“If you’ve commented on a slice this week, please report to the main lobby for a special drawing,” Mela’s voice boomed through the intercom. Dawn and I left the office, complimenting Mela on her perfect announcement execution.
And then we waited. Will anyone come? we wondered.
This March has felt extra busy, both in my professional life and my personal life. In years past, when we’ve organized a March writing challenge with our school staff, I’ve felt the energy through hallway conversations and people finding ways to connect. This year, I’ve just been posting writing and as the blog owner, I’ve had the privilege of watching all the comments roll in. But the real life piece hadn’t hit me yet.
Slowly staff members began to make their way to the lobby. This was a new addition to our annual writing challenge and I could sense a little hesitation and perhaps a bit of What are Dawn and Jess up to now? As we waited for more readers to arrive, conversations organically began. “I love starting my day reading slices.” “You have the best comments!” “I think I commented this week…was Lisa’s slice this week?” This was what I had been missing and it made my day to finally have this in person validation that this work mattered to our community.
Before we knew it, a small crowd of readers had gathered. They came for a special drawing, but my gut tells me that they didn’t need this extra incentive to comment on their friends’ writing this week. In a busy season, it warms my heart to know that people have made time to write and share slices of their life and find joy in connecting with others in this special way.
Where There Is Joy 
Love that we brought people together in the hallway for a commenters drawing! We are so lucky to work with such fun people!
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They are so lucky to work with the two of you! I love that the two of you do this together. Jess, I also appreciate the second-guessing and insecurity of it all. It’s like another layer of writing vulnerability.
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Again and again, I love the community you’ve created!
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I love the community that you’ve created! I’m writing alongside a colleague and it adds so much to the challenge. I can’t imagine the energy you have created with this large pool of participants! Wow!
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Like other commenters have said- the community you are creating and growing is so inspirational!
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This writing community you are building is so powerful. We are starting our challenge next month. We are looking forward to the connections that will be built through writing and commenting!
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Great idea, maybe we’ll snag it! Glad the challenge for school is going well!
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This is absolutely magnificently awesome!
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Love that! We’re hoping to build the community of readers and writers in April!
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This is very meta. I took so long to understand the meaning of meta, but now that you’ve got ten comments on your post about commenting on posts, I think I’ve got a better grasp on meta. I do think it’s working, this focus on commenting. Many more people are reading and it’s leading to many more connections. I predict we will have a 31-day slicer added next year.
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Maybe you can explain meta to me…I feel the need to google. A 31 day slicer would be exciting!
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Jessica,
I counted 13 in your photo. Thats amazing! I always enjoy reading about your writing community in your school.
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I am in complete awe! This would be a dream come true for me!
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