nest

come, rest in me

my woven threads of story

some fine as silk

some coarse as garden twine

Zoom has its up sides and its down. For me, they’ve been mostly up. I’ve been able to partake of workshops, yoga classes, song fests, concerts, writer gatherings, and even a mini-retreat. Zoom has been a gift.

The Salty Girls writers’ retreat on the Pemiquid Pennisula in Maine had to be postponed so Jodi Paloni offered a writing/artmaking mini-retreat in its place. With planning and advance prep (including packets sent out with materials) she created a transformative two-day experience via zoom. Proving, dear friends, that creative solutions are not only possible but obligatory for creatives like us. They are the unexpected gifts of this challenging time. Silver linings, if you will.

Next Saturday, October 3rd, 1pm eastern time, I’ll be doing a “Meet the Author” zoom session as guest artist with the Freethinker’s Corner books and more. I’ll read briefly from my novels Other Wise and This Other Way of Knowing (in progress), and we’ll chat about the writing/creative process. It’ll be light. It will be fun. I hope you can join us.

Hopefully you’ll leave wanting to pick up your pen, brush, laptop, or musical instrument and let loose. Hopefully something said will stick with you, nudging you onward in your own work. No one will be offended if you have to drop out early. You won’t be on camera unless you choose to be for questions. You can ask in the chat box unseen.

** You are invited to a Meet the Author Zoom event.
Join us in welcoming Mary Lou Bagley to A Freethinker’s Corner. Mary Lou is an artist, actress, and writer from South Berwick, Maine. As an artist, she finds inspiration and material for her work In the most ordinary elements of life. Mary Lou is a well-known Seacoast actress and has portrayed a diversity of characters on area stages. Finally, as the author of the novel OTHER WISE, she’s also an experienced educator, storyteller, and short story writer.
When: Oct 3, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) 

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlfumhpzIiG9CXtE2OtR2MXpsiy-QrmoWt

Can zoom get tiring? Absolutely. Can we counterbalance this with relaxation, nature walks, rest and nourishment? Most definitely.

For me, there was an expansiveness–a spaciousness–when this time at home began. Stunned after an initial period of adjustment, I settled into a comfortable nesting mode. No appointments. No unnecessary travel. No meetings or commitments. No interruptions to the flow.

Over time, though, my routine became more crowded. Myriad things vied for attention. My inbox had never been so full. Email blasts were constant. And though I rejoiced in the abundance of offerings, it could be overwhelming to skim and scroll and have to pass things up or put them aside for a nonexistent ‘later.’

Thus, I had to learn yet another lesson. Discernment. The need to choose those things that are truly beneficial and let the rest go. I hope in your selection process you choose to join me on October 3rd while I understand if you don’t.

I suspect we’ll hold on to some of these new modes of connection when we come out on the other side. Especially those practices that allow access over great distances. And I envision incredible joy when we can meet face to face, breathing the same air, and touching at will. I look forward to dancing with you then if not virtually now.

Let me know how you’re doing in the comments section.

In the meantime I say, “Thank you, Zoom.”

So, what are you doing with your unexpected time at home? What about that novel, short story, or essay? That poem, painting or project? You know, those things that sit upon your heart because you haven’t had time for them? Where’s your excuse now?

Your art form — whatever makes your heart sing and lifts you outside of time — is your way through this. Poem or music making? Gardening or baking? Knitting or doodling? Tinkering or puttering? Birding or beach combing? Listen, your heart will remind you.

I see silver-linings in the words and actions of people everywhere as we enter this strange new time. This social distancing and staying at home time.

A local professional theatre had to disband the cast and close just as they’d put up a new show. So what did they do? The staff put their creative heads together and set up a “film studio” and streamed one of their past original shows for donations. Celebrities are singing from virtual platforms for free. Italians are serenading one another from windows and balconies. Breweries and a French perfume company are producing hand sanitizer. A small factory in Bangor, Maine is making toilet paper. The CEO of Best Buy is paying workers for full schedules while reducing hours of operation. Governors all over the US are thinking way outside the box to provide for their citizens. Neighbors are checking on one another and tending to the needs of elders and the lonely. Generosity outshines attempted price gouging.

I’m a writer. Extra time to write is a happy experience for me despite the scary reasons behind it. No appointments out in the world. And though I miss my outings for yoga and singing with Susie Burke and the gang, uninterrupted time is a blessing as I finish book number two.

I’m blogging, finishing This Other Way of Knowing, meditating and journaling. My mind is conjuring a new art quilt design. And as I write this, I’m reminded that I haven’t played my ukulele in a long while. I’ll have to build up those callouses again. But, hey, I have the time.

