Collecting Exercise

 One of the purposes of a writer’s notebook is to collect ideas and topics that you might want to explore late in a more sustained piece of writing.  This exercise is meant to stimulate your thinking about people, events and issues in your life.  It can help you to discover, in your own experience, knowledge and attitudes, potential topics for your writing. `

In your notebook, record the following lists:

? ten things that you like
? ten things that bother you
? five things a friend would say that you are an authority on
? five things you would like to know more about
? five people who you admire and why
? five influential events in your life
? three crossroads or turning points in your life
? three people who taught you things you will never forget
? three interests you have in common with your students
? ten moments when you remember being really exhilarated--really full of happiness and glad to be alive
? three times when you were really scared.
? five (create a category of your own)

Use your lists to select possible areas to explore further in writing.