Just Write for introverts

Today we've got a joyous start followed by relaxing-melty moments and dreamy sequences. Let's see what your brain puts forth as you scoop under your awareness. Here's hoping for awesome, awkward nuggets hiding in the mysteries of the subconscious.

Today was a silly episode. I was in an odd mood: both firm about what I wanted to work on and scattered in thought. How can one be both focused and all over the map? A mix of tiredness and excitement rolled together, perhaps? The main thrust of the session was looking at what drives us, what drives our characters, and then also the driver itself—the narrator. I got a lot of inspiration about types of narrators (character, omniscient, and ambiguous) from Mario Vargas Llosa's book Letter to a Young Novelist. From there came a narration challenge. And so, what do a scared human, a blue turtle, and a comfy couch have in common? Listen to find out! Thanks for rolling with me today!

Today's song: "Bird in the Thyme" by Tiny Ruins

Well, howdy do! Today's focus was all about shifting perspectives and working through feeling stagnant. I'm reading Mary Oliver's collection of short essays, called "Long Life," and am enjoying hearing her voice, the thoughts behind the thoughts, giving insight into her beautiful poetry and pristine way of viewing the world. We take inspiration from her as we mine and define new ways of viewing things.

Today's song: "The Secret Kissing of the Sun and Moon" by Hang Massive

Hello! I've been recording the podcast for awhile now but am only just sharing with friends, so it feels like a new start in a way. Welcome to the newbs! Today we journey into words and phrases we use a lot, things from the past week that have stuck with us, and putting our writing muscles to the test by writing a bad mystery. Today's session is a little longer than usual - potentially due to nerves, but also because I do a bit of a longer look at one of the exercises including how I approached the prompt. Without furthery ado, let's get to it!

I zoomed through this one, didn't I? Feel free to take longer with any of my suggested prompt times if you like. Also, for anyone who is desperately curious, it was a Great Blue Heron I was seeing. And, the black and white bird who I got excited about is likely a Black Turnstone. Alas, not a loon. That was wishful thinking.

A note about the song at the end "Already Forgiven" by Basia Bulat: I attempted to use something that I thought was going to be super fancy - including an actual song track from Spotify - but I just found out that not only will it just be premium Spotify users who will hear the full track (with basic Spotify users hearing a short preview), but it also won't appear on my episode list on other podcast platforms. So, I'm re-releasing this episode without the song attached. Do go look it up though! As I wrote in the description for the now Spotify-only episode, it doesn't hurt to try something new, but I think I'll stick to my usual format of sharing songs from the Just Write for introverts inspiration playlist. Thanks for bearing with me!

I feel a little vulnerable in today's episode. Not exactly sure why! Here's the poem that I read aloud for the poem inspiration prompt if you wanted to read it rather than just hear me say it.

Conrad Aiken (1889–1973)

The Ego (January 1953)

Ego! Ego! Burning blind
in the forest of the mind
what immortal alchemy
or what immoral chemistry
dared shape thy fearful symmetry
dared dream thy fearful liberty
and in the eye
conceived the I
and in the ‘Aye!’
a Me! 

It's a new year! I tried to do a second 10-day challenge last year... It took me six months to do 10 episodes. First derailment at the start of the pandemic was the anniversary of my father's death (three years hit hard). The turmoil and pain and necessary work of fighting for and supporting the civil rights of Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Transgender people brought forth much thinking, learning, and helping implement antiracist efforts in systems where I could effect change. Then tragedy ravaged the valley where I live. The Almeda Fire brought unfathomable destruction, and life turned on its head. That was swiftly followed by an unexpectedly large work load, followed by the holidays, and time essentially having no meaning, which brings us to now. 2021. Season two. Let's get writing.

YES. For someone who struggles with daily tasks, this feels like a huge achievement. Thank you so much for going on this journey with me. Hopefully you had an enjoyable and enriching time. Here's the song for today: "Down to the Sea" by Elephant Revival. Here's the link to the playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0U16u8aKdIrHoFugoWzRec?si=8dea49cec93d420e

Other links...

Halfway point, bebe! I mentioned I'd give a description of the song prompt here. This exercise is one of my favorites for getting started. You have your writing gear ready, you play a song (I've got a list going for the podcast or you can choose any song you like), and you write for the length of that song. You could be inspired by a lyric, a word, an image, the feeling of the piece. Whatever sparks for you, write. You only have til the end of the song to get something down! At the end of the song, you move on. 

Oh my gawd!! It's Day One. We've got this, friends. Today's song is "The Duet" by Hollis Peach.