WRITING WALKABOUTTaking a journey with and through words

WANDERING AND WONDERING

Australian Aborigines embark on a Walkabout that is a spiritual journey and/or rite of passage – a journey of self-discovery and transformation

FOLLOW THE SONGLINES

INSPIRED BY HEMINGWAY

Called a writing marathon, the first NWP writing walkabout was created by Richard Louth, director of the Southeastern Louisiana Writing Project, who used Hemingway's Moveable Feast as inspiration

The idea was to go into the world to write. Hemingway wrote about what was in front of him as well as memories inspired by the place (and what he saw, heard, touched, tasted)  

THE WRITER & THE WRITING

The first and only rule for a writing marathon or walkabout is that it is all about the writing and writer.

THE JOY OF WRITING

The focus is on the writing act, not the writing product. Most of our writing is about product – and that gets in the way of actually becoming a writer.

WRITING TOGETHER

The idea of the walkabout/marathon is also about writing together. Giving the writer a small audience at hand to share with as well as the knowledge that they are part of a larger community of writers all engaged in the same activity.

MEDITATION WALKING

The point is to change your space and location (physically, mentally, emotionally) by walking from one location to another over a pre-determined time period.

Think, observe, reflect as you walk

THEN STOP AND WRITE

Find a comfortable spot and then sit and write. There are no rules. Write about the surroundings inspire you to write.

FOCUS ON THE WALKING AND THE WRITING

The idea is to focus on the writing not conversation

But there should be sharing of the writing but no feedback should be offered. Simply provide an audience for the writer.

THINK-PAIR-SHARE

Take your note card and write down three ways you can use this concept with your students.

http://youtu.be/irTX-jkijaM

DEANNA MASCLE ~ MOREHEAD WRITING PROJECT DIRECTORD.MASCLE@MOREHEADSTATE.EDU

Walkabout Powerpoint New Orleans in Words (narrative description of

writing marathon experience) Writing Marathon (handout) Writing About Place (page one for campus

(intended for teachers) plus four pages description Pikeville teacher application/instructions)

Writing WalkAbout (description) Washington Trip Generic Prompts (designed for

middle school trip to Washington DC)