Back in the writing grove

With the holidays behind me I've settled back into my writing grove; two hours creative writing and an hour of editing. A good balance between right and left brain activity. Two weeks into the memoir writing class, connecting with other writers, and writing with my fellow writer on Friday morning keeps me writing. It's all about motivation, connection, and dedication.
See new post on Dubious Grief page.

Holiday Scramble

I've not posted in over a month - and have not written much either. Instead I've been caught up in the "holiday scramble." For me it begins with Thanksgiving; shopping, food preparation, and sharing the meal with friends and family. It's nonstop from there. Creating gifts, shopping at the holiday market for special hand crafted gifts, wrapping and mailing. Then there was the ten day trip to the east coast to visit my 92 year old mother, my sisters, and nephews. So now that the scramble is over - yeah! - I turn my attention to writing. I've jotted down several ideas for short stories and now it's time to let the words flow. Writing is my gift to myself. It replenishes my soul, my spirit, my life.

Halloween Trilogy: Part Two

Attended the short story writing class this week and received feedback on the 1000 word short story Rat Plagued Hobgoblins. I have reworked it, adding some Scottish phrases to make the setting - rural Scotland in the early 20th century - clearer for the reader. I originally did a little research on hobgoblins and found these little helpers are part of Scottish Folklore. Although I hinted at the Scottish origins, several of my classmates felt readers needed more to indicate the setting. I've posted the revised story on the shot story page. This week I turned in the third story for the halloween trilogy - Immodest Witches - for critique. I will add it to the short story page after receiving feedback.

Halloween Trilogy: Part One

I rose to the challenge and wrote not one but three 1000 word short stories with a halloween theme. The first, I Hate My Costume, is post on the short story page. Another - Rat Plagued Hobgoblins - is currently under critique by my short story writing class members. I will post it after incorporating their feedback. The third story is ready for class critique this week. Very satisfying to accomplish a challenge.
See Short Story page for I Hate My Costume short story.
See Dubious Grief page update on Hospice Volunteer training experience.

Story Plot

 In my writing class this week, a guest lecturer, Bruce Holland Rogers, spoke about story PLOT - and provided several different examples. After writing my first rough draft I will think about story plot - as way to organize the story and increase the tension. I sometimes have difficulty knowing how much and where to put back story. Concentrating on story plot should help me think more effectively about where and how much back story is needed. Thank you Bruce Holland Rogers!
I revised Revenge the first short story from my writing class and added it to the short story page. Enjoy!

Short Story Page

Writing short stories is fun. My challenge this writing term is to  write a short story a week. After getting feedback from my class I will post the revised short story on this new page. The first story is the letter to my  mother from the now deleted page "My Mother's Husband."

Making progress...

I am making progress with my challenge to write a short halloween theme story of 1,000 words. I have written drafts for two of the four themes. This week I intend to submit one to my fellow classmates for feedback. This past week my classmates provided me with excellent critiques on the first story I submitted - Revenge - based on the in class exercise "heart on the page." What a thoughtful group of writers I am lucky to have as classmates.
See new post on Dubious Grief page.