By Robin MellomAnd What I Did Instead
Why I Had to Relearn Writing Instruction
When I first started teaching writing, I had passion, glitter, and hope... but no real plan. We made pop-up books and cotton-ball-covered stories, but I had no idea how to actually teach the art and craft of writing. I mean really... it was just an uninformed art class. Ugh.
Like many teachers, I was guessing. My students were too. And most of them, especially the reluctant ones, weren’t growing as writers. AT ALL.
Years later, everything changed when I became a published children’s book author.
I learned from professional editors at Disney, HarperCollins, and Houghton Mifflin and saw firsthand how real writers work. What I realized was this: we don’t teach students to write the way professional writers actually write.
That realization sparked the creation of The Structured Writer’s Workshop®.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how that author experience reshaped my writing instruction and why I’ll never go back to the old way.
Why Writing Was So Hard to Teach (Before I Knew Better)
Writing is invisible. It’s not a math problem with one right answer. I tried rubrics, checklists, and sentence starters, but still felt like I was winging it. My students did too.
Some kids flourished, but most stalled out. Even though I cared deeply, I couldn’t make writing time actually work, and my classroom wasn’t producing confident, independent writers.
What I Learned from Becoming a Children’s Book Author
When I became an author, I stepped into the world of editing, revision, and real feedback.
My editors taught me how to:
- ✔️ Revise with purpose
- ✔️ Write with voice
- ✔️ Cut what didn’t work (kill your darlings!)
- ✔️ Focus on pacing and flow
- ✔️ Think about the reader
- ✔️ Think about the reader
- ✔️ Think about the reader (can you tell how important this is?!)
Most importantly, they taught me that writing is a cycle of revision and encouragement, not perfection on the first try.
I realized: this is what our students need.
Feedback Fuels Writers
This is the part I wish every teacher could hear:
“The most important thing my editors gave me wasn’t grammar tips, it was encouragement.”
They left comments like "LOL" or "This line is gold!" That authentic feedback made me want to keep writing. It made me feel like a writer.
Now, I give my students that same kind of feedback. I highlight what’s working. I show joy.
I help them see the strengths in their own writing.
Because when students feel seen, they start showing up.
The Structured Writer’s Workshop®: What I Do Differently Now
After years of trial, error, and inspiration from publishing, I built a student-led workshop system that actually works.
Here’s what changed:
🌟 Focus on Six Core Writing Skills
Instead of trying to teach every writing standard, I spiral six high-impact skills all year long:
- Voice
- Hooks
- Sentence Complexity
- Figurative Language
- Vivid Imagery
- Show, Don’t Tell
This gives students repeated practice and time to master writing, not just complete assignments.
✅ Students Lead the Workshop
They...
- Set writing goals
- Start the block
- Track time
- Support others in their trio
When students lead, they engage. They take ownership.
🎧 The Mood Feels Like a Real Writer’s Studio
Twinkle lights. Music. Author quotes. Writing time feels intentional, safe, and sacred.
🔹 Real-Time Feedback (a.k.a. Diamond Mining)
As students write, I walk around and search for great lines.
I display them. I celebrate them. We call this "diamond mining."
It’s the most motivating part of class. Students want to be spotted.
What’s Different Now?
Writing time is calm. Students are focused. Even reluctant writers take risks!
They’re not just meeting standards. They’re seeing themselves as writers.
That’s the shift. And it is HUGE!
Want to Learn The Structured Writer’s Workshop® Method?
If you want to bring this approach to your classroom, I walk through the full system in my self-paced training.
Check it out here: 👉 The Structured Writer’s Workshop® Training
Happy Writing!
~Robin