Subject: Christi Krug's Wildfire Writing

Taming the Dragon, Taking a Risk

Every time I lift pen to paper I am taking a risk. My words could fall short of the story I'm striving to tell or the message I'm yearning to communicate. I could fail.

Sharing writing, too, is a risk. Last night in Wildfire Writing II, Jenny read a piece that was astoundingly imaginative and brilliant. What happened? The class tittered, giggled, burst into laughter. The piece wasn’t funny. The class, however, was needing to relax after a hard week. If Jenny hadn’t been a veteran Wildfire Writer, she would have been hurt by the reaction.

Reactions to our writing have less to do with the work itself and more to do with the reader. These reactions are out of our control. They can’t touch who we are as human beings--unless we allow them to do so.   

The outcome of our creative efforts is wildly unpredictable. The frightening dragon of Don’t-Risk-It circles our safe, walled village. We don’t know what will happen if we venture outside this known territory. Better to stay where we are than confront that dragon.

One way that I’ve begun dealing with the dragon is by saying yes when a creative opportunity comes up.Tonight I’m telling a story for “Off the Page” at Three Creeks Library. Storytelling is new to me—no script! The dragon told me I should stay with something I know, something safe. Instead, I choose to live creatively, and yes, to accept and deal with the fear.

Tomorrow I’m giving a presentation for the Southwest Washington Watercolor Society. I’ve never even been to one of their meetings, and here I’ll be giving a talk—in front of real artists. Just that thought is daunting. More grumbling from the dragon. Still, I say yes.

Next week I’m performing a poem for a gala dinner event—semi-formal, they told me yesterday. “What did I get myself into?” I wondered. When first asked to be the guest poet, I noticed the dragon from the corner of my eye, glaring at me. I stared back at him, and said loudly, “Yes.”

In my personal life, I’ve had Big Risky Things show up, too. The dragon isn't happy when I choose personal growth over safety, security, and sameness. The dragon is no longer in charge.

What about you? Are you taking creative risks today? Are you feeling what it is to be alive? Or are you penned in by the walls of familiarity? Are you sacrificing your beautiful dream so you can hold onto a sure bet? 

We risk anytime we tell the truth; anytime we take an adventure, write a poem, craft a story, pick up a paintbrush. We risk whenever we reach out to love someone. Without risking, we’re not living, just experiencing “pre-death.”

The creative process is risk. It connects us to the electric joy of life.

And really, dragons are a little bit cuddly when they're not bossing you around anymore.     
Events

Off the Page: Stories of First Love
May 13, 2016        7:00-8:30 pm
Three Creeks Library, 800 NE Tenney Road, Vancouver


Southwest Washington Watercolor Society
Entitlement - How to Win at Titling Your Work and Other Writing Can-Do's
May 14, 2016  1:30 - 2:15   (Following lunch at noon) 
Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver

Wildfire Wednesday
Open mic stories & poems - featuring you!
May 25, 2016       6:30 - 7:50 pm
Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver

Classes
  • Thursdays, 6:30 pm: Wildfire Writing II at Clark College, Columbia Tech Center, Vancouver. (You can still sign up.)
  • Wednesday evenings, 6 pm: Wildfire Master Class in Cascade Park. (Independent offering)
  • Thursdays, 9:30 am: Wildfire Master Class in Cascade Park. (Independent offering)
  • Tuesday, July 12 - August 23, 6-7:15 pm: Yoga for Creativity at Clark College, Columbia Tech Center, Vancouver. Meets every other Tues evening. Early Bird Discount for registering before June 30Registration begins Tuesday, May 17.
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