Archive for April, 2009

Three fabulous firsts…

#1:  Last Friday night “The Story Woman^TM Story Salon” was launched in Boise, Idaho. It was an overwhelming success in every way.

There were fifteen of us ‘ordinary’ women who came together in my sister Dana’s  living room to listen to true tales, bio-vignettes, that were written by a wide variety of daughters to capture the character of their mothers’ from my collection, TellTale Souls: Keeping Spirits Alive One Story at a Time. The evening went beyond my (our) expectations and beyond the meaning of profound in so many ways. I don’t know if the following words do it justice, but it was truly:

• Inspiring
• Intimate
• Connecting
• Emotional
• Educational
• Supportive
• Bonding
• Passion filled

These ‘Wonderful Women’ (as I call them – I know, rather a lame name, but they were simply wonderful) won’t let it end, nor should they! They plan to continue on this journey of discovery we started on April 17^th by meeting once a month to work on their stories, be there for each other, and read other inspiring works. They realized this isn’t a writer’s group or a book club; it is a “Salon.” I was pleased they felt what I felt and that the name I’d chosen fit. Regrettably I may only have the opportunity to be with them once a year or so, since I live in Northern California.

This pioneer group consisted of highly educated women: teachers, entrepreneurs, real estate brokers, administrators, and managers, who came without preconceived ideas about what the evening would bring since it was the first The Story Woman^TM Story Salon. What could I say but, “Try it, you’ll like it!” My sister was a little nervous when I told her the evening would just evolve – it would take on a life of its own – she’s now a believer. Thanks, Dana, for believing in me.

One woman said, “I should have gotten up and e-mailed you at midnight (or called since you were probably still up) or I should have e-mailed you at 2:20 while I was awake, or at 4:05, or 5:30. I know I slept last night but I kept waking up and thinking and remembering. I just want you both to know what a profoundly meaningful experience last night was for me. In order to move forward all those years ago, I slammed a lot of doors….I suspect that behind those doors, some of which are still closed, lurk many memories I’m still not in touch with.  Knowing that there are ALL these women willing to talk about their mothers, both in glowing and painful terms, gave me permission as well as a frame of reference to think about and interpret many of the things I’ve not really revisited….  Anyway, in haste, a HUGE thank you to you and Lynn for getting me started down this path. I love you both.”

Another said, “Thanks for such a memorable and thought provoking experience…. I’ve thought so much about what was said, felt and rather magically shared.  THOSE MOMENTS WHEN SOMEBODY GETS SOMETHING RIGHT.  EXACTLY RIGHT, THE RAREST EVENT. That is how I felt when each grandchild was born and was perfect, with my daughter-mother, healthy and so happy.  You got it exactly right!”

#2:  The next Monday morning was another first for me, as a guest speaker, for this age group, when I gave Mrs. Brooke Roy’s Rocky Mountain High School Junior English class a 1 ½ hour lesson on how-to write a “Mother Memoir.” How to show, not tell.

What a terrific group of young women and men. My presentations are based on interaction, and they rose to the occasion with insightful, interesting input to my questions and to what they heard in the few stories I read to them, which were written by daughters and granddaughters in the TellTale Souls Collection. I believe they understood that in the “Mother Memoirs” I’m looking for, they are not writing about themselves, but writing to capture the character of someone other than themselves. I saw a silent, bashful tear or two caressing a cheek now and then, but certainly didn’t draw attention to those so drawn in.

I’m looking forward to reading their stories, since their assignment was to write a bio-vignette about a woman who has significant influence in their lives – mom or grandma, a mentor, a teacher, a coach…

I decided to create a contest whereby their teacher and I will choose the three best stories out of the thirty-six that they will hand in by Mother’s Day to complete their English class assignment. The contest winners’ stories will be published on my website and, moreover, considered for publication in the next TellTale Souls collection, with parental permission, of course.

It was interesting for me to note that Mrs. Roy had a second agenda, unbeknown to me: the students were to use what they’d learned from my presentation to help them write their personal statement for their college entrance applications! I took that as frosting on the cake.

#3:  Several women in the Friday night group, by Saturday (yes, the next day) had sent emails to me and called my sister saying they really wish their daughters or daughters-in-law could have the opportunity to engage in The Story Woman^TM Story Salon, and did I think that might be possible? Who could say no time for that! So my couple days of hopeful hanging out, went by the way side to make room for the daughters.

I think we had fourteen in the daughter group on Tuesday evening, plus a couple of their mothers, but only those mothers whom the daughters invited. This was another memorable 1^st, which I’m thankful for. And I loved the way they took the evening in – they seemed to take things a little differently than their mothers had a few days prior.

The daughters, at least on this initial gathering, enjoyed stories about all the mother figures, but really zeroed in on stories about grandmothers when they shared memories filled with passion that came up for them during the evening, which was poignant and fitting. What I gleaned from their remarks is that for some of the younger women it takes a little longer to detach or find distance between themselves and their mothers. Therefore, they were eager to talk and think about writing their “Mother Memoir” about grandmother. I wonder if gaining some years makes it easier for daughters to see their mothers as individuals or is it that they are reluctant to give her space of her own, since they still need her to be a part of them?

The daughters were an interesting group – some married, some not, some young mothers, some with no children, at least for now. They were coaches, teachers, hair stylists, physician assistants, and bartenders, to name a few professions.  We also had a seven-year-old in the group who admitted she was kind of board with the evening, but was a doll and held up my Gift of Story guide book in a photo taken late that night, which I didn’t know she had done until I saw the picture the next day.

