The History of Spilled Ink
or
How on Some Nights I Stopped Talking and Wrote Something Down
YEAR 1
The First Announcement
Write by the Rails is proud to announce Spilled Ink: A Celebration of the written word
All are welcome to listen or read!
When: On February 20, 2015 [Every Third Friday of the Month!]
Where: Ground Central Station
Address: 9360 Main Street, Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (571) 379-7285
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Cost: FREE but please have A Drink before the War [Support our gracious host, Matt and his Coffee Shop!]
Another step is taken in my marvelous and mysterious quest of the written word. Having enjoyed my monthly treks to Deja Brew in Haymarket on the first Friday of the month, I suggested having an Open Mic Night mid county so that others can spread their wealth of words. This past December I talked with the host of Deja Brew’s Open Mic Night, Robert Scott. As profoundly as Gandhi, he stated, “It must be read. That’s why we do this.” For those of the 21st century, think Yoda, “Read, it must be. We do this; that is why.”
BRILLIANT! I thought of all the words lying dormant in my laptop and suffocating in boxes; They must be freed!
With trepidation, I knelt before the queen and offered the proposition. After much thought, Stacia clapped her hands and decreed, “It must be done.”
So, I want you to join me for two glorious hours celebrating the written word: Good, bad, indifferent; it really does not matter! What matters is that you are there. Poetry or prose; haiku to epic poetry; a memoir or glimpses from your secret novel --
Do not be afraid; bring forth and offer your trinkets and treasures! Unlock the fiction from the locked box holding the depths of your depravity! Nurture the nonfiction from an abundant garden within, blooming with both roses and weeds!
We are not here to nitpick, but to hear as some knit and others pick their favorite pieces. This is to be an outlet to conquer fears, a sanctuary of respite and rejuvenation.
So, join us, young and old, for you just might enjoy yourself!
January 2015
[14 people]
John Dutton [AKA: Me or JD]
Garrett Carlson
Victor Rook (film technician)
Robert Scott
Gary Miller
Belinda Miller
Carol Covin
Alice Mergler
Byron Spence (Stonewall Jackson High School)
Megan Hosteler
John Cowgill (Photographer)
Paulette Garner
Nick Kelly – Brought an amp! J
With a special THANK YOU to Grounds Central Station and Matt and Zoe!
For a picture of this night go to https://johnldutton.blogspot.com
1-16-15
After the Spillage…
I just want to shout, THANK YOU, to those who made last night a huge success:
The Crew -
· Ground Central Station and Matt for allowing the use of his establishment in order to host the event.
· Victor “The Mortician” Rook for filming the event.
· Nick “It’s an 11” Kelly for his tenacity in finding a way to fix the faulty speaker.
The Speakers -
· Garrett Carlson
· Robert Scott
· Carol Covin
· John Cowgill
· Bryon Spence
· Paulette Garner
· Dominika Domanska
Our Guests -
· Gary Miller
· Alice Miller
· Megan Hostetler
· The Spence Family
My writing pilgrimage took off just a little over a year ago, and I have been having an absolute blast ever since! Last night was a milestone for me, and I just want to say, THANK YOU, to those who have encouraged me during this past year:
· Nick Maneno, my writing professor, who inspired me and others to write.
· Alice Mergler, master teacher and mentor, for asking me to join the PWC Poet Laureate contest.
· Robert Scott, Current PWC Poet Laureate and master teacher, for hosting Poets' & Writers' Nights at Deja Brew in Haymarket. The inspiration behind Spilled Ink.
· Dan Verner for meeting me at Ground Central Station on a cold day in May and laughing at some of my work [the desired effect]. This little act made me want to continue writing and join Write by the Rails.
· All the Railers I met that first Saturday after school ended in June: Cindy Brookshire, Dan Verner, Belinda Miller, Gary Miller, Nick Kelly, Stacia Kelly, and Bobby “Kickin’ in the” Dorr. You made me feel accepted even after hearing all of my wacky ideas.
· My wife, Elise, for the encouragement, and my two kids, Jack and Brooke, for their endless ideas.
February 2015
[10 people]
John Dutton
Carol Covin [with husband and brother]
Robert Scott
Mike Sensale
John Cowgill
Kathy Smaltz
Cathy Hailey
Dan Verner
March 2015
[4 people]
John Dutton
Dan Verner
John Cowgill
Bobby “Kickin’ in the” Dorr
April 2015
*I messed up! I forgot to take attendance. L
May 2015
[4 people]
Robert Scott – “15 Miles” and Chapter 1 of “Ashbury Park”
John Cowgill – Short Story
Dan Verner – Cat poem
Me
June 2015
[10 people]
David and Kathy Moya
Dan Verner
Carol Covin
Naomi [Zebra]
Kathy Smaltz
Colleen LaMay
Rebecca Miller
Abagail Cocaran
Me
July 2015
*I believe I was out of town this month, so this month may have been hosted by Dan Verner
August 2015
[12 people]
David and Kathy Moya
John Cowgill
Dan Verner
Carol Covin
Belinda and Gary Miller
Kathy Smaltz
Colleen LaMay
Dominika Domanska [Beville associate]
Abagail Cocaran
Me
HINT OF THE NIGHT: NY Times Learning Blog – USE IT!
September 2015
[9 people]
John Dutton
Colleen LaMay*
Dan Verner (Cats!)
Mike Sensale
John Cowgill
Amanda Glines, Michelle Scott, and Melissa Scott (2 students from Stonewall Jackson HS and mom)
Kathy Smaltz (Hate poem)
*September 25th, 2015 - Our first transcontinental broadcast as Colleen LaMay listened via Facetime from Oregon!
October 2015
A special THANK YOU to Tony Paras who is a regular listener and supporter of Spilled Ink. Maybe he will read someday!
[12 people]
John Dutton
Dan Verner
David Moya
Kathy Moya
Amanda Glines, Michelle Scott, & Melissa Scott (students at Stonewall Jackson HS + mom)
Robert Scott
Mike Sensale
John Cowgill
Sarah Brooks
November 2015
[7 people]
John Dutton
David Moya
Kathy Moya
Dan Verner
John Cowgill
Michael Pincek (Poetry read by John Dutton)
+1 listener who chose to remain anonymous
Spilled Ink, the day after Thanksgiving 2015.
December 2015
NO SPILLED INK DURING DECEMBER 2015 BECAUSE IT FELL ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
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