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Writing Lessons from a Worm

10/10/2018

57 Comments

 
by Pat Mill​er
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I recently learned to make a vermicompost bin--otherwise known as a worm farm. The idea is to recycle kitchen veggie scraps by feeding them to hungry Red Wrigglers. The worms will happily, over time, turn them into fertile compost for the garden.

As I tore up strips of newspaper for their bedding, it occurred to me that worms are a great model for us writers. 

​Here are three reasons to imitate a Red Wriggler:
​

1. Worms aren't easily discouraged.
Though worms have no teeth, they tackle egg shells, carrots, even coffee filters. The repeated rippling of their muscles works the food through their long digestive system to produce castings coveted by gardeners. And this goes on every day.

Writers often create a first draft that is as toothless as a worm's mouth. But through repeated finger movements on the keyboard plus the powerful juices of a brain in gear, they can produce work coveted by readers. And this goes on every day.
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2. Worms reside among words.
Strips of newsprint make a good snack for worms and fill their home with words. 

Writers fill their homes with the words of others, reading hundreds of books for children, nonfiction and fiction. Those books act like mentors, giving us food for thought. Instead of newsprint, writers need a library card.
​
3. Worms can turn most anything into the good stuff.​​
Red Wrigglers turn ordinary things like tea bags and veggie scraps into fertile compost that will one day help plants grow.

Writers use ordinary things as sources of ideas. A writer's "worm brain" would watch the Kentucky Derby, and would wonder, "Why do the women wear such outlandish hats? Why do racehorses have a buddy horse before the race? Why do they run counter-clockwise? Why do they put a horseshoe made of flowers around the neck of the winning horse?" Writers find the answers and convert them to text that will one day help readers grow.


​Worms may be lowly and unsung, but they make excellent role models for writers. Here's hoping you become like a Red Wriggler!
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57 Comments
Aileen Stewart link
10/16/2018 04:43:08 am

What an interesting analogy. Thanks for sharing!

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Pat Miller
10/31/2018 11:42:47 am

Who knew worms were so inspiring? Thanks, Aileen!

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Charlotte Dixon
10/16/2018 11:02:51 am

Terrific analogy post, Pat :) I tended my Mom's worm bed-loved those wrigglers.

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Pat Miller
10/31/2018 11:43:33 am

There is something soothing about providing for those silent little workers. Good therapy for writers like you!

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Janie Reinart
10/16/2018 11:38:46 am

Loved how you wormed your way into that idea . Thanks Pat. :)

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:47:24 pm

Janie, you are SO punny!

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Erin Ball
10/17/2018 03:23:15 am

They are also really good at hooking an audience. That might be the attribute I am most eager to emulate.

This was a lovely read, and stretched my brain to consider a new perspective.

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Pat Miller
10/31/2018 11:44:52 am

You'll never see a worm the same way. Just think how inspired you'll be on the next rainy day when the sidewalks are filled with them!

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Dee Knabb
11/1/2018 02:28:02 am

This was a clever, creative message, Pat. Who knew worms could inspire writers?

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:48:00 pm

And they are so humble about it!

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pat
11/14/2018 04:41:32 am

Great analogy and new appreciation for worms!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:48:43 pm

Another thing worth emulating is that they show up for work every day, even when they think they can't face another day at "the words".

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Tracy Hora
11/14/2018 05:19:09 am

I'm glad to have found your new blog...lots of catching up here!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:49:17 pm

Welcome, Tracy! We'll have a new post every Wednesday.

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Nancy Furstinger
11/14/2018 05:26:32 am

Fabulous analogy! As a writer and tender to an enormous compost heap (I have house rabbits so they contribute) I agree.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:50:14 pm

They so graciously provide all that free nutrient rich stuff--and writing inspiration as well. :-)

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Annette Whipple link
11/14/2018 07:00:37 am

Pat, this is fabulous! The animal world has much to teach us!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:51:03 pm

So does the plant world. Look for my next post on what I learned from a tree that encouraged my writing. It might not be what you think.

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Rita Painter
11/14/2018 08:56:05 am

I’ve always thought worms were fascinating, but now I will look at them with a new appreciation!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:51:49 pm

They are definitely the good guys!

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Dianne link
11/14/2018 09:36:20 am

I love the idea of your book, "The Hole Story of the Doughnut." Makes me hungry!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:52:27 pm

Thanks, Dianne. It makes great reading with hot chocolate and a handful of doughnut holes. :-)

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Ann o"Hare
11/14/2018 09:42:10 am

Eager to have our students access fun non-fiction.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:52:57 pm

As a former teacher and librarian, I'm with you, Ann!

