Teach His Own

In my next life I’d like to cruise the world in a food truck that’s been converted into a jazzy clothing boutique. In the life after that I’d like to name nail polish for a cosmetics line. Assuming I get one more after that, I’d like to teach creative writing in a school like Alpha Academy. The first two are givens, but I bet you’re wondering what inspired the teacher thing. I mean, I am not a lover of classrooms or their smells. And yet, I’d love to stand before you and school you on Pretenders. The problem is I don’t have the patience to reincarnate three times. I want to do it NOW. So I am working on a Pretenders teacher’s guide and I am loading it up with fun assignments. Not a single suh-noozer question about theme or symbolism to be had. I want to send it out to your teachers and ask them if I can come by and teach a lesson on it.

Will there be homework? Uh, yeah. Sorry. I need to make it legit or they won’t take me seriously. But it will be cool homework.

Like this: Name three people in your life that you know really well. Now think of a single scenario. Write journal entries in all three characters’ voices about that one scenario.

For example: The three people I pick are my mom, by best friend, and BeeBee, my chihuahua.

The scenario: There is a wallet full of cash on the street. Now I have to become my mom and write what she would write about the wallet. Then I do the same thing as my friend, and then my dog. I’d do my best to use their expressions and process the scenario the way they would. It’s a great way to teach you about different “voices” and character distinction and it’s actually fun.

If this is something you guys would be into, let me know and I’ll be there. I’ll be the one driving the jazzy boutique truck.

Lots to look forward to in 2014! Have a Happy Holiday season and I’ll see you back here on January 8th with a brand new website. Keeping it fresh, baby.

Thank you Laila N. for making this incredible Pretenders post. I ah-dore it. Not pretending.

Impossibly-Tiger Blogspot

TTY1.8.14,

Mrs. Harrison (your teacher.)

13 Comments

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  • Julia says:

    omg
    i haven’t been on this site for probably 6 years oh my gosh i feel so nostalgic right now
    Elizabeth Mclaughlan (who played massie in the clique) is in this new show i just started watching called Betrayal and its so good omg, she’s so perfect in it and i just started re reading all the clique books omg omg omg i feel like im in 7th grade again
    i dont even know what the point of this comment is but just omg hello
    this is so weird

  • Cathryn says:

    Are you able to come to high school, too? I would LOVE it if you did, and I’m sure everyone else at my school would, too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • I hope I’m able to reach high schools with this Pretenders teachers’ guide, yes! We’ll see how it all turns out, but I appreciate everyone’s feedback so far. It’s definitely helpful. xo

  • lillie says:

    I am totally doing that thing Lisi! I love writing. And by the way you should start a Tumblr. You know, that blogging website? Then you can just post stuff whenever you want to and we can all follow you! (Like, this could be where you serious blog, and Tumblr can be where you post selfies and things!) Just a thought, Lisi!

  • Kathy says:

    That’s such a cool idea!! I will definitely be doing this ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Shannon says:

    Come to my school! I am a freshman in college at Murray State University. I’m majoring in Engineering Physics but I LOVE reading and writing. I guess that kind of makes a me a pretender? Sometimes I feel like I’m pretending to be good at math in my physics classes and sometimes I feel like I’m pretending to be a writer when I write for fun, which doesn’t make much sense because I am pretty decent at math and writing. But it still feels weird.
    ANYWAYS. If you’re ever interested in Kentucky… y’all let me know

  • Amy says:

    I wish you still wrote THE CLIQUE series. Every time I keep reading a book from that series I just can’t wait until you come out with a new book but you won’t. I can’t help not to think there won’t be another book. Why did you really end it? I mean, was it just boring or something? To be honest, I think it was your best series you ever wrote out of all of them. Including this one.

  • Kiara says:

    I’d dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee if u came to my school like seriously I would probably faint in your precence

  • Laila N says:

    :O :O :O Y-y-you shouted out my blog. I think I just died. Does that make me even more of a pretender, because obviously I didn’t really die? I donno. I’m star struck. You just made my dayweekmonthyear. THANK YOU SO MUCH! *sending virtual hugs your way*

    And may I just ask: do authors usually do what you’re doing? Write their own teacher’s guide? I think it’s pretty darn smart – like you’re pointing us in the direction when it comes to studying your book and figuring out what you have to say. Too bad I’m out of school, so I won’t get the experience, but I hope everyone else appreciates it ^_^

  • Rhea says:

    That’s actually a pretty cool idea! If only I live there in the States

  • Shaila Gottlieb says:

    What a great idea!!!

    I just decided to go back to teaching…can you come to my class in January???!!!

    Love MOM

    I miss you like crazy!

  • Giggly says:

    Hi Mrs. Harrison!
    I just got Pretenders for my birthday on Saturday and finished reading it today. I love, love, loved it! I love the way all the journal entries give the reader a unique insight on each character. I can’t wait for the sequel!
    Love,
    giggly

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