Dear Homeschooling Friends,
It is Spring.
Or nearly so. I suppose it “officially” begins on the equinox on the 20th, but I still have always thought of Spring as March, April and May.
So, as I said, it is Spring. Although it certainly doesn’t feel like it where I live in Oregon. Right now the temperature is hovering around the freezing point; occasionally it will climb into the low 40s. It’s been this way since November.
I’m definitely ready for Spring. Spring should be the real beginning of the year. Have you ever wondered why the year begins in the middle of Winter? It’s never made sense to me.
All that to say, I want to share with you one of the ideas I’ve been thinking of for Apricotpie. When I was talking with Ben about running the site, he encouraged me to think of ideas, and one of them I had was to pick a topic or theme to write about for each month. Now that I think about it, it may be better just to pick one for the season (Spring in this case). The idea here is that in addition to everything else we normally write and post, there would be a topic for three months that we could all write something about, whether in the form of an essay, a story or a poem.
Some possible topics could include:
A. The reasons or inspiration for a specific work you wrote
B. What is good, what is evil, how do they relate?
C. What is your favorite author/novel and why?
D. If you had to live in the past, what era of history would you choose to live in, and why?
E. How has your homeschooling experience affected your outlook on life? How does it affect your writing?
There are also some very simple one-word topics:
Castles
Mountains
Ships
Caves
Rivers
Forests
Swords
Horses
Myths
Some of these could be expanded, like "escaping from a castle," "living in the mountains," etc.
These are just some examples.
So my question to you is, what would you suggest we pick for a topic for this Spring to write about?
I look forward to reading your thoughts! (Please comment below).
God bless you all.
James
Comments
I like this idea...
I like this idea a lot, it makes it almost more organized instead of people just posting randomly. I think for Spring I would say that Forest or Rivers is good becuase that reminds me of Spring......also I like 'A' too......Would you just pick one topic??? or a few that relate???
Great idea James!
...
I love the idea, James. Having some kind of system or 'deadline' to hold me accountable really helps me keep my writing life organized--even in areas that don't directly pertain to said system or deadline. As far as what topic to write about, I'm open to whatever you want to choose, even (or maybe especially) if it's something outside my realm of comfort and expertise. I love opportunities to expand my horizons!
I do think it will be interesting, though, once the topic is chosen and announced, to see how many different angles and approaches we all manage to come up with.
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Brother: Your character should drive a motorcycle.
Me: He can't. He's in the wilderness.
Brother: Then make it a four-wheel-drive motorcycle!
Great Idea!
Although I am new here (but certainly no stranger to writing), I have to say that having a topic and a "deadline" is one of the best ways to get us writers to sit down and actually write something admist our crazy lives! I also really like topic A, but I had a suggestion for a topic. Since spring is the season of rebirth and new life, I thought some type of theme along those lines would be cool as well. Just like fall is about change, spring always reminds me of new beginnings and life. I always think of spring when I think of March! It is my birth month and spring is my favorite season! I look forward to what is decided because I think this idea is fantastic!
God Bless!
Wings of Eternity
"Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12
This sounds like a good idea,
This sounds like a good idea, James! And a way to draw in us monthly writers who no longer have as much time as we used to.
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And now our hearts will beat in time/You say I am yours and you are mine...
Michelle Tumes, "There Goes My Love"
Hi, James!
Hi James!
I like your idea...though I must admit I don't always do my best writing when I have a speicific topic to focus on. Maybe perhaps the topics could be more vague, like "people." That leaves a lot of room for expansion, whereas "myths" eliminate a lot of writing styles. So do some of the others. But definintely interesting and something to work on! I'll be looking forward to seeing what others are saying. Keep up the good work with AP!
HomeschoolGirl :)
Cool idea!
I like it, I think it would be fun to see how differently we all handle the same topic... I like all of the ones you mentioned, most of all "A", "C", and several of the one-word topics. I think the one-word topics are kind of more flexible, whereas the question-y ones are more for essays. But maye we could pick one out of both categories and people could then decide which one they wanted to do, or they could do both.
I like this idea! Swords,
I like this idea! Swords, ships, caves, rivers.......I like them all. I am also a fan of B. I think it would be fascinating to see other writers' views on the subject.
"You were not meant to fit into a shallow box built by someone else." -J. Raymond
Thumbs up
Yeah, sounds good either way
Formerly Kestrel
B
I like B it fits well with a characture that I have at the moment. I like a realy suspific topic becuase it makes it more fun becuase everyone starts out with the same stuff and it all comes out differnt.
So wait - we can only post
So wait - we can only post things related to the topic?
"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question." - Harun Yahya
No, just in addition to what
No, just in addition to what we would normally post. I'm pretty sure that's what he said, anyway.
What Hannah W. said.
The topic would be something one could post on in addition to what one normally posts.
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"The idea that we should approach science without a philosophy is itself a philosophy... and a bad one, because it is self-refuting." -- Dr. Jason Lisle
Okay!
Okay good! I thought you had to just do that specific topic! "Phew" *wiping brow*.
That's sounds..... Umm... Well I personally don't want to lie, I don't really like that idea...
But now that you've clarifide I think that would be great! I was afraid, because this is a homeschooling site, and when you are under a stritcked topic, its more like regular school.
But this is much better!
"Here's looking at you, Kid"
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Write On!
Alright, I just looked over
Alright, I just looked over the post again and realized what I missed. Now that that's cleared up, I think it's an awesome idea. When does this start?
"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question." - Harun Yahya
Very nice.
I like the idea. I can't promise that I’ll be participating very faithfully, but I do like the idea. :)
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"To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it." -- Herman Melville
In response
Thanks for your input everyone!
Kassady -- I wouldn't like that idea either. Glad to clarify! Also, participation is optional (though encouraged!).
Bridget -- as soon as we pick a topic!
<><~~~~~~~~~~~~><>
"The idea that we should approach science without a philosophy is itself a philosophy... and a bad one, because it is self-refuting." -- Dr. Jason Lisle
E or B!
E or B are my votes. :)
If we're doing a one word
If we're doing a one word topic... I vote ships or mountains.
"I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question." - Harun Yahya
...........
I really like that idea! It would especially help me to post as a monthy writer because my schedule has been so crazy. I have found that it is hard to post because I am not getting time to sit down and work on my story or finish a poem. This idea of picking a topic would help because it would enable me to sit down and write about a certain topic easily.
As for a suggestion for a topic for this Spring.... I like "swords." or "A." (But I also like any of the others your suggested.)
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The Holy Spirit is the quiet guest of our soul." -St. Augustine