Blog 2   Jeanne Nixt

 

My thoughts this week have gone to two places:  First is the idea that we start any recommendations on opportunities or areas that work or don’t with a compliment or a positive.  This reminds me of the “compliment sandwich” concept from some cheesy Covid-driven drivel of a TV show my hubby and I have killed a few hours on.  This sandwich starts with a compliment, in the middle we offer suggestions and opportunities and we finish with a compliment. On the show the middle was the break-up part, but that’s splitting hairs.  Ryan mentioned this ‘start with the compliment idea’ in Zoom, and it has been a habit of mine during my teaching and parenting years.  I know that I am so much more defensive and completely shut off from receiving even constructive criticism without that first “I like how you did………”.

The second was a little bit of an AHA! moment from the student samples.  It seemed that the one through thought was details, details, details. We all wanted a little more from the writing.  There were hurts and pains, experiences and specific parts of books all alluded to, but not fleshed out.  This spoke to me on two levels – one I LOVE details – give me all the words and feelings!  The other was that I am not great at adding the details when I write.  I worry that I will sound too self-involved, or use too many words or just get lost in a maze of details with no central focal point.  Seeing this, wanting this in the student samples was a good reminder of the type of writer I want to be.

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