The April 26 storytelling at the Westport Arts Center was a rip-roaring success. Six great storytellers told tales on the theme “Money Talks” and wowed the audience.
We had a great Cafe last Wednesday. Thanks to all of you who came! We discussed some of the best blogs for writers, and here are a few of them:
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/index.php
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/
http://writingcontests.wordpress.com/
http://procrastinatingwritersblog.com/
http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2009/02/05/top-100-creative-writing-blogs/
The last one on the list has its own list of 100 best blogs, so there are plenty to choose from.
Robert Stephen Williams commented that he felt that people were no longer reading blogs because so much information consisted of sound bites. He felt that Twitter and Facebook status updates have overtaken blogging as the preferred web communication method.. He said “It’s all about your network, followers and connections, like those on Linked-In.”
What do you think? It seems to me that even Twitter and Facebook updates often refer readers to longer articles or blogs online.
One of our writers was asking which literary magazines were the best ones to submit to. Plenty of advice here, but it really boiled down to: know the literary magazine before you submit to it. It’s no good sending a story about your childhood to a magazine that specializes in writing translated from other languages, for example. Places to find literary magazines to read/buy – the library, and Barnes and Noble.
Christine Schaffer’s advice was similar. She told us about how she gets articles placed in food related publications like Edibles. Research the publications first to find out which ones carry the sort of article you write. The pitch a story on a topic you’re familiar with, and if you don’t sell it first time, keep pitching!
Susanne Sheridan, photographer, of Westport CT, took these amazing photos of the most polished and fun storytelling we’ve had yet. If you were there – reminisce. If you weren’t don’t miss the next one on April 26
Cash, bucks, bread, dinero, coins, loot, even high finance – no matter what you call it, the abundance or absence of money can cause conflict and change. We’ve been there, and we know you have too. Bring us your stories of striking it rich, barely getting by, being broke, owed or owing –and our great team of coaches (Bill Bosch, storytelling master, aided and abetted by Ina Chadwick, and Gabi Coatsworth) will help you hone your tale so it’s ready to perform in April.
Our March storytellers weren’t sure they were ready for prime time, but we helped them get there, and the March 22 event was a smashing success, thanks to them. Be part of this exciting new entertainment form by telling a story or coming to cheer on the people who do! Just a small handful of banknotes will get you a ticket, free scrumptious food, and a great evening. Be there!
It was great to see all of you (12!) who came to the Writers’ Arts Café on Wednesday, March 6. Gabi started with a bragging session, where we asked anyone who’d had something good happen since the last meeting to share it. This took a long time – because so many people had good news.
Carol Shaffer won the Fairfield Public Library Food Memoir writing contest
Penny Pearlman had an item accepted for an online inspirational book, and an “idea for the day” accepted for a calendar
Robert Williams had an article accepted for the online magazine “The Good Men Project” in which he described his first yoga (terrifying ) yoga class.
Susan Hood has had a series of illustrated children’s books accepted for publication
Carol Boas had a story accepted for Echook, the new short writing app
Shira Linden is an now an honored writer for Echook
Speaking of Echook, we talked about their fascinating new publishing idea. To find out more, click the link below.
Then we talked about the main subject – writers’ workshops and groups – worth the time? Worth the money?
We defined that writers’ groups as informal gatherings of like minded writers, and decided that finding a group of writers in the same genre was crucial to productive feedback. Echook has a very good summary of how to start a writers’ group here:
The Fairfield Library runs a series of free writers’ groups in various genres: http://www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org/writers.htm
They have a writers’ blog, too, which you might want to check out : http://fairfieldwriter.wordpress.com/
Other writers in the group talked about their best and worst writers conference/workshop experiences. Places mentioned were:
Breadloaf, VT: http://www.middlebury.edu/blwc
Squaw Valley, CA: http://www.squawvalleywriters.org/
Wesleyan Writers’ Conference, CT: http://www.wesleyan.edu/writing/conference/
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 will mark our second Awake After Dark (but home early enough in the suburbs) Storytelling event at the Westport Arts Center.
Although my introduction to the format of storytelling took place in a 600-seat theater in Baltimore in 2009 I knew it could fly in a much smaller town, so long as we could fine-tune it with realistic modifications, learning along the way. In Baltimore, I felt the multi-generational audience root for seven unscripted storytellers – dog walkers, doctors, sports writers, a fencing coach, a financier, each telling a seven minute story on the same universal theme. We opted to give our storytellers ten minutes, and occasionally we will allow a longer story that we all wish was a movie that would last for hours. It’s important that in the middle of the week you can have a great evening out, but get home at reasonable hour. That’s why timing each story is critical to both the craft of storytelling, and to the audience’s experience.
