Writing « Sweet Soliloquies

Posts Tagged ‘Writing’

What nature has taught me is…

Aug 31st, 10 / 0 Comments

I’ve found nature to be an excellent teacher if only I stop to watch and listen. I’ve witnessed strength and perseverance by watching the poor lily plant I left in its original pot, rather than planting it in the ground, return each spring, glossy green leaves reaching for the sun, determined to grow despite my neglect.

Standing alone in wide open spaces gazing at the bright blue heavens above reminds me of how small I am in the scheme of things and how if I’m going to leave my own mark, I’d better get on with it. The divine Director has given us all a role in life’s big picture and no matter how large or small, it’s certainly a significant one.

More obvious is nature’s lesson of the cycle of life. Birth and death and the growth and beauty that exists between the two. We must continue to grow and learn and discover, care for and nurture each other; and as we do, our inner beauty cannot help but be seen and reflect the beauty we find in nature.

Rippling water flows outward and multiplies, just as our actions affect those around us. The peace and wonder we find in a forest can be cultivated in our hearts and become our sanctuary.

While I find excitement in the city and a comfort in my suburban home, it is in nature that I find God.

Gardening & Nature, Inspiration, Story Circle Network, Writing

Story Circle Meeting #1

Jul 21st, 10 / 0 Comments

The first Minnesota story circle meeting was held yesterday with much success! Four of us met at a crazy busy restaurant (note to self: find alternate locations), and we discussed what a story circle should be, what we hope to gain by participating in one, and what we’d like to write about.

We decided to loosely follow the Facilitator’s Guide for the first six weeks but chose our own first writing assignment. After discussing our interest in genealogy and our desire to preserve our memories and family stories, we decided to use a photo for inspiration to write a story/memory, poem or prose.

This could definitely be a supportive group and it should be interesting next week when we read to each other what we’ve written. I know this is the step we’re all most fearful of but I’m hoping the small group size will make it less daunting.

We agreed it would be fun to give our group a name and one of our members mentioned The Loonies (which makes me think of Goonies) in reference to the Minnesota state bird: the loon. The name makes me smile and I imagine we could all be accused of acting in like manner, however, we’ll see what the others, or I, come up with in the next week. Do any of you have a suggestion for a group name? Please be kind!

I look forward to our next meeting and am curious about what the other members will write. My mission tonight is to find a family photo that speaks to me. But, don’t they all?? However will I choose one?

Here’s to a successful week of reminiscing, writing and reading!

Art, Story Circle Network, Writing

Story Circle Network

Jul 15th, 10 / 0 Comments

I’m so excited to tell you that I have now become a member of the Story Circle Network! I’ve been wanting to join for some time now and have finally made it happen.

The Story Circle Network, founded by Dr. Susan Wittig Albert in 1997, is “dedicated to helping women share the stories of their lives and to raising public awareness of the importance of women’s personal histories. We carry out our mission through publications, a website, classes, workshops, writing and reading circles, and woman-focused programs. Our activities empower women to tell their stories, discover their identities through their stories, and choose to be the authors of their own lives.”

Sounds amazing, right? I’ve joined the Internet Chapter and am part of eCircle #14, an online circle of supportive fellow writers. I’m also starting the first Minnesota story circle group with two of my co-workers and hope to build it enough to have our own Minnesota Chapter.

I chose to join this network of writers not only because they write memoir and woman-based fiction but because after following this group for over a year, I’m fairly certain of the genuine interest and support the members have for each other. I also agree that women have not been properly represented in history and it is important to help further our cause in this regard. I hope to do this with the help of the Story Circle Network.

Now, I need to get writing. I believe life writing and poetry are what I’m most comfortable with at this point, however, I’m experiencing some resistance to delving too deeply into my life story. It must be the inevitable pain I’ll experience while exploring certain subjects, namely the death of my parents and some of the difficulty raising my son alone (until now), that I find daunting. I know, however, that I must move through with courage, feel what I must feel, in order to be healthy and grow and become the person I’m supposed to become. I believe the difficulties we experience are supposed to bring us to a place we wouldn’t have gone without them. A good place.

May the women in this network be blessed and may I show my SCN sisters the support they need.

Check this out if you’d like to read how and why women have joined the Story Circle Network. Click on the button to the right to read the SCN blog.