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The Unexpected Shape Café

Public • 469 • Free

13 contributions to The Unexpected Shape Café
Introductions ⭐
This is the introduction thread. Say hi, tell us where you’re from and what your writing is all about! In your introduction, answer these 4 questions: ➡️ What is your name (preferred pronouns as well, if you don't mind) ➡️ Why did you decide to join The Unexpected Shape Café? ➡️ What is your favorite book? ➡️ What are you interested in writing about? We can’t wait to meet you! If you'd like to share anything else as well, feel free! And welcome!
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New comment 2d ago
Introductions ⭐
1 like • Oct 2
@Ainna Flaminia I don't know The Stinky Cheese, but I adore Jon Scieska's Sciene Verse! Hi! :)
0 likes • 14d
@Tami Clayton What's your substack, if you don't mind sharing it here?
Dialogue and Soul Writing
Hello all, great to be here in your community, thank you. As my profile says I'm mad about Dialogue in every sense of the word, and it's a word that translates as 'through' (dia) and 'meaning' (logos). As a professional dialogue facilitator I create and hold spaces for people to make meaning together, with better communication, especially in neurodiversity. Someone told me recently about a book-based project called Soul Writing by Joy Reichart. Have you read it or done it? I did the Morning Pages years ago but wondered if this is different. Anyway I'm really really really keen to get into fiction but people round me keep saying "you have to read a lot of fiction in order to write it" - I don't believe that! But then again I've not yet tried. I have just written a book though and it will be out in March. Ooh I've also got my memoirs nearly ready for publishing - no idea where though so might go KDP.... Have a great day. Excited to be here. Jonny 🫠
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New comment 19d ago
2 likes • 19d
Welcome, Jonny! Congrats on your finished book and the memoirs! I haven't heard of Joy Reichart or her stuff before today, but am intrigued now that I'm checking out her webpage. I'll report back what I found useful. Here's my two pence as a writer who was only confident in my nonfiction writing for decades and thought I didn't "have it" for fiction writing: It's bullshit, and gatekeepers can go eff themselves! Go for it! Writing is writing. All writing is about using words and sentences to put something beyond words onto the page. All writing is storytelling. If you want to write fiction, sure, read lots of fiction of the sort you want to write, but don't think that you need to read more before you can tell your stories. Looking forward to hearing more from you! Cheers, Rebecca :)
2 likes • 19d
Also, as a professional dialogue facilitator and dialogue fan, you'll have so much under your belt to make your fiction shine... just start with that!
Needs
Hey fellow authors! 📚 What's one thing your writing needs to reach the next level of awesomeness? Let's chat about it! 💡
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New comment 3d ago
0 likes • Oct 6
A tidier office. Like, seriously. It's so messy it's distracting.
Poetry recs
yes hello calling writers who read poetry. Song lyrics, epics welcome. Surprise me. (I'll comment mine monthly, but you go first 🐽👀🫴🙏)
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New comment 2d ago
2 likes • Oct 3
My favourite poets, in no particular order are Len Pennie, Taylor Nali, and David Whyte. https://taylormali.com/poems/what-teachers-make/ or, performed by himself, which is a TREAT: https://www.ted.com/talks/taylor_mali_what_teachers_make?subtitle=en
1 like • Oct 3
And I just discovered "Kite" by Rives: https://www.shopliftwindchimes.com/kite.html and performed by Rives himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N4AoLTTb0Q
Not sure where to take this... Open to ideas
Without turning this into a complete therapy session I recently had a couple of pretty intense encounters with a family member of a former friend. It almost got physical. The interaction got me thinking about all the other instances that I got into a fight or almost got into a fight and I started this piece. The working title is "I still love you tho." On the 2nd verse I start to contextualize and speak about the reason why such instances occur but I feel like that is typical of my writing. I want to write about another instance but I feel like I got my point across pretty clear in this initial piece. I"m happy for any feed back. Please keep in mind that this a verse in a rap song so, I'm interested in suggestions on how I can add some nuance to the content. Thank you in advance! The work is below. Heart thumpin quicker with each step// a weak breathe// creeps pass the eclipse my lip pressed// hood 6th sense // I watched em from a block away// 8 or so heads that handle rocks like doctor Jay// bodies on the block minds still locked away// or perhaps it’s just not my day// I see them staring, i'm thinking is there anything that I’m carrying I could use as a weapon// In case these niggas start pressing// luckily I know some one who lives in this section// he just stepped from his porch to give me a dap and a blessing// I stopped for a second// to check in// To make my potential assailants, think I’m not stressing// maybe it was wise, maybe it wasn’t // I walked past, I heard subtle threats but they didn’t do nothin// I put on my headphones and asked why is it always the brothers?
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New comment Oct 6
Not sure where to take this... Open to ideas
1 like • Oct 3
Hi Dat, Thanks for sharing your experience and this piece. The longer I read it the more I get that sense of pervasive threat, and it's heartbreaking to think that this is people's everyday reality. I wish it wasn't so... I like the rhythm of this piece, and that it has a story/message... Two things stood out to me: 1) If it can work with the rhythm, I'd go with a "shallow breath" rather than a "weak breath" ... it's more evocative of a physical stress reaction. 2) I LOVE this line: "bodies on the block minds still locked away" It's the strongest image in this piece. Run with it! If you can, do more with it... if not in this piece, maybe in another one? Again, thanks for sharing, and good work!
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Rebecca Erlewein
3
36points to level up
@rebecca-erlewein-5179
Nonfiction & romance writer and musician. Nerdy and empathetic. Needs to lighten the F up most of the time. NB (she/they). ME/CFS & AuDHD.

Active 2d ago
Joined Jul 25, 2024
INFP
New Zealand
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