Marbles and Interstates

August 29, 2013

Hello, writers,

Welcome! We had a wonderful night of writing Tuesday at the Callahan Branch Library.  

Here’s what happened

We started the workshop with a 10-minute writing warm-up.  I’ll list the topics here in case you want to do them at home:

1.                  Describe a favorite sound. Why is it your favorite?

2.                  If you were an animal, which one would you be? Why?

3.                  “The drill whined in the next room. Frederick stood and….” Continue the story.

4.                  Write about your relationship with time.

A few of us shared our responses.  We then introduced ourselves, shared good news and started our critique session.

Critique overview

Robert O. started the session by reading a continuation of his Gabriel Whitewolf story. His use of second person pronouns and vivid descriptions made his piece work. Gina A. read next sharing a piece about General Tavlock and Soren. Her piece featured a good balance of dialogue and narration. Connie W. had Matt Y. read her memoir written on the interstate prompt. Her memory of her dad’s truck driving combined with his kind treatment of Indians resonated with group members. Cameron S. then shared more of her story featuring siblings, Ben and Clara. Her description of their grandmother as an angel and the sadness they felt seeing her leave worked.  

Richard N. continued the session by reading a continuation of his novel. In describing the setting, he used several powerful descriptions, such as “time itself oozing from the place.” Lisa C. shared “Road Rage,” a story about Henry and Margaret. Her use of the map Margaret used to hit her husband worked well.

Matt Y. incorporated both prompts in a first-person piece set in an apartment over an interstate. Members said his piece worked, especially the Phoenix image. Judy M. continued the session by reading an historical piece set in the 13^th century. Rich with pathos, her piece featured a speaker reflecting on past loves while preparing to give her daughter away in marriage.  

Dee C. continued by reading a humorous prompt-based story. In her piece, Eddie, a motel owner, is approached by a man driving a red Corvette offering him a better life in exchange for his soul. Connie K. shared a prompt-based essay on the ‘state’ of the interstate. Written from a wife’s perspective, her piece also explored the connection between marriage, travel and the interstate highway system.

Ann W. then read “The Gift,” a story featuring an Italian family with a tradition of meeting for Sunday afternoon meals. Group members audibly gasped when Ronnie, Flora’s son and Lorenzo’s grandson, lets his mother know he traded his grandfather’s bag of Italian marbles for a game disk. Michele N. continued with another installment of her story featuring Wyatt and Katherine. In this section, Katherine’s visceral reaction to Wyatt worked. I (Nancy B.) ended the session by reading a prompt-based poem. Members told me my choice of words worked.

Excellent work, everyone!

Links of Interest

New Writer’s Magazine

Contact:  newwriters@aol.com, www.newwriters.com

Bi-monthly magazine targeting new writers (paying market)

Looking for non-fiction, cartoons, fiction, fillers and poetry

Submission guidelines here:  http://newwriters.com/submit.html

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Mudlark: An Electronic Journal of Poetry and Poetics

A publication of the UNF Department of English

Submission guidelines on the web here:  http://www.unf.edu/mudlark/

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One Story

This online literary magazine publishes each writer only once. Publishing a new story every three weeks and sending it to their e-subscribers, One Story is a paying market.

More information here: http://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=submit

Prompts for Tuesday, September 3

There are two prompts for next time. The first is tuxedo. The second is the following

            Shakespeare quote: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances: and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”

You’re free to use either or both prompts to write a piece for next Tuesday, or you can share a WIP (work-in-progress).

Write in any genre you like (fiction, poetry, non-fiction, drama), but please keep pieces 1500 words or less.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Nancy B.

P.S. Thank you, Michele N., for moderating the group Tuesday evening!