The Writers’ Nook is a place where we, as a group, can provide a safe and positive environment in which to encourage one another and hone our own writing skills.
Be True to Yourself
Writing is all about communication. Whether we’re sharing our personal experiences, imparting ideas and information, or creating rich, compelling stories, we want our words to ring true. We want our work to be authentic. And there’s only one way to achieve authenticity: be yourself. But what does that mean? When applied to writing, does “being yourself” as being true pertain to your core values or your unique artistic vision. Time to discuss this!
Please bring to this meeting something that you have written to share with us. We will read it aloud to one another. Keep short, like less than a page, or just bring a small portion of something you’ve written. Please bring at least half a dozen copies of it, so we can all look at the same writing at the same time. And don’t forget to bring a pencil and your notebook for writing in.
If you’re looking for more information about the Writers’ Nook, just contact us here.
The Handout
Please download the Handout for this meeting, and read it ahead of time if you can. Bring a copy of it with you to the meeting, either on paper or on your tablet or laptop.
The Challenge
Your Challenge before our next meeting on February 11th is to go through a door in your own personal wall. Take some chances in your own writing. And don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is “just around the corner” (is this a dead metaphor?). Feel free to write anything of your own choosing or use one of the following prompts.
- Write a poem, story, memoir, news article, essay — that is true or imaginary — about love without using the word love anywhere in it.
- Do you enjoy reading love scenes in a book, or watching them in movies? Some of them are very tasteful and well done. Write a love scene, OR…
- Write about anything that comes to mind when you look at one of these pictures — alternatively — find a picture in a magazine that gives you a good idea.
Responses
(Members, after reading the following responses, please continue on down this page to Comment on them. This is where we provide feedback to one another; this is one of the ways we learn from each other.)
Strength of love by T. Wainwright
You are back by Joyce Adrian Sotski; my love poem without using the word love
Bill Kenny by Marilyn McAllister; a story about love without using the word love in it
Memories by T. Wainwright, love submission without the word love in it
A Deed for Emma by Shirley Bigelow DeKelver
Strength of love: Tom, A very sad poem with a terrible lesson but there is so much racism in the world, it’s good to remind. The rhythm of the words is not as strong in this one as some of your others but the message is there, and the rhyming pattern is consistent.
Thanks Joyce. Some works are a bit of a struggle to get penned and edited. So it was with this poem due to its decidedly Romeo and Juliet message. However, dealing with difficult situations should not impair a writer (as I remind myself) from completing a work. And learning is a lifelong process – is it not?
Tom, so beautiful written, and the tragedy of love, as well as it’s beauty
‘YOU ARE BACK’, embodies all the wonderful feelings we all experience when reconnecting with someone who is loved and very dear to us. Not using the word ‘love’ does not diminish the wonderful feelings this person was expressing. Great job Joyce.
Strength of Love. Tom
Your poem provides a lasting lesson about interracial relationships and prejudices. The familes would not accept the youths’ love for each other, and it ended in tragedy. A difficult subject to write about but unfortunately racism is not unknown.
You are back: Joyce
I sensed the intimacy and tenderness felt when the couple were reunited. The poem is succinct and direct. Well done.
Joyce I can sit in your place and feel the smile, such happiness short, sweet, and says it all
Short, succinct , and so happy
Bill Kenny: Marilyn, I like this story. It’s kind of racey, because here’s a guy slightly outside the realm of perfect, but he has a good heart and he is a good person no doubt; going a lot farther for humanity than most people would. And so does his wife. When they say show, don’t tell; I think this is what they’re talking about. The love in this story is crystal clear. Well done!
Marilyn, Bill Kenny: Sounds like the kind of love grown and matured within a family, even if it was not. It seems like fond memories of a time long ago when daily struggle was part of everyday life, and you did what needed doing to make life a little easier. Well done.
Shirley I loved your piece and reminisced. (My own grandfather walked, with his father and brother from Calgary to what became Red Deer) But to have the historical documents, wow
BILL KENNY: Marilyn. Your story was a good read. Love has many meanings and interpretations, and Bill Kenny and his wife Lucille were both kind, in their own caring ways, and showed affection and closeness through their actions rather than through words.
A Deed for Emma: Shirley! This is a phenomenal story! I know where the Glenmore Reservoir is; right in the middle of the Park. And to think they had a piece of this in their hands and left it behind! The sweetness of those early years in marraige and the decisions that people make in life about what to take and what to leave behind. What a story, and very well written too!
Memories: Tom, I don’t know if this is a positive or negative comment but people have criticized me for it, when I’ve reused a refrain in a poem. “You repeated yourself,” they say. “You said up there already.” But I find it charming. It’s like an echo or a chorus in a song.