A few things are new, some of which I will mention here.
If you have never read a book by Peng Shepherd, run out and get “The Cartographers” today. What a fantastic, imaginative book! It never ceases to amaze me the talent of authors to come up with entirely different ideas for a book. When I try to come up with an idea to base a story/poem on, nothing much happens.
I have become unhappy with my lack of writing expertise. I presume to write poetry, but I have no idea about many things related to the craft. I am currently using a phrase to show how much I enjoy writing poetry — “it is like pulling teeth.” The same could be said about writing fiction stories.
I have signed up for a poetry class. It is online. I paid for it, so the quality of the curriculum is bound to be much better than trolling free writing sites. The instructor, or as she calls herself, “the Tutor,” is a learned writer of many years with multiple high-level degrees. The class is in seven modules and includes a 99-page workbook. I have high hopes for this. Tomorrow I am going to purchase printer paper so I can print the workbook out and get started.
This past week, I attended a writing “Salon” for the first time. I could explain it in great detail (but why?), or a better idea is you can check it out at The Narrative Method. It is open to anyone on the planet. During a Zoom meeting, writing prompts are supplied. You write to the prompts (or not to the prompts), then writers meet in small groups to read their work — no praise, no criticism. You get to meet and interact with strangers for about an hour at a scheduled time (sign up via the website). It was fun, freeing in a way. I am going to make it a habit twice a week on Monday and Tuesday. They currently offer times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. I may see you there!
We are still stuck in limbo. Our home in Virginia has not sold since we moved here to Idaho over two months ago. We have issued a decree that if the house doesn’t sell with all funds disbursed by the 29th of this month, we will void the contract and hire someone else to finish the deal. We’re tired of sitting in lawn chairs and sleeping on the floor.
My Mom’s cat died. Please say a prayer for her, she is having a bad time of it since her favorite son moved to Idaho — and now her cat died.
Peace.
Kevin