Her Words (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Wise creatives remain open to inspiration; they welcome it. One way to invite it is to have new experiences. For example, a couple of evenings ago I read Byron did at an open mic night on Mayne Island. Early (too early) the following morning inspiration called. So I grabbed my pen. This is what I wrote...

Her Words

Open mic poetry night was the last Friday of every month. She went Friday after Friday until she found the nerve to share what she wrote. The lights were low; the bar crowded. She pushed her way to the microphone. She read her words slowly the way she'd reversed. It was all mostly a blur. But what a feeling; what a rush. Afterwards, he found her table, bought her a drink, and told her, "Wow, you're talented."

So she joined him in the cab. Later she wished it all had been a blur.

Happy Easter!

Next post:  Guest Post:  Please welcome children's author Sigal Haber

Published on Sunday, April 23rd at approximately 5 PM PT

As part of the Literary Festival Active Pass celebrations, I will be giving an author reading at 

11 pm

at Mayne Island library

I plan to arrive at the library before 9 am and leave at 4 pm. I don't want to miss a second of this special day.

Devotion (poem) by Leanne Dyck

The poem, the story behind the poem.

A friend was planning a concert for Valentine's Day and she told me, "Leanne, I want you to participate. I want you to read something you've written."

Flattered, I wrote a short story and read it to her.

She said, "Not good enough." Because friends can say that. "Not good enough. It's not romantic. I want you to write a romantic poem."

"But I don't write romance," I told her.

"Aren't you married?"

"Happily."

"Well, what's the problem then?"

"But I'm not a p--" The look she gave me convinced me not to finish that sentence. Instead, I went home, clicked my pen, and started to write. But everything I wrote was crap. I needed help. A search engine directed me to this page about Elizabeth Barrett Browning's How Do I Love Thee. I learnt that inspired by her love for her husband she wrote that poem and an entire book. Well, I figured, if her husband got a book my husband deserves at least a poem. Twenty minutes later I finished writing. I called my friend and read her my poem.

Devotion

She'd never been in love before

She feared it would never come

She feared she would spend her life alone -- heart withered and deformed

No eye would fill with the sight of her

No heart would beat for her alone

But then, but then he had found her

He -- the sight of him makes her yearn

He comes to her and her pulse races

His velvet voice stirs her blood

He draws her close and they are alone in the universe

The love for which she has sought

For which she feared would never come

Is born, breathes, and engulfs them

Silence.

"It's just the first draft," I explained. "I can improve it."

She used the same tone loan sharks and bank robbers use. "Don't you change a word." 

Lessons learned:  
-It's good to stretch your writing muscles by trying your hand at a new genre -- even one that intimidates you.
-When stuck, look to a master for help.
-Seek inspiration from someone you love.

Sharing my author journey...

Last week, I climbed a steep hill and slid down into a bed of 

How to propel your author career by Leanne Dyck

Kinematics...kinetics...analytical dynamics...dynamics explains 'how and why things move in the ways they do....There are numerous practical applications for kinetics' -wiseGeek

And because I'm not a scientist, I feel free to use it how ever I wish. In fact, I think I'll use it to describe building a successful author career. 

Theory:  my writing career is fed on positive energy. The more I create the farther I can go.

Testing this theory:  This week I'm creating positive energy by...

Monday, February 10th

Being published:  Have you heard about Sonia Marsh and her 'My Gutsy Story' Anthology?

Well, I did because Laurie Buchanan--yes that Laurie--told me about it. And I voted for her. 

Voted? 

Yes, voted.

I'll get into that. 

Now...

Sonia Marsh writes about her Gutsy contest: 'Every Monday, we shall feature a short story on "Gutsy Living" about something Gutsy you have done in your life'

I wrote a gusty story--Oh, yes, I can--and Sonia has published it on her blog.

You can help:  by reading my story. 

Wednesday, February 12th

Reading my writing:  at the Canadian Authors Association Open Mic Nights.

Readings are limited to 3 minutes. So it will be fast paced and fun.

You can help:  by listening to me

Address:  Alliance for Arts 100-938 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Time:  7:00 to 9:00 p.m. [doors open at 6:45 p.m.]

Note:  This is the first time I'll be reading in Vancouver. It would be so nice to have people cheering for me. : )

This entire week...

Keeping my pen moving:  I'll continue to work on revisions and work on a short story.

You can help:  By being here. It really helps to have some one to be accountable to. Please know that I appreciate you.

And...

Friday, February 21st to Sunday, February 23rd

Attending literary festivals:  There are two literary festivals during the last weekend in February:  Galiano Literary Festival on Galiano Island and WordsThaw in the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Last year, I attended Galiano Literary Festival and walked away inspired.
This year... Well, this year I'd like to be able to split myself in half. But I think that might be painful. So I was forced to choose. I'll be attending WordsThaw.
You can help:  I'd like to support both of these fine festival. So here's my idea:  half of you attend the Galiano Literary Festival and the other half attend WordsThaw. Sound like a plan?
Here's an article about WordsThaw
Here's my review of the Galiano Literary Festival
Don't worry if you can't follow through on our plan. I'll share my adventure at WordsThaw on February 24th.
***
Next post:  Interview with Sheila Johnston
I meet Sheila Johnston at Words Vancouver. Here's a little more about that. (After clicking the link, please stroll down to Pauline Johnson--A Vancouver Legend with Shelia)