My Story Book Club discussion
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Inheritance
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Online chat with Steven Reigns
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Monica
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Feb 11, 2013 11:43AM
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Don't forget to jump in any time with questions for Steven. This is an open forum, so be respectful.
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It started before my first book, Your Dead Body is My Welcome Mat was published. When I was shopping it around for a publisher I noticed there were some gaps in the material. I talked about my experiences being molested by a neighbor but mentioned nothing about my parents and the family I came from.... I was still protecting them. So, I chose to write about the things I omitted in that first book--though the first book was a mix of fiction and non-fiction.
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I think Inheritance is a bit more reflective about the abuse. My first book was a very young book, it came out when I was 24. The abuse felt more immediate for me then. I trust the page. I don't shy away from disclosure.
However, now I'm 37 and I've come so much further in my growth and being a survivor. I'm no longer writing (or talking that much) about those events in the past. It's unfortunate it consumed so much of my childhood and I realized that if I keep talking about it, reflecting on it, that it would consume my entire adulthood too. I have no problem discussing it in forums like this but in terms of it being future material, I don't think I'll go back to it in such a strong way. I'm not denying how it shaped me but I'm interested in giving my attention to other things.
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I am very social and can be a pretty slow writer. It's hard for me, right now, to see the shape of my next poetry collection and the themes. However, with any type of autobiographical writing, childhood is always present. It's where our first images and perceptions are formed.
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I'd let them know how confusing it was... tv shows and movies need to keep a tight narrative. Good VS Evil. It never felt that simple to me. Having early, non consensual sexual experiences only added to my sexual confusion. I don't think being molested makes one gay. I think growing up gay or questioning creates vulnerability and that vulnerability is preyed upon by predators. Talking with a therapist, school counselor, or trusted adult is one of the most important things a teen could do.
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I've been teaching poetry writing workshops for about ten years. Here is a video about my most recent workshop working with GLBT Senior Citizens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZCwgt...
I encourage my students to write poetry that is honest, takes risks, and uses details.
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I have endless prompts. I used to teach GLBTQ writing workshops for teens. --Write about your first time: it could be the first time you had sex, first time you kissed someone, held someone's hand, or the first time you received a love note.
Our "firsts" are such charged experiences that it's easy to tap into the energy and immediacy of it.
I also have a writing prompt that was published in Terry Wolverton's website for Writer's at Work. It can be found here: http://writersatwork.wordpress.com/20...
(As a side note Wolverton, has an amazing narrative poem in her collection Black Slip that really captures the relationship between a teen fearful of being pregnant and an outsider girl who helps her out. It's a great poem to read for anyone at any age. She's such a talented writer.)
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Thank you Monica. I think My Story is a great program and you've been such a powerhouse in making it happen. Though GLBTQ teens are being represented on TV, I don't think it's enough. A dialogue is needed and you're helping create that. I'm pleased my book of poems was selected and hope the writings help heal, entertain, and inspire. I have some future events coming up. To find out more, go to: www.stevenreigns.com
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