Hi everyone,
For those who played IN OTHER WORDS, it’s time to post the quote that inspired you so others can see if they got it right. Thanks for playing and thanks to Matt Forrest and Renee LaTulippe for providing the idea.
Mine, “I have no expectation that anything I write or read, no matter how well metered or rhymed, will rival the creative sap of an angiosperm or, for that matter, a plain old gymnosperm,” came from Joyce Kilmer: “I think that I shall never see/a poem lovely as a tree.”
As for the reading of my work yesterday: It rained during the night and began snowing early in the morning. Lots of wind and swirling flakes. The temperature hovered at 32. By 4:00 the snow had all but stopped. However, the wind continued to whip the cold air and the damage had been done. After discussing earlier in the day whether we should go ahead, we elected to hold the event. Sadly, one of the most pleasant experiences of my writing career was shared with only twenty-five people. We had a wonderful event. The performers were fantastic. What a joy it was to hear the voices in my head brought to life by such talented people!
For making the event possible, I thank Julie Bloodworth for putting the event together; Jim Baumlin for facilitating the sponsorship through the MSU English Society; Ray Castrey for making kid friendly music on just about anything he can rap with a stick, touch with his fingers, or huff through; Jenny Stoessner for her magic with puppets (and who can recite “Shirley the Shand Sark” far better and quicker than I can); and Sarah Wiggin, Maggie Marlin-Hess, Michael Frizell, and Kurt Heinlein for their splendid and spirited renditions of my work. Who knew that THE BOY WITH A DRUM could be read to rap!
The purpose of the series honoring Missouri authors is to help raise community awareness of R.A.E. (Resident Artist Ensemble) so I’m sorry that more people weren’t there to see what talented performers the members are. Nearly all of them are teachers, many with advanced degrees in their fields and years of experience both in acting and in teaching others. They’re also talking about finding another venue to try this event again, hopefully in better weather! I’m all for it. Again, my gratitude to everyone, including the brave souls who attended the reading.
David
