some more about writing

Have you read Stephen King's book On Writing? I found some great insights there. I also loved Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.

Things teachers say:
One of my favorite lessons is when I show them Stephen King's chapter about how his first (college) editor marked up the first piece of writing he submitted -- and he said, "Why hadn't any English teacher done this before?"

I show it to my students, then I tell them if Stephen King tells me this is what I should do, then I better do it! I refer back to it all year, and I think it helps them appreciate all the red marks I put on their papers. It is my gift to them, I tell them!