Wow, what a beautiful and honest piece. I love the way you illustrated the pull between George who represents your inner child and Killjoy representing all that society conditioned you to be. This was really a joy to read. And the answer to your last question: YES!! My church is forest park in Portland, and my service is taking care of the birds at the Bird Alliance wildlife care center. I feel like we should be friends. : )
I can see the evidence of your bravery in trying out what you heard in writing class. This story shows more than tells. It creates emotions where your first essay about this event reported facts. Neither is bad; just different approaches.
Thank you! It did require more vulnerability than the way I have written in the past but hopefully the deeper emotional connection is more enjoyable for the reader. Or perhaps that depends on the reader?
Chris and Kristen much prefer the more narrative approach, but they are both fiction readers and have little interest in learning about community cultivation; they love a good story.
The one concern I have is that those who are like me, generally read non-fiction, like to get to the point and look for clear “lessons,” might feel frustrated with a slower-moving, less direct narrative path.
What I do know as a non-fiction reader is that stories are way more sticky and keep returning to my mind long after I finish an article.
While this way of writing takes way more time, I do enjoy the challenge and find the process far more enjoyable as a writer.
Thank you for commenting. It is so hard to know if a piece is resonating if I only get likes and no comments.
Hmm, I think the story actually moves faster than the essay. I think the story has take-away lessons throughout, even though they aren't stated explicitly. The essay leads to The Moral of the Story. Again, both styles have a place - I write essays, after all, but you are right that a story tends to stick with a person longer.
I think your travel writing and writers' group sharings are more narrative than your sharing here on Substack. Would you agree? The image of the lady you wrote about in the envelope prompt is still in my head...I never heard if she solved the mystery!
Thank you for sharing your inner dialogue. Your little girl self sounds delightful. I was fortunate enough to be able to play in the woods and with various more than human neighbors. It would have been fun to have you visit my buddies!
My ranch life was decades ago. Living in West Asheville, we have an average size property in a neighborhood. My nearby more than human neighbors are mostly Trees, Hummingbirds, Hawks, our Pup, other dogs, Snakes, ground hogs, other birds and occasional Bear passing by.
I am working on an article about a very special hummingbird. I love the Asheville area. My husband and I spent last year exploring all parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and your area is on the list of return sites we hope to hit next spring.
That sounds like a great plan. I’m also going to her live meet up. We are going to camp for a few days ahead of the meeting. Are you planning to attend?
Wow, what a beautiful and honest piece. I love the way you illustrated the pull between George who represents your inner child and Killjoy representing all that society conditioned you to be. This was really a joy to read. And the answer to your last question: YES!! My church is forest park in Portland, and my service is taking care of the birds at the Bird Alliance wildlife care center. I feel like we should be friends. : )
I felt the same way when I read your article. Thank you for subscribing. I wonder what intersections we might discover as we journey together.
We will keep reading and writing and find out! ❤️
I can see the evidence of your bravery in trying out what you heard in writing class. This story shows more than tells. It creates emotions where your first essay about this event reported facts. Neither is bad; just different approaches.
Thank you! It did require more vulnerability than the way I have written in the past but hopefully the deeper emotional connection is more enjoyable for the reader. Or perhaps that depends on the reader?
Chris and Kristen much prefer the more narrative approach, but they are both fiction readers and have little interest in learning about community cultivation; they love a good story.
The one concern I have is that those who are like me, generally read non-fiction, like to get to the point and look for clear “lessons,” might feel frustrated with a slower-moving, less direct narrative path.
What I do know as a non-fiction reader is that stories are way more sticky and keep returning to my mind long after I finish an article.
While this way of writing takes way more time, I do enjoy the challenge and find the process far more enjoyable as a writer.
Thank you for commenting. It is so hard to know if a piece is resonating if I only get likes and no comments.
Hmm, I think the story actually moves faster than the essay. I think the story has take-away lessons throughout, even though they aren't stated explicitly. The essay leads to The Moral of the Story. Again, both styles have a place - I write essays, after all, but you are right that a story tends to stick with a person longer.
I think your travel writing and writers' group sharings are more narrative than your sharing here on Substack. Would you agree? The image of the lady you wrote about in the envelope prompt is still in my head...I never heard if she solved the mystery!
The story is still in progress. You can read each installment in The Variety Page Circular: https://jh-agency-llc.kit.com/variety-page-circular
Thank you for sharing your inner dialogue. Your little girl self sounds delightful. I was fortunate enough to be able to play in the woods and with various more than human neighbors. It would have been fun to have you visit my buddies!
I love exploring new places and meeting new friends!
My ranch life was decades ago. Living in West Asheville, we have an average size property in a neighborhood. My nearby more than human neighbors are mostly Trees, Hummingbirds, Hawks, our Pup, other dogs, Snakes, ground hogs, other birds and occasional Bear passing by.
I am working on an article about a very special hummingbird. I love the Asheville area. My husband and I spent last year exploring all parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and your area is on the list of return sites we hope to hit next spring.
If you’re open to meeting in person, I’d like that. Can we message each other while attending Leah’s monthly zoom meeting?
That sounds like a great plan. I’m also going to her live meet up. We are going to camp for a few days ahead of the meeting. Are you planning to attend?
No. At least, I haven’t planned on it.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you won the argument with Killjoy.