Writing Workshop II - Week Four

I did NOT want to go to class Monday evening. My carpool buddy was not going to make it. I had a TON of work to do for my job, my client, my volunteer work, and the ever present housework. J made me go.

My homework was done. I got that banged out on Sunday. We went to see the sunrise at one of the Chicago beaches. It wasn't until I was there and J said he planned to stay for 4 hours that I realized I had no paper or pen. J suggested I use my iPhone to write. I did. 2,700 words. Then I emailed the short story to myself. I heart iPhones.

For those of you who are interested in writing, here is a really brief synopsis. Mary Anne is writing her own book on how to be a better writer so this is just a taste to make you go out and buy her book when it becomes available.

Class Notes
Conflict
3 different types of conflict - Internal, External Verbal Conflict, External Physical Conflict

Exercise: Take 1 character and write a paragraph or two where they are struggling with internal conflict. Then do the same for the same character using external verbal conflict and then external physical conflict

Info Dumbs & As You Know Bob
It's hard to avoid info dumps - a bunch of info that you throw into a big bunch of prose. The challenge as a writer is to convey the information in a way that does not bore or lose the reader. Many times the writer will contrive a conversation that would never happen in real life. For example, if 2 computer geeks are talking, they would not say, "As you know Bob, the Internet was founded by Al Gore..."

Exercise: Write about something you know well (like your hobby) but try to make it interesting and not just an info dump.

Structure
Readers find pleasure in structure and patterns whether they notice it or not. children love structure in books and have no patience for bad stories (they start talking or walk away). Structure can be in the form of a pattern (Sixth Sense where red appears whenever a dead person is present), time frame (all in one day), location (Orient Express takes place on a train), etc.

Exercise: Brainstorm to come up with 2 different forms of structure you can use to constrain your story.

Homework Due August 23rd:
1. Re-read 6 of Mary Anne's stories and look for structure in them. Make notes.
2. Write a list about 10 things you can think about that you are obsessed with. i.e. What angers you, upsets, you, what do you love, what problems do you struggle with, what larger social issues concern you...?

Homework Due August 30th:
- Write a max 5,000 word short story to be sent to class by August 23rd for critique.

Writing Workshop II - Week Three

Writing Workshop was last night. A few people were unable to attend class so I was the prescribed scribe.

Class was focused on Point-of-View and Scene. So good and interesting. We did an exercise that I really enjoyed. We had to start writing about a flood in the basement of our Oak Park home in 1st person. Then MAM switched us to 2nd person, 3rd person limited, 3rd person omniscient, omniscient, camera view, and then epistolary. It was fun to write the same continuing story in a different voice. I recommend you try it with a stop watch or timer for 2-3 minutes as MAM can't be there with you.

Homework from last week was to write a scene with at least 2 characters in conflict in 500 words or less. We paired up and critiqued each other's work. I was typing away, so I was odd person out on the pairing which meant MAM critiqued my piece. She's quite good at ripping your piece to shreds but leaving you feeling like you might win the Pulitzer. LOL!!! We also had to read 2 chapters from her book, "Bodies in Motion" of which I finally have my copy signed. To think I've owned the book for 2 years and never thought to have her autograph it for me.

Homework for this coming week:
- Write 15 min/day minimum.
- Write at least 3 scenes from a story. We will discuss structure as it relates to those scenes.
- Read 2 stories from Mary Anne Mohanraj's book 'Bodies in Motion': "Seven Cups of Water" and "A Gentle Man". These stories are highly obviously structured.

15 Minutes Per Day - The Rantings of a Mad Woman

I am in this writing class and I have committed to writing for 15 minutes each day. I should have done it this morning because right now, I don't feel like writing for 5 minutes, much less 15 minutes.

Instead of writing, I would prefer to read OPB - Other People's Blogs. Or read a book. Or do work. Or watch TV. Or do the nasty. Or anything but sit here writing for 15 minutes. Hmmm....how many more minutes do I have...?

My brain is shut off. It's only about 9:40 pm. I have so much work I should finish for my day job.
- create a customer service policy/creed for our staff
- partially design a website to see if we should go with that provider
- design the fall marketing material
- list where our new families in the last 2 years heard about us
- plan a few events - food, exciting activities, etc.,
- reorganize my files on the computer
- create about 8 wish lists now that the design has been finalized
- and a bunch of other stuff.
I don't know when I am going to fit it all in. I would like to work away from the office to get it done without any interruptions, but feel guilty for not being there in case my co-workers need assistance or a potty break.

