12 Things

Plus: Pauses, Paperbacks, and March is Reading Month

Rather than just focusing on the future, lists can be a helpful tool for looking back.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

I’m a list maker. My desk is cluttered with sticky notes, and I like the satisfaction of crossing items off a to-do list. I enjoy beginning the morning with the hope (and false security) of what might be accomplished in a day.

When I get stuck with my writing, I’ve also found making lists can get me unstuck. But, instead of a focus on accomplishment and getting things done, I’ve found this exercise liberates me. There is something about relinquishing the pressure of perfect sentences for a series of bullet points.

In a recent student workshop, I led a writing exercise called “12 Things” as a springboard to first drafts or character development:

Create lists of 12 things that define you. The possibilities are endless but could include: 12 life events, 12 songs, 12 movies, 12 books, 12 foods, 12 things you’ve lost, 12 things you’ve found, 12 places you’ve been, 12 places you can’t go back to, 12 memories from elementary school, 12 memorable meals, 12 things that make you happy, 12 rules you’ve broken, 12 things you were told over and over growing up.

If you’re a writer, or even if you don’t think of yourself as one, I encourage you to try writing a list of 12 Things. It’s amazing where our minds and memories can go, what they trudge up and weave together.

When I was young, I would try to imprint upon my heart and mind exactly how I was feeling — promising myself that I wouldn’t be one of those adults who forgot what it felt like to be 8, 9, 12, 15.

Writing alongside my workshop participants, I thought back to 12 Things that made me happy when I was 11:

• being invited

• sitting alone on my window seat

• the cold underside of my pillow

• a joke that landed with adults

• babysitting money to spend at the dollar store

• rollerskating on the little patch of cement in front of our garage (we lived on a gravel road with a gravel driveway)

• letters in the mail from my penpal cousin, Sara

• LipSmakers lip gloss

• just the right song coming on the radio and pushing “record” on my boom box

• my grandparents’ attention

• Parachute Day in gym class

• Sunday nights when my parents would turn on Oldies and dance

What 12 (or 13 or 15—there are no rules when it comes to these kind of writing experiments) things call you back somewhere? Allow you to catalog not your to-do list but your memories?

(Another) Invitation to Pause

On the topic of looking back and slowing down, last week on the Reformed Journal blog I shared about my struggle when I was younger, and even occasionally now, with a stutter or stammer.

If you, like me, have ever struggled with a stammer or stutter, you know the awkward pause—that moment of silence when a word gets stuck between your mind and your voice. No matter how clearly the sentences flow in your head, they refuse to exit effortlessly into the world.

And if you, like me, have struggled with a stammer or stutter, you also know the experience of someone jumping in to fill in that blank space, to attempt to rescue you—or rescue themselves, really, from the discomfort of the pause.

You also may know the gratitude and regard felt for another kind of listener. One who gives space and attention without expectation. One who allows time for your imperfection, for your pause. One who isn’t made uncomfortable with the weight of waiting and doesn’t rush to finish your sentences.

In his essay, “Getting the Words Out,” John Updike, another stutterer writes, “Those who stutter win, in the painful pauses of their demonstration that speech isn’t entirely natural, a respectful attention, a tender alertness. Words are, we are reassured, precious.”

You can read the entire essay—with an ode to both Mr. Rogers and my dear friend, Elizabeth Felecetti, here.

Enemies in the Orchard Paperback— Out Today!

I’m excited to share that today marks the release of Enemies in the Orchard paperback! My hope is this lower-cost edition will help the story find its way into even more hands, especially schools and classrooms. You can find the paperback edition wherever you buy books.

I am also honored and excited that my book is being released in paperback the same month as Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, written by my friend and mentor, Natalie Dykstra.

Last week, Natalie shared on Instagram:

For 25 years, I’ve been talking with @danavanderlugt about writing and reading, first as professor and student at @hopecollege @hopeenglishdept. This month both of our recent books are out in PAPERBACK - mine 3/11 and hers 3/25. What could be better?! So proud of Dana’s incredibly moving book and so grateful to be friends and to continue with our conversation.

If you haven’t read Chasing Beauty, yet, now is the perfect time! The book—and its author—really are extraordinary.

March is Reading Month

And finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention March is Reading Month! As an educator, I’ve heard different perspectives on having a month dedicated to reading, as we do hope every month is a reading month. And yet, it’s good to give literacy and all its gifts a little extra attention!

It’s been a busy month for me, with extra events, celebrations, classroom visits, and book clubs— but I enjoy it all and am grateful for each invitation to discuss the power of story. We need it more now than ever.

With gratitude,

Dana