Writers-in-Progress

6 Things

In her essay, "The Art of Finding," the poet Linda Gregg talks about giving her students the daily exercise of writing down 6 things they notice in the world around them, through the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, in case you can only remember four of them!). One caveat - no embellishment or poeticizing. Just write - straight on - each item, as it is. This is hard to do, especially for writers/poets, but as she says, a simple beauty comes through from things such as "a mirror with nothing reflected in it," that we might not normally see because we're too busy trying to impose our own interpretation of something's beauty, or even substituting or inventing it, if we don't like what's there or what's not.

Here's my list for today:

1) Hearing my name over the loudspeaker every half hour at the downtown Barnes and Noble announcing the workshops I was doing there for CityLit Project.

2) A medium sized soy chai latte for free because the barrista misheard my order (originally a small).

3) The flute and tin can sounds of bells and wind chimes on the boats in Fells Point.

4) A pair of yellow kayaks across the harbor, not side by side, but nose to end.

5) A westie named Truly running down the dock after her owner.

6) A rowhouse's living room window open just enough to show piles of laundry on the back of the sofa - socks, distowels, sheets.

Your turn - head to another one of my blogs, "6 Things," read those posted and leave your list as a comment. I'll post them as they come in, along with my own lists.

6 Things

Loving Yourself More

I wanted to give you the gift of a website that offers 'assignments' every week (I think it's weekly) of various kinds - writing, post pictures, collage, conversation, music, etc. I encourage you to check it out and give some of them a try. You don't need to be an "ARTIST" to do these, you just need to have an open heart and mind. As a writer, you should never - I repeat: never - not try another art form because you think you are 'only' a writer. Um, that's bullshit, just so you know...

Writing may be what you choose to focus on, but you can find inspiration from many other forms. Sometimes by trying something else, you get a different perspective on your writing - it's that averted gaze thing, where you don't look directly at something and that enables you to see it more clearly. Think stars, for example. The minute you take your focus off something, you stop expecting something from it, and then you can see it for what it is.

Plus, it's just plain fun and relaxing to try another form and give yourself a break. Here's the link:

www.loveyourselfmore.com

Pretend You're Published

Yes, I know, we all write because we love writing, and if we never published, we'd still do it. Right? Actually, that's true. But most of us still have that distant ache of Why am I not published yet? However good we are at not tuning into the feeling, it's still there, running underneath all we say and do, and it's draining, isn't it? As long as you allow it to, it pulls away a percentage of your consciousness and energy that are always at work (uselessly, most of the time, I might add) on this problem, and could be better used elsewhere. Maybe...um...in your writing? Or how about your life?

We've all heard about how we need to live in the present, how the present is where we create the future - by the seeds we sow today - the thoughts and emotions we have this minute. So how do we let go of this publication thing and enjoy life, enjoy our writing, and also believe that, one day, we too will find our book on the B&N remainder table? :)

It's pretty simple really. Pretend you're published. Pretend that you've got a book deal and your book is coming out one year from now. So, with that taken care of, what would you do with that year? How would you enjoy your life? What would you focus on? What would you write?

Sit down right now and answer these questions. Make a 'life' list and a 'writing' list. Then start at the top of each and do and write those things.

And start planning a publication party, because I bet once you've relinquished your death grip on that desire, it will happen faster than you think.

Maryland Writers Association Reading

MARYLAND WRITERS SHARE THEIR WORK

If you happen to be in the Baltimore-DC area, here’s the perfect opportunity to listen to some of Maryland’s rising literary stars as they share their work.

The October meeting of the Maryland Writers Association Baltimore Chapter takes place on Monday, October 22 at 7p.m. at the new Ukazoo Books in Towson Town Center. Directions are available on the Ukazoo website at www.ukazoo.com and will also be up shortly on the MWAB website too.

This month's meeting will showcase the work of some of Baltimore’s finest authors. Members of the Maryland Writers Association will read from their work.

For more information, visit the MWAB website.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/

Rumi-Inspired Reading

CELEBRATE 800 YEARS OF RUMI

Celebrate 800 years of Persian poet, teacher, and philosopher Rumi at “A Rumi-esque Reading.”

The event takes place at the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Sunday, October 21 at 2 p.m. and includes readings of Rumi’s work as well as Rumi-inspired fiction, poetry, artwork, and music. Wine and refreshments will be served.

The Maryland Writers Association (MWA) will be well represented at the event; all three fiction-readers and one of the two poetry-readers are members of the MWA.

Hightlights of “A Rumi-esque Reading” include readings of Rumi’s work as well as Rumi-inspired work from poets Deanna Nikaido and Cliff Lynn.

Three local fiction writers will share their work.

Caryn Coyle will read her story, “She Walks in Beauty,” about a Native American ancestor guiding a twentieth century woman on a spiritual journey

Nitin Jagdish will read "Lines: A Portrait Contemplates Its Audience" and "Fragments from a Backyard Melodrama.”

