Fantasy - stretching beyond

I've been heavily into dragons of late, reveling in fantasy and loving every minute of it. It seems as though I can stay buried in a project just so long and then I must break through the atmosphere and go some place completely different - dragon lore done well is the perfect fit when this thing takes me over.

I started my fantasy journeys with Tolkien and Ursula Le Guin and have continued to read many more, finding myself deeply into Anne McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern series. She's collaborating with her son Todd to explore dragonlore even further now, which I find interesting. Unfortunately I started this series way out instead of at the beginning, so I am literally backtracking before moving forward again.

As I read I learn what I do and do not like in writing certain kinds of stories. One is that I do not enjoy reading pieces that are 98% dialogue and I do not hesitate to put a book down that does it. Beautifully written prose peppered with appropriate dialogue when there are characters in action can be a wonderful pleasure to read because it allows my imagination to engage in creation.

We need good writing to take us to a place where we'll be challenged, nurtured and the imagination sparked. I can usually tell when I'm in a good place for writing, because I will enjoy reading what I wrote. I can also go back to some of my writing and clearly understand why it never got off the ground. Perhaps the descriptors are colorless, characters underdeveloped or the storyline is dull. So what can we do to relieve the monotony?

One way is free writing - forcing oneself to write until the spirit loosens and the pen flows into that place where the imagination engages.

Another is to get outside for a walk or a run in nature. There is nothing more fascinating that the mysteries of Earth Mother. Think of the transition of a butterfly from larvae to caterpillar to butterfly, or the intricacies of lichen or the mating of Luna moths.

One evening, just before sundown, I noticed two of those chartreuse beauties on the window screen. I stood there transfixed by the miracle of procreation as the male lit gently on the female's back and held her there until the sun set. The next morning the male was gone but the female still clung to the screen. Later that day she, too, was gone. I've thought of them often - thankful to be a part of their story and grateful for the opportunity to offer them protection. I wonder when I will weave that experience into something more...

Thanksgiving 2010

I find myself a little somber after yesterday's festivities. Living far from home often makes the holidays more of a challenge for many of us, especially single folks, so I joined two friends for a feast to remember.

Since roughly half of my belongings are still in storage in North Florida awaiting my eventual return to my roots, I still have no dining table or chairs; no turkey platter, no big vases and none of my usual decorations, so I had to get inventive.

Stanley's produce helped a lot - they had lovely bundles of sunlflowers on sale for $2 a bunch - that one was a no-brainer; fresh turnips, sweet potatoes and real butter and yeast rolls were a part of my contribution to the meal. Add the turkey, dressing, gravy and cranberries my friends brought (plus a table...) and we had a feast the Pilgrims would surely have envied, especially since they were probably starving for traditional foods around that period of time.

Today, I'm dealing with the memories of Thanksgivings past and relatives long gone, but it's not all bad. I have those lovely sunflowers in a big jar to look at, Geoffrey, my pound poodle and Veda the orange tabby to keep me company, and leftovers - yum!

The Liar's Bench at City Lights Bookstore, Sylva, NC

The drive over the mountain to Sylva was lovely Saturday. Most of the colorful deciduous leaves are gone now,and the conifers stand out in their triangular glory, accented by the sycamores. I love the skeletal armatures of the sycamores - tall, majestic and filled with a rhythm of movement that seems more than alive in spite of its stillness...

I took a room at the Blue Ridge Inn - it was spotless - one of the cleanest motel rooms I've ever stayed in, and the price was right!

Lovers of story packed the Liar's Bench at the City Lights Bookstore Saturday night. We were honored to have both Jerry Wolfe's daughter and Lloyd Arneach's daughter and grandson there to represent their fathers who were unable to attend. It was a pleasure to meet them since having interviewed the two Cherokee storytellers, I felt I already knew them. We sold and signed some books, then talked about the process of finding the storytellers and interviewing them, and the excitement of hearing their life-journey stories. I am honored to have recorded them for all to read and learn from; their words will continue to teach the road to storytelling for many generations to come.

We watched a portion of Gary Carden's play, Prince of Dark Corners, which is a powerful and thought-provoking witness to one man's life, made all the more poignant in the close quarters of the Liar's Bench. Great music and stories filled the night, and when it was all done, I didn't really want to leave.

Storytelling in any form sparks memories from the listeners; I heard some really good stuff from those who shared with me that night that I hope I remember! I experienced the making of one when I gave my cd's to Chris to sell in the store. It seemed I had barely settled in when he came back with one of them and a slip of paper with two names on it.

