by Erica Johnson
2015 was the year I was first introduced to the National Writing Project. That summer I participated in a two week program with the Little Rock Writing Project, focused on helping teachers support their student writers.
In working on this blog, I decided to explore the work I composed back then. In particular, I was drawn to a piece titled “Writing Manifesto,” which consisted of a two-page spread with 39 “I write” statements in bright pink ink.
5 Statements from my 2015 Writing Manifesto that I would delete in 2025:
- “I write knowing I may never be published.” Thanks to Ethical ELA I can say that I’ve been published – both online and in print.
- “I write Facebook posts at two in the morning.” There is no reason to make posts on Facebook at two in the morning. I have better writing to do.
- “I write because I want feedback.” While I enjoy feedback, this is no longer what motivates me to write.
- “I write because we have been writing for thousands of years.” I am more invested in the stories we write now and the stories we leave for the future.
- “I write because I am inspired.” Most days when I write, it’s actually the opposite; I don’t have inspiration, yet I write anyway.
5 Statements from my 2015 Writing Manifesto that I would save in 2025:
- “I write to explore the worlds in my head.” Writing is an acceptable way for an adult to play pretend and I relish that. Let me flesh out settings, worlds, and characters through short fiction and novels – even if they never leave the computer screen.
- “I write as a means to escape.” As a related point, writing has been and continues to be my way of getting out of the real world for a brief period of time.
- “I write because I enjoy it.” Some people crochet or put together puzzles for pleasure, I weave words and piece together concepts to form a cohesive story. Playing with language in this way will always be a delight for me.
- “I write knowing it will be hard.” Despite its pleasures, writing has NOT gotten easier in the last 10 years; however, I do have better strategies for overcoming the challenge. This is something I share with my own students on a regular basis.
- “I write out of a need to connect.” It started at the Little Rock Writing Project, but quickly expanded into spaces like Ethical ELA and Teach Write. Interacting with other writers from across the world has had such a profound impact on both my craft and my teaching. That is apparent by simply looking back at the work I did in this 2015 portfolio.
What statements would you include in a writing manifesto, begin with the phrase “I write…” and explore your varied beliefs and how they shape you as a writer. Maybe in another ten years, you can return to it and see how your writing beliefs have changed.
13 years of working with students and a lifetime of writing have shaped Erica into the passionate writing teacher of 2025.
Thank you, Erica. This is both beautiful and brutally honest! Going back over ‘old writing’ is not something I’ve ever been good at doing, but I’ve learned from others (thank YOU) that it can be beneficial as well as freeing.