Autumnal tones emerging in the garden.

The brave and fearless butterfly hunter waits patiently for his next shot... On this day 2012 in search of the wonderful Wanderer butterfly aka Monarch butterfly. A sighting after a lifetime of waiting and watching.

Stilettos and cobblestones. Now there's a challenge for the fashion thrill seekers of Rome. 'One foot wrong and it's all undone.'

Poetry Friday- A Poem that ponders the elusiveness of answers surrounding issues big and small. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/a-po... #poetryfriday #globalissues

A writer's notebook contains many beginnings and from those beginings longer writing pieces emerge. #writersnotebook #writing

The brave and fearless butterfly hunter waits patiently for his next shot... On this day 2012 in search of the wonderful Wanderer butterfly aka Monarch butterfly. A sighting after a lifetime of waiting and watching.

Autumnal tones emerging in the garden.

Another Good Friday without smoked cod. My mother would be disappointed, while I remain relieved and delighted.

He possesses no capacity for veracity... That's all I'm saying. You all know to whom I am referring.

Saturday verse

From the Photo Archives: Sunset over Fisherman's Beach, Mornington.

Make sure books you recommend allow children to see themselves and others reflected. Realistic fiction engages readers.

Poetry Friday- A Poem that ponders the elusiveness of answers surrounding issues big and small. alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/04/a-po... #poetryfriday #globalissues

Papering Over The Cracks He thought she was his type She thought that he was fun Then sadly he discovered -she read the Herald Sun! All that News Corp propaganda And loud, confected rage -the bias of the Murdochs Seeping through each page. Alan j Wright

Once you begin to think and act as a writer, ideas come more frequently. The world becomes an observation zone. The challenge is to be open to possibility. Student writers need to be taught to roll ideas around in their head before spreading them onto the page. Marinate them a little...

Just came across this little character. It’s Ginger Ninga!

'It is claimed that writing takes you away, isolates you from the world. My notebook life has increased my awareness of my world. So, as much as the time I spend lost in my notebook takes me away, it has strengthened my connections to others through the insights it has provided.'

Came across this quote from the late Liam Clancy (from the Clancy Brothers band). It was relayed from a conversation he once had with Bob Dylan, telling Bob this was his mantra for living.

'It is claimed that writing takes you away, isolates you from the world. My notebook life has increased my awareness of my world. So, as much as the time I spend lost in my notebook takes me away, it has strengthened my connections to others through the insights it has provided.'

‘A delightful poetic journey through the far reaches of experience. Adventurous verse for young and not so young poetry lovers. Everything from pirates to pink pyjamas.’

‘Learning should be viewed as a form of enthusiasm transferred to the student.' Robert John Meehan

I am the guest poet at renowned UK poet, Brian Moses' Sssssnake Hotel this month. Please vist me there and find out more about my poetry journey alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026…

I launched my very first writer's notebook in 1983. They have been informing my teaching and writing lives ever since. Now I am sharing some of the accumulated treasure with you, dear reader.

'If the desire to write is not accompanied by actual writing, then the desire must be not to write.' HUGH PRATHER

New Ode To Autumn When my wine arrived today I watched the shadows melt away The magpies warbled The crows just squawked My joy, it is at last -uncorked!

Me: What made you choose James Bond as a writing topic? Student: Because he's good at assassinating people and has an interesting sense of humour... That's Bond. James Bond.

Pre-writing considerations should be a priority in the writing workshop. The talk writers do at this time places them in the exercise ground of writing. It’s a workout for the mind and places the writer closer to the truth of their intended words.

'Writing snaps and sizzles when lively verbs are used.' Jeff Anderson, Mechanically Inclined.

At the end of their writing lives, it is comforting to see a writer's notebooks bulging with assorted gatherings from our various worlds. All the words, ideas, fragile beginnings harvested brimming forth. Then the rereading of hidden treasure delivers more possibilities.

Words are a Wonder-Take my Word for It! Writers collect words. It's almost compulsive. If you can get the right word in the right place, you can give the reader a nudge and make then pay extra attention. Words deserve our respect. livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com/2026%E2%80%A6

They’re not 'reluctant' writers. They are however, in-experienced writers, frequently lacking in confidence. Our task as teachers of writing is to nurture them, not label them as reluctant.

99 % of people cannot lick their elbow. My concern is for the 1% who can, and my question is simply this,- Why?

An extremist with a megaphone remains an extremist. We too often confuse volume with range and reason. Just because someone is shouting loudly doesn't mean they have something worthwhile to say. We must be prepared to examine the true intent of the speaker.

They’re not 'reluctant' writers. They are however, in-experienced writers, frequently lacking in confidence. Our task as teachers of writing is to nurture them, not label them as reluctant.

Words are a Wonder-Take my Word for It! Writers collect words. It's almost compulsive. If you can get the right word in the right place, you can give the reader a nudge and make then pay extra attention. Words deserve our respect. livinglifetwice-alwrite.blogspot.com/2026%E2%80%A6

To prove a one letter typo can make a big difference I present this: 'whatever doesn't kill you makes you stranger.'

At the end of their writing lives, it is comforting to see a writer's notebooks bulging with assorted gatherings from our various worlds. All the words, ideas, fragile beginnings harvested brimming forth. Then the rereading of hidden treasure delivers more possibilities.

Overheard in Grade 2 class Student 1: What do you call those 3 dots at the end of the sentence? Student 2: I know, -elipsticks! #writing

Poetry is from the Greek poiein, ‘to make’ : a poem is something made, or in English we might more naturally say crafted. I have always liked the notion of making words into a poem.

The very first thing I heard this morning Was spontaneous laughter Brief, yet Warm and welcoming It possessed the sense of rarity In these troubled times I wrapped it around me An early contender for highlight Of the day On a grey sky morning. #morningpoem

The very first thing I heard this morning Was spontaneous laughter Brief, yet Warm and welcoming It possessed the sense of rarity In these troubled times I wrapped it around me An early contender for highlight Of the day On a grey sky morning. #morningpoem

If your day is moving slowly, might I suggest you go in search of a grain of sand. Examine it closely. The more spherical the grain of sand appears to be, the older it is. You're welcome. Enjoy your day...

Poetry is from the Greek poiein, ‘to make’ : a poem is something made, or in English we might more naturally say crafted. I have always liked the notion of making words into a poem.

Overheard: Toddler: 'I don't want to.' Mum : Sorry, but you have to.' Toddler: 'Why?' Mum: ' It's mum's rules today, okay?'

Overheard in Grade 2 class Student 1: What do you call those 3 dots at the end of the sentence? Student 2: I know, -elipsticks! #writing

The collective noun for cockroaches is an 'intrusion.' Seems appropriate...

Poetry Friday: A Rant Poem -News of the Day -The Chronicles of Chaos! alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/03/news... #poetryfriday #rantpoem

Poetry Friday: A Rant Poem -News of the Day -The Chronicles of Chaos! alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2026/03/news... #poetryfriday #rantpoem

When teachers model and demonstrate positive attitudes to risk taking in the writing classroom brave young writers emerge. #writingcraft

'Writing snaps and sizzles when lively verbs are used.' Jeff Anderson, Mechanically Inclined.