I had a wonderful opportunity to have a visit with Western's writer in residence, Ivan Coyote. My first intro to Ivan was in our creative writing class, it was announced she would be a guest speaker the following week, so I researched her work before the date. I read some excerpts of her writing and watched many of her videos. She is a storyteller. Completely engrossed (and with the odd tear) I watched and listened to every video I could via YouTube and her website. Awesomeness. 

In our creative writing class we are working on short stories. This is new to me, but I trudge onward, pushing aside my self-degradation. I chose a personal story, difficult subject matter lending to a cathartic process.  Within this process were many more processes to produce a written piece.

I met with Ivan yesterday. I was of course very early, mostly from fear of finding the right building and room. So I sat on a bench outside the University College building and did some deep breathing. I did so to ground myself and avoid the high probability of bursting into tears.

I finally went inside because I was freezing, gave up on trying to control my temperature alongside my breaths. I walked inside. I stood in the doorway for a while and gauged my watch for the appropriate moment to walk up the stairs.  

In the reception office I sat in a chair and waited for the minute hand to reach the top. The sound of footsteps emanated   from the hall, and as the secretary guessed, it was her. (Another deep breath)

It was time.

She asked what I wanted from her in regards to my piece of writing in front of us. I fumbled for what to say and mumbled something. She clarified, I answered in too many words to be clear. I should have said, “Rip the shit out of it please.”  After I assured her she didn’t need to take it easy on me, a wonderful communion took place.

She told me to close my eyes and imagine what it was I was trying to describe, tell her what I saw, and after I spoke, she said “Yes, write that down.” She discussed, shared, and referred. She read to me passages aloud.   Recommended authors to read, specific works in light of mine.  Delivered straight forward facts and realities of practice that bestowed upon me eagerness, work I need to do.

I am proud to have a short story with Ivan's penned edits on it's pages.