“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.â€Â
~Pablo Picasso
Creative expression in its many and varied forms is a big part of what fuels my zest for living and, from my interactions with all of you, I know that I am not alone. Books, music, fine art, illustration, found art creations….the list of things that inspire us that can be sheltered under the umbrella of the term ‘art’ is large indeed.
Sites like Endicott Studio that cater to the collective creativity of artists thrill me. They are places that feel like home. Another such place that I have been enamored of for years is Duirwaigh Gallery.
Duirwaigh Gallery deserves an Endicott Studio-like post of it’s own. That is something I will have to save for another day, because what I want to do today is unveil a writing contest inspired by both Duirwaigh Gallery and by Lisa Snellings-Clark. But let me encourage you now. Visit the site. Explore. It is amazing (you just know I’m going to have to do a post about them soon, don’t you?!?!).
“Art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing but the highest quality to your moments as they pass.â€Â
~Walter H. Pater
As this is a reading challenge about journeys, about going through the gap in the wall, about magic, I could not resist giving you a chance to express your own creativity. And I know you have some. I did not want this to be something too involved, or something that would scare potential participants away. And then it came to me, the Tiny Stories idea. Back in the spring of ’05, Lisa Snellings-Clark and Bob Podrasky put out a call for Tiny Stories. The rules:
*Write a 100-word short-short story. Don’t use the same word twice (OK, we make an exception for contractions if you really really really have to, so don’t is don’t and do not is do not, but don’t abuse this as a cheat too much — see if you can work around it).
*The title does not count as part of your 100 words. But just to make it interesting, make sure your title contains unique words as well.
*It has to be a story, with a tiny bit of narrative flow.
*It doesn’t have to be in the realm of the fantastic, it can be about anything.
Here, for an example, is the Tiny Story that I submitted:
Shakespeare’s Lament
June twenty-first. Summer Solstice. Twilight lingers.
The path appears and I walk into lush forests. “Come… follow…â€Â, say twinkling, dancing lights. Pixies, sprites, out for their one evening of mischief. After seemingly endless travel, we halt.
Sound fades. Darkness falls. Time stops.
Then it begins, almost imperceptibly, as distant luminescence. His fairy procession, moving ever so slowly by. They are on parade. Oberon, Puck, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed… all Pan’s children alight under glorious moonlight.
Heads turn. Voices cease. Breath catches.
Titania. Queen. Beauty most radiant. She promises kisses, my lips acquiesce. Dawn awakens me, disappointed.
Twas but a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
That is it, it is that simple. Or deceptively simple, that is. I searched for awhile for my muse, but once I found her the words just flowed out and it was fun and very, very satifsying.
Some of you will be inspired just by the very idea of doing this. Others will be inspired by the prize for winning. For those who need just a little nudge more, I give you Duirwaigh Gallery.
The Duirwaigh Gallery film, A Knock at the Door, blew me away the first time I saw it. I had such a strong emotional reaction that I pulled several of the therapists that I supervised into my office, one by one, and shared the film with them. Every so often, when I need a pick-me-up, or need to be reminded to live, I pop over and watch this short film. The images, the music, and the message combine to give me a heart-swelling kick in the pants. Watch it now (scroll down a bit and you’ll find it) and let it do the same for you. And then join in the Tiny Stories contest. It is time to let your creativity flow.
I am excited to say that there will be some ‘celebrity judges’ picking the winners: Colleen Gleason, author of The Rest Falls Away and the soon to be released seguel, Rises the Night is one of our judges.
The second is one of my best friends in the world, Scott Embler, who has been and continues to be involved in many different aspects of the theatre in NYC. He is a very talented writer in his own right, having adapted works to the stage as well as creating some of his own work. Those are my two very qualifed judges, thus far. And I am soooo excited to have them.
What you will do, sometime between today and midnight June 21st, 2007 is to submit your Tiny Story to me via email. (cvincent68@comcast.net). On June 22nd I will send the lot to our judges, without names attached, so that they can judge them by a number system that I will reveal to them. No favoritism here, it is all about the story. When the votes are tallied I will announce a winner.
In addition I plan to do a post and/or newsletter including all of the stories so that we can all enjoy them.
Another thing I will do is to post the stories as they come in, anonymously. This should help inspire you if you are on the fence or if your muse is out shopping. If you want to submit more than one story throughout the month, please feel free. You will have to pick just one by the 21st, however, to be your representative in the contest. That way you can write as many as you want and I won’t overwhelm the judges.
Sound fun? I hope so, I am so excited about this.
And the prize?…..
Your very own copy of the A Knock at the Door book and DVD set. This is a 96 page hard bound book filled with delectable art that comes with the enchanting, inspiring film.
In addition you will get a gift card set made up of the following images (2 cards of each, 6 total). Click on each picture to open it up larger for better viewing.
(Singing Up The Moon by Silas Toball)
(Blessing by Greg Spalenka)
(Apocrypha by Greg Spalenka)
And since we’ve talked alot about trees during this challenge, this tree magnet just had to come with the prize pack:
Aren’t these great?!?! BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!!!
You get not one, but TWO little red poppets of your very own.
AND a Stainless Steel Droppings Envelope of Goodness (Void where prohibited)!!!
So very many of us harbor a desire to create something, if just to say to ourselves that we did it. Please don’t be intimidated by this contest. Please resist the urge to say that you don’t have time, or that you aren’t creative enough. You can do this! Just pick a few words at random and build something around them. Or pick a theme, or a subject, or an object that you want to write about. You know you want to. It will be fun.
“Just don’t give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.â€Â
~Ella Fitzgerald
I look forward to reading and sharing your Tiny Stories.
