Quote of the Day: Any kind of creative activity is likely to be stressful. The more anxiety, the more you feel that you are heading in the right direction. Easiness, relaxation, comfort  – these are not conditions that usually accompany serious work. Joyce Carol Oates

Insecure Writers Support Group BadgeHere we are at the first Wednesday of the Month where many of us bloggers write about our hopes and fears in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Please visit either site for more info and a list of participating bloggers, to join, or offer encouragement.

May flew by faster than the mosquitoes hatching in my back yard. Whew! Besides the normal end of the school year busy-ness, I have a son graduating from high school this year! So many “Lasts.” So much to look forward to.

Last month, I posted about meeting a famous playwright at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. The Twin Cities Theater Bloggers were invited to a reading of his new play, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and to a discussion with the playwright afterwards. You can read about it in the IWSG May post, and the follow-up, Meeting Lee Blessing. I can tell you that I was living out that quote by Joyce Carol Oates. I texted to one of the other bloggers, Tracy, and asked if she’d like to meet me for lunch before the reading. I wrote, “I’m nervous.” She wondered if it was about the driving, or the reading. I said, “Both! All of the above.” 

IMG_6228[1]I live in Minnesota. I grew up in the rural farm country, about five hours away from the Twin Cities, Minneapolis/St. Paul. I now live in the lakes country of MN, about two hours north of the Twin Cities. I drive there often, now, to view and review plays. I am out of my element driving in the cities, finding my way around, and parking. I was feeling stressed as I planned for the day, the drive, meeting Lee Blessing, interacting with the other bloggers and people who work for the Playwrights’ Center. And, I believe, that the nerves were also the excitement of going to this place that nurtures writers, playwrights specifically. The Playwrights’ Center exists to help you develop new plays. And, by you, I also mean ME! I asked the PR person about it, and she said, “You pay $75 to join, and you can come here to work on your plays, have readings by local actors, maybe even work with a director, or puppeteer, anyone who might help you with your creative work.” Wow. Could I really do this? 

Of course, “The Committee” spoke up during all that to say, “Who are you to  come to the Playwrights’ Center? You’re just a country girl. (insert Nellie’s voice from the old Little House on the Prairie show.) Leave the big time play writing to the City folks.” My response would be something like this: Well, I, ah, I don’t know. I write plays. I feel excited when they’re read aloud. I’d like to see them produced and hear/see the audience’s response.

And, that’s all a little scary, and stressful, but like Joyce Carol Oates says, You need to experience a little stress to live out your creative life! Less Blessing said, “You need the audience to really know what the play is about.” So, you read it here first, I’m going to join The Playwrights’ Center, and I’m going to go there some time in the next year and work on one of my plays.

Who’s with me? I could use a friend. Cher, the Texas Playwright Chick?

I asked Tracy Blowers, fellow theater blogger and professional photographer, to snap a couple pics of me at the Playwrights' Center. They have words all along their railings. Here I am looking excited to attend the reading of Lee Blessings' newest play.

I asked Tracy Blowers, fellow theater blogger and professional photographer, to snap a couple pics of me at the Playwrights’ Center. They have words all along their railings. Here I am looking excited to attend the reading of Lee Blessings’ newest play.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What would be an ideal place for you to work on your creative project?