I was accepted into the Sacramento Renaissance Society's creative writing class, "How to Write Best-Selling Fiction." It is a half-semester course that started on October 25, and we've met exactly twice. The lectures are based on the Great Courses series of the same name, but we will definitely NOT be able to cover all 24 lectures in 6 weeks! The instructor will cover story arc and plot, character development, dialogue, beginnings, description, satisfying endings, and formatting work for submission.
Some of the students are already partway through their stories/novels; I know nothing, having taken literature courses in college, but not writing classes. I am not interested in publishing a novel, but I already see how applying a story arc and plot structure to the stories I tell will make them stronger and more appealing. I'm sure the units on character development and dialogue will add to the tool arsenal.
My biggest problem now is coming up with a story to use in class that will let me practice all the techniques we are learning about. I'm already a week behind! I'm thinking I will select a family story I want to tell, and use it as the guinea pig. I hope I can apply what I learn this semester to my memoir techniques next semester - assuming it is offered again.
So onward! I need a problem, a "doorway of no return", conflict, a second "doorway of no return", and a resolution to the problem. How many family stories can be fitted into this structure easily? It will be a challenge to see if I can make it work. In the remaining 4 weeks of class.
November 03, 2019
October 01, 2019
Reunion, September 2019
I was so lucky to be able to attend a reunion of the Soutar cousins in Florida a couple of weeks ago. Mike conceived the idea, issued the invitations, lined up some activities, and hosted the gathering at his home in Bradenton, FL. About half of those invited attended, and we all had a great time getting caught up and remembering previous gatherings. For most of us, it had been from 35-50 years since we'd been together - we were teens then, and now we're grandparents!
The timing was perfect - there had been a thunderstorm and lots of rain the day before I arrived, so the humidity and temperature were pretty tamped-down for the duration of my visit.
For me, one of the highlights was the beautiful Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island, a barrier island off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The water was insanely warm, and so much more buoyant than the fresh water in the pool at the gym here in Sacramento. Mike's cabana is the navy-striped one near the water.
There were many whole limpets and other shells at the waterline, and I brought a few home to show my granddaughter Emma. (She "fed" them to her plush puppy.)
The dolphin and sunset cruise on Saturday evening was so much fun! We got to the marina very early and stood around for a while, but once on the boat, the guide was informative and entertaining.
We saw lots of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, including mommas and babies, and some spectacular leaps. I'm sure the boat crew thought they were calling them with their incessant horns, whistles, and railing-banging - I just thought it was noisy.
We pretty much had the entire boat to ourselves. There was one family of three who also enjoyed the cruise. They had an adult son with autism, and he enthusiastically responded to the leaping dolphins whenever they made an appearance off the bow. We talked a little, because of my sister, Mary, and I hope I was able to ease some of the awkwardness they felt at being on the boat with a family party.
As sunset approached, the boat cruised to the Gulf side of the island for a view of the sunset. We waited for the green flash, but I don't think anyone saw it.
And what would a reunion of Jamaican cousins be without Jamaican food? We had Rice and Peas, chicken, and I can't remember what else on the first night. Debbie and Mary completed a cooking marathon, making boiled yellow yams, Johnny cakes, Festival, salt fish and ackee, and cutting up fruit for breakfast the following morning.
Everyone seemed to have a great time chatting, singing, swimming, and eating. We exchanged contact information, and several said they want to do it again next year. That would be nice.
The timing was perfect - there had been a thunderstorm and lots of rain the day before I arrived, so the humidity and temperature were pretty tamped-down for the duration of my visit.
For me, one of the highlights was the beautiful Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island, a barrier island off the Florida coast in the Gulf of Mexico. The water was insanely warm, and so much more buoyant than the fresh water in the pool at the gym here in Sacramento. Mike's cabana is the navy-striped one near the water.
There were many whole limpets and other shells at the waterline, and I brought a few home to show my granddaughter Emma. (She "fed" them to her plush puppy.)
The dolphin and sunset cruise on Saturday evening was so much fun! We got to the marina very early and stood around for a while, but once on the boat, the guide was informative and entertaining.
We saw lots of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, including mommas and babies, and some spectacular leaps. I'm sure the boat crew thought they were calling them with their incessant horns, whistles, and railing-banging - I just thought it was noisy.
We pretty much had the entire boat to ourselves. There was one family of three who also enjoyed the cruise. They had an adult son with autism, and he enthusiastically responded to the leaping dolphins whenever they made an appearance off the bow. We talked a little, because of my sister, Mary, and I hope I was able to ease some of the awkwardness they felt at being on the boat with a family party.
As sunset approached, the boat cruised to the Gulf side of the island for a view of the sunset. We waited for the green flash, but I don't think anyone saw it.
