Great post, Margie. There is an unwritten contract between author and reader (in all cases) with rules set forth under the genre, literary fiction and creative non-fiction. This contract must not, at any point, be broken with creative non-fiction.

In all cases, the events expressed are true and occurred…without fail.

The creative process in this case, is the application of theme, motifs, structure, metaphors, etc. applied for the betterment of the non-fiction description of events.

Otherwise, it’s just a list of horrible events which is tantamount to sticking a needle in your eye!

Great discussions last night. Thanks for revisiting this, Margie!

I can’t wait to read it, Sunny. It’s on my kindle and I’m pushing aside two classes, et al to read and review! Can’t wait!

Hi Susan,

Love your introduction. I agree with you about sharing your story, as well; quite terrifying…and then…freeing.

From “One Ring”, there are nine rings “for the mortal men doomed to die.”*

But one story can outlive us, and that is why we “share our story.”*

*Tolkein, Bunting*

Look forward to connecting with you!

Brings the eye in, which so many book covers don’t. Great job!!

Hi RuthAnn!

I am immediately there on the rock with you, the narrator. I feel the frustration of a self-centered, know-it-all-don’t-need-you friend. I am mad at her.

You show your anger perfectly for this beautiful piece:

I threw a pebble, hard and far as my arm allowed, downstream. I listened for the splash. Our rules, I shook my head. I should have laminated them, they were that strict

This ending abruptly of a friendship causes a greif with no answers. She didn’t die in a car wreck, or cancer or anything else but her royal rulebook. That rulebook will leave her cold and has left you bereft. If you truly mean what you say here:

I would make the same choice if I had it to do over. I would choose to need her. I would choose to love her.

then you just might be able to patch this many-decade relationship back together and heal two hearts at the same time. I hope that can be.

I think this is a beautiful story, and I love the natural motifs for your storyline, the gecko and his nerve-endings and then the communal relationship between cardinals; whether they need all of those songs to sing or not, or that they seem far more advance than some in that they choose to be fed by their partner whether or not they need it.

I was caught up on the friend suddenly speaking, the point of view that has been addressed, but that didn’t bother me as much because I was there to find out the reason why. Something you haven’t found yet and I am so sorry.

What a beautiful story. I’ll be interested to hear what you have done with the input from Kathy and James.

Best!

Hi Brian!

There were only by critiques, no rejections, here on The Story Cartel (a vigorous nod to Joe for that).

I am captivated by your Russian Doll theory of a good novel. I have read a great deal of articles and craft books; your paraphrasing is better than anything I’ve read in the writing advice aisles. 😉

Looking forward to learning from you.

Ann,

I love Kurt Vonnegut (and actually have talked with him) and this reminds me of his quote about the character needing something, even if it’s a glass of water. 😉

I couldn’t find Joe’s comment about water that you referenced. Can you point me in that direction?

Thanks!

“I got ‘nuthin’, Chase.” “But seriously folks…” I need a rim shot, ya’ got a gun? here’s the rim…

Hi Chase!

Oh Christy,

I hear you loud and clear. Sometimes I think I should just share my story with Obligatory-Writer’s-Cat-Boz, and he alone would be my audience. That would suit me just fine, thank you very much.

The first story I shared here had my heart pounding so much I thought it would jump out my throat. I just sent it to stop the pounding==no proofreading, no spell-check, nothing. Pasted it from Evernote (of all things) into a Word MS and moved it to the first exercise.

The Story Cartel was then my audience, in addition to Boz. I’m sure I’ll have to do that again (and again) but I’ll need a defibrillator first! 😉

You are not alone!