\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5046-Remember-When.html
Drama: May 16, 2012 Issue [#5046]

Newsletter Header
Drama


 This week: Remember When...?
  Edited by: NickiD89 Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Like many of you, I've considered myself a writer my whole life. But in 2007, I shifted out of hobbyist mode, started writing for an audience, and embarked on the exciting journey towards publication. As I continue on that path and delve ever deeper into the craft, I feed an insatiable appetite for creative writing theory. I seek out how-to books and workshop experiences to augment and amplify whatever talent I possess. For those of you like me, here's a little theory to appease your hunger.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

My fourteen-year-old son was born into a comfortable world of modern conveniences. His parents have always driven their own cars, carried their own telephones, and possessed their own personal computers. His home is an ambient 74˚F year-round, thanks to central heat and air. There has always been a television in his playroom, where over the years Sesame Street and Barney tapes and Disney DVDs have been replaced with Wii and PlayStation consoles and games. Twenty-four-hour grocery stores ensure he'll never go hungry; gardening has just been a hobby his parents enjoy, when there's time and seasonal conditions are good. My son has enjoyed these things, without ever thinking about them. Until, that is, a recent school project for his Georgia Studies class asked him to.

The assignment was laid-back in structure, as the school year has nearly wound down and teachers and students alike are pining for the upcoming summer break. My son was asked to come up with a short list of questions on specific historical events of his choice, from the past seventy years. The questions would guide him during an informal interview he was to conduct with someone who is at least sixty years old and who has lived in our state the majority of his or her life. My son chose to interview a seventy-three-year-old family friend we affectionately call Granddaddy.

The first question my son asked was about the Civil Rights era. Granddaddy began by telling him about the all-white school he attended, and about the all-black school in town. His memory flood gates flew open. It was wonderful to see the light in Granddaddy's eyes as he reminisced for the next two hours, describing life in rural Georgia during his childhood. He talked about the small house he grew up in, heated only by the wood-burning stove his grandmother cooked on. Quilts kept him warm on winter nights, and during brutal Georgia summer nights, they dragged their mattresses out to the porch where it was cooler. And every morning, the cow was milked and the eggs collected from the hen house before his grandmother could prepare breakfast.

My son's eyes grew large when Granddaddy explained that as the youngest in the house, it was his job to empty the "slop jar," used during the night when the grown-ups didn't want to go to the outhouse.

From describing the route he drove in his grandfather's truck, selling their farm produce door-to-door, to buying twenty-five cents worth of ice from the traveling ice man, to assisting the grown-ups when a snake fell into the well, my son learned secondhand how different life was just two generations ago.

For me, the story ideas swirled in my mind as I listened.

A wealth of knowledge and information about a bygone era resides in our elder generation. I encourage everyone to spend an hour or two with grandparents, older neighbors, or friends with the intention of asking them about their lives. Stories from their childhoods, memories of what life was like during wartimes, and their recollections of important milestones achieved during their lives (scholastic accomplishments, marriages, pregnancies, first jobs, etc.) will enlighten and inspire you, while bringing you closer to the friend or relative who's doing the sharing.

After Granddaddy left, my son and I talked about the differences in our daily lives compared to what Granddaddy described from his past. And what modern conveniences from my son's lifetime, we wondered, will he describe years from now to wide-eyed, disbelieving children? Fun to think about.

And, oh the stories that continue to come to mind...



Have you asked your grandmother or grandfather about their childhoods? What was the most surprising thing they shared with you?

Thanks for reading!
To use when signing my newsletters


Editor's Picks

Image Protector
STATIC
On The Shores of Africa Open in new Window. (E)
A grandfather teaches the history of his people to his granddaughter - a 100 word story
#1115486 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon


Starting Over Open in new Window. (ASR)
Following the death of his grandfather, a young carpenter looks toward the future.
#1350020 by Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ Author IconMail Icon


 
Image Protector
STATIC
Chiming For Home Open in new Window. (18+)
A grandfather clock brought from overseas threatens a marriage
#594509 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1485873 by Not Available.


 A Final Meeting Open in new Window. (E)
A young man faces the bitter task of saying farewell to a loved one
#1057824 by werden Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1357301 by Not Available.


 To Grandmother's Open in new Window. (13+)
Sarah takes a train to her grandmother's home one last time.
#1767219 by Than Pence Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
The Companions of Lois Rawlins Open in new Window. (ASR)
Lois enjoys pampering her friends.
#1554691 by Lornda Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1685324 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1807127 by Not Available.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!



Ask & Answer

Question For Next Time: Have you asked your grandmother or grandfather about their childhoods? What was the most surprising thing they shared with you?

Last month's newsletter focused on Tone, with dramatic excerpts from debut novel The Night Circus illustrating the device. Here's what readers said:


Joy Author Icon -- Excellent metaphors, instruments for tone and melody for voice, Nickie. It's got to stick to memory now.
Thanks for a wonderful newsletter. *Smile*

Thanks so much for the encouraging comment, Joy!


BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon -- Something to think on. (Submitted item: "What a Nightmare!Open in new Window.)

Splendid point, at most.


Submitted Item by Makeshift Author Icon:

Note: This is a newly drafted short story about my experience flying home in the wake of my father's passing, particularly my thoughts and reactions to the goings on back home in regards to it. I'm considering actively pursuing a publisher for this, so all feedback is more than welcome!

Smooth As Glass Open in new Window. (13+)
A recounting of my experience taking emergency leave after my father's unexpected death.
#1861886 by Makeshift Author IconMail Icon




See you all back here on June 13, 2012. Until then, have a great month!

For the Drama NL

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5046-Remember-When.html