Protection
PROTECTION
By: Elizabeth Holt
One story from a series of short pieces by the budding writer Holt, a member of the Library Coffee House Writing Group, in Long Beach, CA.
Photo Model Abigail Cardenas
The words are barbed, hurled across the room, falling like stones around her. Her eyes sting and she blinks, hard, stamping down her tears with a controlled sort of orcefulness
He's still talking--angrier, now, as she doesn't respond. But what could she say? He was the type to yell just to yell--to mask his meanness under the guise of a "debate. " except he really only ends up attacking her, and she really isn't built for that sort of thing.
So, she nods, agrees, absorbs everything he tells her with a stiff upper lip and burning eyes, and, as she stares at the top of his head, begins wondering how she could use this unpleasant interaction in one of her stories.
Things get a little easier after that.
.
The Smell of Spring
Singles Day for Laughs
You put the "I" in Unrequited Love
"Singles Day" by Scott Keene
This piece comes out of a writing session done at the Library Coffeehouse Writers Group in Long Beach, Ca., which Calvin Harris H.W., M. conducts. It is written by, writer and friend Scott Keene of Long Beach, Ca.
There it was a date February 15, and there were even cards for it. They were right there next to the Valentine's Day cards and the Get-Well-Soon. He had never even heard of Single's Day and now here was a whole section.
He was one of those people who believed that most of the holidays - at least all the lovey-dovey "National So-and-So Day" were just fodder for the greeting card industry. But still, he found himself needing one today. A "get-well-soon" this time which he wanted for a co-worker and casual acquaintance. Someone with whom he was terribly close wouldn't need a card - they would know in person how he felt.
So, he stood and stared at the Single's Day section and wondered: was he still a single or was he now a couple?
Participation in the writing group could lead you to find out something that you hadn’t revealed to yourself before. If nothing else, you will have creative fun time in a relax supportive atmosphere.
Looking forward to your call or email letting me know your thoughts.
NOTE: Additional day and/or evening sessions are being considered for 2017 Calendar, please inquire and/or signup. Groups sizes are limited.
For More Information or to RSVP
Send Calvin an email message to: things2cal@gmail.com, or call 949-331-7200
It is that Month
Valentine's Day
By Marni Spencer-Devlin
Below is an all too familiar tale for many. It comes out of a writing session done at the Library Coffeehouse Writers Group in Long Beach, Ca., by writer, author, and Friend Marni Spencer-Devlin.
She hated the day; hated it with a passion. It was the day that every TV commercial and newspaper ad, every flower shop, heck, even the grocery stores and the car dealerships banded together to thump their collective noses at her: “ You’re alone! You’re weird! You’re not good enough. You’re not pretty enough! You’re single - because nobody wants you!”
All the other days of the year she could brush over the facts. She actually had a lot of friends; a lot of guy friends, even. In many ways she was very popular. Well-liked, in that she-has-great-personality kind of way. Her guy friends always included her in everything but that was because nobody considered her, in even the remotest sense, girlfriend material
Usually she was fine with it but today was that one truly dreaded day. None of her friends were available to hang out because they were all off on romantic dates. She had no such obligation and today it just got to her. The walls of her apartment were closing in on her. She could not bear to spend one more moment behind those lonely barriers. But she could not go out anywhere either. Every restaurant was running Valentine’s specials; every café chockfull of lovers. So she just went outside and sat on her stop and cried. Which made her feel even more lonely and pathetic. Which made her cry even harder.
She felt someone standing in front of her. Oh no! She didn’t want to lift her head. She didn’t want to move her hands from her face. She knew she was a pathetic, snotty mess. She didn’t even have a handkerchief.
“Melanie?”
Oh no! The Someone knew her name!!? Now she would have to respond!
“Melanie, are you crying?”
Well duh! Clearly A Rhoades Scholar!
She didn’t recognize the voice. And she didn’t want to look up.
“Melanie, it’s Frank from the Bodega across the street? Melanie, I’m here to give you these…”
She eyed through her fingers and spied the most beautiful, huge bouquet of pink Peonies she had ever seen!
“Melanie, I have admired you from afar for so many years. I was always too shy to say something. But today I thought….well…here goes….
“Melanie…will you be my Valentine?”
Writing Group - 2016
Thursdays 2016
10:00am - 11:30am
ENGAGE IN WORDS AND CONVERSATION
In a laid-back coffee house in Long Beach, CA. You will find our friendly group meeting up for a fun and supportive hour or so to write, converse and hang out once a week.
It gives those who come, an opportunity to work with words to develop and discover more about themselves through the creative process of writing. For veteran writers, it allows another way to deal with writer’s block, to uncover more about how you write and to trust your intuition. Skill levels in the group are from novice to published writers. This small group’s atmosphere is one where your writing can find support and camaraderie in an otherwise lonely pursuit of the craft.
The group operates a little differently than many writing groups – Each member is encouraged to write two to three short piece, 5-15 minutes in length motivated by engaging writing prompts drawn that day, either from the book “Room to Write” by Bonni Goldberg and or through prompt cards that gives you a situation and character to write about.
At the end of each 5-15-minute writing session each group member is encourage to read what they have written out loud (although it's not mandatory). The benefit is that:
• How your writing holds together, is readily seen by the writer as well as getting a sense of the flow and cadence of the piece which is best determined by the writer reading it aloud.
• Great feedback on your writing - Critiques in a safe supportive environment for new writers and veterans alike, without judgment calls nor bashing.
Our writing groups structure, allows for a stream of consciousness in their writing that unlocks writers block and self judgement. It invites the participation of those with busy schedules who don't have a lot of time to know that they can start practicing their writing skills and honing their craft in under two hours a week. Participation in the writing group, leads you to find out something that you hadn’t revealed to yourself before. If nothing else, you will have creative fun time in a relax supportive atmosphere.
Looking forward to your call or email letting me know you thoughts on being there.
NOTE: Additional day and/or evening hours are being considered for 2017 Calendar, please inquire and signup ASAP. Groups are limited to eight members.
Groups Days Times and Location - TBA
For More Information or to RSVP
Send Calvin an email message, or call 949-331-7200