And what would a reunion of Jamaican cousins be without Jamaican food? We had Rice and Peas, chicken, and I can't remember what else on the first night. Debbie and Mary completed a cooking marathon, making boiled yellow yams, Johnny cakes, Festival, salt fish and ackee, and cutting up fruit for breakfast the following morning.
Everyone seemed to have a great time chatting, singing, swimming, and eating. We exchanged contact information, and several said they want to do it again next year. That would be nice.
August 25, 2019
Memoir, continued
I thoroughly enjoyed the memoir class last spring. I didn’t know there is a memoir genre, which is different from biography or autobiography. I didn’t know it’s expected to alter the narrative to make the story better, to protect subjects, and to add personal reflection - in fact, the reflection is key. No one can tell you how YOU experienced the event, or that your recollection of it is wrong because it’s not how they remember it.
I learned that writing for readers is not the same as speechwriting, and that there are scene-setting techniques that can help the reader picture/feel/understand the story you are telling. I learned to learn from what classmates shared, to accept the instructor’s feedback, and to let go of my superiority. I learned I have very good stories, and need to learn how to tell them in memoir format, which includes what I learned from the incident, my feelings about the incident, and how it affected my development or perception of the situation and people involved in the incident. I am trying to enroll in the seminar again this fall, but there is an error on the web site - the class is not listed! I’m waiting for Renaissance staff to get back to me with a solution or a workaround.
Update 8/30/19: Per the Renaissance Society, the Fall memoir class is cancelled, but it will probably be available again in the Spring semester. I signed up for a half-semester fiction writing seminar beginning at the end of October, per our instructor's recommendation last Spring, but I'm waitlisted.
I learned that writing for readers is not the same as speechwriting, and that there are scene-setting techniques that can help the reader picture/feel/understand the story you are telling. I learned to learn from what classmates shared, to accept the instructor’s feedback, and to let go of my superiority. I learned I have very good stories, and need to learn how to tell them in memoir format, which includes what I learned from the incident, my feelings about the incident, and how it affected my development or perception of the situation and people involved in the incident. I am trying to enroll in the seminar again this fall, but there is an error on the web site - the class is not listed! I’m waiting for Renaissance staff to get back to me with a solution or a workaround.
In September, I’m going to a Soutar cousins reunion in Florida. I hear there will be about 25 of us. I’m planning to ask lots of questions, take many notes and photos, and come back with much fodder for new memoir essays. I’m taking a notebook for people to write down memories and story-starters, and leave their contact info so we can keep in touch. I also want to create a shared photo album online where we can upload photos for everyone to share.
Update 8/30/19: Per the Renaissance Society, the Fall memoir class is cancelled, but it will probably be available again in the Spring semester. I signed up for a half-semester fiction writing seminar beginning at the end of October, per our instructor's recommendation last Spring, but I'm waitlisted.
February 01, 2019
In My Mother's Footsteps
I've spent some time in earlier posts describing my mother's stories about growing up in Jamaica. When she was in her late 80s or early 90s, she took a biography writing class from Windward Community College. The essays she wrote as assignments in that class inspired me to do the same for my early years. Now that I'm retired, I've decided to act on the inspiration.
I enrolled in a semester-long seminar entitled, "Memories and Memoir: Writing Personal Histories." Our first meeting today included a few first-timers, and several repeat students. Students and instructor are all retirees, and the seminar is one of many offered by the Renaissance Society on the California State University - Sacramento (CSUS or Sac State) campus.
Our first assignment is to determine the outcome we want from the class (vignettes, stories, book, ...) and the audience. Then we are to write stories of up to 800 words to read aloud in class. The instructor will offer guidance for developing characters, creating story lines with tension and resolution, and for determining whether we can make the story stronger by including fiction enhancements.
Most are there to - of course - write about themselves or their parents for their children. Everyone has an interesting story, and I'm looking forward to the journey.
I enrolled in a semester-long seminar entitled, "Memories and Memoir: Writing Personal Histories." Our first meeting today included a few first-timers, and several repeat students. Students and instructor are all retirees, and the seminar is one of many offered by the Renaissance Society on the California State University - Sacramento (CSUS or Sac State) campus.
Our first assignment is to determine the outcome we want from the class (vignettes, stories, book, ...) and the audience. Then we are to write stories of up to 800 words to read aloud in class. The instructor will offer guidance for developing characters, creating story lines with tension and resolution, and for determining whether we can make the story stronger by including fiction enhancements.
Most are there to - of course - write about themselves or their parents for their children. Everyone has an interesting story, and I'm looking forward to the journey.
