Month: July 2010

Update on WV Childhood essay project

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / 3 Comments

Last night I received the most amazing proposal for an essay — what it was like growing up thinking certain things that are very real were actually urban legends, and what it was like to negotiate growing up with that confusion.  I am inspired by the creativity and courage people have!

For anyone still wishing to joining the Essays on a West Virginia Childhood project, here is our timeline (flexible):

September 1, 2010 or sooner — share with me your proposed essay title and basic subject matter, as well as your estimated number of pages.

September 30, 2010 — share a draft of your essay (or final if you do not request any feedback).

October 15 — I’ll have feedback to anyone who requests it.

November 1 — We will make our work public.

Some ideas to consider are:

  • How was your childhood different from what you see in WV today?
  • Who were some incredible characters from your growing up?
  • How did you spend your free time as a child?
  • What role did your family members play in your life?
  • What kinds of friends did you have? Any special animals or pets?
  • What was your school experience?
  • Was there an especially difficult event or dynamic in your childhood you want to explore in writing?
  • Do you have what you might consider a uniquely WV element to your childhood, such as growing up in a coal community?
  • What about social divides — were you a have in a world of have nots, or vice versa? How did that shape who you are today?
  • How did you feel about WV growing up, and why do you think you felt that way?
  • Were there any special areas of the state you visited as a child that made a lasting impression on you?
  • What were your dreams or assumptions about the future when you were very young? Did those turn out to be on target, or different from life now?
  • What observations do you have about the children in your life now, and what they are experiencing?

All Apologies

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / 2 Comments

 I’ve never met the man in person, but I gotta tell you I’ve come to love me some Ryan Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy came into my life when a mutual friend recommended we connect on Facebook.  He’s one of those people who doesn’t post all that often, but when he does he gives you something to think about.  One of his recent posts was this:

The word “apology” is derived from the Greek word “apologia” which refers to a defense or explanation of a point of view in question. It seems to me that we would have much more meaningful communication if we could all keep this in mind the next time someone “owes us an apology.” Just a thought.

It’s actually just a very good thought that deserves a lot of consideration.  A true apology is not grovelling or saying you’re sorry or even simply seeking forgiveness.  So listen up — and you know who you are — there is a lot more to it than what the public stage suggests is an apology.  A true apology is an accounting of your actions, an explanation of the behavior or motives behind the events, and perhaps most importantly is merely a first step in an extended process of dialogue and reconnection with the damaged party or parties.  On the receiving end, let’s stop pretending all we have to do is say “OK” to make it over.

Apologies are hard work all around.  Which usually means if you do it right, it’s well worth it.  Rock on, Mr. Kennedy.