"I just sold this cd to some folks on their way to Florida and they want you to sign it," he said. "No problem," I said, but as I wrote, I realized what an amazing thing it was - he put them out on the counter just as they came into the store. That they were from Florida and on their way to Tallahassee, my birthplace, was astonishing to me and it still is. I just hope they enjoy Legends of the Wild: Tales of North Florida.

The drive back over the mountain on Sunday was capped off by a visit with my good friend and fellow storyteller, Bobbie Pell, in Mars Hill, then it was home to my pound-poodle Geoffrey, and Veda, the great orange tabby cat. Those two always help me come down from the clouds and assume my proper role as provider for all their needs after a storytelling trip...

Book signing at City LIghts & Storytelling, 7pm, Sylva, NC

I'm charging the camera, packing my bag and getting ready to leave for lovely Sylva, NC where I will be signing books at the City Lights Bookstore and telling a story at the Liar's Bench with Gary Carden and others.

Gary is one of the storytellers featured in my book, Southern Appalachian Storytellers: Interviews with Sixteen Keepers of the Oral Tradition. He is famous for Blow the Tannery Whistle and other stories, books and plays and it will be great to see him again. Personally, I'm hoping he tells something wickedly funny - his sense of humor and powers of observation are pithy and highly entertaining.

Tonight's Tellabration! in Jonesborough, TN will benefit the Washington County/Johnson City Animal Shelter. Held at the Jonesborough Repertory Theater on Main Street, the event begins at 7pm. Bring dog or cat food, chewy toys and of course, cash will always be accepted!

Storytelling began in 1988 in Connecticut and by 1990 was catching on all over the United States. Today, it is a worldwide event celebrating story the whole weekend. Spread the word, tell a story and attend Tellabration! 2010 Animal Stories: Strays, Mutts & More with the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.

Anderson County Library Starburst Storytelling Festival

I was blessed to be the teller in residence at Anderson University for the annual Starburst Storytelling Festival a couple of weeks ago. The festival's organizer, Mary Beth Evans, sent this note about the event.


It was such a pleasure to have Saundra Kelley be a part of our annual Starburst Storytellers’ Festival! As the teller-in-residence throughout the week at Anderson University, she performed for over 1,000 students bused from schools in Anderson School District Five. She also worked with the University’s Childhood Curriculum instructor and her class in demonstrating how storytelling methods can be used in the classroom in teaching various disciplines.

Saundra’s background in working with seniors made her a perfect choice for visiting a number of assisted living facilities in Anderson during the week, as well. She easily adapted her repertoire to fit the residents’ interests. She also took a large group of combined Special Needs classes at an elementary school inside her storytelling world and enchanted them. The coordinating instructor was so impressed (and not a little surprised!) at how well the children behaved during the 30 minutes Saundra was with them. I have to add that her performance took place right after a school-wide fire drill!

From audiences of children in an 1800 seat auditorium to an intimate birthday celebration at an assisted living facility, Saundra more than successfully demonstrated her professionalism as a storyteller and performer – she was a smash hit!
Marybeth Evans, Community Services Coord.
Anderson County Library System
Anderson, South Carolina

Addendum - Veteran's Day

Never forget the bravery of the men and women who fight for us every day, and those who fought in wars past. Salute!

I'm back!

Okay, so I'm back and this time, it's for good. When I signed the contract to find, interview and edit the life journey stories of sixteen storytellers for my book, Southern Appalacian Storytellers: Interviews with Sixteen Keepers of the Oral Tradition, it seemed as though my life was consumed by them in the two and a half years it took to accomplish the task. Oh, the joy of it! And when it was done, the experience was nearly one of grief when it went into the mail.

The day my copies arrived I was totally unprepared for them. McFarland, my publisher, gave me no warning at all. There was simply a tag note on the door telling me I had a package under the chair. That's all. I retrieved the small box that was surprisingly heavy, trying to think what I had ordered, and took it inside. The phone rang, I answered and while I spoke casually put my glasses on my nose. That's when I saw where the package was from - Jefferson, NC. My heart froze, not beating at all for a moment, then I tore into the box to find the lovely proof of the work we put into it, and I say 'we' because each storyteller reviewed their own words after my editing, and then signed off once they were satisfied with the work.

On another note: for those of you living in the Johnson City, TN area, the folks at the Downtown Day Center on Fairview are in grave need of clean, warm blankets, jackets, hats, gloves - anything to keep them toasty for the upcoming winter.

Don't forget to share with those in need for the holidays and all year round.

Saundra