NEXT ASSIGNMENT

All day long the three-levels-high tree outside my living room window has danced and flung itself about in our 33-50 degree weather. At 3:00 the sky is dark and dreary. Although I've not read so, I think this is from the storms on the west coast. It sent the wind our way. The east coast may be experiencing the same type of weather too.

If you can be safe during such storms, and if you are not busy helping others less fortunate than you, it should be a good time to read. Or walk. Or write. And that is what I'm working on a bit today. Early in January I'm to speak a while to the writing class here at MorningStar. They are writing their autobiographies, not necessarily for publication, but for their families. The staff leader is not a writer and uses a book someone else wrote about doing one's life story. Most books on that subject are written by people who apparently have no success in other writings. Books about how to write anything, written by famous writers, are another matter. They have proved themselves before producing a book on writing. For example, P. D. James and Elizabeth George. There are other great books on writing, some of them by males, and I've read them. But let me tell you about one, not of the best kind. 

Several years ago, when I belonged to a writing guild, I attended a yearly conference at which awards were to be given for the best writings. The woman who was the poetry judge got up to make her presentations, and began with these words: I am not a poet. Then she proceeded to prove it. I won't describe that, but will say she was there, in addition, to sell her book on writing an autobiography. She sold a few copies, but when I examined it, I found it to be quite elementary and run-of-the-mill. This author is one of many.

I told the staffer of this group here I had not seen the book she is using but I could guarantee I would emphasize one big secret that book doesn't mention. I am looking forward to this. Let the wind blow. I'm staying in!