Community Read: Writing From Where You Are

Places are clearly defined in Jackson’s book, We Have Always Lived in the Castle: the village, where cruel children and adults shun and mock the Blackwoods; the outdoors, where Merricat buries valuables, naps and talks with her cat Jonas, and enacts rituals of protection; the Blackwood mansion, the “castle,” which Constance directs in an unending repetition of everyday chores and calm (until the arrival of cousin Charles); and the moon, Merricat’s alternate universe, an escape where she and Constance eat rose petals and Uncle Julian is well.

Jackson’s descriptions of these spaces, and the changes that occur through the course of the story, reveal the inner world of her characters, as well as setting the scene. Place is a powerful tool for any writer, whether the genre is memoir, fiction, or nonfiction.

How can a writer use places they have known as a springboard into a story of whatever kind? How can you use what you are already familiar with to both feed your writing and, perhaps, reach a deeper understanding of the importance of place in your life?

In this workshop, we will explore spaces you inhabit through exercises designed to uncover themes that may lurk beneath the surface. Writers will then share what they’ve written and receive and share some friendly comments. You may leave the workshop with the beginnings of something special.

Susanna Drbal writes short stories and memoir, and is working on a novel set in a town that is very much like the one where she grew up. She has taught writing at the college level, and she is fascinated by other people’s stories and the way they choose to tell them.

Registration is required, as space is limited.

The 2018 Community Read is made possbile through the support of the Friends of the Tompkins County Public Library.