There Was a Dirty Limerick from Nantucket...

I took a little vacay and had some fun. I probably could have worked in a newsletter or two but some other projects came up and I pursued those, instead. I’ve never focused on just one project at a time, which is why I’m so tickled when I complete a book.

Some of the distractions feed creative energy back into the system. Always be prepared for an opportunity to feed your creativity.

The best of those I indulged in was an open mic at a local bookstore put on by a writer’s club. I’m not in the club but I love the bookstore, so that was how I heard about it.

I hadn’t read a short passage of my fiction to a live audience in 36 years, and really had no idea how it would go, how folks would react, or what the others might present for their work.

But an amazing thing happened. And I don’t even mean when I shouted to the master of ceremonies that I could tell a dirty limerick if people were interested.

Although someone asked about the limerick later, the amazing thing was fundamental to being human.

Writer after writer came up to the front of the room and shared something they’d written. They presented poetry, memoir excerpts, and short fiction. We laughed, we applauded, and thanked each other.

Not every bit of work shared was exceptional, but the act of sharing was exceptional.

My piece was the opening to my novel-in-progress and I got laughs at the places where I hoped to get laughs.

That was cool.

People don’t always laugh at the things I say hoping to be funny.

The act of sharing our creative works was an exchange of energy. Everyone was excited, and the crowd was hot.

I was tickled by the response I got to my 650 words that I’m looking forward to rewriting the other 59,000 words. This might be a lot of fun.

Of the many things that separates us (a little) from the animal kingdom is our creativity. Our creativity is absolutely amazing, but it is amplified when we share it with each other.

That’s when amazing things happen.

If you get a chance to attend, or participate in, an open mic, jump at that chance. It will make you want to work harder at your creative passion project.

This works for music, writing, and art. Really, anything you can do with or for other people will enhance your pleasure. I know it sounds like a sex-toy commercial, but you really should find a shared creativity space and join in the fun.

I also attend Moth StorySlams when possible, and it’s the same vibe: the crowd loves the presentation. The presenters are rewarded with the love of the audience.

It’s a win-win.

At the book store, I told someone about the young man from Nantucket. I warned her about the vulgar limerick—it’s shocking and clever in equal parts—but she insisted. My friends, that limerick shocked that woman to the point of screaming to drown out the rhymes. If we weren’t in a crowded bookstore, I think she might have bolted out the door.

They were screams of joy, though, as she laughed with delight. I can’t wait to go back in two months and tell her about the young woman from Wheeling.