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For a writing workshop, my students and I had to pick a news event that sparked a strong emotion and learn more about it. I picked veterans affairs. I am now an avid reader of Military.com

In my writing workshops, we are working on paying attention. I am asking my students to pick an issue, something that has recently caught their attention, and follow it. Learn its history, study it. The subject should spark some kind of emotion, something that makes you FEEL something--curiosity, awe, admiration, anger, fear, angst. I decided to pay attention to a situation that made me mad. I got mad when Vermont senators voted to confirm Doug Collins as head of the VA, even though I knew very little about the guy. So I decided that rather than just be mad, I would follow him. Recently, I added to my daily reading list Military.com, which reports on veterans affairs. Today's headlines include the firing of 1,000 VA employees. These employees were easy targets, as they were new enough that they didn't yet have union protections. Collins says their loss won't hurt vets. I am watching Collins, sure, but more important, I am watching the reaction of vets to changes that affect them.

Before writing, there is reading. So read.

Before writing, there is thinking. So think.

Listen.

Consider.

Reflect.

Reason.

Write.