Writing Circles – New Dates!

We all have different stories behind why we write.

We love words; we love painting pictures with sentences, capturing moments, journaling the purest and rawest of emotion.

We writers write because we cannot not write.

But in writing, there are writer’s blocks we authors sometimes blindly slam into; we all know the scenario of coming up blank when we’re brimming with emotion or hesitating before pushing publish or wish for just another set of eyes to read what’s come spilling out of our fingertips.

We don’t just need inspiration, a stirring prompting to let creativity flow and grow us in our art; we also need other writers to surround us and give praise, encouragement, constructive criticism if we are to really come into our full writer skins.

Perhaps, you’ve read some of the Reading Circles posts by the magnificent Jade, and it’s stirred your desire to really begin honing your craft and skill? Maybe you’ve hit a plateau and need some inspiration? Or maybe you desperately need another voice to help shed light on your own written words?

Whatever the case may be — whether you are a seasoned writer or have recently found the love of a pen in your hand {or keys at your fingertips!}, Bigger Picture Blogs Writing Circles might be just what you need to stretch your writerly mind and heart.

Here are the details:

What: A group of three to five writers will come together via Skype with the add of Google Docs to share a written piece in a specific the genre to hear each piece read and then engage in a praise/critique session with each writing piece. A prompt will be assigned and a word limit will be suggested a week before the Writing Circle meets.

When/Host/Genre:

• Monday June 4th 7:30 p.m. CST Memoir, Hosted by Hyacynth from Undercover Mother
• Friday June 15 8:30 p.m. CST Fiction – Short Story, Hosted by Jade Keller from Tasting Grace
• Sunday  July 22 8:00 p.m. CST Genre TBA, Hosted by Melissa from Peanut Butter in my Hair

How and Where: Via Skype and Google Documents in the comfort of your own home!

Details: Our first Writing Circles are absolutely free of charge, but there is only space for FOUR participants in each circle. The first four people to register by filling our this form will be part of the circle. After that we will maintain a waiting list and those on the waiting list will be emailed as new dates/spots open up.

Comments? Questions? Leave it below and we’ll be sure to answer!

We look forward to growing together as writers!

If you’d like to take a peek, here are two finished Writing Circles pieces from Alita and Hyacynth.  Both pieces were inspired from the latest Writing Circles prompt, were read aloud to the circle, were subject to praise and constructive criticism and then edited and reworked into final pieces.

Live. Love. Write. 

Beat the Monday’s with Creative Inspiration

Photo Credit M. Haak

Monday’s got you down?

Getting back into the daily grind, the hustle and bustle of life can leave you feeling uninspired.

We have just the cure for you. Head over to the Bigger Picture Blogs Facebook Page for some creative inspiration. A simple prompt to inspire you to take five minutes to create.

Write a sentence….

A poem….

Take a Picture…

Tell a Story…

Create something to brighten this Monday.

The best part, no linky, no rules. If you do create something though we would love if you would share it on our Facebook wall!

Live. Love. Create. 

Reading Circles – The Giver {Part 5}

We’re in the home stretch! Did you sneak to the end? I’m totally tempted to sneak to the end and discuss all of it NOW. But we’re almost there!

Last week, we read chapters 15-19. We talked about a Point of No Return: the second one, this time catapulting us towards the end. It usually comes in the last 20% of the book. For me, the Point of No Return came when Jonas realizes his father has killed the twin, though I imagine others might see it as coming a page or two later at the revelation of Rosemary’s release.

I think I’m as shocked, stunned, and horrified as Jonas at this part, even though I knew all along that “release” would play some important role because Lowry brings it up so much -or foreshadows it – in the beginning.

Also notice something here. Partly, what is done here is horrific, but partly it is sad, and as writers writing about such a situation we might imagine that our characters would break down in tears here. But notice: neither The Giver nor Jonas cries, even though we expect they might – especially with how The Giver felt about Rosemary. Well, here is a trick. Readers love strong characters. While they will understand if a character cries at a likely moment, readers will be more likely to cry when a character doesn’t, even if he has every reason to. Think about the scene in The Hunger Games, when Rue has been killed and Katniss makes a burial shroud of flowers and sings to her.  I was BAWLING. Were you bawling? And yet, Katniss is not crying. We know how deeply she is affected, but we admire her stoicism. The scene would not be as strong if Collins had wrote about her tears. So lesson to writers: find other ways to reflect grief. It will be more powerful than a bucket of tears.

*     *     *

And now….for the finish! Let’s go ahead and read those last chapters we’ve been dying to get to.

As you read the final pages, pay attention to how Lowry wraps up important themes. What lines or passages convey meaning to you? How do the smaller subplots become intertwined with the larger plot?

And then…the End…what feeling does Lowry leave us with at the end? Are we triumphant? Sad? Dubious? Hopeful? How does she create that final feeling in us?

Having read the entire book, what now would you say the book is about? Give us your review.

Savor the end and enjoy it! Have a great weekend!