The Writing Group (TWG)

Hello Otter and good to see you.

Oh yes I remember when you first came to TBD and the WG and I remember welcoming you. There was something about you, almost like a doe caught in the headlights at first, but something more almost like a hidden fire about writing burning within you. I've silently watched your writing as you tip toed, then walked, and then sometimes ran, sometimes stumbled, then got up again and kept at it. I'm proud of you and what you have accomplished here at WG and what you have conquered within yourself.

Hey, who you sayin' stumbled! ;-)

Thanks, Dee. I'm honored. And you're right - I've learned to get it out there, because it's the only way to practice and learn.

Yes, we all stumble, as every writer who has ever lived and written has stumbled.

Probably I stumble with writing more than anyone does. I won't bother you with the number of titles and a paragraph or two or a page I have saved that were stumbling starts and likely to stay that way. Some stories I've finished should've probably stayed that way. But then again, who doesn't have those kind around. It is part of writing. We're writers, right? But we usually don't write right when we first write, right? Thus sayeth Yogi.

It all goes back to the words of Truman Capote, to refresh our memory, and for those who might be new here.

Capote said every story has it own unique problems. So true, so very true. If anyone here doesn't believe it, then submit three or four different stories to Tier II for critique and see what happens-even with rewrites. That is how we all learn and grow in our writing skills.

Capote's words ring true as to why we all, at times, stumble along with our writing, just as he did, just as all writers do.

The one thing Capote said that probably helped me most was his lines which compared a story to an orange, an orange being made complete and whole by nature, and for us to question ourselves if our storys are like that when we get them written.

What Capote didn't say but what I try to keep in mind is the fact there are little oranges, and big oranges, and which one will the story I'm about to put all this effort and rewrites into be. If the story doesn't bolt out of the gate, out of my consciousness, then I figure it is going to be a little orange and not worth the effort of finishing. If it isn't blowing up my skirt then why should I expect it to work that way for someone else.

So, when I stop trying to make something out of nothing it tends to cut down on the stumbles-a little bit.

Hi Dee! I have missed your words of wisdom, your incredible insights of the world and nature. Welcome back!

For me, sometimes the little oranges pack the most intense flavor, but I do agree that if it doesn't freely pour from my consciousness, it probably won't strum anyone else's heartstrings either.

On the personal side...

We are trying to get away for a three-day weekend, just hubby and I (no teens!) We are meeting with a group that gathers anually in the mountains for fresh air, live music, drinking and dancing. Of course, we are getting grief from the kids (What? Mom and Dad have a life apart from serving us?! How dare we!) and the preparation for being away is only surpassed by the clean-up when we get home on Sunday, tired and grubby and probably hung over. I don't remember camping being such a chore before...I keep thinking how easy it would be to just curl up in my bed and watch movies and drink beer and eat popcorn in the comfort of my own little home. UGH! I sound like my parents!

Anyway, I'm sure I'll end up going, and I'm sure I'll have a good time once I get there, mulish though I am!

Hi TraumaGoddess! So good to see you here and likewise I've missed your insight and powerful writing.

A bad experience with blastomycosis has kept me away the past two months. You're probably familiar with that. But good to be back now and returning I feel like I missed two months of my "children's" lives. I know, I know, some of you are older, most wiser, and some are almost as old as I. But each of you are dear to my heart even though we only meet here. It is just so rewarding to be a part of this group.

I should have been more clear about those "oranges" because you are right in saying a "little" story such as flash fiction can pack a whallop, can appear as a "big orange, especially when it makes us stop and think. My intention was to get the point across of making sure to get the whallop in the story regardless of length. So thanks for bringing that point up.

Hope you take the trip and I know you will enjoy it once you get started. You will probably come back with another story stirring in your head and ready to write it down.

Otter! I remember that thread. Stumbled across it when I first discovered TBD. You had a photo of yourself with glasses. Great advice woven into that thread. I'll have to revisit it. Thanks for the link.

Hello everyone,

Welcome Dee,

Short update on my headaches. The graduation is tomorrow, I saw the "good" news on ABC this morning, apparently we will have to pay $15.00 for the first check in luggage, and $25.00 for the second. Three different airplanes to St. Petersburg and there go $240.00 on the top round trip of $2200.00 ticket.

"Only" $80 for Germany.

Can somebody tell me how to win the lottery?

LM, I can't wait fot the new writing adventure. I need something to look froward for, that makes me happy.