That Place You Love: Real People. Real Stories.
Round-Up on Labor; Next-Up Habit. Is it really true? No risk... no story.
When we read words in a way they weren’t intended…
I saw a woman on the street yesterday wearing a t-shirt with
NO RISK. NO STORY.
printed across her chest. I thought:
WOW. That’s a great bumper sticker - meme - tagline.
I started thinking about how stories that impact me are often shared with some risk involved.
Either in the narrative - something the author or protagonist has to overcome - OR - in the act of writing the story (estrangement, retribution, hurting people, being exposed or rewarded…)
Risk doesn’t have to be climbing Mt. Everest or surviving being kept hostage in a basement for 10-years against your will.
It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing lawsuit to take down a corrupt institution or putting all your chips on red.
Playwright/dramatist, David Mamet, talks about how a knot in a character’s shoelaces can be enough to create risk.
Think about Tonya Harding’s boot lace mishap in Lillehammer…
Risk comes in tiny packages!
When the woman on the street turned towards me to cross, I realized my error.
Her shirt said: No risk. No glory. Ah well, I enjoyed my rabbit hole of thought.
Do you think storytelling requires risk?
You’re welcome to comment or just consider it for yourself. Remember, there’s no crosstalk at TPYL. If you read someone’s comment, click the heart or don’t.
If you’re reading this for the first time…
And want to know more about the ZINE’s mission, go to ABOUT or FORUM on the Substack platform or read the introductory post I WAS AN EASY LIAR.
If you contributed during the first 16 weeks, I’ll be in touch about publishing in the first anthology ZINE.
Looking for artwork, too! More to come…
Round Up on Labor & New Prompt - Habit - below!
8 Contributors weighed in on LABOR:
I wrote about my outlier job as a DIY art therapist for a mentally challenged woman and the discovery of where those little toys in eggs are assembled.
(in order of appearance)
Carole D wrote about the various stages of caretaking in a mother’s life when admiring the beauty of a baby as a “Sweet little bundle of hard work.”
Julia wrote about the labors of charity, volunteerism, and the many ways communities become stronger through such acts given freely.
Zig wrote about being IN labor for 24-hours, the physical exertion and compromised plans, & life ushered in with pain – eclipsed by joy and laughter.
Intact Animal wrote about laboring on his first trip abroad, learning from veteran travelers, being paid in unlimited beer, and changing his path.
Carol M explored the many roles labor has taken in her life - from jobs to careers to self-care - and for making her who she is. Regardless of pay & with gratitude.
New Contributor Jen A wrote about her first job at fifteen and the sacrifice her father made to drive her in at 6am. “Time to make the donuts” is real!
Shirlé wrote about socially forcing a pizza parlor to create her first job and how that exuberant work ethic paved the way for a career on the brink of burnout.
Wynn Tu wrote about the thin line between transaction and favor when it comes to sex and physicality, the difference between unwanted and agreed upon touch.
Contributor Zig also revisited week 11 to write about MEMORY, week 12 to write about WASTE, week 13 to write about LANGUAGE, and week 14 to write about TRIBUTE.
READ & HEART these writers & SHARE your own story in the comments.
Next Up: Habit
On Monday, I’ll write about HABIT through the lens of truth and see what I come up with as a prompt.
I know myself to be a creature of habit. I have to examine my habits every now and again to make sure they’re serving me. I wonder if repetition and discipline are necessary ingredients in habit, or is habit automatic, instinctual, and subconsciously driven?
Consider where HABIT takes you and share on Monday!
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More to come on Monday….
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely, for real.
Michelle