Journal Enty: April 28, 2011

I took the freeway to save time.  The call was simply; "A guy passed out at the rail platform, 44th Street and Washington.  Any unit to assist?" 

"Phoenix PD to OCC, I can respond."  (the OCC is the control center for rail operations.  This was not a dispatch call but rather an administrative call for assistance.)

I had to pull my car up a few hundred yards past the east end of the platform to stay out of traffic.  Kept my lights on, engine running.  A far distance, little farther than I would like but I could keep an eye on it. 

I found him at the far east end.  Slumped over in a half sitting, half prone position.  His head was wrapped with what looked to be a blue pillow case, another around his waist.  He had on a button up shirt, striped with red and white.  Something any business type would wear.  His jeans were tied with a belt, the holes worn out or not enough to cinch tight around his trim waist. 

I kicked at his feet lightly at first then a bit harder when just for a moment I thought he may not actually be breathing.  My brief confirmation that he may quite possibly have left the living, was a fly that sat stationary on his lower lip.  Something about flies, they send a message of end of life, dead things and non-movement.  When things cease to move, flies find safe refuge.
 I have to admit, I had a little adrenalin rush for just a moment.


He finally stirred a few good kicks to his feet later.  His eyes peeled open, light brown and seriously captivating.  Not eyes I would predict for a person of his condition but rather beautiful. 

A stash of folded papers peeked from his shirt pocket and every first form of business for police work is to "know who I am talking to." 

I searched through worn citations from Tempe, court orders, plea agreements and found one I could read with his name.  Theodore, maybe Ted as I would imagine but I referred to him as Theodore. 

"Theodore! Hey partner.  Wake up.  You can't lay here.  Wanna go to LARC? (a rehab clinic for drunkards.)

He mumble something or other. 

He was directly in the sun, heating up with the day and that happens quickly in Arizona. As I filtered through the paperwork and cleared for a wagon to pick him up, I was approached by several rail passengers.

This particular platform is one visited regularly by riders to and from the airport.  Phoenix Sky Harbor is a short few miles from downtown.  One of the few cities with an airport so close to downtown and on this particular day at this particular time, I became not only the "rounder up of homeless intoxicated citizens but also the information police." 

"Is this the way to Phoenix?"  One particularly nicely dressed couple asked.  They appeared to be fresh off of a flight. 

"We have some time to kill before we head to our hotel and we were looking for the Body Works Event at the Museum" 

"Absolutely.  I would love to go to that myself."  I turned from my friend Theodore who reclined silently snoozing in the heat, while I addressed new visitors to the area on the whereabouts to the science museum.

"Yes, take the train and get off at 3rd Street and Washington.  You will then need to double back east to around 7th Street to the museum." 

Another group of about 5 women stood patiently waiting their turn.

"Is this the way to Central and Indian School?"  One woman asked in a bedazzeled denim jacket. 

"Yes, it is and the next train should be here in about 10 minutes."

"See, I told you!!" One of the women announced to the group.  They all had a good chuckle over that and Theodore shifted his weight at the disturbance. 

I had about another 10 minutes to wait for the wagon.  One of my sergeants showed up to keep me company and Theodore decided at that time to relieve himself.  A small circle in the front of his well worn jeans expanded into a flowing pattern of dark blue reaching from front to back.  He asked at that point as he stirred if he could have a seat on the chair at the platform.  I will never sit on another platform seat again..

He proceded to blow excrement from his nose, spit and make any number of gutteral sounds until I finally advised him to save it until he was picked up.  He was polite, repeated he was not violent continually and all in all was cooperative.  His one profound statement as he cleared a brief window of haze and re-entered the land of the living ;

"I've been homeless for 12 years." 

He was a 46 year old male, homeless for 12 years and only recently, so he says, began drinking. 

The wagon showed up shortly after. 

"Teddy!  Hey, how you doin'?"  One of the employees said.  She was a very petite woman, short blonde bob cut who recognized Theodore immediately. 

"Regular, huh?" I said. 

"Oh, yea." 

