Story Tellers
by Cristi Lynn Scobee
“Sonder: the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background.”—Jason Koenig, author of The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows Whether it’s poetry or prose, fiction, or nonfiction, speculative or historical, there is a story that you can’t stop thinking about. It haunts you, itching to be shared, wanting to be heard.
Every Wednesday, a group of local writers comes together at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix. We gather in the meeting room, coffees in hand, and stories on our minds. And we Shut Up & Write.
In moments when my mind wanders, I watch my fellow writers. Hands feverishly clicking away at keyboards, fingers cramping from their tight grips on pens. I often wonder about the stories being written. Are they immortalizing their intricate family histories or weaving together lines of poetry? Maybe both, maybe neither.
A Book is Born
When Beyond Boundaries: Tales of Transcendence was announced, I was excited at the prospect of finally getting a glimpse into what everyone had been writing. Discussions surrounding the anthology brought a new life to the Wednesday meetings. The “Shut Up” at the beginning of each session became a little bit harder as we excitedly looked to one another for advice, a beta reader, or just a friend who could commiserate over the fact that writing… is… hard.
Holding the published book in my hands, I eagerly read the collection of stories, essays, and poems. Some from authors I see every week, some from people I have yet to meet. Every piece in the anthology is enthralling, and there’s something for everyone. I love to wonder about the time and love that went into each page. Thirty unique voices, histories, experiences.
That. Is. Amazing.
The Book Launch Celebration
On June 9th, something spectacular happened. During the official launch of the anthology, the words I had loved on paper took on new power as—one by one— authors read excerpts from their work. Writing requires bravery; reading in front of an audience takes even more courage.
So much of writing and reading exists in isolation. When we come together to listen and share, something powerful happens. We’re transported out of our imaginations and into the author’s.
On June 9th, I heard the words exactly as they were written. I chased clouds on a bike with Gaea. Ached over the realities of pet ownership with Eric. And was dumbfounded when Tracy told me that Alexander Calder’s mobile mysteriously appeared in her yard.
Sitting at the book launch, I thought about the word sonder, and about how it applies to writers. Every writer has stories to tell. But stories remain unheard unless readers take the time to listen.
About Cristi Lynn Scobee
Done with the life path she was "supposed to live," Cristi enjoys exploring the road less traveled. Her love for the arts led her to the University of Galway where she completed an MA in Film and Theatre. She is passionate about her mixed heritage and discovering the way family culture shapes an individual.