“Always remember
that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” ~ Margaret Mead
This quote really
resonates with me as an educator as well as a writer. In teaching, we strive to
individualize instruction and cater to the needs of all students. We see the
unique talents each student has. We also see the unique struggles each student
faces. Our goal is to make the curriculum accessible to all students regardless
of their different circumstances. We do this on a daily basis for 180 days a
year.
And yet, with all
these specialized plans and accommodations and modifications and juggling acts
and scripts and what sometimes amounts to a theater-level production, we
eventually expect these children to grow into citizens who will be treated
pretty much the same when it comes to getting a job and functioning in society.
There’s a certain level of conformity that we expect them to be able to
tolerate. Current trends in education with Common Core State Standards support
this notion. While the standards don’t tell us how to teach, they do tell us what
to teach. They strive to make sure every student masters the same information.
It’s not a bad idea, however, it does squash that uniqueness. It does
sort of shout, “You will learn exactly what everyone else is learning! You will be the same.”
Sometimes it all
gets a little stuffy. I try to balance my classroom with some room to be different, to explore, to find the sheer joy in learning something that interests you. Unfortunately, time is short. One hundred eighty days goes by in the blink of an eye.
In the way of
writing, authors love to think we’re unique, but pick up any book off the
actual or digital shelf and you’ll find common themes, plots, settings, and
characters. We’re probably just writing different versions of the same five
stories. Another writer once told me, “There are no new ideas.” Sometimes I
believe that.
Other times… I
don’t.
I’m starting a
new series and I’m hoping it is unlike anything I’ve written before. I’ve been
studying up on different components of the writing craft, trying to reach new
levels, dig deeper, expand my thinking. This series will still be romance (I’ve
tried NOT writing romance and I simply can’t do it), but I’m delving into
sci-fi and thriller a bit. I thought about the characters I would normally
write about and am making a conscious effort to change it up. I’m leaving the
present time and shooting to the future. I’m getting out of the woods and away
from mountain men heroes. I’m tossing aside the sweet, feminine heroines. I’m
looking to fashion a villain that isn’t a jealous ex-wife, crazy business
partner, or evil mob boss.
I’m looking to be
unique and not like everyone else. We’ll see how it goes. Don’t worry. There’ll
still be a happily ever after, 100% guaranteed. I don’t want to go too
different. Readers come to have certain expectations from an author.
I guess this
rambling post has led me to conclude that you need to decide when to conform
and when to be unique. There’s a place for both, don't you think?
Toodles,
Chris
The Maple Leaf Series
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