Teddy had been saying some good things about the people at the drunk tank, how well they took care of him, gave him clothes and so on. 

Too bad Teddy could not accept the one thing that would really help him.

Sobriety. 

_____________________________________
I have my draft done.  Working on revision #2 and will be dropping it off at the post office on Monday.

Journal Entry: April 20, 2011

I parked my patrol car, an unmarked Crown Victoria, just north of the corner store.  Another officer had just gone in before me and was roaming the small, cluttered interior for the suspect.  The store owner gave us a brief glance oblivious to the intrusion of two officers canvasing his shop. 

On the corner, just south of the store, two officers were out with a young black female, a phone pushed flat on her ear.  Her voice was raised and stitched together a tapestry of street profanity. 

"Okay, turn around." The officer said as he reached for his cuffs tucked back on the rear of his gunbelt.  She dropped her purse to the ground and let the phone fall.  Perspiration covered her forehead and between the tightly woven braids in her hair.  Her earings hung heavy and smacked her face as she twisted and turned upset at having to put her hands behind her.  Her agitated state had become her downfall and it was best to control her movements by instituting a detention until we knew what we had. 

"Is he down the street?  Are they out with him?"  I asked the other officer who appeared in a hurry to go assist others out with our suspect.  A black male with a white tank top who was walking with our young female had apparently flashed a gun to another black male walking on the sidewalk.  The victim assumed it was because he "just looked at him wrong".  That was what it was like south of the freeway. 

"You mind staying here with her lieutenant?  I'm just gonna go down there and see what they got."  He said as he sat the girl down. 

"Absolutely.  I'll move her over here."  I made sure her feet were out of the street and his partner and I began questioning her.

We proceded to ask this young lady how it came to be she was with a young man who chose to flash a gun at another man.  We wanted to know what she knew.  What is his name?  How do you know him?  Where does he live?  Where were the two of you going?

"His name is D.C."  She said.

"What's that stand for?"

"I just know D.C. That his name.  I don't know but I tell you, I can't believe he got me mixed up in this!" 

She then continued to tell us that D.C. was her boyfriend, a fiance and they had been dating two months.  She was 19 and he is "around 40." 

"You only know him as D.C., he's "around 40" and you two are engaged?"  I asked clearly bewildered but not surprised.

"Yea." 

"You been arrested before?" The officer asked now seated in the car running her information. 

"Yea." 

"Let me guess, aggravated assault?  Against..... D.C.?"

"Yea."

"Whadyou use?"  I asked since aggravated usually involves a weapon or serious injury.

"A knife."

"So, you are with a man, twice your age, who you know only as D.C. who you have actually stabbed and been to jail for fighting with?  And you're still with him?"

"You have any kids?" I continued.

"No. I go to church, I go to school, I stay out of trouble!  I live with my mom!"  She said elevating her voice clearly attempting to make herself believe her own words.

"Time for you to make a change.."  I hesitated for a bit.  "Why aren't you in school now?"  I asked since it was about 1030 in the morning. 

No answer. 

______________________________

So, this was just a small snipit of a conversation I had a week ago on the street with some folks in south Phoenix.  I typed this real fast with no real intent on making it "story worthy" but more of a journal entry.  I plan on putting more journal type entries here as a quick writing exercise and as a street lesson, study in human nature.  Hope you check back for more. 

I am still working on my short story, titled "A Moment for Rosalie".  I will have it done and ready to submit by Monday.  May 2 is the deadline!!!

Have you completed the first draft?  Just two days ago, I sat in a rather uncomfortable metal chair outside of Subway and penned out in longhand the final few pages of my short story.  I dare not read it yet since I have some homework to do this weekend and I know I will just get frustrated as the clock ticks away.  I did pass out the first 4 or so pages to a few people to read however I have since revised those pages and doubt I will have time to get the final out for review. 

So, if you have your story done by today and if you have had someone read even a portion by today, good for you!!!  Now our final deadline for entry is May 2. We are in the final stretch and if there is any part of your story you wish to share, go right ahead! 

