Writing Marathon

Yesterday's Writing Marathon was amazing! It was a small, personal group of inviting, invester writers...and it was invaluable. I have been writing like crazy ever since the Summer Institute began, and it was so cool to be able to step into (what seemed to be) the daily lives of other writers to watch their processes unfold.

To begin, Amelie's was incredible. I started off unsure of what to write: I was in the presence of greatness! Some Doctors, some serious intellectuals, some REAL writers! It was a bit intimidating at first because I didnt want my writing to seem juvenile...But eventually, I tried to put the fear aside and dig right in to the writing... But where to start?

A brainstorm...
Perhaps I could begin with my pieces for Megan (my god-daughter), or work on my demo, or maybe even just write about the descriptions and goings on?
The decoration and fast pace of the comings and goings of coffee getters provided some awesome inspiration...

So as I was staring down at Lil's green checkered bag (hoping that no one would notice that I hadn't started yet), I began to write about that bag, of all things...And my writing just continued on from there! (see at Amelie's :))

Next up: Smelly Cat with Lacy and Tony. What an amazing location! Smelly Cat is a bit smaller and more quaint than Amelie's, which provided for some great discussion mixed with some serious writing time. I decided to write a piece for Megan's Book, and got a great start to a poem for her that talks about Kristin (Megan's mom) and I growing up, but puts a flip to it...It is a kind of "To Do" List for her life. (See Smelly Cat...For Megan) I decided not to share this piece becuase it was VERY in process (and still is) and I was a little worried that only Kristin and I (and Megan eventually) would be able to understand it--It is a collection of inside jokes/memories of sorts. Instead of reading that, I read "A Day in the Life of Tom Sawyer" which I am currently obsessed with (perhaps because he is still in Michigan and I am missing him like crazy? Perhaps becuase it is the first poem I have written in a VERY long time that I actually took through the whole revision process?)...

Moving on to Jackson's Java... An awesome location to work! Tony, Lacy and I joined up with Cindy, Sally, Jessie, and Carrie, and it was amazing to see everyone in the process of working on their miscellaneous pieces. At Amelies and Smelly Cat I didnt want to work on my demo because those locations seemed to offer such beautiful inspiration and "chill" space...But In the presence of so many educational "specialists" and the much more centered nature of JJ's, I decided to bust it out and take a look. I got a new perspective on my piece; as I was watching Lacy and Cindy work through their own inquiries out loud/independently, I felt so inspired and proud to be included in a group of such productive and helpful thinkers/writers. I was glad to have Tony next to me to bounce ideas off of...even if you are just trying to think through something out loud, it really helps to have someone there to smile and nod. (If you're interested in the Demo, see Jackson's Java: DEMO!)

Our time at JJ's quickly came to an end, and we (hesitantly) put our writing up to go fill our bellies with some awesome Indian Cuisine! Deliscious food paired with excellent conversation made for an awesome lunch :)

I can't believe the day has gone by so fast! It doesnt feel like I have gotten anything accomplished, but as I look back through my daybook and consider my experience, I consider...
I wrote a poem about the writing group, I started a poem for Megan, I finished my Demo, and had AMAZING conversation all the way through (which, in itself, was invaluable).

At The Wine Vault as I was watching/listening to the Open Mic, I was so impressed and inspired by all of the writers present, and the varrying pieces that we are all working on. I am so lucky to be a part of such an amazing event, and now, a part of such a (fill in really intense word here that means amazing--but more) community of teachers, learners, writers, and friends.

I heart UNCCWP Writing Marathon 2011 :)