What are you doing with this gift of uninterrupted-in-the-usual-ways time? Share with us in comments. Inspire us to pull out those neglected gems and make the best of this. We may be distancing, but we’re virtually in this together.

It’s been a wee while but I’m posting anew in the spirit of community. (As always this may seem geared to writers, but it’s intended for the creative in all of us.) Herein you’ll find suggestions for keeping your seat to the seat and your pen or fingers in motion.

First, I offer some quick practices — fresh ways to ease or thrust you into a daily habit. All are borrowed. I take no credit.

Prompts. Some writers and artists don’t like working with them and some have never tried. I admit to being wary when first introduced. Some rough starts and disappointing results frustrated me. But I now greet them with enthusiasm and gratitude.

This year, I was introduced to Nancy Stohlman’s FLASHNANO 2019, 30 STORIES~30 DAYS. [November is National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org). The process is a seat of the pants approach to writing a novel in a month.] Already neck deep in my second novel, I signed on for this flash (micro) fiction option instead.

Every day I receive a prompt via email and a facebook forum. I have 24 stories so far, some just a few words long. One prompt, in fact, asked us to write a story in ten sentences. Others, naturally called for a couple of lines. I shared a few on the FB page and enjoyed reading those of others. It’s always a kick to see what a number of people do with the same simple prompt. And I now have a reservoir of flash fiction pieces. Everything from a red sweater to an explosion to a story that takes place on a bicycle.

You can still catch up with Nancy’s prompts or find other sites that offer some. I am also happy to send prompts at your request for those on this mailing list. It’s great fun and it’s always optional.

[Claire Guyton, award winning Maine writer, spent a year writing a “daily shorty.” She has since published a number of brilliant pieces using her year’s results as rough drafts.]

In the spirit of saying yes to new creative opportunities I’ve accepted an invitation to be part of a beta group working with a local poet. He offers a poem. We read. We digest. We discuss in a webinar. Then, we each write one of our own. My “Autumnal” is underway with input from the group (including participants from both sides of “the Pond,” UK and USA). I’m in new territory here. Scary and inspiring.

I also recently attended a local workshop offered by Liz Korabek-Emerson (Korabek Training) with guest, Ellen Rook. Sit. Walk. Write. was a part of Liz’s “Mindfulness and Artfulness Sunday Workshop Series” and called my name. It was based on the work of Natalie Goldberg. Writing prompts were offered following stretches of sitting and walking. The final one was a Goldberg classic: Write a six-word memoir. In this case we were asked to sum up our four-hour experience in six words.

In her book, The True Secret of Writing, Connecting Life with Language, Goldberg includes a brief chapter on the six-word memoir. She includes samples such as: My singing voice was never heard; 24 addresses but still no home; Brooklyn girls makes good: parents dumbfounded. You get the gist.

I suggest you try a few or even make it a daily practice.

As to retreats and workshops and salons, a subject I’ve explored in previous posts, I suggest you look for those that speak to you. To your heart. To your soul. To your need of the moment. Then sign up. Take the chance even if it feels like a risk. And GO.

I just registered for Jodi Paloni’s June 2020 retreat, “Salty Girls,” where we’ll gather at a B&B on the Pemiquid Peninsula. (http://www.jodipaloni.com) I am staying in the NOW, but am already dreaming about it having stepped into the flow of Jodi’s work before. That first experience with her led to a day-long workshop at her Bird and Tree Studio later and I’m still processing the deep work done at both.

I’ve also received info from other writers whose offerings did not speak to the need of the moment in me. One even chastised potential participants who begged off with regret because of the high price point. This testy response spoke more loudly to me than the description of the retreat and I knew it was not for me. My point: listen with your heart and soul and be thus led to the experiences from which you’ll gain the most. [And don’t bankrupt yourself to please someone else’s need.]

Finally, I am sharing a link to a podcast. I was invited to be part of the three-person panel and the evening was great fun. Some interesting stories and suggestions arose that I think you will enjoy.

WPM – Writing, Publishing, Marketing — was presented by Maat Publishing (Marilyn and Steve Carter) and recorded at WSCA Community Radio in Portsmouth. The panel included: Chris Upton, Owner of A Freethinker’s Corner, Books & More in the publishing seat; Tara Whitney, author, coach and speaker in the marketing seat; and me in the writing seat. I hope you find what’s offered useful. http://www.maatpublishing.net/WPM_podcasts.htm

I recommend an exploration of other podcasts. I love READ TO ME, with Becky Karush. (http://www.readtomepod.com) Delicious! And Liz Gilbert’s Magic Lessons (http://www.elizabethgilbert.com) presents an interesting format and a darned good listen.