After spending 2 years living on the rugged coast of Northeastern Scotland, a job now takes us to Fairbanks Alaska. Originally from Oregon, I am a writer, a mother, an aspiring frontier woman, a nostalgia junkie, and a book addict. I call myself a trailer wife, which refers to the state of a person (most often a woman) who is caught up in the professional trajectory of their spouse. This blog will chronicle my journey between two places I never, ever, imagined I'd call home.
In preparation for the graduate workshop that I'm starting in two weeks, Sam agreed to give me Wednesday nights off, indefinitely. So here I am, sitting in a coffee shop near our house (by which, I must admit, I'm rather impressed... low lighting, organic coffee, tattooed baristas - feels like home). And what have I managed on this 3 hour furlough? So far I've updated my facebook status, taken about 2 dozen photobooth shots, twittered, and now, in another effort to postpone ACTUALLY writing, I'm blogging about it.
I have been hopelessly stymied where fiction is concerned for about, oh, 11 months. The novel is moldering, all story starts hopelessly stalled, and no joke, I have three greeting cards I haven't sent because I can't get the personal message just right. It's not pretty.
So here's my solution. I'm asking you, dear reader (all three of you), to post a comment to this entry and give me a little mojo in the form of a Short Story Title. I'll pick my favorite one and, you guessed it, write the damn story. I *might* even post it.
11 comments:
I was reading your blog this very moment am sooo hungry for that spaghetti you made!! You are such a talented writer so I am sure once that espresso kicks in...
Kaleb's is "A Moose Among Us" and mine is "Two Cents an Acre" (We've been doing our homework)
Love you!!
Nicole
Hey Christie. I'll challenge you to put your Sweet Home knowledge to the test in a story titled: "Santiam Slam" Happy writing! : )
Bob
I completely feel you on the writer's block. I am currently trudging through my own broken down yellow brick road of creativity.
I think if you're meeting a bunch of unique and interesting people on your travels, perhaps taking the narrative approach would be best. "Outside, Looking In" or "My Two Cents". Something where you can describe quirky and puzzling situations, expand on them with some creative license, and put yourself more into your work. I find that helps; when I can put a piece of me into every short story it just flows out of me.
Let me know how it goes. And I'm sure I'm not the only one that would enjoy reading a snippet or two. ;o)
Dawn
"What Jermaine did for a Klondike Bar"
"I never thought I'd grow a hair there"
or
"Live! From New York! Its Saturday Night Bar mitzvah!"
feeling inspired yet? heheheee
Good Luck! Anne
"Drinking upstream from the herd"??
Hope you guys are settling in!
Miss ya'll
Brett
"The Festooned Fedora of Great Aunt Mildred"
and
"The Luxurious Life of a Double Amputee Vampire"
I would imagine he/she lost their legs before becoming a vampire! Does this person need a wheel chair ? Walk on their hands ? You decide. It was just some thing I have been thinking about lately.
'Frozen Mice'
and
'The Mammoth Winter'
Get writing chicky : )
Mands x
Blueberry Jam and Other Necessities
Moose Droppings
Can you do that in the snow?
I'll Say My Bum is Frozen
Once I discovered Chena Hot Sprgins, it was a Great Life.
How Cold can it Get?
I Thought I was Tougher Than This
Ha, I made it through the winter without crying and Sam didn't (okay, that sounds mean - only kidding!)
Cheechako Woes
Tales by a Sourdough Wanna-Be
(since I don't know what you're writing about, it gave me the freedom to be 'tupit and silly rather than actually helpful)
Hey, I had some thoughts to help you through your first AK winter. You'll be fine, you'll love it. BUT you gotta:
Buy really good gear; expensive, un-flattering, warm gear.
Get outside, every day, even if you have to drag yourself kicking and screaming by the scruff of your woolen long-johns. Even at 40 below, if you just go out to check the mail, it helps.
If you like alcohol, stock up.
Buy batteries, candles, and a couple good flashlights. Now.
Make friends. Bartender friends are an added plus.
Find a gym, join it, and go there more than you think is necessary.
Sew, knit, quilt. You don't have to tell your cool friends but do one simple indoor hobby. Cooking is not an okay hobby because it's amazing how much weight you can put on during one Fairbanks winter. I know this.
Remember what great stories you will be able to amaze your friends, family, and fans with - once you survive your first winter, you Sourdough you!
Get menus from all the great restaurants - Pumphouse, Pike's Landing (and tell Mikey at Big Daddy's I said hello).
Don't compare Fairbanks to Oregon, Scotland, or worst of all, Kauai. It just is what it is, which is wonderful but in a different way.
Don't put wet fingers on anything outdoors. Don't put your tongue on anything October to May.
Remember to always look up for the Northern Lights. Sometimes you forget, and then the next day everyone will relish telling your how they were the best ever.
When the roads are slick, look both ways before moving forward on a green light. This will become instinctive, as there always seems to be someone sliding through the red light who can't (and shouldn't) slam on their brakes.
Research the Athabascan and Inuit and Tinglit, all the Native Alaskan cultures - beyond fascinating.
Buy cross-country skiis, take Gus to Birch Hill and go sledding, try out snow-machining.
Decide to love it. Make the decision. Every frosty, starry, moonlit night that you can crunch along in the new snow ... get out and look for the beauty. I wouldn't say Fairbanks is an easy place to live, but Fairbanks and Alaska will get in your blood and even the six-inch mosquitoes won't be able to suck it out of you.
And remember ... summer will come. It always does!
"Northern Lites" for short stories.
-H
Another Roadside Distraction
The Lost Years
Just Plane Crazy (I hear lots of folks have a plane rather than a third car there)
Okay,I got Nothing Else.
Probably no workable titles here but if you need a cover illustration,give a jingle or tweet
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