Gaia: DIVING DEEPER: A Writing Workshop - Diving Deeper Newsletters & Announcements

NEWSLETTER #9 - July 31, 2009

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:38:52 GMT

Dear Friends and Diving Deeper members,

After a very slow beginning to the summer here on Diving Deeper, things have considerably heated up. Curiously, this change began on the thread called "Activity on Diving Deeper grinding to a halt?" which began in April, ground to a halt itself within a week or so, and was resurected by a post this month from Phil (I refuse to call him Mudge). Then Nono dived in and suggested a truly brilliant idea: Monthly Moderators for Diving Deeper... after a flurry of input, and new specifc Monthly Moderating thread, this idea is now manifest.

So: officially starting August 1st, Nono and Azyh are joint "MMs" (monthly moderators). If all goes well, we will have two new MMs for September.

I'm very excited about this new aspect to Diving Deeper, as I know the new moderators will bring a fresh aspect each month to the group. I will encourage them to show their own voice and style, and I am certain we will all feel nourished and inspired by their input.

Our "LTMs" (Long Term Moderators) will remain as is, the backbone of Diving Deeper as always.

To start the month off we also have a new assignment, a nice easy one to clear the cobwebs out (if you have any...) so come and dive in with us!

Assignment: Start to a Novel (or book of any kind)

Make a random list of 7 books from your bookshelf or of books that come to mind. Without thinking of the actual books, which titles intrigue you, which ones pull at you? Which ones give you a fear tingle?

Choose the title which gives you most energy, type it out, and then dive in and write the first paragraph of that book as if the title had suddenly come to you and you had to begin the book immediately.

Write what comes up!
Do not edit as you write.
Go fearward!
Give all the details..

If you are drawn to write more than one paragraph, fine, but see if you can pour all your energy into that one paragraph.

Post the work up on the Responses to Assignment board, do not edit what you have written.

(thanks to Deena Metzger)

With love and a group hug to everyone,

Sandra

Re: Sandra mostly off-line until early June

http://eternalquestion.gaia.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:21:18 GMT

Enjoy yourself, Sandra! Don't be worrying about us... :)

Sandra mostly off-line until early June

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:25:58 GMT

So, I'm tying up loose ends before I leave for Los Angeles (a 5 a.m pick up tomorrow morning!).

I will have very little possibility to be online until June 2nd, sadly.

I will be thinking of you all, and hope you keep writing, commenting, enjoying.... I wish you were coming with me!

And, if you are new here, don't hesitate to contact one of the other moderators if you need help...Leigh-Anne, Ayla, Rudyan, Andrea, Sparrow,and ClevelandX.

Much love to all,

Sandra

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:18:04 GMT

thanks sweeties!
LIsbon, was, well... lots of things.

I think it wasn't really the vacation we needed - Hubby and I are terrible tourists, we have kind of OD'd on touristy things ( museums, local crafts, shops, monuments, quaint old towns), and Lisbon really was that kind of city and a big one - LOTS of walking up and down incredibly steep cobblestoned streets - so much that my feet ended up feeling really bruised.

Our hotel, being a cheapie, wasn't a place to hang out in, so we did all that walking...wondering what restaurant to eat in etc. I'm not too good with lots of choice, curiously. I always wonder if there 'is something better' (hmm, a life note perhaps).

The best bits were cafe's in the morning, and watching hubby's face as he ate his first custard tart. Believe me, they are incredible. And we had some nice food here and there. It rained every day except the last two days. One day-trip we went to Sintra, which is a town nearby, that was nice, lovely park we wandered through. Another we went to a beach town, but it was a bit sad, not warm enough to enjoy, and quite touristy.

Next time I think I'll choose a small town rather than a city, or a village by the beach when we are sure the weather is hot. And, my EA (existential angst) as hubby calls it probably means that anywhere I go these days isn't going to be 'quite right'.

I missed you all.

S.

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://eternalquestion.gaia.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:10:31 GMT

Hi Sandra, welcome home! Hope you had a good vacation...I mean holiday!

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://quietlaughter.gaia.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:49:49 GMT

yay!!

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:42:33 GMT

Got back late this afternoon.. right now I'm totally exhausted, I will check in properly tomorrow, I'm looking forward to it! Looks like some great stuff has been happening.
xo all

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://GabrieleStehle.gaia.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:25:40 GMT

Ooooooh, it's Monday already, our Sandra should be back soon...
Hope you had a lovely time, very much looking forward to having you back!

:)

Lots of love,
gg

Re: Sandra off-line for a few days

http://quietlaughter.gaia.com — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:22:14 GMT

have a wonderful time!
xo

Sandra off-line for a few days

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:04:53 GMT

I'll be offline until Tuesday... hubby and I are going to Lisbon for the first holiday we will have had in more than five years. I promise to eat a custard tart for each one of you :-)

Reminder: COMMENTING :-)

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:48:01 GMT

This is a little reminder for all of us, most of all for myself, that what feeds this group and each other (and therefore ourselves) is the commenting on pieces. I've noticed I've been really slack in this department lately.