After this weekend and a review of the draft plus revisions, I will post an excerpt to share.  I welcome comments! 

Have a wonderful Easter! 

I got The Versatile Blogger Award from my blogging friend Dawn at
http://dawnbrazil.blogspot.com/  I am still trying to work my way around the hyperlinks to blog sites and struggle at times to get it just right.  I am now to provide a few things about myself and then share this wonderful award with some other great bloggers!

Some things about me:

1. I am sometimes refered by my friends as an "animal whisperer".  From bugs, to dogs, to lizards.... and I agree with this assumption.  I have a connection and so do my boys.
2. I believe I am living in reverse.  I am not getting older.  I feel younger (minus a few times where my back cannot keep up with me) each day and understand life much more than say my 20 or 30 something counterparts.
3. I am a student in the study of human nature... aka a police officer.
4. I would have 10 kids if I could.  All boys..
5. The funniest person I know is my husband.  The funniest people I know under 10 are my boys.
6. I thought I was pretty good with electronics until I tried connecting our new TV, Receiver, DVD/Blue Ray and cable yesterday..... but no fear... give me about 8 hours alone and without interruption and I will get it.
7. I want to be a writer.  I know.. go figure. 

Now it is time to return the favor and share this award with more of my favorite blogs and friends:

http://hollyedexter.blogspot.com/
http://sandie-lee.blogspot.com/
http://litendeavors.blogspot.com/

In our mission to get to our deadline, it is important to never forget the craft of "reading".  I took some time today to read and write and had an opportunity to read some old material I wrote a few years ago.  I can personally say (and I am my own worst critic....you really cannot hurt me since I find error and fault in just about everything I put on paper), I believe I am a better writer because I read. 

I read primarily non-fiction/memoir since that is my central focus for a larger work but I also dive into fiction once in a while.  I also find enjoyment in writing short stories.  I began re-reading (yes, re-reading and I never thought I would do that), Flannery O'Connor and I can say now I really love this author. 

Along with re-engaging with Flannery and some of my favorite shorts, River and A Good Man is Hard to Find, I also found through my latest subscription of Writer, a book called Unless it Moves the Human Heart by Roger Rosenblatt.  This is a quick read and a must have.  I highly suggest it as part of your toolkit, a workshop in words study on the art and craft on writing.  I love the way it is set up.  Roger, the author and instructor in writing classes takes the reader through a selection of writing exercises in a narrative, dialouge format with students he has had over the years.  Wonderful.  Buckle in, get comfy, pick up this book.  You can knock it out in a night or two and really grasp something from it to take into your own work. 

Remember, April 22, 2011.  I plan on getting my first draft done and printed to take to my writers group, Promise of the Pen on Monday night.  Then make some revisions to get it ready for submission!!

I have a major case of "writus interuptus" plus a laundry list (dirty one, of course) of "to dos" including working, helping with homework, cleaning, attending writer's clubs, doing my own homework, music lessons, house projects, hockey tournaments, making dinner and yadda yadda yadda. 

Sooooo.. with that and to keep you smiling and motivated to relax and find your groove, I have included a picture of my dog. 

Aint she sweet?

Next deadline:  April 22, 2011 to have your first full draft complete and reviewed by at least one person of your choosing. 

I seriously thought about retirement last year and anticipated, envisioned even planned for September 2012.  My husband and I had lengthy discussions, even announced the news to the boys and family.  Well, things change. 

I read an article today in the April edition of "The Writer" magazine; "Why I don't want to quit my day job" by Jacob M. Appel, an instructor at Gotham Writers' Workshop in New York City.  He also happens to be a full-time practicing physician at Mount Sinai Hospital. 

This article parallels many of my thoughts as I second guess my decision to leave my career as a police lieutenant and possibly teach, workout, finish various home projects, WRITE and be there for my kids at every turn.  Then I honestly began thinking, when I am done with those projects, tired of teaching, waiting for my kids to get off the bus (and quite possibly heading directly to their friend's house down the street leaving me standing waving "see ya"), I would WRITE!!! Of course!!! 

