Line by Line 12-23-2020
#WritingCommunity,
You are invited to #LineByLineTime, A Mini Critique Hour hosted by @graestonewriter on Twitter.
In the movie Gore Vidal’s Lincoln, the president “runs the lines” of The Gettysburg Address with his aides, saying, “I have a short short short speech, which I will try out on the chickens, as the farmer said.”
(Marvelous, powerful movie that has haunted me all these years.)
Each week #LineByLineTime writers share lines from their WIPs. (Try it out on the chickens, as the farmer said.)
There will be a focus question during the hour, a chance to share, and a time for “best in show.”
Next Time: Something Seasonal
Wednesday, December 23rd, at 9:00 PM Eastern, we share something seasonal, be it weather, or religious, or secular. Help us celebrate traditions familiar and new, as we endure separation. Let us join your characters for a short time this season.
I am using Betsy Byars’ Good-bye, Chicken Little, and The Cybil War for our Line-By-Line exercises. Byars wrote MG books for years, won prestigious awards, and knew her stuff. Betsy passed away on February 26, 2020.
Good-Bye, Chicken Little opens with “Four days before Christmas,” and ends on Christmas day. Here is a seasonal scene from within those four days. This is at “the party.” Uncle Pete skated to his death on the Monday river, and the family has gathered.
“At least do ‘All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.’”
“Oh, we don’t know the words to that anymore,” Mrs. Little said. “Besides, that was Pete’s song. We just did the background music.”
“I’ll take Pete’s part,” Uncle Henry offered.
“Remember now, he always sang it with a lisp.”
“How could I forget?” Cousin Frances plopped herself down on the rug, arms folded, and waited. Her face, like those of the others, shone with anticipation.
(Byars, Betsy. Goodbye, Chicken Little. Open Road Media. Kindle Edition.)
I hope you will join us Wednesdays for #LineByLineTime.
Feel free to make helpful suggestions about other lines the group might explore in the future.