I’ll never tell you how she caught my attention by asking for my attention.
I’ll never tell about how she looked so cute and beautiful and amazing and wonderful and outrageous all at the same time when I first saw her, whenever I saw her, whenever I see her.
I’ll never tell you how my name never sounded the same after she said it.
I’ll never tell you of the songs that I could only sing because of her.
I’ll never write about the letters and the notes I sent her every day.
I’ll never show you the poems I wrote because of her.
I’ll never tell you about the heaven that she revealed to me.
I’ll never show you the universe that she opened for me. I’ll never write about the paradise that she…
This is the fourth installment of ‘Stuff it Tuesdays!’ Time sure does fly doesn’t it!
This week came together nicely despite the fewer number of entries. I was left wanting to read the next Chapter!
Thank you so much to everyone that has participated so far. I’ve really loved how all of these Storetries have turned out!
Please watch for next weeks opening paragraph and closing poem it will be listed at the end of this ‘Storetry’ and in the tab entitled Stuff It on my main page.
Now there is more incentive to participate! I have been putting some thought into these wonderful collaborations and I think with the permission of all of those that have participated in this one and the past 3 that I may publish a free e Book, no one (myself included) would make a profit from it but that contains all of these…
Valeriu writes in three languages and so his words and images are often deeply moving. For instance, this: “love goes to waste like air that escapes breathing, like a light in the world of the blind”
in this very moment a baby takes his first breath a soul sleeps out of a body, like a wonder, too early in this very moment, in the sheets of a bed, orgasm is achieved – another is merely simulated, a human being, as a shirt of another, tries the worst pains, another is subjected to violence in this very moment we reach new heights in all times famine, we give prizes for disease rounds of applauses, high emotions that take your breath away, nominations for high positions historical discoveries and betrayals, abominable plans are concocted in this very moment I wrote all the above as if at the same time, while you read it this unique and countless choir, like a joint plea, turns the planet love goes to waste like air that escapes breathing, like a light in the world of the blind
On the trail at Chimney Rock, Point Reyes National Seashore Park, California July 2012
It’s been a week since I submitted my final word count to Camp NaNoWriMo and my brain still feels as empty as this great expanse of sky. I’ve written little since: mostly comments, an attempt at poetry during a downturn in my mood, and the ubiquitous note-keeping I do at my day job. I had thought of planning to edit one or both of the novels I’ve written in the past 6 months. Remember, they are both first drafts so editing will open the opportunity (and challenge) of rewriting. But … always there is a but … my physical environment is suffering from neglect and my other projects are demanding their due.
For one, I’m engaged in The Knitting Guild Association’s (TKGA’s) Master Hand Knitting Program, Level 1. For those of you interested in such endeavors, here’s a link: http://www.tkga.com/?page=AboutTKGAMasters
I actually had completed Level 1 almost 20 years ago, started Level 2 and then just quit. I am an avid knitter and have been knitting for over 40 years. I can also sew and crochet, but knitting has always defined me. I’ve made everything from baby blankets to cardigans to socks to shawls to scarves to pullovers. As the years go by, my knitting has become simpler, except for the socks and a venture into Entralec.
In recent years, I’ve resisted patterns like cardigans that require lots of finishing. Even with socks, I prefer to knit toe-up two-at-a-time because that method requires the least amount of planning and finishing. So why am I enrolled in the Level 1 Master program again? (Beside the fact that after 20 years, the association has updated its standards and requirements.) In truth, because I thought if I ever attempt to sell my knitting, it might be helpful if I could be “certified” as a Master Knitter and for that, you need to complete all three levels of the Master program. But knitting is labor-intensive and selling would only work if I was willing to do it for free. And, once knitting becomes a job, the joy goes out of it for me.
My writing is much like my knitting: I love the process (the knitting, the writing). I love the end product (the sweater, the novel), but I don’t like everything I have to do to get there (the sewing of seams, the editing). And, as with knitting, once the “fun” goes out of writing, so goes the writing.
After all these years of writing and knitting, I feel like I’m still discovering myself as a writer and a knitter. And I’m starting to let go of that urgency to “Be” something or someone, to define myself by someone else’s precepts. I’m a contrary student: I love to learn but I hate instructions. I love to find out something new, but I hate being told what to do.
Yet I intend to finish Level 1 of the Master program, even if I have to write a two-page, single-spaced report on blocking (really, is there that much to be said on blocking?). Level 2 will depend on how much of Level 1 I might be asked to re-do. And with my writing, it will be easier to simply create anew rather than rework what I already have. We’ll see. For now, I have some knitting to finish.
Ellen Goldstein, guest blogger at the Writer’s Resource Center, has some great suggestions for how to create your own writing retreat. Her focus is poetry writing, but her advice applies to writers of all genres. Ellen’s suggestions range from setting a schedule to going on field trips. She also offers links to writing that can inspire you. For her full post, click here.
Here are some of my favorite podcasts–they are all free and available through iTunes.
The Classic Tales: B.J. Harrison has a wonderful reading voice, and so far I’ve enjoyed listening to his renditions of Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness and H.P. Lovecraft’s The Lurking Fear. Subscribe through iTunes to get timely (and free) installments, but also check out his website (www.theclassictales.com) for other features such as Poetry Corner and Short Story Spotlight.
New Yorker fiction: Subscribe to the feed service through iTunes (or click here) and enjoy a monthly reading and conversation with New Yorker fiction editor Deborah Treisman. Authors reading authors is a unique feature of this podcast. One of my favorites is Paul Theroux reading Luis Borges’s short story “The Gospel According to Mark”: both Theroux’s reading and his commentary made listening to the podcast a real treat.
PRI’s Selected Shorts Podcast: You can hear these short stories on your local NPR affiliate or make sure you never miss a podcast by subscribing through iTunes. (Go to NPR’s directory to find sundry other podcasts). Similar to the New Yorker fiction podcast, most of these short stories are read by other well-known authors. All are read before a live audience which gives the readings a wonderful sense of immediacy.
LibriVox: LibriVox is truly a labor of love. It is supported by volunteers who read novels, short stories, and poems that are in the public domain. Check out their website for volunteer opportunities, and to view their rather lengthy catalog of available downloads. Again, you can subscribe to their feed through iTunes. One word of caution, however. With some longer works (such as Austen’s Northanger Abbey), chapters may be read by more than one volunteer, which can make the listening experience a bit uneven. Also, these are volunteers, not professional readers, so the quality of the readings can be disappointing. Still, Librivox is a treasure trove, and the efforts of its volunteers are admirable. The uneven quality of the readings can even be a bit fun. Just imagine listening to a group of your friends as they take turns reading chapters from your favorite novel!
Now, do you have a favorite podcast? Please share!
I decided I needed a little more color in my life so I changed “themes” yesterday. I hope to add some “texture” eventually as I learn how to edit CSS so I can add background images. Although I really liked my previous theme, this one feels more cheery yet appropriately subdued for the introvert that I am. I’ve also added some RSS widgets (scroll down the sidebar) for my most favorite websites & blogs, a few of which I’ve discussed in earlier posts. So now you’ll have three ways to connect with the sites that I talk about: link directly through my posts, links saved on my sidebar, or the RSS widgets through my sidebar.
Did you know that you can get a feed to The New Yorker’s fiction and poetry? Now with my aircard and laptap, I never have to worry about missing an issue! See for yourself–click here.
Marie at 1 Write Way 