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.

**********

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.

**********

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.

*********

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.

—
—
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