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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Safety Harbor Library Story Circle
Our May Story Circle (3rd wed. 6 to 7:45 pm) was invigorating as usual. I was touched, tickled, and laughed at some of the stories. We usually have an assignment from the previous month, 300 to 500 words so that everyone can bring something to read. We talk about ways to improve our writing and then write for 12 minutes from a prompt (an idea of something to write about.)
Some find it intimidating to write from a prompt but join in and find the words begin to flow.
The Story Circle is open to the public. We are never sure how many will attend. No writing experience necessary, just the desire to recall, record, re-live. If you can't come, write for yourself at home. This was our prompt: What was your reaction/feeling when someone, after hearing you say something really important to you, said,"Oh, I know exactly how you feel?"
Write quickly, don't edit, don't worry about grammar or punctuation. This is your rough draft.
Here's is mine:
I had just lost my son. I knew he'd lost a son this past year, too. He was expressing sympathy in the only way he knew, I guessed. But he left me doubly devastated.
"What did he die of?" He asked.
Is this really a necessary question? I wonder.
"Cirrhosis of the liver."I told him.
"Oh, then it was self-inflicted. My son died of cancer," he stated, like it gave him a right to be sadder.
Did he know how I felt? Did I know how her felt? It sounded to me like he was making this a game of one-up-manship.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Oh thank you I answered hoping my voice wasn't dripping with sarcasm."
We end our rough draft with: Good job, Jan.
Try it.
Some find it intimidating to write from a prompt but join in and find the words begin to flow.
The Story Circle is open to the public. We are never sure how many will attend. No writing experience necessary, just the desire to recall, record, re-live. If you can't come, write for yourself at home. This was our prompt: What was your reaction/feeling when someone, after hearing you say something really important to you, said,"Oh, I know exactly how you feel?"
Write quickly, don't edit, don't worry about grammar or punctuation. This is your rough draft.
Here's is mine:
I had just lost my son. I knew he'd lost a son this past year, too. He was expressing sympathy in the only way he knew, I guessed. But he left me doubly devastated.
"What did he die of?" He asked.
Is this really a necessary question? I wonder.
"Cirrhosis of the liver."I told him.
"Oh, then it was self-inflicted. My son died of cancer," he stated, like it gave him a right to be sadder.
Did he know how I felt? Did I know how her felt? It sounded to me like he was making this a game of one-up-manship.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Oh thank you I answered hoping my voice wasn't dripping with sarcasm."
We end our rough draft with: Good job, Jan.
Try it.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Who's story is it?
This article helps to answer these questions: Why do we all remember the same event so differently? Were we really raised in the same family? Can I tell my story as I remember it?
One Family, Three Memoirs, Many Competing Truths
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/25/
One Family, Three Memoirs, Many Competing Truths
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/25/
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