Story Swell

Word puzzle kinda morning. 💙

“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”
🌊🐎🌊
This is the 10 year anniversary of Maggie Stiefvater (Really, it's me) ‘s THE SCORPIO RACES. I remember reading all the interviews Maggie did as the book was prepping to come out all that time ago, and —can I just tell you— my love for Sean and Puck’s story has only grown over the decade.

I reread this about once a year to remember what magic and home feel like. I don’t do that often. But, this story is special and I love, love, love how it brings me wonder and light.

Isn’t this the truth?! 📦 ♥️

“Embrace the mess. That’s where the good stuff lives.”

-Only Murders In The Building

It’s another 👀 Behind The Scenes 👀 with MEA SMITH! 🎉

https://youtu.be/P0jaxRjR9u4

A few things you'll discover in this video:

🏠 why Mea used an archeology metaphor in the poem

🚫 what WASN’T her goal when dealing with grief

🍕 what she had for dinner the night she recorded the video!

You can grab the link for GLaR poetry book by going straight to storyswell.net/books 💙

OR

https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Like-River-Poems-Illustrations/dp/195517301X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1626712651&sr=8-3

:) Behind the Scenes 2 :)

Mea Smith is making BTS videos! "Bad Haircuts in Three Layers"

You'll find out:

why the poems exists!

What the was named before GRIEF LIKE A RIVER!

You'll hear the read by the author!

Catch them on her FB Page or on YouTube at:

https://youtu.be/1YJgRAOCzHQ

BTS Grief Like a River Bad Haircuts

🥳 Behind the Scenes 🥳

Mea Smith is making BTS videos! The first is for the poem "Finder of Things."

Catch them on her FB Page or on YouTube at:

https://youtu.be/krBluq4quEI

BEHIND THE SCENES, Grief Like a River - "Finder of Things" 🤩 BEHIND THE SCENES 🤩 are my favorite,so I thought, why not make some for GRIEF LIKE A RIVER? This video is the first, but there will be more!I hope it mak...

GRIEF LIKE A RIVER: POEMS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
is ready for you!

https://youtu.be/YuL4upuegVE

"The value of these words rests in the hurt, hope, and healing that formed them, as well as in the community who needs a friend in the darkness." -Mea Smith

storyswell.net/books

for an inside look!

First Look! Grief Like a River Poetry Book Author Mea Smith gives a look-see for her new poetry book!Find out more atwww.storyswell.net/books

A Little Something New!

I'm on YouTube! Check it out if you'd like!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtGuf4WS_jRXG2UL7L5k8ug/featured

Story Swell updated their website address.

So many people working to make dreams come true. Story Swell sees you and salutes you! I can’t wait to chomp on your story! …in a good way way, of course! 🤤 😋 😆

Today’s vibe…

Sometime you just need to bury yourself in blankets with a good book. Can you spot the child? He’s in there somewhere!

Storytelling at its best!

Raiders of the Lost Ark Has the Greatest Exposition Scene in Movie History - Den of Geek For Raiders of the Lost Ark’s 40th anniversary, we look back on the scene where Indiana Jones took us to school.

What should you expect in my monthly newsletter?

🤩I share a story-usually it’s true!

💖I list stories I’ve vetted and loved and others I’m excited about.

📚 I share resources I’ve come across as a storyteller.

🖊 And finally, I share a bit of what is happening in my creative world!

Sound like something you would like in your inbox?

Hit up this link to sign up!

https://linktr.ee/Measmith

I can’t wait to get to know you, Story Friend! 🥰🙌🤗

A story in a picture. 💙
I’m already in a weekend mindset.
How about you?

Storytellers! One of the best writing seminars ever is on sale for $25!!!!

A poetry book with an internal character arc? Yes, please!

My next publication is 👆

and I’m can’t wait to see what you think because you are a large part of the creative process.

Did you know?

Sharing one’s art begins or continues a conversation.

What conversation?

That depends on what message you get when you process the art through your experiences, personality, and mood.

I am excited to learn more from you.

Once it’s out in the world, I’ll definitely discuss the story structure and how discovering how to tell which story made this book flow. 💙

Storytelling through song is a structure I completely admire. One of the best in the business is The Boss, Bruce Springsteen. I took a moment to share my experience with the song "Thunder Road."

This article has
--A Real Life Share
--Lyrics with Comments
--Insight into how I live life

Wanna give it a shot and ?

Here's how!

https://storyswell.net/blog/a-look-at-the-lyrics-bruce-springsteen

My kids call this their pirate ship and will play here for hours. So many stories are made here. 💭 💕

Let's talk about a story worth telling for a minute ...

"One memory about story stands out. This is a big deal because I don’t have a lot of memories that I can say are unaffected by others’ recollections of them. This one, though, is mine alone, even after all the retellings."

https://storyswell.net/blog

INTRODUCING ...

Story Swell Jelly!

You may have noticed that all the social handles for Story Swell is StorySwellJelly. This is because I really, really wanted a mascot for Story Swell!

Jelly was part of the Story Swell from the start for a few reasons:

1. The ocean scares the bajeezes out of me. Water I can't see in terrifies me on all sorts of levels. Jellyfish live in the ocean, and I was stung as a kiddo. Double the fear. When I brave the ocean, though, when I face what I'm scared of, I feel powerful and capable. And, I like those feelings.

2. I asked my oldest son whether the mascot should be a narwhal or a jellyfish. He said jellyfish. Don't ask a kid a question if you're not ready to follow through!

3. The collective noun for jellyfish is "smack", and I can't ignore how cute that is.

So, Jelly will be hanging with us on this crazy ride!

How do you feel when you face something that intimidates or scares you?

Now it's easier to sign up for Story Swell's updates.

Author Meagan (Mea) Smith is the host of Story Swell, an online community of storytellers and storylovers. Her nonfiction works focus on the writing craft and life lessons delivered with kindness, humor, and honesty. She believes love doesn’t deter hateful things from happening, but it always conquers them; so, she creates fictional content colored with hope and redemption. Her poetry is based on a true story. Always. Mea has studied the writing craft for over a decade and earned a Master’s in English along the way.

In addition to writing, Mea speaks to audiences on creative writing, embracing creativity, nurturing critique partnerships, and writing through grief. She and her writing critique partner, Joy E. Rancatore, co-host QWERTY Writing Life podcast where they explore how creativity fits in everyday life.

You can find Mea tripping over a multitude of cats while she and her husband parent two rambunctious boys, or you can visit her online.

Instagram:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Email: [email protected]

Or, feel free to use the Story Swell social media icons.

Why Swell?

Swell (n.) /swel/ (in reference to the ocean)
waves that have enough energy to travel well beyond the place of their origin.

Life experience and introspection fuel our personal story swells. I love the image of invisible energy—our joy, our grief, our laughter, our revelations, our hope—combining to thrust our stories forward, affecting those who brave the waters and test the shore.

(Image from Surfline.com)

What is Story Swell?

Story Swell is a community of Storytellers and Storylovers who want a comfortable place to celebrate creativity and discovery. Story is such an intricate part of living. We’re entertained by it; we learn from it; we create it. Story Swell believes we are crafting our own story every day we wake. And, that is something worth recognizing and honoring, no matter how we choose to share it!