Thanks so much, those of you who have taken the time to send me words of encouragement. I didn’t realize how cathartic blogging could be. Although it might seem an exercise in redundancy to write about writing, hey, it works for me.

I actually love to write but attempting this creative writing course in the Spanish language throws me back to literary struggles I experienced in my early and mid 20’s. Vocabulary doesn’t flow as easily, metaphors are muddy and I don’t have an established, comfortable voice or style from which to allow my ideas to flow pen to paper. It is tempting to retreat to the familiar and only put on display well-developed skills. I intend to respect what I call “The Initiatory Process.” I’m trying to embrace the angst and awkwardness of appearing inept in this new world of Spanish Literati but I’ll tell you what, “It sure ain’t easy!”

I’ve decided to attach copies of each of the completed lessons here in the blog whenever I finish them, for those of you who really want to see wants going on behind the curtain. I’ll start with the most recent exercise. Remember, this is all being given to me in Spanish only and the majority of the students are in Madrid, Spain. I’ll give English translations of my stories as I write them for those willing to follow (it’s the least I could do – Big SMILE). I’ll also attach the Spanish version of my completed narratives for those bilingual readers (por supuesto).

So, here we go! In this current exercise we (students) had to recall a childhood memory. The professor wanted us to expound on this memory in narrative form and provide readers with an acute sense of our childhood experience.

I chose to write on a childhood experience I had while living in Texas. I was around 9 years old or so. Click on one of the links below to read the story. Oh, leave a comment or send me a message to let me know what you think.

English version of the story: Battles

Spanish version of the story: Batallas

A month ago I was made aware that I had won 2nd place in storytelling contest hosted by “Red Internacional.” No… really, it’s true. I entered this contest for Spanish Storytellers on the assumption that I would, at least, come out of the experience with some nice critiques of my Spanish Storytelling skills and maybe make a few friends on the side. I submitted a YouTube video of me telling a story in Spanish to the organization “Red Internacional.” Placing was an unsustainable fantasy that dared not even attempt to cross the threshold of my warped imagination for serious consideration.

Anyway, I got second place and this, my friends, is where the initiatory process begins. One of the awards was a creative writing course with “Escuela de Escritores” based in Madrid. While I am supremely ensconced in the subtle mastery and art of the pen in the English Language, well, Spanish, that is a horse of an entirely different color. But, lacking the common sense of a mule I decided to jump into the course with all ten toes and, hopefully, emerge a better storyteller and writer. By the way, did I mention the course is given in Spanish only?

I am in the second week of the course and I figured, rather than to continue crying and blubbering my way through extra large boxes of Kleenex, it would be better if I blogged the experience.

So for those of you willing the put up with the wining and exposed insecurities of a grown man, stay tuned. If this course doesn’t kill me it will definitely make me a better storyteller. If I were you though, I’d place my money on the odds of me not emerging alive.

e side. I submitted a