About------  well, house projects I have completed, the various aerobics classes I have taken, teaching security-police-rules of evidence type classes and saying hello and then goodbye to my boys as they head off to spend time with someone besides mom.  Not very interesting material to form and mold into a readable much less enjoyable story. 

Are you a member of a writer's group, meet up or on-line writer support?  If you are not already a member of She Writes (http://www.shewrites.com/), join now! (say The Mother Centurion referred you!) I found SW through the Writer's Digest magazine and joined last summer.  At about the same time, my friend and I began our own writer's club, The Promise of the Pen (http://promisepen.webs.com/) I then transitioned to workshops at our locally operated bookstore, Changing Hands Bookstore and the ASU Virginia Piper's Writers Studio and Conference.  Then...... in January 2011, I started The Mother Centurion. 

Wow... how do we then find the time to write? 

If you have a great "connection story" to share about how you got into the writing community, tell it here!


80th Annual Writers Digest Competition-We have 6 days:  Character(s), main story proposal due April 8!! (share here if you wish or just let us know how it is going)

Are you going to submit hard copy or electronically?

mindpowermarketing.com



In preparation for the contest or just an exercise in writing, a fun time-out or a chance to capture some observations; I took it upon myself to pen out a few pages in my journal yesterday.  What a beautiful day and the setting was primed for people watching.

Reflections in a Park

Activity and conversations peppered the downtown city park today and offered rare encounters in "people study".  On my trek to mark my territory, great book in hand, I passed by a photo shoot.  An impressively pretty man in designer sweat pants, flip-flops and a peacock blue tee stood model still, being fondled over by a young female assistant.  The photographer, in some hint of an accent I could not immediately identify, gave directions to two or three others from behind a high class lens longer than my arm.  The bustling staff wrestled with two very large white boards and reflective photo gear designed to cast the most perfect light on his yes, freakishly handsome face.

A guy then walked up to my bench from my left , a stack of pamphlets in hand,

"Read more about the bible today?"

"Uh, no." I said just before he got "bible" out.  I honestly had no idea what he was hawking, I just knew my time in the shade was limited and I was not in the mood to be hit up to read something not selected by me. 

As I watched him walk away I caught a glimpse of the back of his t-shirt:
"The End of the World is Coming Starting, May 21, 2011".
And surprisingly, there was a web-site, designed I assume to give you helpful details of how to prepare.  I could not help but think as most would, "The end of the world is starting on May 21, but the Internet will be up and running!!  Sweet!"  So, you say. 


What a beautiful day. 

I surely hope the beautiful boy model had a great shoot.  That his pictures render high sales for the Nike, Adidas or Hurley garb gracing his frame.  To my odd couple across from me, who still are registering much shoulder slouching with face in hands and hugging, I hope it works out.  And to my "pamphlet guy", how about some good news for a change?  How about:

"Read about how you're positive spirit and good deeds are saving the world!  And because of all you do, Armageddon is not upon us!"

Enjoy the day - and you in it

__________________________________

All in fun my friends.  I figure any writing is a good exercise.  Be it a journal entry with no point other than to plot observations of real life in your own words, a dream recounted in rhythmic prose or a memory of a wonderful time or place plotted on paper. 

Just think, the "odd couple" could become a story.  Why is he crying?  Who is this girl?  Is he about to cop a field? Do they know each other or did they just meet? 

Oh you know I stayed to see what would happen.  She finally left.  She was college age but not a day over 19.  He clearly did not want her to leave.  She scribbled something on the inside flap of a book, tucked $30 inside and put it in his backpack.  Then she stood up, pulled her shorts out of her "business" (they had crawled up her whoo-ha rather completely while she sat on the grass), then told him, "And you tell them to mind their fucking business!" 

There is a story.. Fill in the blanks.  Oh yea, she kissed him on the cheek too which kinda weirded me out. 

Word of the day: Arouse

A "sexy" word for motivate!!! 

