Catching up

Oct. 17: "I Got Rhythm"
In this day's writing the author talks about how rhythm is biological in nature. He states that there is natural rhythm found in nature; i.e., tides, phases of the moon, movement of various animals, etc. There is also natural rhythm in art, in poetry, and even in prose. He stated in "For Further Reflection" that rhythm is just as important in writing and in other forms of the arts, nature, and even our own physiology and behavior. "Life pulsates; we are most alive when we satisfy our instinct for rhythmic gratification."
"Try This" assignment: Compose a number of short poems, each one expressing a distinctive rhythmic character. Construct one poem predominantly with anapests (two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed, as in 'Twas the NIGHT before CHRISTmas and ALL throught the HOUSE. . ."; and another poem with trochees (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed; as in 'HOLD me, KISS me, LOVE me'; and yet another poem based on a rhythmic pattern of your own devising.
Growing up in a house that was always filled with music and having a father who played guitar by ear without ever having a lesson, I believe has given me a natural sense of rhythm which has been a part of the fiber of my life since birth. That may also account for my natural sense of creativity.
Oct. 18: Dwelling In Uncertainty:
In today's writing the author talks about how having a certain amount of uncertainty in writing is what is best for some writers while others are very uncomfortable if their story starts to deviate from they well organized plan. However, for those who of the first type to try to force their stories into a more well defined path makes it feel brittle and lacking in character. He also says that regard of which type of writer we are we should give ourselves "the opportunity to discover what your tolerance for uncertainty is like."
"For Further Reflection":
"Metaphors of direction--paths, roads, points of the compass, guiding lights, and so on--have their limitations when it comes to creating stories from scratch. Creative writing is more like exploring a cave than like painting by numbers."
"Try This" Assignment for today: "Begin writing a story with only a general topic in mind--say, the end of a love relationship. Your opening sentence should set up the situation quickly--something like, 'Martha could tell just by the way Gary shut the door on his way out that he would not be coming back that evening.' Without any further planning or consulting sources, write the story spontaneously, letting ideas fall into place from one sentence to the next."
This is basically how I have started the four stories I am currently working on. In fact, the only writing for pleasure that I have ever done, except for my family history, is basically written this way. I have sort of a theme or topic/plot in mind but the characters just develop as do the stories just evolve. Now much of this is influenced by past stories of other writers that I have read or as in the case of The Pioneer Woman's Journal from the history of the area that I have known and studied since I began school.
Oct. 19: Souvenirs:
The author calls souvenirs for writers as "heuristic devices--prompts to get the writing going." He also gives a definition and description of souvenirs. He states that they are reminders of past events that have occurred in our lifes. Because of moving around so much as an Army wife and an employee of the Army I have not kept souvenirs. What I do have instead is pictures. When my mother had to move from the family home into a nursing home my sister collected all the family photos some of which had been handed down to my parents by their parents. I have since made up family scrapbooks which include all of these pictures except for some negatives that I have never gotten made into pictures.
"For Further Reflection": In this section the author tells us that even if our souvenirs are not worthy of being shaped into stories they can provide information for scenes and incidents that can someday become part of a larger story. He further states that "when it comes to fiction writing, even the most seemingly trivial souvenir could stir the imagination and suggest much more than the literal experience with which it is associated."
"Try This" assignment:
"1. Go through the souvenirs you've collected over the years, without judging their story potential. Just gather them together. Be flexible, too, as to what should count as a souvenir.
2. Once you have your souvenirs gathered together, give carfeul consideration to each itme for its story potential. Conduct some online research if necesary. Finally, select one souvenir--or a group of closely related souvenirs--and use it as a springboard for an exxay on some facet of the culture it represents."
Can't really think of anything except some very special pictures that I might want to do this with and in a way I am incorporating these photos in the story of the Pioneer Woman's Journal because they are pictures of grandparents and great grandparents, and in one instance a great, great grandfather.