Bernice Connell – Page 3 – Ascribe Writers

Storm-Stayed Stories

November 22, 2021November 22, 2021 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

Curvy windy road in snow covered forest, top down aerial view.

If there is one thing that can ease the stress of being stranded by a surprise winter storm when traveling, it is getting to hang out with folks who are great storytellers.

This was the lucky situation for me last week when traveling to Fort Frances. After a bumpy landing in Thunder Bay amid blustery seventy-kilometer per hour winds, it was a quick ride to a hotel with the hopes of getting a room. Many other travelers had the same plan. The Trans-Canada Highway heading west was closed as was the 350 kilometer stretch of road to Fort Frances.

Writing Descriptively

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

Seeing interesting or impactful images makes me immediately think about how to describe them.

Not long ago, I struggled to describe a sky full of different types of clouds. What I wrote was ‘A variety of clouds filled the sky to the horizon in every direction, tumbling like a slow-motion kaleidoscope’. Despite the time and effort spent, my description fell short of capturing the image.

Believing the clouds were noteworthy was an emotional reaction to a beautiful scene. As I was not writing about storm chasers or pilots, the clouds had nothing to do with the story. What I have learned is that there are times when good descriptions are critical but I often add many unnecessarily in my writing. It is easy to be too elaborate or flowery when enamoured of an image. Likewise, being overly detailed if focusing on facts and general information can be boring.

Long Distance Writing

August 9, 2021August 9, 2021 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

A recent visit with a forever friend has resulted in a new collaboration; we are going to start writing together this fall. That is, come up with story ideas, contribute to writing and editing and hold each other accountable.

We had not seen each other for more than ten years, keeping in touch only sporadically through email and Christmas cards during that time. She returned to our hometown this summer to sell her family’s home so we got to hang out before her return to British Columbia.

It is one of those friendships where no matter the time lapsed between visits, we pick up where we left off; an example of the old adage, ‘Make new friends but keep the old. The new are sliver, the old are gold”. Sharing mistakes, adventures and naivete as teens and twenty-somethings provides lasting bonds.

Chasing the Muse

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 Bernice Connell 1 Comment

My writing mojo has disappeared. Again. After good progress with character development in recent months, the ever-elusive and serendipitous inspiration has evaporated.

Waiting to stumble upon inspiration or hoping it will somehow just show up is not working. The muse is not going to surprise me and strike like a thunderbolt.

Most writers already know this. Understanding the theory is one thing but now the reality is becoming all too clear.

This is me making excuses and I am tired of my own whining. Writing requires a commitment to work harder. Plain and simple.

Hiraeth

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

The Welsh word, hiraeth, is new to me. It is pronounced: here-eyeth, with a roll of the ‘r’ if one is so inclined and able. Scholars advise that translation of hiraeth to English is not definitive but I find that, with it’s varied and elusive definitions, hiraeth is the perfect word to describe my mood and mindset these days.

I have been a little off-kilter recently; easily distracted and anxious. My mother would have described this as feeling discombobulated. With higher than usual work stress, extended periods of isolation and our community being under the cloud of a worsening pandemic, my reactions seem logical and situational. Worry is a largely wasted emotion so I’m trying not to worry.

Stories in Letters

February 22, 2021February 22, 2021 Bernice Connell 1 Comment

“Dear Bern,

It’s Friday night and I’ve started my second glass of wine. Tom is watching some no-brainer tv so I thought I’d settle in and write to you.”

Thus, began an especially long letter received from a close friend in 1988. The letter flowed like our conversations, covering everything going on in our lives. At that time, when we lived far apart, receiving a letter was the next best thing to having a visit. In this letter, she shared news of the kids, workplace struggles, my sister’s upcoming wedding, her softball team’s calamitous night out and so much more. There was even a little sketch of a hooked rug she was working on. It was a lot of fun to read it so many years later.

I tucked this letter and several others she’d written, into my friend’s Christmas package, returning them to her.

Brightest Light on the Longest Night

December 21, 2020December 21, 2020 Bernice Connell Leave a comment

Photo credit: Alessandro Viaro (Unsplash.com)

It’s December 21^st. Happy Solstice everyone!

Winter solstice – the longest night of the year, marking the beginning of the planet’s slow tilt and turn toward spring’s days of increased light.

The changing of the seasons has been revered throughout the ages in ancient civilizations, indigenous cultures and various religions. Celebrations included feasting, gathering with loved ones and gift giving and were the origins of our modern traditions at this time of the year.

Finding a Groove

November 2, 2020November 14, 2020 Bernice Connell 2 Comments

My writing is going really well these days. Almost ‘happy dance’ worthy.

At the risk of jinxing whatever forces are at work here, there it is, stated out loud. Well, written in black and white on the page.

I’m a bit giddy about this slow but steady shift taking place. There’s no time to waste wondering why this is happening right now, or worrying about how fragile or temporary the momentum may be. I just tip my smiling face downward and keep on writing.

Author: Bernice Connell