Here is a challenge:  Enter a writing competition!!  In our writer's club, The Promise of the Pen, we announced on Monday the Writer's Digest 80th Annual Writer's Competition. 

Details are listed in the link below;

http://www.writersdigest.com/annual/?r=wdgppcg&gclid=CI7s3bnV6KcCFQgPbAodUSeMbQ

There are numerous genres to choose from.  The entry fee is minimal and the opportunity to potentially "place" in the competition is.... well.... we can dream right?

I would like to know WHO would like to join me?  Please share with your friends, have them join the blog discussion and follow.  Let us take this journey together! 

Think of it this way; consider it an exercise in "the craft".  I thoroughly believe in entering contests, submitting to literary magazines and writing short.  In my opinion writing "short" is work shopping for larger work.  The short story can be very challenging to write, I completely agree.  It also sets before you an opportunity to work on a great idea, revise, share and submit.  The "process" from short to longer pieces of work is still the same;  Write, revise, write some more, share, revise, share, revise, submit..

Let it go, kiss it goodbye, wish it farewell and you have done what you set out to do. 

You are a WRITER!! 

Deadline: May 2

Well, I am in a 3 1/2 day All Hazards Operations Sections Chief class.  Oh yea.. you say?  What is this?  It enables participants, upon successful completion to eventually be signed off as part of an All Hazards Incident Response Team.  The kind that work incidents such as floods, earthquakes, catastrophes and other major events and incidents that overwhelm local resources and require assistance.  I am finding the comparison to a writer's conference mind numbing and suppressing, to the creative mind that is.  

I am having to mentally turn off my intuitive and creative brain and seek out my analytical side in order to decipher the inner perimeter, identify resources, establish objectives and implement strategies.  AAAHHHHhhhgggggg...... don't get me wrong, it is very interesting and I do enjoy this part of my job. 

Well, now that I am home, cooked dinner, family has eaten, dishes done, dog fed, medicine dispensed, guitar and drum lessons completed, phone calls and emails returned... well then I get 5 minutes to jot down a quick post and then sign on to my Master's class and do some homework. 

I did, thankfully and to my surprise, worked out the first few sentences to Chapter 2.  I have a start and I actually pulled it out of my sneaky little left brain as it tapped on my shoulder during break. 

Thank you!!

Okay, maybe disgusted is too strong a word.  Maybe jaded and then disappointed.  That is what first, second, third and eleventh drafts are for. 

So, my writer friends, do not dispair.  Do not feel you are alone and of course share your insight into the turmoil of writer challenges. 

When all else fails, a little Pinot usually helps.

Do you seek a comfortable spot in your bedroom, living room, office?  Front yard under a shady tree?  Does a particular song track inspire you, a favorite book, a moment in life? 

I have been awarded a Bloggy from my blogger friend Laura at http://literarylegs.blogspot.com/

Thank you Laura!!  Now, from what I have read, the way this goes is once received, you pass on the sweetness to 5 others after first revealing 5 interesting facts about yourself!!  Fun!

1. I am a Living Kidney Donor

I donated a kidney to our son three years ago and am now working on becoming a mentor for others who are in need of a kidney or wanting to learn more about living donation. 

2. I take my boys "bug hunting"


No,this is not my hand or our bug... But he's COOL huh??!!  We would totally dig finding this guy!!

3. I worked as an extra in the movie Fire Birds (1990) with Nicolas Cage.


I am the blonde bar tender in the "bar scene".. and they also used me in a basketball scene where I shot some hoops for Sean Young (in her place).. but it was not used.  Apparently she can dribble too.  I wore a wig and went to "make up".. pretty cool.  Was paid $150.00 for two days of "work". 

4. I was on a dance team for a local radio station when I was 25.


And no.. that is not me.  I unfortunately have no photos of any of my dancing however we also filmed a late night "dance party" show (which was actually filmed on Saturdays at 10 am) and friends saw it.  Came on later that night at 11:00

5. I am an only child.
Who not so secretly wishes she had at least 2 brothers and a couple of sisters.  I also would have loved to have had at least 4 boys and even adopted some.  I do have two half-brothers but unfortunately we are more like distant cousins. 

