Writing Like the Pros Project Wall by Sharolette Pendergrass

Writing Like the Pros Project Wall by Sharolette Pendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c Made with a creative frenzy en-us 2021-10-15 13:56:14 UTC 2025-12-23 22:14:33 UTC hello@padlet.com Driving Questions spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1822445877 Develop an open-ended question to define and help focus your project.

How can I improve my writing in the hope of becoming published?

How can the styles and techniques of other writers help me find my writing niche?

]]> 2021-10-17 19:24:16 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1822445877 Need to Know spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451383
Additional questions to help refine my project/focus.

Which authors do I most admire, and why?
Langston Hughes - While there are some that would argue that Langston Hughes played his writing to the market I would disagree. I believe that Langston Hughes wrote his truth as he perceived and lived it. What made Hughes unique was his ability to write about place and time Interwoven with his passion for jazz music.

Mark Twain - Mark Twain's writing is honest, sometimes in your face, and humorous with a note of sarcasm. His beliefs and mannerisms lived through his characters.

Hemingway - I enjoy his simple yet detailed writing. He must have been a very observant man. A realist writer.

What type of writing appeals to readers and matches my interest? Realistic fiction, poetry, and blogs

Where will I go for writing support–critique groups, forums, etc.? Local Writer’s Guild

How would I describe my writer’s voice? Raw, honest

What do I really know? How can I apply my real-world knowledge and experience to my writing? I’m learning to be observant, write about things from my perspective, be honest-even if it grates against the norm.

What skills do I lack that I must improve if I want to be published? The ability to communicate on a professional level without getting nervous and stumbling over my words.

Where will I/do I write and is it the most effective place?

Home and after school.

What kind of professional development will I pursue?

Need more time and thought

What roadblocks am I likely to face in my road to publication?

Time and money

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:12 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451383 Resources spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451595 Where will I find reputable sources? List those here.

Writer’s Digest
Writer’s Digest offers information on writing better and getting published. The site also includes community forums, blogs, and huge lists of resources for writers.

https://www.writersdigest.com/improve-my-writing/10-ways-to-start-your-story-better
A good opening line is a powerful thing: It can grab an editor's attention, set the tone for the rest of the piece, and make sure readers stay through The End. Author Jacob M. Appel shares 10 ways to start your story better.

https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published/writing-mistakes-writers-make-hiding-the-pitch-or-selling-point-of-your-writing
This series is to help identify writing mistakes for other writers (along with correction strategies). This week's writing mistake is hiding the pitch or selling point of your writing.

https://austinkleon.com/steal/
“Equal parts manifesto and how-to, Steal Like An Artist aims to introduce readers to the idea that all creative work is iterative, no idea is original and all creators and their output are a sum of inspirations and heroes…”
—Forbes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCMZ4s2A_k8
A French-American artist living in the US, Gwenn advocates passionately for a world in which art is distributed and modified freely, while never for a moment expecting artists to work for free. She shares some of her creative journeys, explains how copyright is as much a mindset as law and reveals how the idea of intellectual property eats away at our freedom.

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451595 Aha Moments spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451848 A moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, or comprehension.

Writing, like all arts, is emulated from other artists; the only thing that makes it unique or different is the artist’s perception and their ability to write about their time in place as they see and live it.

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:24 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451848 Reflection spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451958 RESPOND TO ONE OF THE PROMPTS FOR EACH FOCUS AREA FOR REFLECTION

Content: WHAT I am learning
• How does the new information I am learning about this topic change my understanding of it?
• How does this concept compare/connect with a related concept?

Process: HOW am I learning it
• What’s going well, and what might I need to change about how I am working in order to meet our goals?
• What resources am I using? Do I need to find new or different resources to address my questions?

Purpose: WHY am I learning this/ doing this work
• How does what I'm learning helps me to answer the driving question/solve the problem/create the product?
• Why does this work/learning matter to the world/my community the audience for our final product?
• Where else could this skill be helpful? ]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:28 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831451958 Final Project spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452125 Insert a link or copy and paste.

I will post before and after examples showing how my writing has improved. Apply to a novelette for NaNoWriMo starting November 1st. Insert a link or copy and paste examples.

https://youtu.be/8cACbzanitg

My interpretation:

When I am an old woman, I shall dye my hair blue

Wear red glasses which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on lottery tickets and a Harley trike.
And leather boots, and say we've no money for smokes.

I shall stretch out in tall grass when I'm tired

And wolf down cheese and crackers and glean wisdom from hobos living under overpasses.

And run my stick along the railroad tracks

And pass around half-empty whiskey bottles to make up for the sobriety of my child-rearing days.
I shall dance in my thinning nightgown on the front porch during the wee hours of the morn

And curse at other people's ignorance

And learn to paint.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old and start to ramble.

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:32 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452125 Key Knowledge, Skills, and Academic Vocabulary spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452252 Every project will require specific skills, key knowledge, and academic vocabulary. Note those things here.

https://help.turnitin.com/Resources/RA%20Curriculum%20Resources/Academic%20Vocab/AcademicVocabList_Analysis_2018-08-24.pdf

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:35 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452252 Critique and Revision Notes spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452336 As you research and work on your project, You will undoubtedly have revisions. Take note of those revisions here.

Self-critique - I noticed that I tend to "imitate" the writing of poetry as opposed to emulate the work. I need to be more aware as I'm writing.

]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:38 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452336 Project Calendar spendergrass https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452495 10/20-21 - Build Project Wall with the following tabs: Need to Know, Resources, Aha Moments, Reflection, Final Project, Key Knowledge, and Project Calendar.
Driving Question, Follow-up Questions, and Key Knowledge
Driving Question - identify in detail what needs to be known to answer it and consider various possible points of view on its tasks. Follow-up questions to gain understanding - Need to Know Questions. Key Knowledge
10/24-25 - Research/Resources/Aha Moments/Process Notes
10/26-27 - Final Project, Critique and Revision Notes, and working link to Final Project
10/28-31 - Reflection]]> 2021-10-20 19:22:42 UTC https://padlet.com/spendergrass/d6j0b1hspv360s1c/wish/1831452495