People Watching

This fun activity can be done, anywhere. That’s right, just step outside your door and there they are, the strange, the beautiful creatures that occupy much of our planet.   The habits of these creatures are fascinating.  They are often humorous, without even trying.

Listening to the dialogue of these humanoid subjects can be quite amusing.  Some seem to have made up their own special language.  Others use gestures to communicate without saying a word.  The dialect varies according to location.   A perfect place to hear a variety of accents and languages is Disney World. I, for one, love to hear small children visiting from England speaking to their parental units. Even when they whine, it sounds simply adorable, “Mummy, Mummy, please, please may I have it?”.   Restaurants and Diners are wonderful places to listen to conversations.  I love to hear small children carry on a conversation, especially when they don’t know you are listening, they are extremely entertaining.

The mall is also a choice place to observe the habits of these subjects.  You will see young ones being pushed along in strollers, and older ones trudging along at their own pace, carefully avoiding being mowed down by the younger ones.  There are security officers who keep a watchful eye over the scene. Sales people are present, trying desperately to get someone to listen to their pitch.   Take a seat on a bench and watch the parade; each one different, each one with a story of their own.

 

Your place of work is also an excellent source for noticing the habits of others.  Most likely you spend a great deal of time with these individuals.  You see them every day but may not give too much thought to the way they approach life.  Take time to listen, watch and learn from other people.  Some lessons are definitely, What Not to Do, but you never know when you might pick up a tip that will make your life easier.

So when you are out and about, take a note pad, pretend you are on a surveillance assignment, and write down everything you see and hear.  You could meet the next character for a story, just waiting to be discovered or you might just get a funny story to tell.

Homework (Choose any or all) :

1.        Describe an amusing conversation you overheard.

2.        Detail the most outlandish outfit you have seen in public.

3.        Give an example of a lesson you learned by watching someone else.

4.       Tell us what your favorite place to people watch is.

5.       Has there been a time when you have developed a character and then later observed someone who seemed to fit the bill? Tell us about it.

I am excited about our upcoming sessions! Hope to see you there!

Until Next Time,

Lisa M. Crosby   

The Start of CCWW's Fifth Year

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Writers,

We will start our fifth year of creative writing workshops on Tuesday, August 18 at 6:15 p.m. inside the Callahan Branch Library. We will offer two six-week sessions this fall. The first session runs from Tuesday, August 18 through Tuesday, September 22. The second session runs from October 13 through November 17.

The workshop remains free, but if you'd like to take part, please reserve a spot with Nancy B., Lisa C. or Michele N. We cap the group at 15.

Here's our updated flyer giving you a little more information about our group.

Hope to see you on August 18th!

~Nancy B.

America the Beautiful

Happy 238^th Birthday, Old Woman! Your age is definitely showing. The sad part is the deep set wrinkles, the cracks and crevices, we have put them there ourselves.  The ditches are rooted deep and the gap is widening. People, People, People, do we not remember, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”.  A foundation that is cracked and crumbling is weak. All the fighting amongst ourselves, leaves us vulnerable to outsiders. So let’s get it together!  As Americans, we have the right to our own beliefs and opinions but we still need to be able to put those aside and stand together as a nation.  Many people have given their lives for our freedoms and we need to be thankful for their sacrifice.  

Yes, our nation is flawed and yes, there are things that need to change.  Do what you can, use your voice to stand for what you believe in but love your neighbor all the while.

  

But as flawed as our nation is, it is still a wonderful place to live. We have been exploring other countries this summer in camp.  The more I learn about other places, the more I love the country in which I live.  I did not have to make a house for myself out of bamboo and mud. I do not daily have to hunt and scrounge for food. I am in no way starving. I wasn’t forced to work for little or no pay. I did not even have to consider that the place I work might be bombed at any second.  Our government doesn’t regulate how many children you can have. We still have freedom to worship as we choose.  We, as a whole, have much much than we need and other places people struggle just to survive.   

So, I am extremely thankful for my country. Do I agree with everything that the powers that be decide, of course not, who does?  But for now, for today, let’s unite and be thankful to live in a place where for now at least, we are still mostly free.  

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,

                                                           For amber waves of grain, 

,

                                                        For purple mountain majesties 

                                                                         

Above the fruited plain!

                                                                   America! America! 
                                                            God shed his grace on thee 

And crown thy good with brotherhood

      

                                                             From sea to shining sea! 

                 Happy Birthday, America!

Thank you to all who have serve and protect our nation! Have a Happy and Safe 4^th! Hope you are enjoying your summer, it is slipping away! 

Some Questions:

1.      What is your favorite 4^th memory?

2.      What is your favorite American dish?

3.     Where in America do you enjoy vacationing most? And Why?

4.     What about America inspires you to write?

5.     If you were President, what would you do to ensure our country remains united and free?

Please respond on the comment section below or on Facebook. Thanks!

Blessings,

Lisa M. Crosby

Into the Forest...

Monday, June 29, 2015

Happy summer!

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Florida Forestry Teachers’ Tour held in Fernandina Beach, Florida. I was one of approximately 40 teachers from around Florida who applied for the Tour. 

