Metaphor

Hi Writers,
We discussed the use of metaphor in our stories. Your assignment was to pick a metaphor that will help tell your story in a 600 word memoir about your life. Use an image that recurs in three or so episodes of your life. Remember, mine was dancing. Bring your 600 word piece to read. See you July 20th, 6 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Library. Please keep checking the blog - I'm trying to learn how to upload an audio file discussing metaphor.

Writerly Wisdom of the Ages/collected by Jon Winokur

This quote will guide you on your writing journey: "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night you can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."                  E.L. Doctorow

Could this be why we get so much when writing from a prompt? It's like getting in the car at night without a map to take you where you are going. You trust and just start driving. If you don't know what you want to write just pick up your pen - you can't drive anywhere if you haven't engaged the starter.

Thanks for your comments

I love getting your comments. I'm new enough to blogging that I haven't figured out how to have them visible and how to comment back. Be sure to click on comments at the end of each post to read what feedback we are getting. As I keep learning the blog will get even better. 

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.

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/2011/05/25/136620260/one-family-three-memoirs-many-competing-truths?sc=emaf

Writer's Picnic

Come one come all:

Event: Writer's Picnic Pot Luck
Start Time: Sunday, May 1 at 9:00am
End Time: Sunday, May 1 at 4:00pm
Location: Shelter 5, Taylor Park, Largo FL

C. Hope Clark: Dancing With Words

C. Hope Clark: Dancing With Words: "'When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way.' ~ Wayne Dyer ~ I've..."