Writing

A Contemplation on Mailboxes and Gender by Gevork Anderyassian

This SOC piece of writing is from a new writer to the Library Coffeehouse Writers Group in Long Beach, Ca., Gevork Anderyassian his name.  Whom we are pleased to welcome to our group and to California. He is a Transplant of the UK from England.

A Contemplation on Mailboxes and Gender by Gevork Anderyassian

Black and white, boys and girls, yin and yang, on and off, left and right, good and bad, how primal minds compartmentalize everything to survive.

What is the upshot of this pigeonholing? I guess like all the other junk mail that ends up in the door slot of your mind or post box, it needs sorting. Like the postman, I sort looking for labels that would suggest “M” for Male. You see I live in M world, for I am a Man thus, the mail carrier delivering the mail goes through the stacks for the identifiable labels such as …. a bill, check, that’s me M. Then there is a Macy’s humm, ok, check.  A Car part’s catalogue, check … oh, but wait, how could this be, perhaps a desire?

On the contrary, car part’s catalogue?, for a man with no ability to perform or understand cars, The postman would be scratching his head on this day, but the route is long, and  his time is short, thus he must move on, so in the slot goes what you should be doing, what you should be reading, as well as everything else.

We all get mail, mail even we don’t want, but in the slot it goes all that wasted print from the senders' end, and then all that effort just to get it in your mail, only then to be thrown from your mailbox into your trash.

Drawing from William Floyd Collection

Perhaps I’ve rebelled my whole life, not subscribing to macho roles or feminine ideals, we are after all just human, and to be categorize further is redundant and not worth nothing except as a marketers slogan.

Myself I would be enamored with a top rated female mechanic or impressed with the man with an extensive antique perfume bottle collection. These are just reminders that we are all the same mailbox.

Why I Like To Write

Robert McEwen, is a longtime friend, fellow Prosperos Mentor, and a nationally known Astrologer. He allows his artistic talents to express in many ways such as this written piece appearing here in other voices section of SOC, enjoy.  

Why I Like To Write - By Robert W. McEwen

I like to write.  Really because I have to write.  I don't feel I have a choice.  It is what I do.  Same with astrology.  I picked up both of those at the age of 16.  Got addicted to them both.  Oh yeah, along with bass guitar!  I started a band and wrote songs too.  Not complicated or great masterpieces, but they were MY songs...thy had a gut and they popped.  Pop music came from Pop People like anything when it POPS!  Its real, it has feelings, and it is a bit catchy as well...it turns around and bites itself and then snaps out again...kinda like a rattlesnake.  

We all like something that surprises us with feelings.  That doesn't fit in.  That breaks the norms rules and the average code.  We get bored otherwise.  Life is monotonous and is just going through the motions.  So, we break out and go outside the dots.  That means actually that we have to dig inside to our real feelings to create.  Be it writing, music, or astrology.  If it snaps, and breaks commonality then it pops!  It gets our attention.  IT is real!  It has integrity of its own.  It holds its own and I like it, you like it, others may like it.  

But it is not written for that reason, so others can approve of it. Creativity is not an object that you go to the store and buy.  You can't buy it in a form of some kind. You can't fake it.  It is a function of its own intelligence and creates its own energy.  It can't be stopped once it is born. There is a little bit of rebellion in real creativity, and really in just "being alive!"    I learn by trial and air.  Certainly, everything I write is not great.  That is for sure.  I have written some real dribble. I know that...but it is going to take me to the next level.  I take a risk and know I am not really failing in the long run...I am learning!

 Making mistakes are part of that, like falling off the bike as a kid. I am growing.    But each thing leads to something that may "pop” That a connection may happen inside.   It is an inner revolution that sparks the energy between different parts...the contradictions create a tension and then there is release. I don't edit much, because too often the "juice" gets squeezed out it and it lays there lifeless and limp

Creativity is like hot sex.  That is when its good.   Sex is creative energy popping, and writing or music, or even astrology, for me anyway, it is like really good sex.  It is intimate, and a bit spicy, and almost feels like I am being a little naughty!  That is when I know I am onto something.  I have grabbed the hot wire and in the "zone".  I don't have a choice about it...I have to do it, just like I have to breathe.  I am not really alive, unless I am being creative.  It has no normal rules! It has its own rules.  It has its own voice.  That is what I listen to and follow.  That is my creed in being alive here on earth.

100 Years of the Pulitzer Prize

April 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prizes. It holds the reputation as the country's most prestigious awards and most sought-after accolades in journalism, letters, and music.

The Prizes are formally announcement each April, these awards are made on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize board.  These awards are perceived as a focus for worldwide attention on American achievements in letters and music as well as an incentive to foster high-quality journalism.

Over the decades, the Pulitzer board has been targeted by some critics over awards made or not made. Controversies also have arisen over decisions made by the board counter to the advice of juries. Given the subjective nature of the award process, this was inevitable. The board has stood its ground and not been captive to popular inclinations. Many, if not most, of the honored books have not even been on bestseller lists, and many of the winning plays have been staged off-Broadway or in regional theaters. In these winning books, letters, and music pages are 100 years of setbacks and progress, 10 decades of cultural scrutiny and literary experimentation, a century of audacious assertions and undeniable genius.

As an award or as a symbol, it has had quite the ride. For its readers, it has presented a journey into a patch quilt world of literature.

What better time than now to reflect on the many recipients works. I invite you to peruse a cross selection of the award recipients works and to choose to read, or reread, ponder over and even admire some of these works.

Those of you more active out there, I’d suggest celebrating by reading an award-winning story aloud, and/or partnering with individuals and organizations to host events across the country. Then again creating your own story to present that may end up in the next Centennial of honored writers is not a bad idea either.

A toast to good writing.