NoRedInk Celebrates National Day on Writing
Every year on October 20, The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) sponsors the National Day on Writing “to draw attention to the remarkable variety of writing Americans engage in and to help make writers from all walks of life aware of their craft.” At NoRedInk, we believe in the power of the written word, and our team lives that out in their own lives. Read about how our team members write for a variety of purposes and audiences:
I keep up my writing habit by doing it with friends. I’ve been writing a fiction podcast with several actors, producers and collaborators for the last 7 years. Putting my words in the hands of others to make something shared is one of the great joys of my life and knowing they are counting on me keeps me motivated.
Senior Account Manager
Professional Learning Specialist
One of my favorite ways to write creatively is screenwriting. I’ve always loved going to the movies, and when I realized that the characters, dialogue, and actions I saw on screen were all dreamed up and typed out by someone before they ever made it to the screen, something unlocked creatively for me. I’m currently writing an absurd romantic comedy, which has been a fun way to play with genre tropes. When I was in the classroom, I taught creative writing and designed a screenwriting unit, and saw that same creative spark unlock for my students when they could imagine their world (or whole new worlds) cinematically.
One way that I keep up my writing habit is by leading a monthly youth writing workshop at a community center here in Houston! Writing for fun alongside 7-12 year olds helps me connect to the creative and curious child I was (and still am at heart). I love how the group of young writers and adult volunteer writers feeds off of one another’s ideas, and we help one another generate new possibilities and directions for the writing we’re doing, regardless of genre.
Senior Professional Learning Specialist
Learning Experience Content Specialist
The main way I keep up my writing habit right now is through the novel I’m working on. I’ve always wanted to write a book, but it stayed a hypothetical dream until an author friend invited me to join her critique group. We meet every other week to share excerpts from our current projects and give each other feedback. Writing in community like this gives me a chance to hone my craft, as well as much-needed accountability to keep writing, so I have something new to bring for each meeting.
A lot of my everyday writing is really just writing things down so I don’t forget them! I make lists for everything, from things I need to get done to random thoughts I want to remember. I also love planning trips and making detailed itineraries, so half the fun of a vacation for me is writing out where I’m going, what I want to see, and all the little details in between. For me, writing is a way to organize my thoughts, make plans, and turn the things I’m excited about into something tangible.
Senior Learning Operations Specialist
Literacy Director
For the last four years, I’ve been journaling every day. It was a tough habit to form, but it’s become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. My mornings begin with a cup of coffee and my journal, reflecting on the previous day, naming my joys (or whatever emotion shows up) about the day ahead, and writing down something I’m grateful for. I’ve even found myself getting excited to buy a new journal, seeking out ones that reflect the season. Having this dedicated space and time helps me stay connected to myself, giving me a physical way to collect my thoughts and ponder what’s ahead.
Be your own publisher! Last year I created my own tabletop roleplaying game system. To my joy, it performed very well during our first campaign. So well, in fact, that I felt the need to share it with others. This year I wrote an instructional pamphlet on how to run your own game with this system. I printed it myself and gave out some copies to friends. You don’t need a publisher to share your writing with the world. All you need is a friend and some letter-sized paper.
Software Engineer
Marketing Generalist
I write little notes… to myself, to my roommate, to friends in my coworking space. The notes can be functional (ex: There’s banana bread up for grabs on the counter!) for fun (ex: Good morning! May your meetings have agendas today.) or for inspiration (ex: How relaxed can I be while doing my work?) I also used to write little messages to my students as a classroom teacher.
It’s not about length, it’s about the thought. A stack of sticky notes never goes to waste in my house.