Sunday, February 19, 2012

Readings at the Library

Yesterday, Carnegie Library hosted its annual Reminiscent Writings Program.  Despite the rain a few folks showed up.  I had the privilege to read an entry from the 2009 program.  It was a story about how my grandpa met my grandma (my mama's parents).  She came with me and I knew it was going to be hard, since I'm so tender hearted.  My voice cracked and tears welled in my eyes on more than one occasion but I finally finished the story.  There is nothing like telling your story! It may sound a little selfish, but that story means so much to me just as it did when I visited with my grandpa that day and heard him tell it.  Sadly, of all the people in all the surrounding communities, the library only received ten entries this year.  The new theme for 2012 was announced and I can't wait until another special story gets out of my head to be forever recorded on the page.  Won't you please check out the Reminiscent Writings?  This is a great opportunity to record your stories.  Ms. Marcia Dutton and her husband Mr. Charlie were there, and I was so happy to see them.  I can't wait to read Ms. Marcia's story since she submitted one this year.  This competition, if you want to call it that, has been in place since 1991 and it's a way of collecting community members' stories.  There is no fee to enter, only adhere to the theme and word count.  Everyone who submits a story receives a spiral-bound copy of all submissions.  Although my story was somewhat sad and sappy, the program ended on a happy story about a young girl accidentally making muffins with Watkins liniment!  Please consider participating in this year's theme.  There are countless stories out there waiting for the right home. Some of our Bayou Writers' Group members have participated over the years such as Rachel Windham and Bob and Georgia Downer. It's really fun and a great way for writers to get published!

4 comments:

  1. Hey Sherry. Somehow a big part of ourselves ends up in our writing, even in fiction. The story posted on the BWG site I wrote stemmed from a real dream I had and the feelings that went along with it. I changed a few things and tweeked some others because it was fiction, but I still had trouble reading through it without tearing up. Also, I think the internet is hurting the public forum for writing. People can send their work out to a lot of places without leaving the desk. I prefer the human interaction myself and would love to read a story to a captive crowd.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, James. I try to jump on every opportunity to read aloud. Although I had trouble getting through it, one of the ladies attending told me, "that was the best reading I ever heard." I couldn't believe it. I agree with you, technology is somehow separating us from our audience but since we're writers we just keep on keeping on. Why don't you bring your story to the next meeting you get to attend, and we'll be sure to give you a chance to read aloud!

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  2. It is fun to read aloud and tell stories.

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  3. I love hearing stories read out loud, but I'm not always confident about reading them myself! I think I'm improving, but I think I fear rejection about my own writing.

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