Shawn L. Bird

writing- #SiWC16 Keynote by Donald Maass October 26, 2016

Filed under: Poetry,Writing — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:18 pm
Tags: Donald Maass, keynote, SIWC, SiWC16, Surrey International Writers Conference, This Day We Write, writing

Transcribed from my notes at Surrey International Writing Conference last weekend.. While I was sitting in the front row, I wasn’t typing, so he was speaking faster than I could record. This is what I got. Others may have something different!

Donald Maass keynote SiWC luncheon. Sunday, October 23, 2016

We live in a very angry age. Everyone wants you to listen to their complaint and live as they do.

SiWC is our place of positivity. Our tribe. We want to live here all the time, but it ends.

So as SiWC 2016 comes to an end, how will we survive the year until SiWC 2017?

We will write.

We will schedule writing time, give ourselves daily word count or time goals, put Xs on a calendar, work with a critique group so we have deadlines, read books on writing.

(Check his blog Writer Unboxed for ideas).

Why do we write?

Orwell says it’s for hubris, aesthetics, a historical impulse, or to lead the way.

Susan Orlean says it’s to learn about the world

American Christian Fiction Writers say it’s to answer your own questions

Jodi Picoult says it’s to puzzle out the questions she doesn’t understand.

Exercise: For a minute free write why YOU write. (Everyone writes)

Take that ^ exercise and make it visible, remind yourself daily why you do what you do. Don’t worry about publishing. Just sit down every day and write what you need to write.

When we write we connect to others. When we read, others’ experiences become our own and we are no longer alone.

We are passionate about writing- we’re excited about conveying truth

Matter in motion creates energy. Writing what matters creates energy.

Life disappears in a moment. There might not be a chance beyond the writing session today. Write your best truth in the best way possible. Today.

#ThisDayWeWrite

(Donald at the podium, me directly in front of him with the long white and purple hair)

Comments (5)

poem-circles October 24, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 2:52 pm
Tags: concrete, dream, goal, growth, poem, poetry, shape, SIWC, writing

I’m

circling

I’m

adding,

growing, and

learning.

I’m

becoming

the dream me

I see her

in

laughter

applause

award

I’m

circling

up to the prize

it’s closer

and

closer

with every

word.

.

I just came back from the annual Surrey International Writers’ Conference. My first year there, I successfully pitched to a publisher. My third time I successfully pitched to an agent. When I first started attending, I admired the amazing writing of the winners of the $1000 Storyteller Award and the humorous writing by the winners of the 75 word Silly Write contest. I dreamed of winning those contests. I’ve entered a couple of pieces 5 or 6 times over the years. This year I didn’t have a project to pitch, but I submitted to both contests. I was short listed for the Storyteller (3rd year in a row short listed for a writing contest at SIWC!) and my entry came second in the Silly Write. I was thinking “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” 🙂 On the other hand, I feel the precipice I’m standing on- I am appreciating the fine line of difference between good and great.

When several hundred people are laughing at your jokes and cheering when your name is called, you can’t help but feel inspired.

You know how there comes a time when the craftsman requires particular tools to create true art? Because of the amazing craft workshops I attended (Donald Maass, Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley, Shari Green) and meal conversations (Larry Brooks, Nephele Tempest, Jack Whyte) I feel like I’ve been given the master tools that will make the difference to leap off the precipice and FLY. I feel that intangible sense that things are about to change, and I’m excited!

Comments (13)

poem-embracing October 23, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 1:06 am
Tags: authors, Conference, poem, poetry, Surrey International Writers Conference, word, write, writing

Here we are

embracing our passion for words

learning from craftsmen

risking ourselves on the page

and handing the paper for critique.

Here we are

together for celebration of what we are

who we are

writers

powerless to resist the compulsion

powerful enough to create worlds.

Comments (14)

poem- golden October 19, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:33 am
Tags: autumn, fall, light, poem, poetry

We wind through shadows

shimmering within touching distance of cloud,

and you appear,

golden valley

illuminated like a glimpse of heaven,

glistening beauty in the morning glow.

Shadows driven away,

by hope for this new day.

Comments (4)

poem-anticipating October 18, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:21 am
Tags: alliteration, assonance, change, consonance, obsession, poem, poetry

Once,

I’d count down days to him.

My pounding would steal my breath at

the thought of him.

I observe my obsession from a distance

laughing at my absurdity,

thankful to have exorcised such ghosts.

.

Now,

thinking I’m seeing her soon

illuminates my being

with not-so-secret joy.

I acknowledge my obsession

in a collectitivity of compatriots

thankful for opportunities

to rub against greatness.

Comments (8)

poem- real October 17, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 1:07 pm
Tags: allusion, metaphor, poem, poetry, Velveteen Rabbit

I am a Velveteen Rabbit

watching from the edges

loved tightly,

letting go,

becoming real.

Comments (2)

poem- there October 14, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 9:46 am
Tags: consonance, hyperbole, life, loss, paradox, poem, poetry, relationships, understatement

I’m crafting a world

and living in it.

You’re part of the narrative,

if only,

you were there.

Comments (6)

poem- today October 13, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:36 am
Tags: ABABA, end rhyme, imperfect rhyme, poem, poetry, repetition, rhyme, stanza

This is my only today

One opportunity to be

One chance to choose my way

One day to seize opportunities

This is my only today

.

This path is not the only way

I may choose other vistas to see

I may have new speeches to say

I may see what’s ugly beautifully

That path is not the only way.

Comments (6)

poem- valve October 12, 2016

Filed under: Poetry — Shawn L. Bird @ 10:28 am
Tags: alliteration, assonance, consonance, daily, internal rhyme, metaphor, poem, poetry, writing

Every day

release some of the pressure,

let the steam of words blow

rising like mist

falling droplets of thought

caught.

You can make room for new

opportunities

ideas

possibilities

to pen

if you drain your brain

daily.

.

Lots of poetic devices in action here, as well as good advice. Thanks syl for the image!

Comments (11)

Quote- Make Time October 11, 2016

Filed under: Writing — Shawn L. Bird @ 11:42 am
Tags: Amy Sue Nathan, priority, quotation, writing

Writing is done in the time we make, not the time we find.

~Amy Sue Nathan

(Writer’s Workbook, Writer’s Digest. 2016)

.

I teach my students that writing isn’t about inspiration, it’s about sitting down and doing. I often have no idea what I’m going to put on a page until I sit down with the intent to get 500 words today, or whatever. Then I’ll hear the voice of a character, tune in, and record the conversation. Identifying even snippets of time to focus on writing makes a difference. Sometimes those are otherwise lost moments, that become significant because of the writing that happened in those moments.

What do you think? Do you find time or make time for your writing?

Comments (13)

Shawn L. Bird

Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.