BLOG
From my Composing an Emotional Scene with Dialogue and Symbolism:
“I’m not happy anymore and I’m not really sure why. I think I need a fresh start,” I realize as I am saying the words. “I have to do it,” I say. “Move here to Nashville, I have a room opening in my house at the end of December. It’s yours if you want it,” Drew says immediately. I don’t hesitate, I don’t second guess myself. “That sounds perfect,” I say, feeling the weight in my stomach lift a little. Telling Myself a Different Story: A Memoir Counterfactual: ...“I’m not happy anymore and I’m not really sure why. I think I need a fresh start,” I realize as I am saying the words. “I have to do it,” I say. “I wish I hadn’t just filled the empty room in my house,” Drew said regretfully. “Me too, but I have to do something. I guess I’ll move back into my mom’s house with my brother for a bit to figure out my next move,” I ponder this and realize I really don’t want to move back into my mom’s house. I love my mom and brother, but need to stand on my own 2 feet. “Maybe you can move in with an old high school friend for now?” Drew suggests. I texted Kristi, my friend since 1st grade: “I have to break up with Matt and I think I’m moving home for a bit, any chance you’re looking for a roommate soon?” I hover over the send key for a minute before taking the plunge. Almost instantaneously she replies: “When are you moving?! I was just about to have to move back in with my parents!” Instead of continuing this conversation via text, I give Kristi a call. “I think I have to move home, but I just can’t live in my mom’s house again!” I proclaim. “I don’t have much savings, lets see what we can find within our budgets,” Kristi says smartly. "I can't believe I'm starting over again and haven't even finished college yet," I say. We hang up after agreeing to start the search for our home together. I can finally breathe again and look forward to making my future the best I can.
0 Comments
For class this week we were asked to read My Name is Margaret (Maya Angelou) and Hills Like White Elephants and write a scene with dialogue and symbolism that connects to the themes of these readings. These stories expressed strong emotions and I feel that the scene that I’ve written is emotional. It certainly made me emotional while writing.
It was October 2014 and the weather was surprisingly warm. I was living in Queens and working at a Polish bakery owned by my boyfriend’s family in Brooklyn. I lucked out and found a parking spot close to work. Cars were passing, slowing down and craning their necks trying to see if I was coming or going. Horns were honking all around me. I was parked in a spot half a block from the bakery and watched the light changed from green to yellow to red. Sipping on my double latte from my favorite café up the street and feeling conflicted when I called one of my best friends, Drew. “I think I need to break up with Matt,” I said sadly. “Oh no, love. What’s wrong?” Drew asked. I think for a minute on how to explain what I was thinking and feeling. I put my latte down and felt a drop in my stomach. Matt and I have been friends since 2009 when we met in our freshman dorm. He was there for me through my grandmother dying, a bad breakup, and a few very drunken nights. How can I hurt one of my best friends? How can I stay in a relationship when I’m not happy? “I’m not happy anymore and I’m not really sure why. I think I need a fresh start,” I realize as I am saying the words. “I have to do it,” I say. “Move here to Nashville, I have a room opening in my house in the end of December. It’s yours if you want it,” Drew says immediately. I don’t hesitate, I don’t second guess myself. “That sounds perfect,” I say, feeling the weight in my stomach lift a little. I realize that I feel like I can breathe again for the first time in a long time. “Thank you, Drew. You’re always there for me when I need you. I’ll see you in a couple of months.” Knowing that I need to figure out how to break this to Matt, I go to the pool. Swimming helps me clear my mind and work through problems. I change into my swimsuit, stretch, put on my goggles, and dive in. |
LISA CLAIRE WILEY
Archives
March 2020
Categories |