Writing takes time

We writing teachers know that writing takes time, but others don't seem to think so: in fact, they think that if we're English teachers, we must be "good at writing," which often becomes synonymous with "fast at writing." But neither is automatically true: I think I'm best at editing, actually, an activity I've spent most of the afternoon and evening doing.

The Board of Trustees Educator of Excellence Awards event is scheduled for April 16. For that fete, lots of stuff is planned: a short video, speeches, lots of handshaking and congratulations -- and a booklet/brochure with bios and photos and other praise-worthy stuff that must be written by someone (right now, my pal Ray, and I've been helping him edit). I'm also supposed to write a short paragraph about what the award means for faculty, especially since I've been on the selection committee and seen a range of excellence, which is true. But what do I write? How do I start?

It's been easier - although time-consuming - to edit Ray's work than start my own. Starting my own writing has been postponed for two other "very good" reasons: because it's easier to edit the docs from our English search committee that'll go to our college president. And it's easier to edit the proposal (and send at least six emails justifying) for the MnSCU women's studies discipline workshop. And it's easier to read Toni Morrison's Jazz.

So guess what I still have left to do before I sleep?