Six Writers Take on Back to School

In honor of back to school I asked five of the writers I greatly admire to weigh in. With a very loose hat tip to the wonderful Raymond Carver–I wanted to know what these writers talk about when they talk about back to school. So here goes…(I’ve posted pictures of them from when they were kids. (Click on their links to see how cute they still are).

I was curious because it’s only now I realize that for me back to school is just like New Years, but in September. At its best back to school is about pure possibility and new relationships, about the people I’d meet, the friendships we’d make and the memories we’d share (and still do). Sitting in a classroom is nothing compared to that. [That's me in, I think, fourth grade. Note the straight hair--all natural. Adolescent hormones clearly had not kicked in yet.]

SARAH LUDWIG

“This year, back-to-school marks a new era for me, one that will be more about writing than it ever has been in the past since my kids are now all in school full-time. Though the transition is more emotional than I ever imagined, I’m learning to embrace it. Here’s to letting passion and creativity flow like never before.”

Sarah has written for the Christian Science Monitor and is a contributor to Larger Families and HV Parent. She blogs about figuring out momhood at Parenting by Trial and Error.

DENISE SCHIPANI

“When I was a child, I always got a new homework pad — those little spiral-bound books you’d jot your assignments in. Like many, if not most, writers, the clean page of a new notebook represents possibility. Combine that with the cooler breezes and bluer skies of autumn, and it’s like I break free of that last sluggish bit of summer fogging my brain and am raring to go again. Even if I’m not going to school.”

Denise, who writes regularly for national magazines, also pens the monthly “Mom Advice” column in American Baby magazine, and tells all at her own blog Confessions of a Mean Mommy.

RON DOYLE

“You’d think, after decades as student and teacher, I’d be slurping piña coladas on a beach somewhere this Labor Day weekend, mocking others for whom academia is a storm cloud, looming large. But instead, I’m seeking new projects, and secretly missing that dense, dark cloud—that symbolic watermark on the cycle of life’s learning, wet and heavy with new beginnings. And besides, I’m in grad school—so I get to be just like the other suckers come September 14. Woo-hoo! School forever!”

Ron is on assignment with Backpacker Magazine, and is the brains behind Twittercize, a free program that offers one minute exercise suggestions every hour via Twitter. He writes the very fun to read Blog Salad, where one bite’s never enough.

CLAUDIA COPQUIN

Claudia is the author of The Neighborhoods of Queens. and the recent “Go Back To School Already” essay in Newsday. I think Claudia speaks for many when she says: “I thought once my children were older, I’d have the space I require to pursue my craft in utter silence, while they tended to their summer jobs every day from 9 to 5. But they had other plans, none of which involved either peace or quiet or working full-time.” Her newest child is Getting Married on Long Island.

JEN SINGER

Jen is the creator of the wonderful, often hysterical Momma Said, and the author of Stop Guessing Yourself, the second in her trilogy of parenting books. Jen was a guest here a few months back (love her interview about writing). But here’s Jen’s take on back to school and why it’s most definitely time for the bell to ring.

What do you talk about when you talk about back to school?

Tagged as: writer interviews

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