is the first formal book club I’ve joined, and while we certainly discuss the books we picked, there is an in-person social aspect to the club that I love.  In fact, two of my former teachers also belong to the club, both of whom have had a profound impact on who I am today.  We meet monthly, and there is truly no judgment if you don’t quite finish a book that is less than thrilling or if you can’t make a meeting.

Last but not least, I’ve also joined the Spartan Book Club, which resides entirely online, as an alumni of Michigan State University.  In fact, it has its own forum and much more.  Books are selected quarterly, and once again, members are free to participate as much or as little as you’d like.  I’ve met some wonderful people online and have thoroughly enjoyed the book selections.  I’ve also used the Spartan Book Club for reading suggestions, as there are also several wonderful books mentioned not chosen as a book club selection.

I mention all of my book club experiences because they demonstrate that there is one out there for every type of reader.  As a writer, all of my book club experiences led me to books I would not have picked up otherwise.  I am a better writer for it, and it provides yet another outlet in which to discuss books.  Think about what you would like out of a book club, and with a little research, you will find it.


Embrace eBooks

If you haven’t discovered the benefits of ebooks yet, here are a few things I’ve noticed as a writer.  First, I tend to be a collector.  I intentionally collect certain books, hopefully to be read more than once.  While there is nothing quite like the smell of a good book, collecting hundreds of ebooks takes up a lot less space in my home.  Second, with Kindle, my preferred ereader and type of ebook, I can have my entire ebook library not only on my phone, but on my Chromebook and Kindle Paperwhite as well.  Last but not least, I have a hard time highlighting or writing in traditional books.  Ebooks allow me to highlight and make notes to my heart’s content without marking up a traditional book.  My notes and highlights are waiting for me when I return.

Ebooks tend to be more cost effective as well.  Often, the Kindle version is less expensive than either paperback or hardcover.  While the prices of Kindle books are rising in some cases, there are also several websites and offers for free or low-cost Kindle books.  BookBub is one of the best.  I actually had to quit because I found too many great free books.  It became overwhelming.  Of course, libraries are increasing their access to ebooks as well.  The beauty of ebooks from the library is that, not only is there no cost, you don’t need to physically visit the library or remember to return the book either.

Research and Read Book Reviews

There are countless places to find good book reviews and research book suggestions.  Goodreads has everything and provides access to all kinds of reviews.  Personally, I enjoy book blogs.  My favorite is Modern Mrs. Darcy.  She has it all:  endless book lists, audiobook recommendations, her own book club, a podcast, and so much more.  If you are into the reading life, you need to check it out.  It might take some research, but once again, there are book blogs and review sites aimed at every type of reader.  It is a matter of finding your niche.

Take a Class

I admit, pursuing my English Language Arts (ELA) endorsement in secondary education (grades 6-12) forced me to branch out as a reader.  I’ve learned so much from my formal writing and literature courses.  Yet, it isn’t necessary to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on tuition to take a literature class.

Two trusted, established sites I’ve used in the past are Coursera and Canvas.  While I haven’t taken writing or literature courses specifically on either site, I do know that they are readily available at little or no cost.  Other courses I’ve taken on those sites, mainly on educational technology, have been wonderful.  On the clearinghouse site ClassCentral, a quick search under literature resulted in free survey courses offered by the likes of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania on a wide variety of subjects relating to all aspects of literature.  You can find my search result here.  There is also The Great Courses Video BingePass available on Hoopla that allows patrons access to the The Great Courses Video Collection for free for a week.  The possibilities are endless.

Curate Your Own Lists of Books/Literature

Of course, there is always the DIY approach.  Take the time to make your own lists of books and other forms of literature that interest you.  I’ve made several of these lists over the years, and it helps me keep track of things that I came across years ago.  I’ve found creating lists of authors and major works to be helpful.  Make the list you are seeking if it doesn’t quite exist yet – and have fun.

Reading Inspiration for Writers – Part 1

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As with so many writers, I fell in love with reading first.  Over the years, I have found my reading life crucial to my continuing education as a writer.  The best writing advice I’ve ever received is to read as widely as possible.  The best part:  Most of the tips, resources, and suggestions I am sharing here are little to no cost.  One crucial requirement:  a library card.

Read Reading Like A Writer by Francine Prose

I read Reading Like A Writer well over a decade ago, but it is one of those books that never left me.  I can’t recommend it enough for any writer.  Prose makes the case for reading widely and for looking carefully at the literature you love most.  Ask yourself:  Why do I love this particular author?  Why do I keep coming back to this particular genre, series, or author?  What techniques is the author employing to keep readers interested?

