June 2021 The Unschool for Writers Newsletter
The photo: when an old friend moved over-seas, she dug up a number of plants and brought them to my garden. She warned me that a transplanted peony can take up to seven years to flower. For seven years, I took care of this plant with its straggly stems and leaves. At the end of year seven, I almost pulled it out, and then thought to leave it “just one more.” Year eight, it bloomed unapologetically. (There’s an adverb for you.) Smelled glorious. Was worth the wait. Sometimes, a writing project is like this.
Welcome to June! Month two for The Unschool for Writers. I am grateful for those who have signed up, and read, leave comments, and offer questions. I so appreciate interaction.
As of this month, I’ll be going “paid.” Eventually I’ll get to one post per week, but at this point, I will post more often, continuing to build archives through these summer months. “Free” subscribers will continue to receive the newsletter and at least one post per month.
I am hoping though, that I’ll make it worth your while to subscribe! And that it will cost no more than a good starbucks. The annual price will save you a bit. Please do pass word along to writers you know.
June 2021 Exercise/Prompt
Last month, a few days after the newsletter, I opened a discussion area for anyone who had done the exercise to please post and share. I will do that again this month. (This is a longish exercise! So you might want to post just an excerpt, or a point of fiction…see below!)
I’d like to share an exercise from a book that will be soon featured in my series about books on writing. I hope the idea I’ll share below might pique your interest in the book, and you’ll find a copy for yourself. No, I’m not going to post the amazon link. (I loathe what amazon has done and is doing to our industry.) Please use the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and order the book from your local independent bookstore, or your library.
Title: Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, ISBN 978-0385491754.
Rhodes has a number of excellent exercises in the opening chapters of the book, and suggests you take your time with them. I can imagine that we could take each exercise and do it a number of times, and learn more each time.
This one is #4, and focuses on a family story—something that has been shared in your family for some time. She suggests you take an hour, and write the story as you have heard it shared. I’ll suggest you take as long as it takes… but down the road, with more time, do give this an hour. I find it always yields some surprises to spend more time or add to a word count—it can push you to the new. (For instace, and I digress, sort of, but the NY Times Modern Love column demands a PUSH
As prompts, she suggests you think about the whispered parts of the story; the parts that are left out; the silences, the gaps. The secrets.
Once finished, place an asterisk next to any points in the story you are unsure of.
Then revisit, creating fiction at those asterisked points. (Yes, give yourself permission.)
This is such great exercise for both nonfiction/memoir writing, as well as fiction—it works with the strengths of both.
Forthcoming posts - what I’m working on
Last month, I promised work on two series: one of writing books, and another for beginning writers. I’ve renamed this second the “foundational” series, and have posted two pieces in it, on journal-keeping and reading. I will continue with these two, and will also be posting pieces on picturebook writing, a form that is most challenging and rewarding.
Several subscribers wrote to ask me about writing through times of stress/anxiety… all the stuff we’ve been collectively going through. A timely question. So I am working on this, too.
I am very curious as to what you’re working on and through, and welcome any questions about writing and writing-life. My email is alison@alisonacheson.com. Or write in the comments, after this post.
May posts - summaries
One April post that I somehow missed last month—and I do believe it’s worth a read—is the piece on Form and Content:
The Dance of Form and Content in Your Writing - these two elements are so tightly connected. Recognizing this can help grow your project
The “Foundational” series: Journal-keeping: the foundational must for new writers and renewal-seekers - options for this writing “must-do” - and
Reading as a Writer: Foundational series Part 2 - taking another look at the value of reading
WRITING-BOOK Reviews - Part 1 - the beginning of the books-on-writing series, on craft-memoirs, featuring Amy Tan, Stephen King, and Chuck Palahniuk’s works
Proper Nouns and Pronouns - the “grammar” piece this month—a look at how using names and/or pronoun can place a reader in relation to character
GET (YOUR) BACK INTO IT: Finding your way to a project abandoned for too long - Have a piece that’s been sitting?
Find and Love Your Literary Agent - if you’re looking for one, read!
*note the photo of coins next to this piece: in future all posts related to the “business” of writing will have this photo. Likewise, the “Foundational” with have the photo of ruins/stone foundation. Book reviews, of course, will be book covers.
End note
I spent a week of this month in an online writers’ conference. The great Katherine Paterson was interviewed by Kathleen Long Bostrom. It was so good to see Paterson’s face! I last heard her at the Serendipity conference in Vancouver, far too long ago, when she shared the thought that:
“In every story there is a need for forgiveness.”
I’ve pondered and shared those words since.
The words she shared this month were both a real reminder of this path that chooses us, and also an inspiring push… that we are on the right one, even when tough.
“It doesn’t get easier. The more books I’ve written, the harder it gets.”
I know this—it is what I experience over and over. And I am so grateful to hear these words, to know there is nothing unusual about how it feels to write, and write again.
Just had to share that beautiful face. Two, in fact. Thank you to Kathy, for such a fine interview!
Happy writing, Unschoolers —