A couple things I'm thinking about doing personally are these:
- Post 1 picture a day for 1 year. I heard someone else say it and thought that would be fun. And a great way to develop my photography skills. But it is her vision and not mine. So is that too copy cat-ish?

- Ben Franklin or George Washington or someone like that (old and with a white wig) decided to make a list of things he wanted to improve himself upon. For 1 week, he would focus and work on each. I like that. I think it would be a good idea.

- Smile more. J says I don't smile enough. I started smiling and he says I creep him out.

- Ordering groceries online and having them delivered. I wanted to do this 2 years ago, but they did not deliver here back then. Now, they do. And now, I don't have time to go grocery shopping, but I need to. So, I was thinking I could order the food online and not feel as guilty.

l love my job and love what I do and enjoy working where I work. But working full-time sucks!!!!!!! I had an 18-month taste of what it is like to be a stay@home mom. I want that life again. I want to have time to clean my home and care for my family. To be able to cook dinner and buy groceries at 4 different stores to get what we need. I want to be able to have time to take my kids out to the water fountains to play on a whim. To visit every playground in our neighborhood, including the brand new playground with shade. So much I want to do with my kids but work is in the way and housekeeping is in the way.

I need to figure out a way to keep my house clean, kids fed, family activities planned, time with friends, and work in check. And have a wonderful relationship with my husband.

Cloning. How are they coming on cloning? Hmmm....

That was 20 minutes. Boo-yah!!!

Writing Workshop II - Week Two

If you EVER have a chance to take one of MAM's summer writing classes, TAKE IT!! Or, if you ever have the opportunity to take one of MAM's university classes, it will be well worth the money. I should mention MAM is writing a book on writing so one day, you will be able to learn to write using beautiful language, realistic and intriguing characters with juicy plot lines that keep you up all night turning pages!

This week, we did a great exercise to help develop a character. MAM had us pair up (she was my partner) to ask questions about each other's character. It was exactly what I needed to further develop my character and another character based on the questions she asked. I'm going to do this with the other characters.

Another question MAM asked was what cartoon character this character is most like. I chose Alice in Wonderland from the Johnny Depp movie version Alice. I liked this exercise because it really made me think long and hard about who my character is. I don't watch many cartoons and it's been far too long since I read the original Alice in Wonderland.

Looking forward to doing the homework - reading a few chapters of MAM's book, 15 minutes of writing per day, and something else I can't remember right now and it's late so I'm not looking it up because you won't really care anyway.

Writing Workshop II - Week One

Some of you may remember I took a Writing Workshop my very first summer in Chicago. That's how I met my dear friend, MAM. She was the instructor. Well, it's my 3rd summer in Chi-Town and pretty much the only writing I did since then was this captivating blog.

It was time for another Writing Workshop. Forced motivation to get my butt in gear and do some 'real' writing. No offense to the bloggy world but Oprah doesn't have a blog club, now does she?

This class is full of women! The last class was mainly women, but there was one South Asian stud muffin in the group. Moms mainly. I love how diverse MAM's circle is. She is such an interesting person.

My homework is to write for 15 minutes straight each day. Nice to be forced to write. Forced to commit time to spew my thoughts on paper. Or cyber space....

Writing Workshop

I'm doing it again!! I'm taking the writing workshop I took 2 years ago. It's such a great workshop. I can hardly wait!! It will be a bunch of work but it will get me writing.

MAM is teaching the workshop again. This time, in Oak Park. it's going to be good!! July can't come soon enough. Are you IN? Go here to sign up.

Writing Workshop - Final Session

Monday was the last writing workshop session. I've really come to enjoy my time with this motley group. This group represents me leaving the comfort zone of our built-in social network of church people. Oh yeah, and I got to seriously get back into writing. 

The good news is I am not losing my merry band of writers. Myself and a few of the others are now part of the monthly writing workshop our instructor is involved in - we critique each other's work.  And, we are part of a writing meetup where we meet at a coffee shop to write, not talk - focused writing time.

I get out of the house, meet with a great group of people, write, and get regular feedback. Life's good!

Writing Workshop - Session 2, Part 2

Let me say, I have the best, most considerate husband in the world! 

 

Today, J came home from work early, at lunchtime, and made gourmet mac & cheese for the kids'. Gourmet mac & cheese? Yes. J cooked the cheese mixture with extra shredded cheese and heavy whipping cream in a separate pan. It was pretty amazing.

