I looked up at the calendar today and was stunned to realize that there was no note of it being Pearl Harbor Day. The reaction to those events were very similar to modern generations reactions to 9/11. I didn’t say the same, I said similar. For instance, after 9/11 my maternal grandfather, affectionately known as Opa, recounted the same type of feeling of coming together, before that moment, the United States was not involved in the war that was sparking in Europe already. Both my grandfathers would serve in the campaigns in the Pacific. Opa would be in the battle at Midway.

Why are you telling us this, Casz? Because it made me think about how histories both in the larger context and in the individual context are interpreted by writers. I’ve recently re-read Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut. The influences of history on his stories are clear. What are the influences of current events, or events throughout your life and how do they influence your writing? Ponder that for a bit, as you meditate today or drink your coffee or drive your kids to school or walk the dog. Think about it, reflect. Knowing the influences of your writing is a good thing.

Today’s prompt is an opportunity as we approach the darkest part of the year (as I write this I still can’t see the sun and it’s after 7 a.m.!), to reflect on a moment in history that has made a huge impact on you and let it seep, trickle, wash or even flood into your stories. Pick a moment in your personal life (or your character’s life) and write from the perspective of one who is experiencing it or how it affects you/the character’s choices. Did you move away from the big city because of a crime? Did you lose a loved one in war? Was the birth of death of someone in your life a catalyst for change? Often times in our fiction we neglect to put outer world events in it that effect the environment of the characters in the story. In your quest to find the interiority of the protagonist and antagonist (if you dare) don’t forget that external forces can also play a hand on what happens. What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis to the mother of your character? When the Berlin Wall came down? Where was your character when Rodney King was beaten?  Even something as simple as your character’s high school closing 20 years after she graduated? Or a favorite childhood spot is now a parking lot (thank you Chrissie)? Simply put, how does history through the eyes of your story look? Show us. Write. Don’t try to sugar coat, unless that’s how it looks for your character. Make it real. Make us feel what your character does.

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Important SnoValley Writes! Dates:

December 9:  DayTrippers – Meet at Toad’s in North Bend for Writing, Critique Help and general literary camraderie. 9:30 a.m. until about noon.

December 11:  Our last regular work session of 2011. Be prepared to look back and look forward. Bring your dreams and goal sheets (If you don’t know what that is, we’ll have extras). 3 p.m. (Until about 4:45 p.m.) North Bend Library Meeting Room.

December 13:  Writer’s Cafe at Carriage House (3rd St & Bendigo in North Bend), 6:30 p.m. until about 9:30 p.m., Come to the back door. Bring your own beverages and snacks; although there is tea to share.

December 14:  Board meeting for SnoValley Writes at 7:30 p.m. at Carriage House. All are welcome to attend. It is a working session to fill out the 501c3 application. One last push before we break for the holidays.

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Still need Project Manager for Word Jazz, Writing Contest, Journal, and Summer Arts Hall Project. Let Casz or one of the other Board Members know if you’re interested.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:

“The noun of self becomes a verb. This flashpoint of creation in the present moment is where work and play merge.” ~Stephen Nachmanovitch.

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What did you Write today?
~Casz 

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
SnoValley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

If you’re still having to write to reach your NaNoWriMo goal today, have no fear, there are two write-ins. One at George’s beginning shortly at 8:30 a.m. (I’ll try to get out of my pajamas and make it there on time, but there is still a dog to walk). Also beginning at 2 p.m. (or there abouts) many of us will take over the back corner of the bar and grill (at least that is the plan). I’m bringing a cushion to sit on because I will be there until they throw my fanny out.

Come cross the finish line with many of us today.

Don’t forget, Thank Goodness It’s Over Party on Thursday, Dec. 1 at Snoqualmie Brewery and Tap Room, 6:30 p.m., We’ll be in the loft area again (just like for the kick-off). Here’s the deal on that:

Like a good bookend, it will be much the same as our kickoff. Instead of goodie bags, there will be raffle prizes to give away (we hope)! Bring your wallet, your entourage, and your appetite! 

Also, the way our (white elephant) raffle prizes work: since we can’t afford to just go out and buy a bunch of raffle prizes (we wish we were made of money), we rely on our participants to help us out in that department. Have a tchotchke that you don’t want anymore? A book you’re done with? Some fine china? A gigantic stuffed monkey or octopus (I’m so vying for the latter)? A copy of your novel? A half-gone box of chocolate? A Starbucks gift certificate? Whatever you’d like to have up for grabs on the prize table is fine with us, as long as it’s family friendly and, you know, not alive. Time to clean out the attic! I know we can rely on you to make this selection of prizes the best ever!

Prizes to be awarded:
1st and 2nd to finish
Most words by end of Nano
Best last sprint (most words in last two days)
Most Write-In attendances
Least amount of words (and still showed up to the party! Go you!)
Best Opening Lines (as we will vote that evening, so bring yours)
Manuscript with the most references to Coffee in it. (count before you come – honor system)

Best Missing Something Duck reference (so bring yours to be voted on) 

Also feel free to bring a small snippet (no more than 1,500 words) from your NaNo that you’d want to share with all of us — as in do a reading.

And that, friends, is our TGIO party in a nutshell. We’d love to have you all there!

Just RSVP  if you’re coming.

Thanks! Hope to see you there!

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Your prompt (include it in your NaNo if necessary):

Put yourself or your character in a situation where they have worked hard to prevent something, but on the other side of the situation he/she realizes that fighting the situation was the wrong thing to do. She should have let fate take it’s course. Show me the pain and angst and the folly of humans that think they can control life, when in fact that’s hardly the case oftentimes.