July 15, 2010
The following letter is among my mother's correspondence. Una is her mother. I believe "Uncle David" to be Simon Soutar's brother. Simon was Una's father, and the subject of the "tribute" mentioned in the letter. The "Family Magazine" referred to at the end of the letter used to make the rounds of the far-flung families, each family adding its current news and deleting its old news before sending it on to the next family. Mother referred to it many times, calling it a "round robin", but I believe it ceased circulation in the years after this letter was written.
5 Wood Street
Dennistown
Glasgow
24th April 1923
Dear Una,
I received your letter also that for Aunt Sara & forwarded the same to her. I have seen her since & she hopes to be able to send you a reply. She has been failing during the last 12 months her deafness has increased & now her memory is often at fault. Uncle Alick is not too well either & he worries about her. Still they say that the change back to Scotland has in some ways benefitted them. Their new address is
8 Corse Terrace
West Kilbride
Ayreshire
Agnes lost the sight in her right eye a few weeks ago. The Dr traced it to a piece of broken tooth left in the gum. It has been extracted & the sight is coming slowly back.
Sarel [?] (age 13) is in the Scouts. Martin (10) is in the "Cubs", but is having to give them up for a time as under Dr's orders he has to go to bed at 6 P.M. in order to rest himself thoroughly. His heart is weak but the Dr says he will grow out of it. Queenie (9) is in the "Brownies" & is taking part in a "Display" which takes place tomorrow night. Her proper name is Sara Margaret but we call her "Queenie".
Aunt sent me the "Jamaica Papers" I was much impressed by the tributes they paid to your fathers character his enterprise & public spirit.
I have just been reading Uncle David's Journal of his voyage to the West Indies. Uncle Simon & he left Southhampton, on Jan. 18th 1858, on board the good ship R.M.S. Parana 2048 Tons. Its destination was St. Thomas. From there they took a packet, the "Dee" which proceeded via Puerto Rico & Haiti. They landed at Port Royal on Sunday 7th Feby & put up at the Date Tree Hotel which had been recommended as the "first in the island." The journal closes in time for dispatch by first mail.
The "Family Magazine" (which had gone astray) has just come to hand this afternoon.
With kind regards from all to all,
I am
yours sincerely
Oscar S. Bailey
5 Wood Street
Dennistown
Glasgow
24th April 1923
Dear Una,
I received your letter also that for Aunt Sara & forwarded the same to her. I have seen her since & she hopes to be able to send you a reply. She has been failing during the last 12 months her deafness has increased & now her memory is often at fault. Uncle Alick is not too well either & he worries about her. Still they say that the change back to Scotland has in some ways benefitted them. Their new address is
8 Corse Terrace
West Kilbride
Ayreshire
Agnes lost the sight in her right eye a few weeks ago. The Dr traced it to a piece of broken tooth left in the gum. It has been extracted & the sight is coming slowly back.
Sarel [?] (age 13) is in the Scouts. Martin (10) is in the "Cubs", but is having to give them up for a time as under Dr's orders he has to go to bed at 6 P.M. in order to rest himself thoroughly. His heart is weak but the Dr says he will grow out of it. Queenie (9) is in the "Brownies" & is taking part in a "Display" which takes place tomorrow night. Her proper name is Sara Margaret but we call her "Queenie".
Aunt sent me the "Jamaica Papers" I was much impressed by the tributes they paid to your fathers character his enterprise & public spirit.
I have just been reading Uncle David's Journal of his voyage to the West Indies. Uncle Simon & he left Southhampton, on Jan. 18th 1858, on board the good ship R.M.S. Parana 2048 Tons. Its destination was St. Thomas. From there they took a packet, the "Dee" which proceeded via Puerto Rico & Haiti. They landed at Port Royal on Sunday 7th Feby & put up at the Date Tree Hotel which had been recommended as the "first in the island." The journal closes in time for dispatch by first mail.
The "Family Magazine" (which had gone astray) has just come to hand this afternoon.
With kind regards from all to all,
I am
yours sincerely
Oscar S. Bailey
December 18, 2009
Advent calendar of Christmas memories
I stopped adding "memories" posts, because they all led to the same thing. It was a good idea, but I ran out of memories.
We did make a few memories of our own, though. For every Christmas since we moved to California in 1991, we've gone to a tree farm to cut our own tree. The freshness is incomparable to the sorry trees we used to get in Hawaii from the Pacific Northwest.
We used to go to Union Mine Pines in Amador County, where Roz and Bob Deutsch have a small tree farm. However, it is a long way to drive, and Highway 49 is hilly and twisty, and the tree tied to the roof of our small car never seemed quite secure. (That's a part of the tradition, too - checking the tree every few miles to be sure it's still tied down tight.)