My sweet blogger friends I wish to share with are:

1. Laura who creatively blogs at http://literarylegs.blogspot.com/
2. Dawn who dazzles at http://dawnbrazil.blogspot.com/
3. Meryl who captivates at http://departingthetext.blogspot.com/
4. Alex who wows at http://alexhagen1.blogspot.com/
5. Julie who inspires at http://julieflanders.blogspot.com/

Go visit these wonderful ladies and send a bloggy to someone who motivates/inspires you!!

First let me say that I, like most of the world, have been tied to the news as we read of the tragic events in Japan.  I feel one-minded and a bit "closed" writing about writing instead of really taking a moment to reflect on what is happening in the bigger world around us.  This will land at least 3 pages in my journal and be something my boys will most likely not remember but I will.  Protected in a clear bubble but just how fragile is that bubble? 

I have since gained another group of writers to work with and will find the time to fit it all in. 

I have to tell all of you one thing.  Maybe you can relate or maybe you're one of the few (and those I envy) who can push out 3 chapters in one sitting... but my hubby said after the conference, "well, lets go... get writing!"  One of the more insightful closing remarks by one author on the final day, was "we are all going back to our lives, and eventually the question will come up, what's taking you so long?  Why does this writing thing take so damn long??"  Good question and the answer I gave my husband tonight as we watched the sun turn the sky a crimson shade of pretty, was it takes so damn long because it is soooo hard."   I think more than that is: because it is so..... me..

Ahhhh the love of writing.............. and remember to hug your family and be grateful. 

Welcome to Part II: 

What else is there to say?  I have had the wonderful opportunity to dive headfirst into the writing community and experience, for at least three days, a constant surge of living, breathing and writing about the craft.  I absolutely loved it.  I want to first give a big wonderful hug to the ladies who have supported, read, shared, friended, commented.  Check these out;

literarylegs.blogspot.com
http://j.mp/gwCQZ7  to read Meg Waite Clayton's article just published on the Huffington Post!!! Her next novel out very soon; The Four Ms. Bradwells. 
Shewrites.com and my page followers
dawnbrazil.blogspot.com
cathykozak.com
thedepartingtext.blogspot.com
demolishingtheblock.blogspot.com

Check them all out!! If I forgot anyone please send!  I also met some wonderful people at the conference and along with my on-line friends, I look forward to connecting with others locally! 

Today was back to the grind, literally.  My creative flow came to a screeching halt as quickly as I turned on the computer at work and saw 167 emails waiting.  I digress.

The Conference Lessons Learned Part I:
I arrived home on Sunday after a wonderful brunch and some "Words to Write By" at the conference.  I actually had the house all to myself after my kids and husband had left Saturday morning for a hockey tournament in Prescott.  Imagine that, 9 years it has been since I have been in the house alone.  Believe, me I am not rushing that.  I missed the comotion but I had the TV to myself!  Yes, I should have been writing but my God, I had written all day and again, the Doritos and Three Stooges just sounded really good at about 6:30 Saturday night. 

After K.L Cook's class ( I blogged about that previously and again, what a class!  Entitled, "Let's Misbehave"), I elected to sit in with Renee Simms who would discuss "Flair in Fiction; What Poets and Stylists Teach Us".  We discussed prose (which is anything not poetry) and how writers of prose can extract lessons from poetry to increase the readability and flow of the work.  I completely agree with this.  As mentioned earlier I have discovered a new dimension to my writing and reading by examining poetry. 

We were given a black and white photo of a Brookly family from 1966 taken by Diane Arbus. 

We were then asked to describe the photo in the manner of C.K. Williams.  We were given two C.K. Williams poems, The Dance and Shame.  It would be beneficial to google these two works to get a sense of the exercise.  Very challenging task.  She wanted us to use more complicated language, that did not rely too much on direct information but rather a more intuitive method to interpret our perception of the photo. 