Afterwards, J parented the kiddos because I couldn't. 

I did not go to my writing workshop. It's the first class I've missed. 

I had several sessions in the last 24 hours. After my first session, J carefully laid out a thick towel, creating a comfortable environment for me.

I was in-session with this...

Writing Workshop - Session 2, Part 1

book written by my instructor

Tonight was the first night of the second half of my writing workshop. Each part was broken into two 4-wk sessions. The cast of characters in this second 4-wk session does not appear to be as diverse as the first group. It's a pretty tame bunch. *-sigh-* I was up for some excitement through diversity. But the ladies seem to be great - and lots of beginner writers, yeah!!!!!!!

Now, I must tell you, I have begun reading one of my instructor's books. VERY interesting read. She's quite good. Rest assured, I am sitting at the feet of a gifted writer. She makes me want to quit writing. Not really. Well, yes, maybe. I'm sure by the time I get through her next book, which is on my coffee table, I won't even want to attend workshop. Not really. Well, no, definitely, I'll attend.

Last session, you might recall, I submitted a short story for critique. Tonight, one of our exercises was to take 2 characters from an earlier piece of work, and set them in a different time period, arguing - having conflict of some sort. I took my 2 main characters and set them about 5 years into the future. It was enjoyable for me. I think I might work to develop this body of work into a book. Not sure that I would ever seek to have it published, but the writing of it will be cathartic and educational for me. 

Looking forward to next week's workshop. 

Writing Workshop - End of Session 1

Last night was the end of the first part of a two part workshop. I've really come to enjoy my time in the class. I have learned so many writing techniques already. For sure, the 2-week hiatus will have me missing my new friends.

Someone asked why I stayed in a class with lesbians, bisexuals, and not a single Christian in the group. And to them I had this to say:

Jesus hung out with tax collectors and a prostitute. I was in far better company than that!

In the Great Commission, we are instructed to "go into all the world and preach the gospel". I don't do 3rd world missions. God is aware of that. I can let my little light shine in a group in Chicago.

The vision statement of Park Community Church - our church - states:

"We exist to be a biblical community where the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms lives, renews the city, and impacts the world." I'm just following the vision of the place where I belong.

And besides, I really really like these people. They are nice. Fun. Intelligent. Witty. And they don't judge me because I am a married, straight, Christian, stay@home mom from Canada. It's people like that you want to keep around as friends.

Writing Workshop - Pt 4

Steering the Craft by Ursula Le Guin 

our workshop textbook

They didn't hate my short story!! I got some really good feedback tonight. The funny thing is, most of the constructive critiques was exactly what I had been beating myself up over the last week. Sadly, I thought I was pushing it on story length when I was really only at about 1/2 of what a short story length typically is. This is good. I can work on the additions with the safety of knowing I have time to develop my characters as I would like to.

Next week is the last class in the first workshop. A couple of people will not be returning. That is sad. I'll miss them. But there will be other equally interesting characters joining, no doubt. 

Writing Workshop - Identity Crisis

The underlying purpose of the writing workshop is learning to write character identities. From the above photo, I think my kids have identity issues...

Last night, there was no getting out of reading my work. The teacher had us read our own homework out loud - all of us - and later, we read each other's work out loud. I didn't feel quite as bad last night. Some of my stuff was real crap - which the instructor says is to be expected as we only have 5 or 10 minutes to write. Some of my stuff was alright, I thought.

I did submit my short story on time. Technically, I had 90 minutes to go. I finally settled on the 3rd completely new short story. On the first one, I thought I had a great premise but then it didn't pan out. The second one, it was rich with character identity, but it was going to be a novel before I finished the story line I had. I started a completely new short story on Sunday evening. Yikes!!

This morning, upon mental review of my short story, I think it sucks!!

We're Not in Oklahoma Anymore, Tonto!

I have hardly seen J in about a week. Needless to say, our communication is broken down on the side of the road, with the hood up, and a cute, voluptuous woman posing for help. It seems I neglected to fill him in on some tidbits from the writing workshop...

"So, I'm thinking about writing a pretty riske short story for my workshop." I stated out-of-the-blue, and because I start almost all conversations with 'so'.

"You gonna blog your short story?" J asked, poking fun at me.

Kicking it up a notch, I stated: "My instructor is inspiring me. She is a bi-sexual, Sri Lanken woman in a poly relationship."