Speaking of pictures, we had hours of time for photo ops on all three occasions, but I didn’t even think of it until this last evening, and by then several women had already left to go home to nurse their babies. At least I have one to show you that includes several of the women on this third and last evening.

This is all for now, but they’ll resurface on my blog from time to time.

~ Daughters and sons write bio-vignettes capturing their Mothers’ character ~

by Michelle Pierce

Grammar rules exist so that we don’t sound like complete idiots when we write. Most of them have a good reason for being around; after all, clarity in communication is a good thing. A virtue, even.

However, that’s not to say that all grammar rules are written in stone. In fact, some of them seem to be the work of rabid grammarians, who gleefully enforce confusing syntax and awkward construction in the name of “proper English.”

To heck with that, I say. Here are three grammar rules that were made to be broken.

1. Ending a sentence with a preposition

I have no idea where this rule came from. What I do know is that many people, in an effort to keep from ticking off the Grammar Police, start twisting their sentences around so as not to end them with prepositions.

Unfortunately, more often than not, the new syntax is terribly awkward and painful to read. Take the first sentence of this section, for example. “From where this rule came” sounds like something Yoda would say, not me. A big part of blogging is showing your personality through words. How can you do that when you’re twisting your phrases to suit some archaic rule?

In the interest of clarity and readability, it’s quite all right to end a sentence with a preposition.

2. Beginning a sentence with “and” or “but”

Somebody, somewhere, once decided that you shouldn’t begin sentences with conjunctions. Maybe it was an overzealous teacher who thought her students were doing it too much. My guess is that it was frustrated mothers who got sick and tired of hearing their children start every single sentence with “But Mo-om!”

The rule even got screen time in the movie Finding Forrester, when Sean Connery and Rob Brown have an entire conversation about it (and deliberately start their sentences with the offending words in order to make their points).

Regardless of how it began, you don’t have to stick with it. It’s perfectly all right to start your sentences with “and” or “but.” It’s a great way to grab attention and emphasize a point. But, as in all things, take it in moderation.

3. Splitting infinitives

How often have you heard that you’re not allowed to let another word come between “to” and its verb? Some people hold that construction with the same reverence as is typically given to marriage: that which the writer hath wrought together, let no man tear asunder.

Except that it’s really not that big of a deal. Come on: “to go boldly where no man has gone before” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “to boldly go.” If it sounds better to split the infinitive, then take an axe to it!

Don’t cling to the ancient rules just because your high school English teacher told you to. Be a rebel and break free of these nonsensical shackles!

About the Author: Michelle Pierce is the editor-in-chief (and word ninja) for Aqua Vita Creative, and she is very picky about spelling, grammar, and punctuation. She would like to remind the entire Internet that there is no “a” in “definitely.”

TellTale Souls asks daughters and sons write bio-vignettes that capture mothers’ character.

Enter, stage right: Jayne Wenger, artistic director, dramaturg, and workshop leader par excellence. 

I’m excited that Jayne’s writing tips will be offered for the first time by The Story Woman here on the TellTale Souls’ blog. After you read Jayne Wenger’s Seven Tips for Playwrights, join her and artists from around the world this August in beautiful Assisi, Italy, for the time of your life. 

Write. Rewrite
 Write. Rewrite.

Summarize your Story and Subplots
Do this just for yourself.  It will help you to stay on course.  Or, if you are veering off course, you will know it. Maybe that’s the place you meant to go all along! And write a few sentences about each character. Just for yourself, again. What defines them? 

Stage Directions are Important
Don’t let anyone tell you that they aren’t.
Think about your vision of the play.  Cut all of your “Stage Left, Stage Right, he/she sits despondently,” those are Actions, and they are for the director to stage.  Help the director and designers by prefacing your play with your vision.  Is it Magic Realism?  Is it Naturalism?  What is the style of your play?  Be sure that you know what style it is.   

Keep Writing Dramatic Conflict
Who wants what in each scene and how do they go about getting it?  

Listen!
Develop your ear for dialogue by listening. Train yourself to listen to rhythms, patterns of speech and regional dialect.  How do different characters in your own world speak? Keep listening.  Keep writing.

 Read your Play Out Loud to Yourself
You will hear the weaknesses and strengths.  This works.

                                                           Playwrights‘ Intensive Retreat

Vision and REVISION

 Jayne Wenger, Instructor

ASSISI, ITALY August 5 – August 18, 2009

 Live and write in a 12th century town in the heart of Umbria with a community of artists from around the world. The workshop will focus on plays that are in process, with emphasis on analysis and development of the script.  Writers will hear a scene or monologue daily and will receive individual dramaturgy from the instructor. In-depth and practical, this is a unique opportunity to concentrate your creative energy and let go! 
     Artists developing solo shows are encouraged to attend.  Emphasis is on plot, organic structure and character, with focus on building a relationship with the audience. This aspect of the workshop is tailored for writers who want to act, actors who want to write, and performers wanting to create new work. 

Jayne Wenger is a director and dramaturg whose exclusive focus is on original material. She is the past Artistic Director of the Bay Area Playwrights Foundation. She leads workshops on play development around the country, is nationally recognized for her work on new plays, and has developed the work of acclaimed playwrights nationwide.

 Additional details and information can be found at www.jaynewenger.com and www.artworkshopintl.com.

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~TellTale Souls’ Daughters and Sons Write Bio-Vignettes Honoring their Mothers~