I finished a first draft of a story called Wheels on the Bus. I was inspired by photos I’ve found showing car seats for kids in an immigration van. Can you imagine being in charge of a bus full of toddlers? Ah! What this government is doing to people of all ages is devastating. I’m still floored that so many people vote against their own best interest.
In writing the story, I was a lot more analytical than I usually am. I really studied and planned out the style because it was a copycat story. I felt I was more successful in some ways in a shorter time in writing. The planning and analyzing took time though! I also felt more confident while writing and when I finished. All in all, I will try this again – finding stories I like, copying something about the story that rings true, and planning it out in what I want to write.
Some more prison bus photos I studied. Just because.
In other news, in case you didn’t know, I’m on city council in my town. It’s a town of about 20,000 residents. We have seven councilpersons, one in each of four wards and three at large. I’m an at large. I’ve served on council for five years, this year being six. We have to run for re-election every two years. I’ve started gathering signatures, I need at least a hundred and more like a hundred and fifty, to get on the ballot again. Ah, it begins! I got twenty last night while going to meetings. Only a hundred and twenty more to go. Woohoo!
I wrestle with being on council only because of the time that I spend that I’d like to spend writing. But writing is like that, right? You do what you do as well as write. I just wish I had more time, all the time! Which is why I’m trying real hard not to let the National News take up too much of my headspace. That shit will fuck you up.
Last night at our Dem club meeting, we invited speakers from ColorsPlus.org to speak about how we can be more protective of LGBTQIA people and let them know they are valued. The biggest takeaway? Tell them your pronouns and ask them theirs. Such an easy way to say, “I see you.” Our Dem club participants, most of them older, senior, even, were so amenable and curious and want to participate in helping the cause. Even the speakers, two moms of queer kids, were excited and warmed by the response of their audience.
Just a little insanity for your day:
Begs the question, what bus are we on?
Peace!