There are certain books in my life I call “Benchmark” books. I read them once in a blue moon, and not just because I like them. There are certain books that change in the reading because I’ve changed as a human. I might catch a new joke I missed in an earlier reading, feel new or resonating sadness in a character’s grief, or reflect on how my world view has evolved. A few examples:
–Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
–Native Son by Richard Wright
–The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
For me, the March Slice of Life Story Challenge is a benchmark. It’s simple: write every day during the month of March. The challenge is always the same.
But I am not.
Each March I come to the Slice of Life the same, and different. Each March serves as a record of who I am, where I’m coming from, and what life brings me. There’s my first year, full of bright and early explorations in my writing. There’s the COVID year, with its anxiety and uncertainty. There’s my unfinished year, where supporting my mother through her health challenges became too much to balance with writing every day.
Where will this month take me? What will it teach me? That, my friends, is what I’m here to find out.
Happy writing!
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
The idea of the challenge being a benchmark and a glimpse into who we are/were at that time is perfect. I love the idea that the challenge is the same, but we are not. Now I want to go back reread my slices and analyze my “benchmarks!” Happy writing!
Thanks, Leigh Anne. I’d be interested to see how that turns out for you! Come to think of it, I might do the same. I feel like as a teacher and a writer, there are things that evolve (like my practice) and things that have remained the same (like my philosophy). Now I’m wondering, too!
The beauty of this challenge is ‘the not knowing.’ I try to grasp topics during the day but sometimes I am not sure what to write. “Where will this month take me? What will it teach me? ” Theses questions will help us all because we really do not know!
One of the great aspects of this challenge is seeing how we have grown as writers during the past year. What have we learned? What new writing styles are we willing to try? Looking forward to your posts.
I’m looking forward to it, too! And I also like having the chance to see how you and the other colleagues around me have grown and changed, and what life has brought everyone. It’s like a big convention, in a way.
After reading SOME people who are planning their writing, it is great to read someone who is letting their writing reflect the journey they are taking. I have never planned, but this year I find myself overwhelmed with stressful politics and filled with memories I do not want to forget. I can only imagine where my writing will take me,
Thanks, Anita! I love the idea of reframing my chaotic schedule as spontaneity. Yes, of course! It’s not that I haven’t planned ahead, it’s just that I’m letting my writing take me where it will. I can get behind that!
As for the world around us…yes. I feel like that’s the undercurrent to all of what’s happening.
But I am not.
I love how this paragraph and sentence, all as one, stood apart. It jumped at me and grabbed my attention, and connected to my own experience. Thanks for being here again! 🙂
Thanks! It’s good to see you out here as well. It’s been a slow start to this challenge for me, but I’m in! Can’t wait to read your writing this month.
Welcome back for another year! I can’t wait to read your Slices. The Phantom Tollbooth is one of my personal favorites too. A few years ago I read it with my 4th graders & I was surprised to be trying to keep it together towards the end. I hadn’t read it since 7th grade. I may have to reread it again here soon.
Thanks! I remember reading Phantom Tollbooth for the first time as a grown-up, and thinking…WHOA. I missed a LOT of this book as a kid. I even gave a copy to my dad because he was that sort of clever.
I can’t wait to hop over to your blog and check out your blog as well!
I love this perspective of this slice of life challenge. As I write this year, that way of thinking will help me look back and see how I have grown as a person over the last number of years. Thank you for your thoughts today.
Thanks! Yes, every so often I look at an old post, and I either think, wow, I’ve changed a lot over the years, or I think It’s good to know I haven’t changed my commitment to _____.
I look forward to writing alongside you this month!
This is so true! It is a benchmark -my March’s have been so varied. .. it’s crazy to look back on them. There have been more than one March where Slicing was a lifeline for me!
Happy March!
Agreed! Then again, I feel like the more life that happens to me, the more times through the year come at me like that: the start of the school year, the Jewish new year, anniversaries of loved one’s passings…
Happy March indeed, Ona!
This challenge as a benchmark – I love this lens! I so appreciate the constant platform that allows us to shift and share and connect. Happy writing! ❤️
Thanks! If I can trust myself do do anything, it’s to come up with an oddball metaphor. =)
Happy writing to you, too!
This sums up so many of us perfectly. It’s the same writing challenge every year, yet each year we are different people and our writing takes off in a variety of directions. Regardless of how many stories I’ve written, I’m always glad I participate.
Me too! It doesn’t stop me from my annual “oh my goodness, I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to handle Slicing this March” anxiety fest. I can pretty much set my calendar by it. =)
But like you, I’m glad I participate as well.
This is such a perfect way to describe the SOL challenge! I love it!! Welcome back this year and happy writing!
Welcome back to you too! I’m excited for this year!
Hi, Lainie! I’m glad you’re slicing this month and that I get to catch up with you through your posts. 🙂
You too, Stacie! Good to see you online – AND through the Slicer meet-up!~