Slice of Life: So What is a Craft Move? #SOL19 #TWTBlog

Hold it.  Is that craft or elaboration?

I pause trying to make sure I understand the question.

He persists.

When I add a thinking bubble is that elaboration or a craft move? 

I am starting to understand. 

Another friend adds, Yeah, what is the difference?  When you use a craft move you are adding details, how do you know if it is a craft or elaboration?

Conversation erupts on the rug and I am left trying to figure out how to explain the difference.

***

I love that young writers get right to the matter and demand clarity.  I must admit they sent me back to my professional books to find a simple, clear definition that would distinguish the two.

Here is what I found:

Katie Wood Ray says, “When studying the craft of writing, we use this line of thinking to see how a text is written; not what it’s about, but how it’s written.” (2002)

This pushed me to think about how I see the difference as a writer.  I am not at all sure I really think it about when I am elaborating versus purposely trying out a craft move.  For me, these are often one in the same unless I decide to use a mentor text.  Studying mentor texts helps me identify craft moves I want to try.  These are times in my writing life when I tend to use mentor texts to study structure and craft:

• Writing a professional book

• Writing an article or blog post

• Slice of Life March Challenge

It seems when I am writing in a new structure or genre I like to immerse before I draft.  It helps me to see how other authors have done it.  I notice moves that engage me or structures that I think will work for what I have in mind. I choose certain moves to play with and try in my own writing as I revise and restructure.  I also look to mentor texts when I write the same genre for thirty-one days in a row.  The Slice of Life March Challenge requires a different draft each day for thirty-one days.  Mentor texts energize my process and shake up how I write narrative.  It’s fun to try out something another writer tried and see how it works for me.

As I reflect on my writing process, it helps me think about when students would benefit from studying craft. 

·      When students are writing a new structure or genre?

·      When beginning a new unit of study

·      When students are feeling stuck or stale

·      When students are halfway through a unit of study

·      When reading independently and in small groups

I also realize the importance of knowing why you are using a move.  If craft is the “how” of our writing, then we need to know the reason we are using it.  What are we trying to express to our reader? How do we want our reader to feel?  Where in our writing should we use a particular craft move?  How do we put our reader in the shoes of our character?  Craft moves are purposeful and intentional.  Some of these moves might also be used as we draft to elaborate. I find it is when I go back to my writing and decide it needs a little something, that I look to try out a craft move to see how it impacts my writing.  For me, it is the playful part of my writing.  A time to experiment, copy other writers, and figure out why my writing matters to me. 

How do you define craft as a writer?  How do you invite your students to explore and clarify what craft?  I can’t wait to get back into this classroom to continue the conversation and learn from these writers. I am not sure my definition will help them, but I do love that seven year olds are having this debate!

Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Kelsey, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum from Two Writing Teachers. Check out the writers, readers, and teachers here.