November 13, 2012

Dear writers,

Before I share a story, I want to ask if there are any takers for a December writing workshop? I have two ideas brimming: one is for a drop-in morning write (4 prompts + coffee between 8-9am); the second is for a workshop on “Finishing” (focus on pieces that need an extra boost to be complete). I want to offer room to Tuesday Writers before sending out to everyone.

And onward …

My almost two-year-old daughter told me a story for the first time this week. She pointed to the front of her stroller and said, “I sit here,” then pointed to the seat: “Calvin sit here.” Then she walked me to a specific spot in the sidewalk: “Fall off right here, bump head.” 

I knew what she was talking about – a month ago she was riding on the front of her stroller with her friend Calvin behind her, fell off, and scraped her nose. By telling me now, because the stroller reminded her, my daughter was placing her memories in narrative form and sharing it with somebody who wasn’t there. It was a lovely moment for me both as a writer and as a mother – reminding me that we are all born into narrative, and that my job is to listen as her story unfolds.

PROCESS: WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

This is simple advice that is so easy to forget to take. When stuck in a piece of writing of any sort, simply asking “What happened next?” can take you out of the rut.

Try this: Try using this as a way to begin a writing day; it forms a natural thread to whatever narrative tapestry has come before.

FEATURED VENUES: CALYX AND BULL

I don’t usually traffic in his/hers sets, but these two looked intriguing. Calyx, a Corvallis-based journal of art and literature by women, welcomes work through Dec 31 (but charges a small reading fee to stay afloat). Bull, a journal devoted to men’s fiction, says BULL to the idea that men don’t read. They accept fiction, essays, interviews and – this is exciting – column submissions!

Submission guidelines here: http://www.calyxpress.org/submission.html

And here: http://bullmensfiction.com/submit/

PROMPT

What happened right here? (7min)

September 18, 2012

Hi writers!

I want to let you all know that I’m offering three new writing services beginning this fall:

First, college essay writing consultations for college-applying high school seniors. This is something I’ve done unofficially for many years and am finally starting to include as part of my business. College essays are bite-sized memoirs and I love working with them.

Second, a full-day Saturday writing workshop on the theme of “Hero’s Journey Narratives.” It will take place on October 6, run from 10am-5pm, cap at 8 writers, and include a healthy lunch, snacks and tea. The workshop’s goal is to generate the same amount of quality writing as in a usual 5-week workshop, with the marathon intensity of a single day. Cost is $120.

Third, weekend writing retreats at the beautiful Writing Shed at Floral Lane – a tiny zen-house that has bed, kitchen, bathroom, desk, and is an inspiring place to make art. These retreats last two nights and include three delicious meals each day & one hour-long writing consultation: a perfect writer’s vacation!

Please email me if you are interested in learning more about any of these. I’ll make the information public on my website this week.

Have wonderful days and weeks –

Elisabeth

PROCESS: PERIPHERAL FOCUS = BRILLIANT IDEAS

Where do you get your best ideas? Is it, by any chance, while driving, doing reps at the gym, cleaning, or taking a shower? Many writers find that performing mundane repetitive tasks frees the creative mind. Similar to how certain stars are visible only if looked at peripherally, some great ideas only come when the thinker is focusing on some rote other task.

Try this: Create a net for catching those brilliant ideas as they come: whether a scuba slate in the shower or a voice recorder in the car.

FEATURED VENUE: 32 POEMS

You’ll find such lovely and unusual poems in this independent journal. 32 Poems publishes poems that fit onto a single page, under 32 lines.

Submission guidelines here: http://www.32poems.com/submission-guidelines

PROMPT

“We were moving at the speed of…” (5min)