Tag Archives: writing

50 Days Out

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I got back from Washington about 14 hours before Thanksgiving Dinner.  Now, as the Holiday Weekend comes to a close, I find myself with a score of decisions and realizations.  With 50 days left before I am scheduled to leave for Morocco with the Peace Corps, there is plenty to figure out in a short amount of time.  For the first time in my life, I am coming to a crossroads where straight is no longer an option.  I must make a hard decision.

Although I do have more pressing matters to think and write about, the one I spent today on seemed appropriate.  I have been mulling over the idea of home for more than a month now.  I finally found the words to articulate the feeling that has been grown inside of me.  I hope you enjoy it.

on Home

 

Crossroads #42

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After more than three weeks in Washington State, I am finding myself at yet another crossroads.  This one is rather large.  I know I have choices.  Big ones.  I know that I’ve find someone.  I know I want to stay.  I know I want the Peace Corps.  I know I want the career that the Peace Corps provides.  I know I can’t have both…at least not now.

Meanwhile, my dog died.  I grew up with Cassidy from my preteen years on.  It was a great loss…and very difficult to experience from so far away.  I’m having a hard time focusing right now.  So here is the poem I have prepared.

Cassidy

CALLING ALL WRITERS!!!

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When I was in high school, I didn’t know how to be anyone but me.  Looking back, that wasn’t the case for everyone.  Teenagers tend to fall into cliques, subcultures, or certain behaviors in order to feel that sense of belonging that we all yearn for.  Looking back, I am under the belief that the best way to experience high school is by being yourself.  I would love to share this idea with teenagers getting ready to enter high school or already in high school.

So here’s the plan.  I am looking for 15-25 people who are willing to share their high school story.  I want to know what kind of group(s) you fell in with.  I want to know how you stood out as an individual.  I want to know when you found it hard to be yourself.  I want to know when you found yourself conforming at times.  How did it affect your academic life?  How did this affect your social life?  How did this affect your romantic life?

The plan is to make an anthology of these stories.  I am looking for stories between 3,000 and 6,000 words (these aren’t set guidelines, but don’t go crazy).  If your story is among the best, I will contact you and let your know that it will be included.  Once the anthology is set, you will have an opportunity to buy a severely discounted copy of the book.  Also note that, should the book ever be professionally published (it’s incredibly difficult to do so, but who knows), the profits will be split evenly between all chosen contributors.

Send you story, information, or questions to FFman@comcast.net

Make sure to include your name, contact information and name/location of your high school.  I can only accept stories until Christmas Day 2012—so get started!

Feel free to reblog to spread the word.

 

Snow in the Forecast

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Certain things spark a writer’s imagination.  As I think about my writing history, I have three sparks.  Change.  Romance.  Weather.  In the past week, I have come across all three.  I found romance for the first time in two years.  I changed so much–moving and determining what to do with my romantic life.  All the while, mother nature decided Autumn would be a short lived thing in Colorado.

My imagination has sparked.  While driving back to my home town this Wednesday, I heard that there was snow in the forecast.  Before I knew it, my mind was elsewhere.  The moment I got home, I started writing.  What came of it is my first bout of creative writing in weeks.  I hope you like it.

Snow in the Forecast

 

The End of Baseball Season

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My family and I went to the Rockies Game last night.  I wanted to go to one last game before the Peace Corps.  My family was more excited about the fireworks after the game.  In the end, so was I.  We lost the game…15-5.  It was quite a terrible experience.  But the fireworks after the game were amazing as always.  This is one of the worst seasons we’ve had in a while.  Now, with the end of the baseball season upon us, I have to find a team to root for…while I continue to root against the Yankees.

To go with the theme of baseball, I decided to share one of my best memories at Coors Field in Denver.  This is a memory I haven’t shared until yesterday.  It is a memory that I cherish…and I hope you do to.  Enjoy!

Day Eighteen: Batting Practice

 

How to Write Memories

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Getting back into the swing of writing has helped me immensely.  I love these memories more than anything right now.  I am going to make a bit of a change to the Memory Challenge…although you will not notice.  I am starting to talk about private things.  Although I am okay sharing my private memories…I don’t want to share other people’s private memories.  As a result, I am now changing all names.  Unless you know me personally…and pretty well…you should not know who I am talking about.

I spent three and half hours today talking with my favorite teacher for high school.  My mind has erupted with activity from the intelligent conversation.  She also gave me a book to read.  As soon as I’m done reading Mockingjay, this will be my next challenge.  It is Stephen King’s alternative history book about the failed assassination attempt on JFK.  I can’t wait to read it.

Day Seventeen: Losing Your Mother, Again

More Memories to Come

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I have been neglecting my writing a bit too much in the past month.  I am trying to get back in the swing of things now that the final draft of “The Stagner Chronicle” is complete.  Getting back is easy with things like the Memory Challenge.  I am going to try to do one each day like I originally intended.

With 39 days until I leave for the Peace Corps, I can’t help but find myself evaluating my life and decisions.  My time in Fort Collins has been fun, but it is time for me to move on.  I can’t wait to start my service–even if I am scared.  Even my back up plans–for if the Peace Corps doesn’t pan out–have me somewhere other than Colorado.  I just need to find my own life.  I can’t wait for it to start.  39 days is too long…

Day Sixteen: Lightning in the Cemetery

The Final Draft

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And, with the strong of a key, the final draft of “The Stagner Chronicle” is complete.  I’m so glad to be done and get it out for everyone to see.  I am going to order a copy today via Lulu.com to make sure the formatting is alright.  If it comes back clean, I will open the book for public sale and link it.

Four book down, a lifetime to go.

Thank You to My Readers

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I would like to start off today with a great big thank you to all my readers.  Yesterday, I uploaded a very personal piece that I hoped would grab a few eyes.  I had no idea.  Within 15 minutes of posting the writing, it had 200 views.  I don’t know if my writing has gotten better or if I’m just becoming more honest in my writing (or both).  But it doesn’t matter.  Thank you for all your support.

Today I am starting what I hope will be a new routine.  The coffee shop I write at is 2.5 miles from my house.  It is the perfect distance to walk.  Today I made the trek and feel great.  It is the perfect way to get my mind going so I am prepared to write when I arrive.  It is also perfect practice for the Peace Corps–which is less than 150 days away now.  I hope this new routine will improve my writing, help me add some muscle, and shave off the final 30 pounds I need to lose.  Only time will tell.

With Love,
Richard

P.S.–For any of you who missed my piece yesterday, here it is: Struggle & Love

Back to the Grindstone

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I’ve taken an extended break from writing the last couple weeks.  Now, as my world settles down, I am back to work.  I am preparing a new fiction story that I will likely write into a novel…simply because I need a creative outlet.  I hate  it when I finish writing novels.  It’s like being part of a play and then realizing you have nothing to do after closing night.  Luckily, I’m in control of my own writing and I have plenty of ideas that I’d like to transform into words.

I’m also slowly working away on the final draft of The Stagner Chronicle.  I will likely have copies available to general public in October through Lulu.com.  I’ll keep you updated as I make some progress.  I’m about a quarter of a way through my final read and it is still pretty clean.  I can’t wait to get it out to you guys.