There are endless opportunities to learn the craft of writing by reading if we know what questions to ask.  Bonus:  The reading list Prose includes for writers is wonderful.

Make Use of Your Local Library and Get to Know Your Local Librarians

A library card is a no brainer.  These days, I tend to use mine to discover and borrow audiobooks via the service Hoopla, as well as borrow ebooks for my Kindle.  Yes, I still checkout traditional books from time to time.  The advantage to ebooks, including Kindle books, and anything from Hoopla is the simple fact that it isn’t necessary to visit the library at all.  It is easy to borrow them online.  Once they are due to be “returned,” the borrower simply no longer has access to the book.  If not quite finished, readers may be able to renew online, depending on the popularity of the book.

Over the years, librarians have been extremely helpful.  As an English teacher during the COVID 19 pandemic, I was fortunate to have local dedicated librarians who were willing to Zoom with my English classes in order to teach students how to borrow books digitally.  Once restrictions were lifted, those same librarians helped me prepare a “book tasting” for my classes in an effort to help students figure out what genres they might enjoy.  As a patron, if you ask, a librarian will nearly always be able to at least point you in the right direction.  They, indeed, should run the world.

As a writer, if you find yourself in a rut in your reading life, there is no better place to seek inspiration than the library.  I’ve been known to take pictures of the covers of books I find interesting in order to add them to my to-be-read pile later.  At times, just the creative grouping or display of books at the library is enough to spark ideas.  If nothing else, pick up a copy of the magazine BookPage to find out what’s new.

Utilize Audiobooks to Energize and Expand Your Reading Life

Sometimes, a book is just better via audiobook.  I admit, I was skeptical.  It felt like cheating.  Frankly, the book Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim changed all that.  As a fan of both The LIttle House on the Prairie book series and TV show, I knew that I didn’t want to miss Nellie Oleson herself reading her memoir.  I was not disappointed.  Currently, I am listening to The Storyteller by Dave Grohl.  It is another example of the audiobook format being well worth it.  Right now, with audiobooks, I am focusing on memoirs read by their authors.  It seems a natural fit.

Personally, between work and school, I drive quite a bit.  As much as I love listening to the radio and music, audiobooks are a great way to make the most of my time in the car.  It gives me more time to devote to books, which is always a good thing.

Catalog – and Share – Your Reading Life

Before there was Goodreads, there was LibraryThing.  While I have used other benefits of LibraryThing over the years (I am a lifetime member), it offers a way to easily catalog your collection of books or simply track your reading.  Similar to Goodreads, LibraryThing also connects communities of readers.

Sadly, I don’t use either website to track my reading as I am trying to come up with a good system that I will continue to use.  However, both Goodreads and LibraryThing are both excellent ways to find new titles, connect with other readers, read book reviews, and so much more.

Personally, one of my favorite annual features of LibraryThing is SantaThing during the Christmas season.  After choosing a participation level between $20-$50, someone else in the LibraryThing community is tasked with finding books for you to enjoy within that dollar amount.  As a participant, you get to pick for others.  Fortunately, there is a form to fill out that helps avoid duplicates, detail favorite genres/authors, and more.  It is fun to both pick out books for someone you don’t know and see what others have selected for you.  I have participated for several years at this point, and I have yet to be disappointed.  I view it as an annual birthday/Christmas present to myself.  It is yet another way in which I’ve come across wonderful books I would have never picked up otherwise.

Sharing books is equally important.  Frankly, I can’t imagine my reading life without having opportunities to share what I’ve read with others.  I’m fortunate to have grown up in a family that shared and discussed books.  Today, I share book reviews on my blog, Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde, and I still share my favorites with family and friends.  Beware, I tend to review books I love.  I rarely write a negative book review as I can think of only one exception.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Write What You Love, Love What You Write

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It seems so obvious, and frankly, it is a piece of advice that everyone loves to share with writers:  “Write what you know.”  It just isn’t quite that simple.  There are things you know – and then there are things you know – the gut-wrenching realities that no one wants to truly admit.  I’m beginning to see the difference.  For me, that is passion.  There has to be a lot of enthusiasm behind whatever it is that I’m sharing if it is going to be any good.  I have to love what I am about to write.

