September 26, 2013
Hello, writers,
Right now, I’m sitting inside
a creative writing classroom at LaVilla School of the Arts, where I taught from
2002 until 2007. I’m evaluating students in Mrs. Cheryl Lemine’s
writing classes for their upcoming performance called a writer’s reading.
Amidst middle school whispers,
yawns and stretches, I observe young writers pursuing writing, a craft
Hemingway says none of us ever master.One kid just read a piece
written from the perspective of Snow White. Her wording, such as “distraught”
and “taunting” worked well.
My job is to help Mrs. Lemine give feedback on the kids' writing and their reading of it. When I find out the date of the performance, I’ll let you know.
Meanwhile, here’s the recap
of our last writing workshop for the first session, complete with a warm-up, an
overview of our critique session, links of interest and prompts for next time.
The warm-up
We started the workshop with
a reading from Eudora Welty’s book, “One Writer’s Beginnings.” The section I
shared focused on listening when we read and when we write. After the reading,
we wrote for ten minutes.
A few of us shared our warm-ups.
We then introduced ourselves, shared good news and started our critique
session.
Critique overview
Ann W. began
the session by reading “My Favorite War Story,” incorporating the blue ribbon
prompt. Set in Afghanistan, her true account featured a donkey and a woman
veterinarian. Members enjoyed learning about the culture her piece portrayed. Dee C. continued with a piece about a
lady in Georgia named LaVonne. Members enjoyed learning LaVonne’s blue ribbon
pies started with store-bought crusts. Members commented on her powerful
metaphors, such as “heaven on a plate.” Michele
N. then read a continuation of her Jenna and Jackson story. In this
section, she offered more details on Jenna. Members commented on Jenna’s
likeability.
Robert O. then
read a continuation of his story. Told from Gabriel’s perspective, his piece
offered powerful descriptions. Members again commented on his use of second
person pronouns. Connie K. continued
the session by sharing a true account of a man getting pneumonia from breathing
toxic fumes while working as a fireman. The man is Connie’s husband, Butch.
Members commented on the honesty of her piece and said its “seize the day”
outlook worked.
Connie W. then
shared a continuation of her hemp rope story. Her piece included excellent
descriptions (daisies and laughter) and powerful memories of one character’s
childhood in Ireland. Members said they wanted to hear more! Cameron S. then
asked Dee and Michele to read a short play featuring Alice (from “Alice in
Wonderland” and Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz”). In the play, Alice and
Dorothy meet in a coffee shop and have an argument. Members commented on the
creativity and humor in the piece. I
(Nancy B.) then read “What the Callahanians Do,” which incorporated the
humble pie and jungle gym prompts. Members said my piece had accurate
descriptions of small-town life.
Lisa C. continued
the session by reading a continuation of her play set inside a nursing home. Members
commented on her characterization of Sticks and Fuzz, as well as their focus on
trivial things. Many members wanted to hear more! Gina A. finished the session by sharing more of her piece about the
guardians. In this section, we learned the characteristics of a human boy and
of four guardians. Members said her ability to show the setting and not just
tell about it worked.
Excellent pieces, everyone!
Links of Interest
(I’m keeping NaNoWriMo on our
list in case you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet).
NaNoWriMo
(National Novel Writing Month)
November is National Novel Writing Month. Want
to write a novel from November 1 to November 30? Several of us have done this
before. It’s fun!
Read more and sign up here: http://nanowrimo.org/
+++++++++++++++
Essay
Contest
Here’s an essay contest with a November 1
deadline. Topic is mistakes. Anyone made any mistakes? Anyone? Anyone?
Read more about it here:
++++++++++++++++++
Poetry or
Prose at Sixfold
Upload a short story or a poem here for $6 and win
publication and money.
Deadline is at the end of October.
Read more here:
+++++++++++++++
Prompts for Tuesday, October 22
There are two prompts for
next time. The first is assassination. The
second is the game Twenty Questions.
You’re free to use one or
both prompts for next Tuesday, or you can share a WIP (work-in-progress). Please
keep pieces 1500 words or less.
Have a wonderful weekend!
~Nancy B.
P.S. Have you checked your
calendar for December 3? If you’re available for a Christmas/holiday party, please
let Michele or me know.
P.P.S. I’ll post information
on our possible field trip in the next day or two.
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