Page 26 – Lovely County Citizen – May 30, 2013
Village View
Alison By Sandra TaylorSynar Brown
‘Steal’ is an action verb
At our writing workshops in the Village Writing School, we always teach our students to use the strongest verbs they can. Nothing incites drama like a strong, verb. You would never use “walk,” for example, when you can use “saunter” or “shuffle” or “march.” Whenever you are writing fiction, or engaging in oral storytelling, a strong verb will get and hold your readers’ and hearers’ attention. Strong verbs will give your yarn a life of its own, propelling it through the years into the arena of legend. If, for example, you wanted to create high drama involving a character, you would never say, there was a misunderstanding about who owed whom money. How boring is that? No, if you want a story to be retold, and to grow in the telling, you would say, “She stole money.” Now that has a ring to it. Of course, you wouldn’t want to create
such a myth about a real person because that is slander. So, whenever you are being a creative writer or an oral storyteller, it’s important that your readers and hearers realize that you are creating fiction. For in fiction, strong verbs are your ticket to high drama. When high drama is what you’re after, “steal” is the word you want. •••
Alison Taylor-Brown has an MFA in Fiction and a lifetime of teaching experience from preschool to university levels. She began the Community Writing Program for the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow and now directs The Village Writing School, whose mission is to foster the development of area writers through workshops, writers’ circles, and coaching. Her column, Notes from the Village, appears weekly. To talk to Alison about your writing goals and dreams, contact her at alisontaylorbrown@ me.com or 479 292-3665.
Writing circles meet this Saturday
Editorial
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Foundation on Jim’s behalf • Mike Bishop; sponsor is Peggy Lodewyks, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Mike’s behalf • Glenna Booth; sponsor is Carol Friesen, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Glenna’s behalf • John Fuller Cross; sponsor is Dave Baker, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on John’s behalf • Mickey Finefield; sponsor is Joanie Kratzer, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Mickey’s behalf • Cathy Handley; sponsor is Michele Gann, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Cathy’s behalf • Earl Hyatt; sponsor is Peggy Lodewyks, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Earl’s behalf
• Bruce Knapp; sponsor is Jack Smith, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Bruce’s behalf • Tyler Wayne Ponnick; sponsor is his grandfather, Dave Baker, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Tyler’s behalf • Sam Ray; sponsor is Peggy Lodewyks, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Sam’s behalf • Ron Rupe; sponsor is Jack Smith, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Ron’s behalf • Archie Ryan; sponsor is Billy Batson, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Archie’s behalf • Lanny Tanton; sponsor is Billy Batson, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Lanny’s behalf • Angelo Yao; sponsor is Lynn Robert, who donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation on Angelo’s behalf
On Saturday, June 1, the Village Writing School will hold small writing circles for the purpose of discussing up to five pages of fiction or creative nonfiction. The circles are open to any 2012 or 2013 workshop attendees. Circles will meet at the following times on Saturday: 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. If you would like to have your work discussed in an informal, nonthreatening atmosphere and take away some useful tips on improving your writing, come to a Village Writing School writing circle. Circles will meet at both Holiday Island and Eureka Springs. Each circle is limited to four writers. Any visitors who just want to see what happens at a writing circle are welcome to
attend. You can also meet with Alison about your writing idea and how to get started. For more information, contact alisontaylorbrown@me.com or 479 292-3665. There is no charge.
The Village Writing School coming workshops
• Writing the MEMOIR – June 22 and also June 25 • PUBLISH! Your Questions Answered--July 27 • BLOG Right – August 17 • INSPIRE! Writing from the Soul – September 7