What Writers Need: Interview with Ralph Fletcher Pt 1

"The best teaching comes when we teach at the point of our own learning."-Ralph Fletcher

The one and only author and writing expert Ralph Fletcher joins us in this episode to share his beliefs on all things writing and writing instruction.

In this first part of our discussion, Ralph shares many insightful ideas that help us support our students as writers. A few topics:

Benefits of teachers as writersImportance of a writing communityChoiceLearning by writingWhy writers need to feel like writers

There is so much to learn from this conversation about setting a foundation for writers that builds on writer's identity, community and the practice of writing. Every K-8 writing teacher will benefit!

About Ralph Fletcher:

Ralph Fletcher has been a mentor to teachers and young writers everywhere. He has helped hundreds of thousands of teachers understand the importance of letting go and trusting their writers. Ralph's professional books are part of this tradition.

Ralph frequently works with young writers in schools, and speaks at education conferences in the U.S. and abroad, helping teachers find wiser ways of teaching writing. Ralph is the beloved author of many bestselling teacher professional books and resources including:

Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide What a Writer Needs, Second EditionMentor Author, Mentor TextsCraft LessonsBreathing In, Breathing OutTeaching the Qualities of WritingLessons for the Writer's Notebook

Students know Ralph as the award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including Fig Pudding, Twilight Comes Twice, The Writer’s Notebook, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid, and most recently Marshfield Memories: More Stories About Growing Up.

www.ralphfletcherbooks.com

Ralph Fletcher's newest book: Tapping the Writer Within (coming February 2026)