I had an uninterrupted read of your book.... right through from first page to last (no peeking).
The details you include, (about the potter's art, laboratory procedures inside a hospital, caring for a terminally ill person and folk lore) if not garnered by having lived in these other worlds, then they speak to your incredible powers of observation. This plays out in your descriptions of the characters you so clearly drew. My favorite character was Margaret. Earthy and warm as the Mother.
And the way that our early familial relationships form the unseen scars that twist and warp all future relationships. When our lives are ruled by a controlling parent, we are ripe and ready for the plucking by a controlling partner. And how the controlee, almost feeling she deserves this treatment, becomes subversive rather than rearing up and fighting it out or simply scuttling away in the night...
Lovely words (shibui), lyrical phrasing, (It was as if he reached in, searching for her heart, only to find the rock he'd built his house upon) and a good story.
Love the way you steer away from the hackneyed and create great descriptions of your own ....eyes darting like animals in a fire.
Being a fairly skilled sculptor in clay but a lousy potter I appreciated learning that my problem stemmed from having too definite an idea of what the outcome must be. I will keep in mind that the clay has ideas of its own and its best to heed what it shows you.
Anyway those are my thoughts. Thanks for a great read today! And a couple of good cries!
And many more to come we hope?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
New Review on Terri's "Tip of the Iceberg" Blog
Terri B. has a great blog - http://the-iceberg.blogspot.com/2009/03/sunday-salon-my-first-salon.html
Here's what she's said about The Road From La Cueva so far! Nice!
In current reading news, I just finished a gorgeously written book by Sheila Ortego titled The Road from La Cueva. Based on some of my other reading preferences, the author contacted me about reading and reviewing her book. The book setting is New Mexico and, since I have a love for this region of the U.S., I immediately agreed. I didn't want this book to end. I want to start over at the beginning and read it again. I think I will read parts of it again before reviewing it, but look for a review of this book soon. I hope my words will do it justice.
Here's what she's said about The Road From La Cueva so far! Nice!
In current reading news, I just finished a gorgeously written book by Sheila Ortego titled The Road from La Cueva. Based on some of my other reading preferences, the author contacted me about reading and reviewing her book. The book setting is New Mexico and, since I have a love for this region of the U.S., I immediately agreed. I didn't want this book to end. I want to start over at the beginning and read it again. I think I will read parts of it again before reviewing it, but look for a review of this book soon. I hope my words will do it justice.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Week 2 Writing Course Quotes and Exercises
Quotes for the Week:
To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive. - Robert Louis Stevenson
Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness. - Shakti Gawain
Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast--you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. - Eddie Cantor
Exercises
1. List twenty things you enjoy doing (rock climbing, roller-skating, baking pies, making soup, making love, making love again, riding a bike, riding a horse, playing catch, shooting baskets, going for a run, etc.). When was the last time you let yourself do these things. Next to each entry, place a date. Don't be surprised if it's been years for some of your favorites. That will change. This list is an excellent source for artist 'dates' (doing fun stuff to draw out your creative side).
2. Select and write out one horror story from your monster hall of fame. You do not need to write long or much, but do jot down whatever details come back to you--the room you were in, the way people looked at you, the way you felt, what your parent said or didn't say when you told about it. Include whatever rankles you about the incident: "And then I remember she gave me this real fakey smile and patted my head...." You may find it cathartic to draw a sketch of your old monster or to clip out an image that evokes the incident for you. Cartoon trashing your monster, or at least draw a nice red X through it.
- from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive. - Robert Louis Stevenson
Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness. - Shakti Gawain
Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast--you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. - Eddie Cantor
Exercises
1. List twenty things you enjoy doing (rock climbing, roller-skating, baking pies, making soup, making love, making love again, riding a bike, riding a horse, playing catch, shooting baskets, going for a run, etc.). When was the last time you let yourself do these things. Next to each entry, place a date. Don't be surprised if it's been years for some of your favorites. That will change. This list is an excellent source for artist 'dates' (doing fun stuff to draw out your creative side).
2. Select and write out one horror story from your monster hall of fame. You do not need to write long or much, but do jot down whatever details come back to you--the room you were in, the way people looked at you, the way you felt, what your parent said or didn't say when you told about it. Include whatever rankles you about the incident: "And then I remember she gave me this real fakey smile and patted my head...." You may find it cathartic to draw a sketch of your old monster or to clip out an image that evokes the incident for you. Cartoon trashing your monster, or at least draw a nice red X through it.
- from The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Invitation to Write!
Here's a little something to get you started -- a blank page! Click 'Comment' below and post whatever you want of your latest and/or greatest writing. And soon -- more writing course material coming up this weekend...
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