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Jenna Grodzicki link
11/14/2018 10:00:05 am

What a fun analogy! Thanks for sharing.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:53:28 pm

You're welcome, Jenna. We'll have a new post every Wednesday.

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Susan
11/14/2018 10:20:32 am

Great analogy. Love non-fiction and I have my own worm bin too.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:54:15 pm

There are some great NF and F books about worms. Do worms like being read to?

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Sara link
11/14/2018 10:21:18 am

Interesting analogy! Thanks.

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Carol
11/14/2018 10:53:11 am

Hello Pat! It's no wonder you have created such amazing books -- you have such a wonderfully creative way of looking at the world. Inspiration from worms? What's next? Life lessons from an amoeba? (I bet you could come up with something clever!).

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Evelyn Christensen link
11/14/2018 01:32:29 pm

What an interesting post about worms! I can tell this new Ninja group is very creative. Congratulations to you, Pat, on your doughnut book!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:59:00 pm

Thanks, Evelyn--you're very kind. Yes--expect great things from this group--we just met each other in April but have bonded better than sisters. Our goal is to provide encouragement, training, and celebration for nonfiction writers. Even famous, multi-published, generous authors like yourself!

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Evelyne Holingue link
11/14/2018 02:27:49 pm

That's a fun analogy and a topic kids would love too :)

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 01:59:51 pm

You're right. And slugs, too! My grandson thought they were chubby cousins of worms.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 02:01:15 pm

What a great idea! They can recycle those book discards and provide their castings for your library plants. You have those, right?

Debbie Reynolds
11/14/2018 03:08:00 pm

My mom raised Red Wrigglers! I love this analogy. I guess I'm going to have to get some for the library!

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Michelle R.
11/14/2018 03:51:19 pm

This gave me a new appreciation for worms! Great information!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 02:01:53 pm

Thanks, Michelle!

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Sheila Sulkis
11/14/2018 06:47:14 pm

My mentor/friend has had worm bins for 25+ years in her classroom and home. She would also love your analogy.

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 02:03:15 pm

I had no idea! What great library "pets". And you can leave them over school holidays without arranging care for them.

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Anitha Kuppuswamy
11/14/2018 06:49:54 pm

Interesting analogy!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 02:03:35 pm

Thanks, Anitha!

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Shannon link
11/14/2018 06:51:51 pm

Awesome site. Thanks

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 02:05:00 pm

Glad you could join us. We'll have a new post every Wednesday.

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A McCloskey link
11/14/2018 07:52:10 pm

Interesting to compare worms and writers

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 06:43:21 pm

Who knew we had something in common?

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Mindy Terril
11/14/2018 09:21:08 pm

What a great website! just found it... must explore,,,who needs sleep?

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 06:44:26 pm

You made me laugh out loud! Hopefully you don't lose sleep over our site, but do join us each week after a new post comes out on Wednesday. Sweet dreams!

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Wendy Neisler
11/15/2018 03:44:26 am

This inspired me to think about a worm bin for our school gardens! Thanks!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 06:45:21 pm

Keep a gardening journal on your computer along with photos as you go. It could make a great article for a children's magazine, a gardening magazine, or a teacher magazine!

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Elaine McAllister link
11/15/2018 07:12:29 am

So glad to find this site!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 06:46:57 pm

Glad to have you join us, Elaine!

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Cathy Ballou Mealey link
11/15/2018 01:07:19 pm

The power of a ripple! Whether in water or worm, how mighty! Thanks for teaching me something new Pat!

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Pat Miller
11/15/2018 06:46:38 pm

You are a poet. I love it--"Whether in water or worm, how mighty!" I get so much inspiration from nature that your statement truly resonates. Welcome to the tribe!

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Connie link
11/16/2018 02:18:38 am

I’ve never cared for worms, but you’ve managed to move them up a notch or two! I’m reconsidering the worthiness of worms.

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Jordan
11/16/2018 06:01:58 am

What interesting facts about worms.

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Stephen Wolfe
11/17/2018 03:38:31 pm

Worms reside among words... something about that sounds perfect. Worms are always digging and searching and it’s amazing what we can find in books.

Reply



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  • Home
  • Meet the Ninjas
    • Lisa Amstutz
    • Stephanie Bearce
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    • Pat Miller
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    • Linda Skeers
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