The three-day event featured guided tours of lumber mills, paper mills, forests, farms and more. We learned types of pine trees that grow best in the Southeast. We also heard from several industry professionals who taught us about sustainability, endangered and protected species, tree growth and more.

In addition to networking with teachers from around the state, I also picked up some history of forestry in Florida. From production of naval stores and pencils in the past to production of lumber and hundreds of wood by-products today, forestry has been and still is a big industry in our state.

Here are a couple of pictures from a lumber mill, which was a stop on our Forestry Tour:

I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about forestry last week.

I hope you’re having a great summer.  Since I was out of town for most of June, I’ll begin chipping away at my summer writing goals at the beginning of July. 

What about you? Where are you traveling this summer? What are you writing? 

I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Until next time, happy writing….

~Nancy

Dreaming the Night (and Day) Away

A few nights ago while we were enjoying dinner, our daughter regaled us with a dream she had the night before.  Apparently, part of her dream took place in our kitchen and she described our counter tops as a vivid blue.  Our actual counters are white, but more importantly, I asked her if she really dreamed in color, to which she replied with an emphatic "yes, I always dream in color, don't you?"

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. - Harriet Tubman

As I never dream in color, except for a few nightmares, I found this detail about my child intriguing.  I believe that I dream every night and most mornings I can remember many details of the dream content.  Sometimes my dreams have absolutely no rhyme or reason to them, but are based on  something I heard or read a few minutes before falling asleep.  Other times my dreams are clear to the point that I have to question whether what I experienced was a dream or reality.  That is frightening.  But sometimes, I hit the jackpot and the dream inspires a new story.

A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. 

- Colin Powell 

Have you ever questioned how many of your writing ideas are the results of dreams?  I have pondered that question this week, as I find myself not only a night dreamer, but a day dreamer, also.  I love watching people and trying to figure out their stories.  Or maybe it is really my story that I want them to have.  A random Facebook profile that I read before I drifted off to sleep resulted in a dream so vivid that I have begun working on a new story.  I cannot wait to share it with you all in the Autumn!

Reality is wrong.  Dreams are for real.  - Tupac Shakur

Here are a few ideas to try during our summer hiatus: 

1.  Try keeping a notebook and pen next to your bed so that you can write down your dreams as soon as you wake up, making you less likely to forget them. 

2.  Find a bench at the mall and people watch. Takes notes and write them a story.

3.  Go to the beach and day dream.  I'm serious.  Day dreaming is awesome with the sound of the ocean, breeze in your hair, cold drink in your hand, soaking up the natural Vitamin D.  

Please take a moment and post your thoughts about this topic to our blog and our Facebook group.  I look forward to seeing you all in the Fall.  Until next time, keep dreaming!

-Michele

chele0001@gmail.com  

Graffiti (Art or Ignorance?)

Graffiti

(Art or Ignorance?)

As a law abiding citizen, I do try my best to “stay within the lines”.  I do prefer that other people do the same-that way nobody gets hurt.

However, recently I was stuck, once again, at a railroad crossing and I couldn’t help but notice the graffiti on the passing train.  Now, yes, I know these lawbreakers have defaced property that doesn’t belong to them but some of these sketches are nothing short of beautiful pieces of art.  Others are crudely etched onto the surface.  The artist in me really wants to applaud these hoodlums for giving me a show as I sit waiting, rather impatiently, for the train to pass. I eagerly critique each piece and anxiously wait for the next etching.  Much like writing on cave walls, the script sometimes needs to be interpreted-these brave and maybe a little foolish artist aren’t always the best spellers.  I would also appreciate it if some of these “artists” would maybe practice somewhere before attempt to write or draw. Unfortunately, art isn’t for everyone to display and that goes for singing as well.  That’s another topic for another day. I do think everyone should sing, write and draw but some just need to not share publicly.  

I must admit that among my favorites are drawings of faces, animals, and even cartoon characters.   The detail put into some of these works are just astonishing.  Even some of the script is nothing short of exquisite.  

These ill-famed artist have even taken their craft to buildings and the streets-literally.   Some of the 3-D chalk art displays are amazing.  I would love to attempt such a display myself, with permission, of course.  I am aware that some people are

disturbed by such masterpieces and do not share my view but I think that these drawings bring these otherwise ordinary objects to life.    

In my opinion, all of life is art.  The skies, the trees, the mountains, and the oceans are displayed with such breathtaking beauty that one can scarcely take it all in.    Even the most ordinary of things are fascinating if you stop and take time to enjoy them and not take them for granted.  And as incredible as some of these artist are they are no match for the original artist...God. 

 My challenge to you, the writer, is to find something that you see every day and try to look at it in a new light and then write about it. I found our exercise on writing about inanimate objects talking quite amusing.  You could also write about what life would be like without one of your prized possessions.  So take a look around and share your thoughts, if you will.   

What can I say, you light up my life!

A cup a day keeps the grouchy away.

Hope you are enjoying your summer! I miss you guys and am looking forward to the fall!

~Lisa M. Crosby  

Spoken Word Newspaper Article

Writers,

In case you missed it, here's an article on April's Spoken Word Festival at the Callahan Branch Library. The piece ran in "The Westside Journal" on May 1, 2015.

~Nancy B.