"What???????!!!!!!!!! You didn't tell me this!!" J exclaimed as he sped through a yellow light.

"Oh? No? Oh." I said, knowing full well I hadn't told him anything. "She is. By poly relationship, I mean she has a male partner right now, and has a guy she has sex with when they can. And her partner is cool with it 'cause he can do his thing too."

"Mini Me, stop crying. Motor Mouth, leave her alone." Said J, ending a backseat squabble over lord only knows what.

"She has written an erotica book or two. In the past, she wrote porn articles for a porn magazine." I added, sweetening the pot.

"Oh my god." J replied as he swerved to miss an erratic taxi.

"She said she got paid $1,000 for a 7 to 800 word article."

"Hmmm...You should ask her about getting into that kind of writing. You could stay home full-time then." He teased.

"My writing consists of blogging, remember?" I countered and resumed my shock session with: "There is also a flaming dyke in the class."

"Flaming dyke? Are lesbians considered 'flaming'?"

"I don't know. That is how she described herself. Wait. No. Raging dyke. She is a raging dyke. And I think she is transgendered." I replied.

"How did that come up?" he asked, taking the bait.

"Well, the instructor asked us to raise our right hand if we are straight, our left hand if we are gay, and both hands if we are bi-sexual. She also asked us to raise our right hand if we identify with being a woman, our left if as a man, and both if we identify as both a man and a woman."

"So which hand did you raise?" J questioned, rolling with the punches.

"You're an idiot."

Puzzled, he questioned: "What kind of class is this? Like, why would she ask this stuff?"

"The writing is supposed to deal with character identity. How we identify ourselves helps us to understand our characters' identities." I replied.

"I was in this area yesterday. Somehow I got on I-55 and had to go way out of my way to get back to where I needed to be." said J, as we drove through an area we are not particularly familiar with, and virtually ending that line of conversation.

Maybe tomorrow I'll tell him about the 10 tattoos one of the workshop attendees has and that I want to get a new tattoo on my foot done by the guy she got her last one done by.

Writing Workshop Description - Part Two: "...In this summer workshop, you'll be encouraged to write your identities through the lens of fiction and/or creative nonfiction..."

I'm SO Out of My League

So I'm taking this writing workshop. Tonight was the first night. I'm so out of my league, it's not even funny. After the class, as I was walking to my vehicle, here is how the conversation with J went:

Me - "I'm a freaking idiot! What the heck was I thinking?? I'm in a writing workshop with 4 PhD's - THREE of whom are UNIVERSITY ENGLISH PROFESSORS!! One guy went to USC to MAJOR in SCREEN WRITING and has written SEVERAL screen plays. One woman without a freaking PhD, majored in theatre and has written a play that WON 2ND PLACE at some play thing and her play was performed in Chicago and Toronto and she has a reading next month!! The other person who does not have a PhD, is an executive who had a freaking book deal!! And then there is me. I write BLOGS!!"

J - "Oh my god, Babe."

Me - "We had 2 writing exercises tonight. After hearing them read their AMAZING work, I kept my mouth shut. No way were they gonna hear the crap that I wrote!"

J - "So, are you going back next week?"

Me - "I HAVE to. I paid money. AND, when the instructor asked if anyone would like to write a short story, one PhD lady said she would and I said I would like to. THEN she tells us it is due NEXT week, and the rest of the class is going to CRITIQUE it!!"

J - "Oooh. Hey, I gotta run. I'm really busy at work."

I came home and pulled up the workshop description. I found this word: "basic", as in "exploring the basic elements of fiction/non-fiction writing: plot, dialogue, point of view, setting, structure, and more." Basic. Basic. Basic. Repetition is one of the "basic" writing structures I learned tonight.

Summer Writing

Another one of my hobbies, is writing. This summer, I signed up for a writing workshop. This will enable me to develop my craft, meet new people, and get out of the house, without children, for 3 hours a week.

Summer Writing Workshop: Writing Your Identity with MAM. Each and every one of us possess complex identities, which include such elements as race, age, ethnicity, gender, orientation, religion, class, national, political orientation and much more. In this summer workshop, you'll be encouraged to write your identities through the lens of fiction and/or creative nonfiction. (All prose genres are welcome.) Participants will submit and critique short narratives (or excerpts from novels or novellas), in addition to doing weekly writing exercises. We'll aim to create powerful stories with rich and compelling characters, while also exploring the basic elements of fiction/non-fiction writing: plot, dialogue, point of view, setting, structure, and more.