Eric D. Goodman will read excerpts from Womb, a novel written from the point of view of an unborn child.

“Diverse Expressions,” a collection of surreal artwork by Manza Rassouli-Taylor, will be on display.

Eastern, Rumi-inspired music will be performed.

Soundtrack to Your Story

Working hard on the novel today and having a terrific time, not just because I'm at a good place in the book and things are fun and flowing, but because I'm playing the soundtrack to the story.

You probably already know what this is; maybe you do this unconsciously when you write - play music that energizes and inspires you. What kind of music depends on what you're writing. If you're in a serious spot in the book you're probably not going to play Madonna's disco album or 80s hair band music (though I think Split Enz's 'Six Months in Leaky Boat' could work). But have you actually created a CD of music that would be the soundtrack to your book if it were made into a movie? This can be incredibly helpful - creating an atmosphere, a mood, that can give you just the right emotional boost for whatever scene you're writing.

The songs will create the thoughts and feelings of your characters for you in a visceral, intangible way, like nothing else can. In this way, writers are like actors. Why not try on your characters a bit so you can channel them better? Wear something they would. Eat their food. Rent a movie they would love. Do something they would but you wouldn't (ie travel by yourself, take an art class, attend a support group). Get creative. It really pays off. (Just be careful - don't get yourself into trouble!)

Here's the soundtrack I'm listening to as I write today:

Zero 7 - Destiny
Bobby Darin - Beginning to See the Light
Englebert Humperdink - After the Lovin'
Rosemary Cloony - Mambo Italiano
Ambrosia - Biggest Part of Me, You're the Only One
Player - Baby Come Back
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - Mandy
Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline
Bee Gees - More than a Woman
Johnnie Rivers - Secret Agent Man
Don McLean - Miss American Pie

Wouldn't you want to read this book?

Edward P. Jones Reading at Goucher (Baltimore)

Groundbreaking fiction writer Edward P. Jones will read from his works, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Known World, at 8 p.m. on Monday, October 15, in Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium.

This reading — presented by the college’s Kratz Center for Creative Writing — is free and open to the public. Tickets must be reserved in advance, however, by calling 410-337-6333 or e-mailing boxoffice@goucher.edu. A reception and book signing will follow the reading.

Post Showcase

Another raging success - Ryan (Whinnem, my cohost) and I were just shaking our heads. Two years in a row we work with people who have never written a play, and both times they turn out stunners. Even last year's playwrights, who were there, were all smiles and congratulations. Really a great time. Special thanks to my crew, Tony Gallahan (director), Kevin Webb, Daniel Douek, Eileen Cuff, and Kerry Brady, who made Literary Land a smash and so fun to watch I forgot to be nervous because I wrote it!

Actors, directors, and playwrights hung out in my studio for the after party; wonderful to be surrounded by people so passionate about their artistic life. Several husband and wife teams there that are fun and very supportive of one another, reminding me how important it is to partner up with someone who really gets you and your work, and has their own artistic pursuits that they want to share with you. Someone who is pursuing their dreams and is enthusiastic about life. No more people who are all talk and no walk!

We'll be doing the class next summer for any locals interested, and the ongoing creative writing workshop starts October 25th. Check out the Creative Alliance website to register.

Thanks to all who came out to support us and make it a great evening!

10 Minute Play Showcase - Countdown to Greatness

We're finishing up rehearsals tonight with two days to go. The showcase is this Thursday, the 4th, at 7 pm, for you local theatre buffs. And we promise a group of plays that can definitely match the fabulous ones we had last year (and not just saying that because I wrote one - and a darn good one, if I do say so myself).

This year I wrote a comedy based on the Austenland book (see previous posts in September), which I loved. I decided to find out what it would be like if a place like that existed, where you could vacation inside the world of a novel, and a young woman went to their main offices to book the trip. It's turned out utterly fantastic because I got Eileen Cuff, local actress, who is as obsessed with these kinds of novels as I am (esp. Darcy), and she is completely perfect for the part. Just the right amount of melancholy and mania.

And Tony, my awesome director, got us frock coats and capes so Darcy and Mr. Rochester are all decked out in 19th century garb. It's killer. Daniel and Kevin, the actors, are really working it! It's been a complete madhouse in terms of scheduling and prep, but SO worth it. I am having the best time. And you will too, if you come!

Other plays include: a plant that loves Barry Manilow songs, an IT Helpline romance, an argument between the ego, superego and id, and a brother and sister with a long-standing rivalry making a tape for their father who is in a coma. There's a little bit of everything.

If you're not local, but would like more info on how to write a 10 minute play, check out Gary Garrison's book, Perfect 10, on Amazon. I worked with him years ago at ACTF (American College Theatre Festival), when my 10 minute play was selected for the Mid-Atlantic group and I went to the festival, cast my play, went through rehearsals, and saw it performed in front of a big audience - very cool. He teaches at NYU.

Gary Garrison's Book