And it’s November…

I will be presenting at NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) convention this November. For those who are not familiar with NCTE, it’s the equivalent of a Super Bowl for Language Arts educators! It’s my first time attending so it’s absolutely thrilling that not only will I have the opportunity to drop in on some fantastic panels so as to bring new ideas and strategies back into the classroom but I get to present too! My session is called “Teachers as Writers: Practices and Possibilities”. Back in 2015 when a mentor-author-educator told me I didn’t have to choose (or get a Phd.) between writing and teaching, I never thought I would see the day so soon when my writing and teaching lives would converge. It’s definitely only a beginning but the fog is clearing up. As Jamie says, focus on the “what” not the “how?”

If you didn’t, be sure to get yourself a copy of Tahoma Literary Review to check out a story of mine alongside other wonderful writing.

A short fiction story of mine, “The Heart Has Reasons” was picked up by the editors at Afreada. And Burning House Press has a different editor curate each month and when guest editor, writer, Rachael De Moravia put out a call for pieces related to the theme of Belonging/Returning/Retreating, I submitted a short non-fiction essay, titled “Exile is a Fire No One Can Put Out” and to my delight she accepted it.

Other than that, it’s been a gorgeous start to the Fall season here in New Mexico. The leaves are turning colors and it’s raining more often than last year. Fingers crossed it will be a  “real” winter with snow!

My parents were here visiting us during the Balloon Fiesta weekend like they do in October and our families get together for at least one meal and enjoy time together. We took them to Los Poblanos historic lavender farm (one of my favorite places here) where this peacock was enjoying the sun.

Image: Jamie Berry

Image: Jamie Berry

With mama. Image: Jamie Berry

Las Golondrinas Image: Jamie Berry

Las Golondrinas Image: Jamie Berry

Also happening in November is my trip to Ireland! I applied in Spring and learned over the summer that my application to University of Limerick’s Creative Writing Winter School was accepted! I was so blown away that I didn’t even share that information with anyone but Jamie and my mother. How did I even know to apply? Well, I have read the work of author Sarah Moore Fitzgerald and she is certainly someone I wish to learn from. Her book The Apple Tart of Hope is probably one of my favorite children’s book. Here is a 2014 interview with her where she shares that “Human beings need stories.” But it was this piece right here that made me reach out to her where she writes, “I’ve come to realise that the pleasure and purpose that I associate with writing hasn’t got as much to do with being published as it does with being creative.” Talent aside, additionally, I was very touched by her humility and forthrightness. So when she put out a call on Twitter for this Winter School and I saw the line up for all who was going to be there (supremely gifted writers to learn from), I knew I had to apply even if I didn’t make the cut. So that’s happening! It’s really happening!

I leave you with some more wonderful photos Jamie took in and around our house. Wishing everyone a warm, cozy, and serene winter.

-a.q.s.