It's Time To Tell Your Story
The urge is in all of us
A year ago today, I spent a few terrifying hours in a locker room. A year ago today, Zijie Yan died.
In the days that followed, I wrote and I wrote. I spent early mornings curled around my anger and grief, seeking solace in sentences. I abided the uncontrollable urge to write.
Eventually some of what I wrote became an essay I shared here, although I debated about whether to do so. I wondered if I had the right to tell this particular story. I wondered if it was fair to share what happened to me when something much more awful had transpired. I wondered if writing about my experience cheapened or capitalized on Zijie’s death.
A close friend told me what I myself had told countless students: you have the right to write about what happened to you. Telling your story doesn’t annul anyone else’s. What happened changed you, and that’s a story.
Ultimately, I shared the essay because of this reassurance, because I could hear the part of me that was crying out to be heard and seen and knew I would feel better if I responded to that call. I’m sharing it again because I still think about Zijie and those hours in the locker room. About his children who’ve lived a whole year since he died. About the research he didn’t do this year, the fish he didn’t catch. I’m sharing it again because it still hurts, and telling the story of it makes me feel a little less alone in that hurt.
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We all have this urge. I see it every day, in my classrooms, in the grocery store, on the sidewalk—humans with stories and the desire (sometimes unconscious) to shape and share them. Story is one of the primary ways we make meaning, ascribe structure and shape to this life of chaos and feelings.
You have stories inside you. You have the desire to shape and share them. Whether or not any of the following offerings call to you, I urge you to find the outlet, community, and medium that fits you, that offers space for your story. It matters. It’s time.
Live Storytelling starts September 17
Live storytelling is one of the most accessible and terrifying ways to share your story—out loud, on stage, just you and that microphone. Accordingly, it is also one of the most exhilarating and empowering.
If pencils and notebooks bore you or you love to regale people at parties or you’ve been standing in the corner too long and want to find your voice, this one’s for you. Financial aid available!
Writers’ meetup on September 22
Do you want to get out of your house and talk to other weirdos who love words? Join me for a Scratch of Writers, a casual writers’ meetup in downtown Chapel Hill. This time we’ll have a short story you can read in advance and discuss (if you’re into that sort of thing—it’s totally optional). All are welcome!
Story Connection: A live storytelling performance on October 24
Story Connection, a live storytelling series, returns to the Carrboro ArtsCenter on October 24th, showcasing new storytellers and a few special guests. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details.
New writing group to launch in November
One of my greatest joys is sitting around the table with other writers talking about their work. In November, I will launch a new monthly writing group where writers can find community, strengthen their craft, and get the inspiration and energy to realize their writing goals. Here’s more about how I run writing groups. If you want in, hit reply and let me know.
The 2nd Journey to Jupiter writing retreat blasts off September 13th
Oh yeah and also I’m co-leading another out of this world writing retreat that blasts off really soon! The Journey to Jupiter retreat is for committed writers pursuing book-length projects (fiction or memoir). Our crew is full up for this year, but if you are hungry for some craft talk, check out Writing in the Dark, a podcast that features me and my Jupiter co-pilot Ralph Walker diving deep into narrative craft.
It’s amazing how far we can travel when we band together. Keep, writing friend. You’re not alone.
Wow, these offerings look fantastic!