The main thing is - if you post up a piece of your own work, please do at least a couple of comments to other peoples work. and, if you see a piece that's gone 'uncommented' upon, do go there first!

Sandra

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://clevelandx.gaia.com — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:40:06 GMT

Just a little something for all those ladies out there who love The Banderas. Took me some time to find it, had to dig deep on The Internets but I bring you the Antonio Banderas Talk Show (from SNL)

How you say? Ah, yes

Enjoy,

ClX

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:35:45 GMT

Nell! I've been stalling on doing a re-edit on the one remaining story I have in my collection. It's here and based on that relationship. Your idea of listening to the song is a great one. I'll do that when I stop procrastinating.
hugs.
S.

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://amazume.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:13:46 GMT

Hi Sandra and Randy,

For the record I don't claim to be a Banderes fan, I just think he is getting hotter as he is aging, and let's face it, he has always been easy on the eye. So, sorry not sure what movie you're referring to, Sandra.

ClX, you asked for cash donations on the

Fast
Sense - Anytown Diner thread, if I were you, I'd take a look there (I left a little something for you there). I am also sharing a perspective there I encourage you to adopt. Although your dead horse, dead guy, beatings do appear funny to me. So whatever you fancy.

And Sandra, this one <sigh> says a lot! You have a lot more power that you give yourself credit for. Just imagine the possibilities if you did listen to that song again, your 'our' song and see what arises, allow, let it pass through you, and then do 20 minutes of uncensured handwriting. Oh, the possibilities...

Love,
Nell ;-)

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:26:36 GMT

<sigh> I can't listen to Percy Sledge's version... it was me & my ex's 'our' song.

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://clevelandx.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:05:02 GMT

The man with the real sense of humor is the man who can put himself in the spectator's place and laugh at his own misfortunes.
- Bert Williams

I've been known to beat a dead horse and then after the guy beating the horse has died someone comes along and beats him. It's my own problem and for that I apologize, no harm intended.

I do have one rebuttal at least in the area of singers goes. I'm truthfully not a Michael Bolton fan, having a church dedicated in his honor was just too fun to pass up. Aaron Neville is a great singer, I've always respected him but when it comes to music I'm very much a purist (not always but mostly so) my choice is Percy Sledge.

For the record I have no qualms about Banderes, he's just so smooth.

Peace be with you.

ClX

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:42:29 GMT

Ah Nell. A voice of reason and balance in these times of trial.Thank you.
Given your predilection for Banderas you might be able to help me out. I was never that keen on him until I saw him in a hilarious part (what film? I don't remember!) where he was attesting ( in court? ) the, um, size of his, well you know. It's a very funny scene. He insists, in his cute accent, "There have been complaints." Do you know which film I'm referring to?

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://amazume.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:26:31 GMT

Oh Mr. Neville is scrumptious indeed!

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://amazume.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:24:34 GMT

Go ahead with your deal already ClX and Sandra. For everyone's sake (not just Pete's). Holding my heart here at the sight of so much gore and yet I have a strong sense that it will all work out in the end.

I could see down the road you two may be more forgiving toward those who are not so much into the morbid variety of humor so that neither of you need to resort to team up against fellow DD-ers and make them out to be lacking or missing anything. Not that its wrong, its just Truly Bad and therefor still hillarious to some and slightly annoying to others. Feels like I'm talking out of two heads? Well that's what you get when you are a dragon(fly) lady. Even though I metamorphosed I still have these two heads arguing. They're a riot.

Banderes, my favorite Adam in the 'Live From The Garden' movie, is
highly undervalued here too. He's got a lot more range than you give
him credit for, Cleve. He can credibly portray a religious zealot, a
homo, a bad-ass, and a steamy hetero love affair at any given moment. He can be in a Truly Bad movie and still look good! He does it all with reckless abandon.
He's only becoming more interesting and vivacious as he is aging, while he still has his original, irresistible boyish shyness.

Gotta go to the beach now and cool my fiery breath.

Nell ;-)

Re: New Moderator - ClevelandX

http://sandrajensen.gaia.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:16:13 GMT

Given that further offers have not been forthcoming I am seriously reconsidering market value of said product. I'm wondering if I should, in fact, put my kidney up for auction instead as perhaps it is more valuable than I thought.

And while I agree that Swami Bolton has indeed expressed a certain quality here my own personal preference can be found here. I have had great good fortune to see Mr. Neville in his flesh, so to speak, and all things considered I'd wager he is more imposing altogether, chest hair or no chest hair.