Literary Lunch

Do you ever have big visions of how something should happen, only to have it happen nothing like you envisioned? What about if the unlikely way it happened was just right anyway?

Our monthly Literary Lunch kind of happened that way today.

The idea behind Literary Lunch comes from the Brave Writer’s Poetry Teatime. I came across a podcast over the summer talking about the concept and was intrigued. It sprang from the creator’s love for tea and poetry and her desire to share that love with others; especially her children.

I liked the idea of creating an environment where my kids had an opportunity share what they’ve been reading and writing.

The truth?

My ultimate goal is to get them to write more.

And want to share what they have written.

So, poetry probably wouldn’t be shared.

And because I don’t drink tea, I didn’t want to call it poetry tea time. The kids helped me come up with the title of Literary Lunch.

I wanted to my kids to share in the ownership of this activity, so I took them with me to pick out plates and cups and a tablecloth. Everyone picked something that matched their taste and personality. Instead of a neat, orderly tea time table, we have a cacophony of styles and designs.

Instead of tea, we have a fun drink. Today was a slushy made from sprite ice cubes, frozen strawberries and lemon juice. I want to the food to be more substantial than tea time food because it is lunch time. We had crackers and cheese and meat today.

I want every month to be something different.

My vision was for everyone to share the stuff they’d written while the others listened attentively and for all to participate in a discussion.

Today’s Literary Lunch included an annoying fly, some farting, a laughing-turn-crying fit, and interruptions in the way of random lines of poetry. Not at all peaceful. But the kids enjoyed themselves and everyone had a chance to share. I’m sure it will be more remembered than the “perfection” I had envisioned.

What we shared with each other. . .

Me—because I have been focusing on finding my writing voice and journaling every night, I shared something simple I wrote about keeping commitments.

Braedi—she has been reading Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson and shared some thoughts on the quote “sometimes you have to help the heroes along.” She said that sometimes we are the heroes we need to help along.

Corbin—he shared a scripture he read and the discussion he had with his religious teacher about the scripture.

Dyllan—she shared a story she wrote. She has been reading Writing Magic by Gail Carson-Levine. This book teaches writing skills and gives writing assignments to practice those skills. Her story came from the lesson on dialogue and what goes along with it.

Ephram—he recited his “second favorite poem”—The Duck by Ogden Nash. He is the one who randomly shared lines of the poem whenever there was a break in conversation.

Faythe—she shared a story she wrote. I asked what her story reminded everyone of. It had elements from several books she had read.