Writing Update: New storylines

796
words

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Location:
Indigo Bookstore

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Music:
The Knife -
Silent Shout

And it was a relief when the latter became the norm and we lapsed back to our old selves, as our grandmother’s presence in the house made it small in more ways than simply five people pushing against one another in a scarcity of rooms. Some days, I pretended that she had died in the night and the speechless, empty-eyed woman who’s steps made no sound was a ghost. Or if a ghost is the essence of a person moved on from their body, I was more inclined to pretend that she was the opposite - a husk. Waking dead was a phrase that Finley used once, and I latched onto as my own way of thinking of her on those days she was at her worst.

Today I began working on a story-line and motif that I've been planning for years and written excerpts of but which I hadn't begun to implement with the main narrative.

Writing Update: Familiar Face

507
words

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Location:
Indigo Bookstore

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Writing Companion:
Finley!

We were not far from the cairn, and he and I were indians, hiding from the others, pretending we were one with the trees and the earth. We lay on the ground, bare-chested, necks raised to look through the brush. Our mothers would later wonder over their laundry: why did our white shirts stay so clean while our trousers so stained that they must have buried in the top soil.

At the end of a very busy day, I had a few minutes at an Indigo Bookstore coffee shop. And while I wasn't sure I'd have the energy to write, seeing my book on the shelves there got my creative juices flowing. Ended up being a productive session, as I started on the second part of the book. 

Always a welcome sight

Helga Poppies

Poppies in the front yard using an iphone 'helga' filter

Writing Update: Researching egyptian deities...

1106
words

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Location:
Oolong Tea House

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Musical Inspiration:
Joe Henry - Tiny Voices

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Montana circled around behind us then loped in front, trying to get the game to continue, and Claire flung her arms wide and stepped toward him, and he thrilled to the gesture of a chase, darting back and tearing around us. This continued all the way to the bridge, at which point he left us and trotted back to his porch. Perhaps he watched us all the way up the long path to the church, and saw where we disappeared into the brush. Perhaps he took note of the location and longed to go hunt for the stick. But he rarely crossed over the creek.

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I'm finishing up a few last parts of the first section, including the long sequence that I had started working on yesterday. My research today was on vintage cigarettes, and particular the early 20th century trendy Egyptian Deities. 

Writing Update: Malice of Childhood

1499
words

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Location:
Vendome Cafe

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Imbibement:
2 double americanos

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Jonas and Ilsa were both looking to me, as though I should do something. So I was relieved when Claire stepped forward and stood over them like a boxing referee, but she allowed it to continue a little longer as her brother's cries got more desperate. Only when he went silent did she put a hand on Ewa's shoulder and say her name. Ewa swung her arm around to break Claire's grip off her, then swung down again upon Samuel. Claire stepped back, gathered herself, then stepped forward and gripped Ewa's neck, pulled her back and upright, and locked her arm around Ewa, who flailed in response. Claire knew a thing or two about breaking up fights. 

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I had an excellent writing session today. One of the challenges I've been struggling with is trying to capture the relationships between the children within the community, making them behave like real children and not just tiny adults. There's a fascinating world of secrets, alliances, and betrayals, but it's anchored in a genuine love for one-another.

A couple days ago, Janine and I watched Where the Wild Things Are. While the greatest appeals to the film are the costumes, cinematography, and soundtrack, I also appreciated the writing; it seemed to me to be a very honest and real interpretation of how relationships within a family would unfold if we were all as uncensored as children. The anger, envy, and violence is all rooted in love. And in particular, I loved that Max had this idea that they could have a big fight and work out all their emotions that way, but that he then did what any kid would do and pick the teams to the best of his advantage and surround himself with his closest friends. I think childhood fights can be cathartic, but only when you fight with your friends and make alliances with your enemies. I also thought that the movie had some interesting things to say about dreams, but I'll save that for another post.

Anyway, I'm trying to channel a little of WtWTA in my writing today, focusing on the malicious edge that children often have, but understand that it comes from a very loving place. I'm happy with the results so far and may revisit earlier passages to make them better reflect what I've written today.

Lens flares!!!