Roz used to work for Sacramento Public Library, and she grew up in Hawaii, so we had some memories to share. She, too, was in Hawaii on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. They have a cute cabin on the farm, all decorated in red and green and with a nice wood stove in the living room. Bob collects antique farm equipment, and has lots of stories about them and how they were used. They have a Santa cut-out, and offer hot chocolate, candy canes, and Polaroid photos of the families with their freshly-cut trees. (I should find ours and scan them - good way to see the kids growing up each year!)
Lately, we've been getting our trees from Davis Ranch in Sacramento County. This year, as always, we got the perfect tree. The weather, however, was not perfect last Sunday. We managed to arrive at the ranch between showers, and tromped through the rows of mud to make our choice. Husband lay down on a tarp to saw it off, and then we netted it, loaded up the trunk, and brought it home. The kids are long past the days when they were eager to go find a tree, but Daughter did a beautiful job decorating our tree this year. Not sure what we'll do next year, because we may be empty-nesters by then!
I stopped adding "memories" posts, because they all led to the same thing. It was a good idea, but I ran out of memories.
We did make a few memories of our own, though. For every Christmas since we moved to California in 1991, we've gone to a tree farm to cut our own tree. The freshness is incomparable to the sorry trees we used to get in Hawaii from the Pacific Northwest.We used to go to Union Mine Pines in Amador County, where Roz and Bob Deutsch have a small tree farm. However, it is a long way to drive, and Highway 49 is hilly and twisty, and the tree tied to the roof of our small car never seemed quite secure. (That's a part of the tradition, too - checking the tree every few miles to be sure it's still tied down tight.)
Roz used to work for Sacramento Public Library, and she grew up in Hawaii, so we had some memories to share. She, too, was in Hawaii on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. They have a cute cabin on the farm, all decorated in red and green and with a nice wood stove in the living room. Bob collects antique farm equipment, and has lots of stories about them and how they were used. They have a Santa cut-out, and offer hot chocolate, candy canes, and Polaroid photos of the families with their freshly-cut trees. (I should find ours and scan them - good way to see the kids growing up each year!)
Lately, we've been getting our trees from Davis Ranch in Sacramento County. This year, as always, we got the perfect tree. The weather, however, was not perfect last Sunday. We managed to arrive at the ranch between showers, and tromped through the rows of mud to make our choice. Husband lay down on a tarp to saw it off, and then we netted it, loaded up the trunk, and brought it home. The kids are long past the days when they were eager to go find a tree, but Daughter did a beautiful job decorating our tree this year. Not sure what we'll do next year, because we may be empty-nesters by then!
December 09, 2009
December 7, 2009, 68th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Bombing
My cousin"Pickles" Picadura shared this story yesterday by e-mail in a comment on a snow video I had just uploaded to YouTube:
Just think U & Marty did dis on...Pearl Harbor Memorial Day.... I remember da day real well. My dad took 8 mm movies and da US Army came to our house & took da movie film from my dad, plus da telescope he used to film da event. We neva got back anything they took. It seems telescopes was contraband items during da Marshall Law days. At least we got to see da movie he took before da army came to get it. They found out we had it from da film company who developed it. I remember seeing da Japanese pilot when they flew over our house in Kaimuki, he was so low, that my dad thought he was going to crash into da house & told everyone to get out of da house & Rosemarie cried. He flew over many times in a circle like he was looking for something. Kaimuki in those days was only residences & only Kaimuki Town was 3 blocks long on Waialae Ave. Today Kaimuki Town runs from 5th Ave to 13th Ave. on Waialae & Harding Aves. A big change ... unbelieveable buildup from 1950 to present. Catch U later.
My cousin"Pickles" Picadura shared this story yesterday by e-mail in a comment on a snow video I had just uploaded to YouTube:
Just think U & Marty did dis on...Pearl Harbor Memorial Day.... I remember da day real well. My dad took 8 mm movies and da US Army came to our house & took da movie film from my dad, plus da telescope he used to film da event. We neva got back anything they took. It seems telescopes was contraband items during da Marshall Law days. At least we got to see da movie he took before da army came to get it. They found out we had it from da film company who developed it. I remember seeing da Japanese pilot when they flew over our house in Kaimuki, he was so low, that my dad thought he was going to crash into da house & told everyone to get out of da house & Rosemarie cried. He flew over many times in a circle like he was looking for something. Kaimuki in those days was only residences & only Kaimuki Town was 3 blocks long on Waialae Ave. Today Kaimuki Town runs from 5th Ave to 13th Ave. on Waialae & Harding Aves. A big change ... unbelieveable buildup from 1950 to present. Catch U later.