Chuck Schneekloth, Jr.

Book Report #3: Writing as a Road to Self Discovery

Barry Lane

I have tremendously struggled with how to "report" on this work. To me, is it not easy to summarize a piece that is so deep and rich with thought and philosophy. I just don't know where to start, and I fear missing parts or doing others a misfortune. I like the suggestion of just "lowering my standards" and writing. To preface it all, I am certainly buying this book, as it has been the most provocative book on education that has resonated with me the most.

Overall, Lane has convinced me of the importance of self-writing. The overarching philosophy of this books seems to be that we each have a grand story within us just waiting to be told. Within that grand story is little stories that have molded and shaped us as we are now. Lane seems to believe that by revisiting these moments, and either re-celebrating their glory or working through the unresolved issues found within them, is what makes such writing powerful. A near-perfect example of such a philosophy at work occurred just days ago, when we were asked as a class to write down a family story that has been passed down to us. I stared at a blank page for minutes, as I couldn't get motivated at all. Not only was my well dry with ideas, but I just didn't want to even attempt this. It wasn't appealing. It wasn't fun-sounding to me. So instead, I just began to write stream-of-consciousness regarding times spent with my friend, Paul, who I was preparing to email. Within moments I was swimming through fifteen years worth of memorable times spent with a wonderful person who has a very special place in my life. I felt myriad emotions running through my body as little league games, bus rides, and sleepovers rolled through my hand into my paper. I laughed a bit, making others think I was recalling a really entertaining "family story." But no, I was not; I was merely reliving, reexamining, and restructuring old memories?some of which I haven't thought about in years. It was fun. It was exciting. It was meaningful.

First, he has this great chapter on reentering childhood memories. What a great experience it was to reexplore, rediscover, and relive some of these memories. In addition to plenty of freewriting exercises where you write about "your first crush/fear/parental problem", etc, there are also more engaging ideas, such as writing on old photographs, webbing about old memories, rediscovering old details through snapshots, thinkshots, and cavewritings. The latter involves basic words and drawings of free-association regarding a certain memory. I also like the idea of tracing one's hand or even whole body, and using that as a springboard for recollections of the past. Great ideas and fun pre-writing activities to get writers engaged and interested.

Next, using the analogy of writing as digging potatoes, he suggests certain "triggers" to use to help the writer question his/her memory, in hopes to perhaps unravel some new, yet "old" truths about oneself. Getting more specific about leads, he claims a good one raises many questions in the readers mind, and hence invites him/her to read on. I like that idea?very true.

Moving on, his next step in this writing process is to find one's "core story." What great names Lane has for the ideas he's created. Regardless, it involves reflecting a bit on all the stories written so far. As he's big on sharing writing and having others respond to them through writing questions, he also asks the writer to ponder questions that they have always had in life. A step further, what questions seem to surface in these stories? He calls it "your big question." What is it? He provides al types of ways in which to attempt to discover it through writing, drawing, listening to old music from your childhood, etc. A wonderful way to try and synthesize the thoughts, feelings, and stories you've accumulated throughout this writing experience.

Next is "shifting contexts to find out who we are." Triggers he uses are mostly about investing one's sense of gender, and what stereotypes are rooted in our sex. How does it define us, and how does it define each other? Lots of empathy here as well; standing in the shoes of others, creating lists of qualities that bug you about others, what others might think of you, etc. I like this idea of trying to develop "interpersonal intelligence" (one of Gardner's many!!!) within students to learn empathy and think as another person He suggests tapping into "humor" and "firewriting" (leaping across time and thoughts ö free associating between ideas)to make this effective and not too painful.

In a similar way, the next chapter "Old Stories/New Angles: Exploring Points of View," explores the other side of several old challenging life experiences such as people we dislike and old romances. Trying to make the writer enter the other perspective and perhaps come to new realizations about such relationships, maybe even realizing that things weren't as bad as they currently seem. . He slides into satire here and suggests it as a way to attack certain people, rules, and ideas that we disagree with in society. I like the idea of thinking about "three personalities" that exist within you, free/cave write on them, and then allow them to have a conversation between each other. Also suggested is something we've done in this class: take a story-- possibly a semi-traumatic one?and write from a different perspective, or a different character's point of view.

He then has two final chapters which continue to emphasize the past, and finding subtle ways to resolve and heal one's difficult experiences from the past. I would write about them, but it's become too long already?so I'll just end it by saying that I can't wait to buy this book and incorporate so many fresh, innovative ideas regarding personal writing into my classroom next year.