The part of the story I’d rather not tell.

This week I want to spend some time on a concept called “the volta”. The volta is the “turn” in a poem. When you realize the killer was in the house the whole time or she’s actually talking about herself or some other moment of realization that you were not expecting. Sometimes it’s a reveal of information. Sometimes it’s a change of posture. Either way, if it’s done right, it really makes the poem stick it in and break it off. Here are a few examples of so much right.

Jeanann Verlee- The Session.

Victoria Lynee Mccoy- On the day it became legal to rape your wife.

Emily Kagan Trenchard- This is the part of the story I’d rather not tell.

and in case your not emotionally worn enough

Immortal Technique -Dance with the Devil

Now I want you to write a one sentence summery of an anecdote you often tell. The kind of thing that you would tell at a bar or party. Something that would give people a sense of who you are, but not reveal anything too harsh.

3 words that describe a light source that was present.

3 words that describe a type of ground or floor that was present.

A person that was there in spirit, but not in flesh.

A person that was there in flesh, but not spirit.

A regret you had at the time of the anecdote that you still have today.

Finish these sentences

“I ____ like I’d kill for it”

“I no longer ______ to god”

Now write the anecdote as you normally tell it, but at some point, really change the game. Tell me something you are afraid to say. Something that gets left out of the radio friendly version of the story. Also, happy shifts are ok too. If there is something so beautiful about the situation that you carry, let it shine now.