Although I read my interpretation I have included a variation of the first sentence here.  I did not care much for the ending and we had a whole 5 minutes to do this:

Joleen and Tony are the nucleus that link Anna and Leo to life.  A thin life hanging by a gossamer thread of bare cabinets, Lucky Strikes and brawling fights when mommy and daddy disagree about green money, yellow beer and fancy girls with red lips....

My voice on this began more as a 3rd person omniscient then trasitioned to the children.  At least that was my attempt.  Difficult!!!

Our next exercise in the same class was now to identify a "Group" that a person could belong to.  Using the "we", we were directed to give an opening to a story.  Our samples included, St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves (Karen Russell,) Farewell to Arms (Hemingway) and Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston).  Here was my take, again I read aloud;

We sidled in tight formation through the alley.  The moon hung full and heavy above and with our heads cantered to the side, we filtered the night noise.  The third guy back stumbled and hit a trash can, temporarily halting our prosession against the wall.  Gunshots slapped the curtain of night hard and forceful.  I curled my finger around the trigger and all at once we ran forward and fast whooping our own variations of "gonna get those fuckers, show 'em they aint takin us down like that!"

We were Superman.   Our chests like iron but skin bare and not quite man-like, arms sinuey and gangly as we ran wildy, a blur of feet and gravel.  Every muscle engaged as the bullets found their mark, leaving each of us to stop short, life at fourteen. 

Again, sometimes in workshop-my experiences as a cop play out on paper.  This was a great exercise.  I recommend the readings prior to show why I wrote it this way.

Part II will be Wednesday and I will share my notes on "Got Plot" with Victor LaValle and "Meeting the Stranger" with Naeem Murr.  Great day!!

Thanks for Reading!!  Keep Writing!!

Today is Saturday, March 5:
Friday, March 4, was the first real day of the conference and I will get right down to it.  I was exhausted after a full day of tapping the creative core!!  I will tell you one thing; you need cerebral stamina to keep up.  By 5:30 pm, I was cashed out.  I literally wanted to grab a bag of Doritos and watch re-runs of the Three Stooges..  But oh, what glorious, creative fun!

After the opening remarks which although the writing was well done, the topic of Invisible Borders, was too politically sided for my preference.  I listened through the 50 minute reading by a very well known writer and was able to at least extract his rythym, use of language and prose and leave behind that I disagreed with most if not all of what he said.  But again, to be a writer. 

Now, just imagine a very large meeting hall in a very old building, 1839 first Tempe Normal School, wall to wall with history and great sound for readings and most attendees coming in by 9:00 for the opening remarks for the day, a little coffee and off to your selected class.  I again, although invited to observe the Master's Class in Non-Fiction, it was limited seating and strictly adhered to, so I went to a class by Shannon Cain who was discussing How to Kill a Cliche.  We had the most perfect venue, outdoors, golden sunshine and minus the bit of construction noise nearby, we had a great time.  She was an enthusiastic instructor and guided us through how cliches work their way into our writing.  We were given an exercise; Your mission is to write in one-word syllables, two sentences max, a snipit revealing to the reader a man is crying.  Wow... 

"With the grip of her hand, she lent to him the chance to fall to her.  A tear came and his breath, cold in the air, freed him for the first time."

That was my take on it and I did read it aloud.  A few others read.  Another lesson about Workshop, it is work, you should go in with both feet, anxious to participate, hear your own voice, find your own voice.  I am learning more about the Art and Craft of Writing than I ever thought I would. 

Next Workshop I chose: Reading Like a Writer by K.L. Cook  call me Ken..
Loved it!!  I would take all classes from this man.  I loved his reading aloud, his breath accentuated the light feather of "th", "v" and "f".  His passion, knowledge of text, historical work he pulls from and his ability to show the lay person like myself, what we need to see, was masterful.  I wished I had another hour with him in this session.  He showed for us the work of Steinbeck and how we can learn from his penning, Cannery Row.  I have never read Steinbeck I am sad to say, however it does not mean I cannot.  Just find time!!

