Gel Pens, New Notebook, Writing Practice Courtesy of the Loft

Last week for Writing Within the Margins - The Loft Literary Center.  We are writers because we write.  It does not matter what we write - we write.  Like today - the rain has stopped, almost sunny sky.   Just write three lines, three paragraphs, three pages. 

I looking at the river down below the window outside. It is moving towards the ocean.  Tide going out?  River full but not over flown.   Birds, waterfowl paddling along the flow.  Yesterday the Elk showed up.

New gel pens, new notebook.  Instructor challenges us, this last week of class to stretch and meet our writing goals.  

I am listening to The Revolution of Marina M.  by Janet Fitch - the same author who wrote White Oleander which I read many years ago and loved.

Since I am "blank" - I will create a haiku.  May not be very good. 

river runs of tide
moving, logs, trees shoved along
in from the ocean

     

Reach out for a writing buddy or writing group - I have an idea about checking out the writing group at the Astoria Library. 

Today I listened to another writer being interviewed by Krista T. On Being - Mary Karr.   Writer who came from an alcoholic, dysfunctional family.  The interview was funny, fresh.

I am always inspired when I listen to the On Being interviews - some more than others.  I love sharing this with others.  Mary Karr interview is pertinent to those of us who are alcoholic or have lived with alcoholics.

I played around with the blog today - changing colors etc, but did not really write. 

Write, write write - why is it so hard? I have nothing to say, I don't know what my voice is.  How did it being.

Watching an OPB program about Astoria - you don't get here by accident.  Still off the beaten path. Artsy place.  Home to Chinook, Clatsop and many other natives.   Rich in fur, salmon, lumber.

1811 - post Lewis and Clark - David Thompson came.  A group of fur traders arrived - but a group of American were already there.  John Jacob Astor, a banker from NY, funded 2 expeditions, overland and by sea - to get to Astoria.  Several died on the overland trip getting stuck on the Snake river - running west ward, but shooting through Hells Canyon.  The sea faring group did not do that well either - several being lost going over the Bar.

Hundreds of people came from Scandinavia for the fishing.  Groups from China came and worked in the canneries from the Canton province.