Writing Conferences

Question: What is Donald Graves’s most important question to young writers in a writer’s conference?

Answer/Quote: “ ‘ There’s one question I’ve found more useful than any other question I’ve used in conferences.’

“ ‘What’s that?’ I eagerly awaited Don’s elaboration….’

“ ‘I ask the writer, ‘What’s the most important part of your piece?’ and once that’s identified, I try to help the writer figure out how that can be highlighted.’ “

Comment: Cryptic, but worth thinking about and trying. RayS.

 Title: “Finding the Heartbeat: Applying Donald Graves’s Approaches and Theories.” Allen Koshewa. Language Arts (September 2011), 48-56.