When I chose the theme “What I did for love” I wondered whether we might be overwhelmed by a wave of bodice ripping memories, and “dying for love” clichés. Amazingly, it didn’t happen. I took the risk of throwing that theme out there, and thrillingly, for tonight we have a range of stories of which only one is purely romantic, yet it is multi-layered with tragic and triumphant passion for a parent’s lost love.
This evening’s theme mostly brought out the intricacies of devotion, about how we make sacrifices that are selfless at times, and simply madcap insanity at other times. This theme accurately reflects “A Chorus Line” the show for which the song “What I Did for Love” was written. It’s about passion to do the most for what we believe in. It’s about moving forward when there is no turning back.
By holding these storytelling evenings at the Westport Arts Center, Mousemuse has found a venue that suits both WAC’s continued efforts to expand into all of the connecting arts and Mousemuse’s mission to bring the writers and talkers and performers together within the community. Together we want audiences to connect with both the stories and the storytellers.
On a wonderful note, Mousemuse has received funding from the Sunny Shores Foundation for Awake After Dark which makes WAC’s job and my job much easier.
Please know that for all events and for every organization producing art that ticket prices only cover a third of any production. This spectacular facility is a gloriously peopled machine that hums with talent and good spirits, and is successful in part from its volunteers and its devoted, highly competent staff.
What I Did for Love, to be precise. Our next storytelling evening is coming up on February 15, and we have some amazing stories for you to hear. From the romantic story of a love lost and found, to a story of determination in the face of almost overwhelming odds, via a tale about a wasted possum, there’s variety enough for everyone. You may laugh till you cry – or shed a few sympathetic tears – either way, we’ll have Kleenex on hand.
This should be a great date night – so keep the Valentine’s mood going, and come to the Westport Arts Center on February 15. Tickets available at www.westportartscenter.org or at the door. $20 or $15 if WAC members, gets you light but scrumptious fare, a cash bar, and an evening’s entertainment that’ll have you cheering in your seat, which we recommend you reserve ahead of time.
See you there!
Whether you were in a royal palace, a tent on a scouting trip or playing under your bed as a kid, shelter is a universal need. Maybe you were settling into your first dorm room, finding, renting, or even losing shelter, we want to hear your story. Looking for shelter – from the storm,maybe, on this freezing January day – finding no room at the inn, looking for somewhere to hide? Tell us about it.
Building your home? Building someone else a home? Visiting the best – or the worst – home in the world? We want to know. We’ll give you shelter on stage at the Westport Arts Center on March 22. Check our Facebook page for regular updates.
Next Storytelling February 18
The theme is “What I did for love”… we have only a couple of slots left for storytellers. Our show is so successful that people are lining up to tell their tales. So – think you can tell yours? What’ll it be? How far did you go to for love? As far as next door? Across the country? Out of the country? We know you’ve done some amazing things in the name of love, and we want to hear about them. Funny, sad, dangerous or just plain silly – email us with your story and we’ll take it from there. Ina@mousemuse.com or Gabi@mousemuse.com
Cash, bucks, bread, dinero, coins, loot, even high finance – no matter what you call it, the abundance or absence of money can cause conflict and change. We’ve been there, and we know you have too. Bring us your stories of striking it rich, barely getting by, being broke, owed or owing –and our great team of coaches (Bill Bosch, storytelling master, aided and abetted by Ina Chadwick, and Gabi Coatsworth) will help you hone your tale so it’s ready to perform in April.
Our March storytellers weren’t sure they were ready for prime time, but we helped them get there, and the March 22 event was a smashing success, thanks to them. Be part of this exciting new entertainment form by telling a story or coming to cheer on the people who do! Just a small handful of banknotes will get you a ticket, free scrumptious food, and a great evening. Be there!
Doors open at 7PM. Show starts 7:30 PROMPT.
Whether you were in a tent on a scouting trip or playing under your bed as a kid, shelter is a universal need. Maybe you were settling into your first dorm room, finding, renting, building or even losing shelter, we want to hear your story. If you think you’ve got a story, email us, and we’ll take it from there. Ina@mousemuse.com or Gabi@mousemuse.com.
There is life here in the suburbs after dark! Hear it! Be part of it! Experience it! Be in the audience or be at the microphone. Or be both!
Doors open at 7 PM. Show starts 7:30 PROMPT.
Turn off the six-o-clock news! Treat yourself to a weeknight evening that doesn’t end by falling asleep before 9 p.m. There is life here in the suburbs after dark! Hear it! Be part of it! Experience it!
Be in the audience or be at the microphone. Or be both!
How to become a storyteller? Try not to write out your story. If you have already written it, then fold it up and put it in your back pocket. You wrote it. You know it. You can tell it by heart. You are the character! It’s your story.
Doors open at 7 PM. Show starts 7:30 PROMPT.