Magical Scribe Chant

Week of September 25—Magical Writing Wizards

Monday, September 26—Magical Scribe Chant

I truly believe writers become what they think they are. When a parent says, “Our little Susie hates to write,” I stop them dead in their tracks and ask them to never say that again. If Susie even has that thought in her mind (or hears the thought come from someone else’s mouth), she may never reach her full potential as a writer. My job is to make student writers think they can write and then to teach them how.

Just like “our little Susie,” when picture book writers say, “I don’t know that I’m cut out for this,” they open themselves up to self-doubt, which often leads to throwing in the towel prematurely. What you feel is usually what you believe, and what you believe is usually what you become. So we all need to feel, believe, and become the writers we are capable of being!

For that reason, I developed a writing pledge that every class I teach repeats together before we begin our lesson. (You can find that pledge on my web site at http://robsanderswrites.com/Teachers_files/The%20Writing%20Pledge.pdf.) For my new School of Magical Writing Scribes, I’ve developed a new pledge . . . better yet, a chant!

Take a minute to read it aloud . . . and believe the words you’re reading!

Magical Scribe Chant

I am a Magical Scribe,

part of a mystical tribe.

I write stories and wishes and dreams,

making readers delight and beam.

I am a Magical Scribe,

part of a mystical tribe.

My writing improves as days pass by.

Others are awed and wonder why.

I am a Magical Scribe,

part of a mystical tribe.

© Rob Sanders, 2011

It’s Your Turn!

1. By the way, the sub-title to The School of Magic Scribes is: Where the magic of writing is no secret at all. The first step to becoming a great writer is no secret—believe you can be a great writer.