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Board meeting December 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Carriage House. All welcome to attend. It will be a work party for our 501c3 application.

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Still looking for volunteers to help organize the writing contest, our annual journal and Word Jazz. Please let us know.

—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Abbreviated edition today as it’s the pre-Thanksgiving craziness. Remember, oftentimes at the end of life, your regrets are not for what you did, but what you didn’t do.

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Your prompt today is to try to steal away at lest :30 in the morning and in the evening for the next four days. For those doing NaNoWriMo, that kind of time will be minimal.

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Enjoy your holiday with your family and friends. Reach out to others either in person or through your writing. Share your stories.

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—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

I hope the autumn season is treating you well. Enjoy the sunshine while you can.

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. A mere five days away. The official Snoqualmie Valley region’s kick off is Nov. 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the Snoqualmie Brewery and Tap Room. We’ll have a section in the loft area. We’ll go until at least 9 p.m., but you are welcome to stay past that and get your word count for the day. There will be some formal activities:  meet-n-greet, locking away your inner editor, word wars, etc. Please join us for a great start to a great month of literary abandon.  Remember this year we have a quasi-theme:  30 Days, 30 Ways to Play…Writer! Each day there is the availability of a write-in. For most of them there is a person already planning on being at that particular write-in. Look on your regional calendar on the Snoqualmie Valley region page and you can see where and when we’ll be. I’ve also provide a link here: tlknt8dpavq7b46i3lfe1cpuok@group.calendar.google.com This also includes a virtual write-in on Thanksgiving, which will likely always be there. Details coming on where that “hang out” will be.

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Also, our Word Jazz will definitely be in the Spring, as will also be our annual writing contest. I’m still looking for some volunteers to help with organizing this. Let me know if you’re interested. We need a good project manager. In conjunction with the writing contest and Word Jazz we’ll be publishing another journal. So start writing. We’re looking for at least three of these words to be in the prose or poem that you submit as members of SnoValley Writes!:  Three, Magic, Number, Valley, Anniversary, Coffee, Friends, Ashes, Determination, or Quest. There are no bonus points if you get all the words. But, feel free to challenge yourself.

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Today’s prompt is stolen from my very favorite writer’s calendar (A Working Writer’s Daily Planner). Perhaps it will help inspire those of you looking for your next story or your NaNo. Feel free to use this prompt as a personal essay, memoir/creative non-fiction start, or write it as fiction from the perspective of a main character.

“Picture a conversation between two people you know who will never get a chance to speak to each other…people in your life who, for whatever reasons, are highly unlikely to ever meet. Yet suddenly they have. Why? Without your being there, wheat are they saying? Do they realize they know you? What would they say about you if they make the connection?”

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SnoValley Writes! Board meeting is this evening at 7:30 p.m. at Carriage House. Anyone is welcome to attend. Remember we’re still looking for another position to be filled on our board, to fill the huge sucking chest wound left by April (we miss you!) when she had to move off to the islands. If you’re interested, please let us know. This position must be filled no later than April, but preferably sooner.

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And now your moment of Writing Zen:  “The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels.” ~Hazrat Inayat Khan.

—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Good autumn morning. Did you catch that Chinook wind yesterday and last night? How wonderful!

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This week is focused on outlining. Asking yourself, your characters, your storytelling skills lots of questions; forcing some introspection and examination.

Outlining can be rather daunting and, for those unfamiliar with the process, it may be difficult to imagine the form — not that there is a single, rigid style. To acquire a self-created example, I suggest that you try a technique I’ve found both enlightening about the form and instructional about writing — a method by which you can learn how good stories (and those not-so-good) are constructed. Even experienced writers, including professionals, may find it to be a few well-spent hours.

Rent or buy or borrow a videotape or DVD or other type of recording of one of your favorite movies or shows or miniseries. View the first scene, punch Pause and write three or four or five lines about what the scene was about. Then run the second scene, and repeat the process — and so on and so on. It will take a while, but by the time you’re through, you will have an outline. You’ll see what it looks like, know how it’s supposed to read.

But more than that, you will have learned. A lot. You’ll see what the writer was doing — understand it on a fresh level. Which can be a revelation — and may just give you some creative mojo for your next project.

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—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

Speaking of National Novel Writing Month, the Web site is now ready for you to engage for NaNo ’11. They have a new, juicy, full-of-extra-guts web site. So you may have to (like I did) reload an icon photo and fill in some other blanks. Please sign up and home with region Snoqualmie Valley. Would love to see our numbers hit 200 this year. I am Hero Protagonist. Please don’t laugh, my husband signed me up the first year and gave me that moniker. If anyone needs help signing up, just let me know. Perhaps I can help you at one of the writers cafes or work sessions before November hits. Of course our kick-off party will definitely a spot I and others can assist you.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:  “Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities.” ~William Bridges

—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron

I keep meals in the freezers, forget about the dishes, stock up on water and non-sticky-fingered munchies at the writing desk and go to town.

I want you to write about your writing process — the harvest times and the lean times. How do you deal with both? Send me it. I’ll post it on the SnoValley Writes blog page.

We meet this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the North Bend Library Meeting Room. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. I already have one regret — hope it’s not a trend.

And now your moment of Writing Zen:  “Art? You just do it.” ~Martin Ritt
—
—
What did you Write today?
~Casz

Casondra Brewster
Moderator/Founder
Sno Valley Writes!
Helping Writers Reach New Literary Peaks Since 2008
http://www.snovalleywrites.org
Check us out on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SnoValleyWrites

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling, like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think.” ~ Lord Byron