P.S. Don’t forget about the great new contests announced in yesterday’s post!
Welcome to your weekend, everyone!
You know, I had this feeling you would do something in the vein of Tiny Stories. I always meant to submit a Tiny Story, but then other things got in the way, and I somehow ended up writing half of a rather worrying Hallowe’en tale (still unfinished).
Love the photos in this post btw!
I also often watch the Knock at the Door film. It is truly inspiring, and I keep meaning to pick up a copy of the book.
SIlas Toball is another favourite of mine. Eventually I want to pick up some of his prints from Duirwaigh, they’re lovely.
I take it that means you’re in, Quix?
I especially love the Larry MacDougall prints over at Duirwaigh as I’ve been looking for something for my grandson’s room. I have the Terry Windling prints for Mila, but Max needs a less feminine fantasy for his room.
Yeah I’m in, unless by some twist of fate the other half of my Hallowe’en story comes to me instead. 😉 By the way, I love your Tiny Story, Carl.
Hope you guys have a great weekend!
Not sure I could do that, but I may give it a go.
You should check out http://www.tinyshowcase.com. Great art work!!
You know, before I got to the last few paragraphs of your post, I was about to say, “I’ll pass this one, I’m not creative enough”. But your words were inspiring, and even though I know I’m in no way a creative person, I might give it a try.
I’m going to watch the short film. Thanks for sharing all of this.
Loved your tiny story, Carl. And I’m thinking what to do about this as I’m not sure I’m up to it, creatively speaking. But I am thinking! Lovely blog. I just watched A knock on the Door video again last night. Your prize package is wonderful. Where in the world did you find that magnet? I don’t expect an answer to that; I’ll pump you the next time I see you. Thanks,Shannin. I loved the People are not Dirt poster.
Well, since you’ve prohibited the claiming of lack of creativity as an excuse, I’ll just say at this point that I’m contemplating an attempt. Annie is very excited about this, though, and will definitely be sending you a tiny story (she’s the writer in the family). We both thoroughly adored your your tiny story!
I look forward to Annie’s story!!!
And for those of you who need an extra kick in the pants, Annie is what, 10?
Loved your story Carl! I’m looking forward to this one! Nerve racking, but I’m in! Great photos by the way. I really enjoyed this post.
Hmm. Having just tried an experimental one of these, I have to say: it is VERY difficult. I mean, it’s fiddly to try and construct coherent sentences if you’re only allowed one use of, say “a” or “the.” (Particularly if you want to have dialogue…)
Anyway, I am in.
well now… that little movie was something! I never saw it before! I will go back and watch it again!!
you sure come up with some interesting “challenges”!!! I hope you know that those that frequent here don’t need enticement.. they all seem to have creative minds.
I don’t know if I can write something like this or not but I suppose I never know til I try. Carl, your story is lovely, truly. And the prize package is definitely worth trying for. The artwork at Duirwaigh Gallery is stunning, breathtaking, and inspiring. Let’s see what I can come up with.
Difficult, RB? Yes, maybe. I guess once I got an idea…which is where I struggled…figuring out how to execute it without repeating words really wasn’t that difficult.
Regardless, I will be thrilled if most of you TRY. Believe me, I was terrified to try, and I don’t think mine is all that special, but it was fun and the satisfaction I felt afterwards was incredible!!!
Well, I am opting out in writing a short story. I have visited most of the blogs and have been so impressed with how well you write. There were many times when I have felt inadequate. All of you have helped me realize that my creativity lies in my work as a therapist and my connections with people. This blog has been beside me all year during what felt like a quest of my own. I see clients and people I love, and myself, blossoming by taking more risks and being more open and loving. And by reading a hell of a lot of good books in the process. Thank you for your inspiration, Carl and the rest of you.
I love your new header!!!
Thanks Janet!
Thank you too Pat. And, despite the fact that I work at the same place and am biased, you are awesome at what you do!!!
And just to clarify, I am certainly not wanting to pressure anyone. But I do know that many of you, like myself, have creative inclinations that you are either not devoting enough time to, or are ignoring completely. It is those of you who I want to encourage. And those who just think, ‘what the heck’ and want to try this. And also those of you who are embracing your creativity. This is all about having fun, in the end.
I’m in.
Carl. For a guy who tells me he doesn’t think he can write fiction that is a pretty nifty tiny story. I think this is a wonderful idea. Keri is the writer in our family but I will give it a go if only for the sake of keeping those poor homeless poppets off the streets.
I also love your photos above. They would make cool prints!
Sometimes an “assignment” is what’s needed to get the creative juices flowing (it’s so much easier to write with a purpose than just stare at a blank page). I’m in!
Thanks for the inspiration Carl.
Glad you guys are in!
And Jeff, I can’t right fiction…that was all real!!!! 🙂
The whole not using words twice will prove difficult, but if I can get in gear I’m in.
Just been exploring the Duirwaigh site, it is great.
See? I just don’t think I have the creativity to come up with anything!!
But I guess it doesn’t hurt to try!
I just watched A Knock at the Door and it was wonderful and inspiring. I really needed that. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it. It really hits the spot. Love the music. I should check out that group on Rhapsody and see what some of their other music sounds like.
Oooooh!!!!!
Count me in!
I was wondering if you’d ever get over here and check this one out, Machine, since its right up your alley.
Wow, this sounds fun. I’ll definately be sending you something soon.
And I liked your tiny story too…very balletic.
Thanks Ella.
I was excited to get home today and see that all my Duirwaigh stuff for the prize has arrived safe and sound. And it is all great, so get to writing people!!!