Early last week, I found myself writing an article outlining different tips for writers regarding their reading lives.  In short order, I had nearly 2,000 words.  It is something I know and perfected over the years.  I take reading seriously.  It simply amazes me how I tend to have almost too much content when I write about certain subjects.  If it involves reading, books, music, or education, I could keep going for hours.

Why, then, haven’t I been focusing on just those topics all these long years?  The simple answer is I don’t know.  The full answer is a bit more complex.  WIth music, copyright laws surrounding song lyrics are tricky.  I needed to come up with a unique way of sharing the music I love.  I think I may have finally accomplished that.  When it comes to books and reading, I spend so much time reading and discussing books in person that it seems silly to write about it much, book reviews aside.  In essence, I need to get over myself.

Then there is education.  As at least a 5th generation teacher (yes, I’ve traced the teaching tradition in my family back at least that far), I have definite opinions and insight – far more than my actual experience in the classroom would suggest.  I have to be extremely careful.  Sometimes when a writer is a little too close to the subject, it is easy to get burned.  In private conversations, I’m content to know that I am not alone.  One day, once I’ve made some definitive decisions regarding my teaching career, it is going to get interesting.

It may have taken me quite some time to find my voice, niche, and style, but I am just getting started.  In spite of the fact that I am 42 and a certain TV “personality” – I refuse to use his name here or mention the network – stated that women reach their peak in their 20s-40s, declining once they hit 50, I have so much more to accomplish that it isn’t even funny.  It will take me well beyond 50.  Stay tuned!

All Things Michigan

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Lake Superior shoreline – Photo Credit: photosforclass.com

Here are a few Michigan-centric websites I’ve come across over the last week.

Check them out!

Mysterious Michigan –

Lots of great paranormal stories set in Michigan.  Just in time for Halloween!  You can find my piece on The Witchy Wolves of the Omer Plains there as well.

The site started out back in 2006 as Michigan’s Otherside.

Amberrose Hammond – 

Amberrose Hammond is the woman behind Mysterious Michigan.  This personal site outlines her work, books, and much more.

Lake Fury –

Ric Mixter and Dan Hall’s website discussing all things shipwreck on the Great Lakes.  I had the opportunity to hear Ric Mixter’s talk on the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald last week.  Absolutely fascinating.

Shipwreck Podcasts –

Ric Mixter’s free and premium podcasts covering shipwrecks all over the Great Lakes (and beyond), the infamous and the not-so-famous.  You can also find a list of Ric Mixter’s upcoming appearances/topics.

Lake Superior beach gravel – Photo Credit: photosforclass.com

My Reasons Why

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Over the last few week or so I’ve finally started writing again.  What was I waiting for?  I’m not quite sure, but I do know this:  I missed it.  It isn’t that I haven’t written at all since the pandemic, it is just that I’ve been selective and focused on other things.

So, why do I keep coming back to writing?  There are so many reasons …

  1. It is my creative outlet.  

Some people make beautiful music, others play sports, and yet others draw or paint.  I am not good at any of those things.  Writing is something I can do fairly well.  I know how to improve.  It is a nice mix of being able to accomplish something and yet striving to make it the best it can be.  If I tried to play a musical instrument, I would want to give up before I could get anywhere.

  1. It allows me to practice the art of storytelling.

Both of my parents are wonderful storytellers.  There is nothing I love more than a good story (hence my love of reading).  In my opinion, there is something comfortable about writing down a story before perfecting the art of telling it to others.  Writing allows me to get it right before I share it with others.

  1. I can curate many of my favorite things – and share that them with others.

Blogging can be so much fun.  I actually started “blogging” before it was known as blogging.  I used to use an online notebook/diary to keep track of my favorite websites, poems, photos, memes, and more.  I have enough content now that I can go back and reread things I wrote years ago.  Some of which I have long since forgotten.  It is always fun and gives me ideas for future projects.

  1. It is a challenge.

The writing process is never quite finished.  At some point, it is time to let go.  Frankly, like a good challenge.  As with so many things, I know just enough to be dangerous!

  1. It goes hand in hand with another favorite pastime – reading.

I’ve always loved books.  In fact, I’ve written extensively about my first love – books!  I outline some of my favorite childhood books here.  My love of writing, as with so many others, grew out of my love of reading.  I can’t imagine trying to separate the two.  In fact, I’ve thought about starting a book podcast, just for fun!  I’ve read so many great books this year.  I have yet to discuss any of them here.
The reasons why I write – and my love of writing – is a topic I revisit from time to time.  You can read earlier posts here, here, and here.