The exercise involved reading and understanding 1st, 2nd 3rd person and 3rd person omniscient which I can say I did know all of those terms via other workshopping I have done.  I was not completely in the dark.  Thank God.  I am also finding myself in the company of some very intelligent writers who themselves are participants.. their readings are beautifully done and they are "getting it".  Some are published, some working on pieces..   The notes in my journal for this class are a scratchy mess and in bold letters I finally relented; "I am lost!!!  Going too fast!"  I did not give up but by the time 4 minutes (yes, 4 minutes to get a piece together..) I had nothing to read..

After lunch I attended a panel discussion with Gretel Erlich and Cynthia Hogue, two distinctly different writers but yet very eloquent in their work.  One a memoirist and one a poet.  I have also learned I have a new affection for poetry.  It is not just the sing songy, rhyming poetry you would assume.  It transcends narrative into a song and reads like a very intuitive short story in some cases.  Not at all choppy or predictable.  I earned a new respect for the poet and what fiction or non-fiction has to learn from poetry.  This exchange was dynamic and fluid, engaging and yes, I spoke up again.  I was feeling more and more at home.

I chose Writers in Conversation with Victor LaValle, Naeem Murr and Antonya Nelson.  This was held inside the Virginia Piper's House, you know the old wood floors, narrow doorways that cocoon you and the over sized furniture just begging for you to put your feet up, read-write. 

The opening by the very young MFA student with grown up features including a beard, glasses and worn, brown dress shoes, left us all a bit off when he introduced each writer and then turned it immediately to us for questions.  We sat silent.  We needed to hear from them first in order to ask them to share with us their methods on the craft.  So Antonya saved the day by asking her fellow writers a question on guilty pleasures.  What do you read as a writer.  That saved the day and the hour discussion flowed much more smoothly.

Time and Place with Gretel Erlich, Andrea Barrett and Jem Poster was next and this was held in the larger meeting room.  This was the panels' take on setting place and time in your story and the value from doing it well.  Some questions were taken from the audience and this last class concluded my day.  Whew!! I need a glass of wine..  yes, I did... two..

I am now midway through Saturday as I write this and I had the wonderful opportunity to workshop with K.L. Cook again and actually completed a work, although there was not enough time to read.  I finished it up with a couple of extra minutes and like it enough to at least put it here to conclude this post.  First, the exercise today was to write an "apology that was not really an apology". (Read: Tony Hoagland, Lucky and This Is Just to Say by William Carlos Williams).
The class was titled "Let's Misbehave".  It is designed to open for the writer an opportunity to lend in some cases, much needed "meaness" to our characters.  If our characters are lying flat for us, throw another rock at them and then some more as Hoagland says.  Then rescue them from the tree.  We had 4 minutes.  Again, I ran out of time initially but finished it about 1 minute later.  I did not read this one aloud today:

I pinched the sliver cuffs tight around her wrists and knew the cramped backseat would lend little room for relief.  The heat in the car was stifling but I turned the dial to high, an attempt to force some relief past the plexiglass shield dividing the front and rear seats.
I am sorry for the lack of comfort.  I apologize for your suffering, back there in the heat,
in August,
in Arizona
4:26 p.m. on this Tuesday
and you ask again, "Am I really going to jail?  That's fucked up."

But Graciella, your daughter died today. She died so you could climb back into bed. Tired after your night's foray-the stink of men and pot thick in your clothes and hair. 
Exhausted from taking your own mother to work just before dawn this morning. 
Graciella died while she cried locked tight in her car seat. 
Right where you left her. 

Yes, I am taking a direct experience in my work as a cop and using them quite often in this workshop.  I did two more times today..Parental indifference..

Gotta get back to the readings and an afternoon filled with more workshopping!!  Recommendations;  Read, read, read.  Read as much as you can.  Read really good writing, read poetry, somewhere quiet.  Not a commercial fiction but something, anything classic.  I have to do more of that.  Participate, force yourself to read something aloud.  Let your heart beat right out of your chest in the process, your words trip and stammer just before you finish and your lips tremble a little.  A natural high.

More later.