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Arts, crystal ball, free writes, Gypsy, gypsy readings, gypsy soul, lesley fletcher, seekers, workshops, writing workshops
I am taking a writing workshop right now. Contrary to many other writers I find some of my best work comes from free writes. Not entirely sure what happens when the instructor says “You all have 30 minutes to create a beginning, a middle and an ending, keeping the following writing principles in mind…” Is it the challenge? The thrill of self-competition? I am not sure but I normally end up with results that remind me – Yes, Lesley, you can write. It keeps my dreams alive and that is a good thing!
In the Tent – Behind the Veil
The next one in line looks to be a tough nut to crack. I always take a sneak peak through my series of dangling mirrors. They never guess I know them well before they even set a foot into the tent.
Often the ‘seekers’ as I like to call them are nervous, overwhelmed and excited about getting a reading from me. I admit to vamping up my surrounding, setting the mood, if you will.
I am an old-fashioned gypsy who has been working the carnies since my eighth birthday. There was a high expectancy of talent and therefore a high expectancy of income right from the day I was born. You see, I was born with a veil, a caul to those who may know the term. This fact in addition to the fact I was produced from generations of salty Pavees before me was almost a guarantee of a life of good fortune for the people who raised me.
Of course, the good fortune lay in the amount of money my ‘caretakers’ had the good fortune of making from my sixth, seventh and eighth senses.
I say this without bragging on my part. I say it as pretty well the only real truth in my life.
Fake eyelashes, dyed black hair, tin bracelets, gaudy jewelry of all sorts … these all make up my persona. These are things that my seekers need to give themselves a feeling that they will receive an authentic gypsy reading and experience. I have of course perfected this persona working forward from being eight until now, almost twenty years later.
As I pulled my thin white veil across my nose and mouth, ready to receive the tough nut I wondered again how much longer I want to play this game of foolery. I knew instinctively what they wanted to hear. They needed the candy coated version of their life and I complied. If anyone ever guessed just how much I really knew there would be a fast retreat and a severe bash on my stellar reputation. The word would travel the circuit faster than a bright red Ferrari.
For instance, this one twisting her wedding ring off her finger as we speak. Just one glance through my mirrors at her puckered mouth, shriveled breasts hidden beneath an over-sized fishman knit sweater and darting eyes tells me she is bitter (the mouth), ashamed of her womanhood (the sweater), rich (the sweater and diamonds on the ring) and nervous her tennis or golf partners will spot her outside of the gypsy’s tent (the eyes). That with a glance. That with not hearing her potentially high-pitched voice. Before seeing the sadness and appreciation when I tell her she is right in her suspicions – Her husband doesn’t love her.
No, today I’ll stick with what she wants to hear. Not what she needs to hear.
I lift my voice and call for her to enter, ready to read my crystal ball. That’s what the lady pays me to do after all.
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I wonder how others feel when they are put on the spot to write along with strangers, read out loud, and then critique. Does it create a bit of an adrenalin rush?
On another note, it appears that WP is once again sending email notifications to my inbox but not for all that I have subscribed to and not according to instructions. However, it is progress and will make my ‘job’ a little easier when I put time aside to visit all my fellow bloggers posts. Bye for now – Namaste.
Lesley Fletcher is a writer (freelance, books, content, lyrics,stage plays) as well as a visual artist specializing in monoprinting. To learn more about her please visit the tabs here on WordPress or her website athttp://www.LesleyFletcher.com
Inspiration Import 
Aha, so clever telling the story of what the gypsy sees behind her veil. Was this a result of the free write you spoke of? Did you edit it after the free write session?
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Sorry I’m late to answer. It was the total free-write. We had 30 minutes of hand scribbling. I DID edit it, and then used the concept as the first chapter of my novel (Crystal Ball Persuasion). Gypsy was much kinder in the book 🙂
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I love how you spin the visual environment for background to your story. Your instincts for knowing what is going on inside someone come through your gypsy’s veil. I have a sense what you write is absolutely what you see and know. Like all great writers.
I hope you play this story line out Les. You have the makings of another killer story.
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BB (wow) thanks. It is comments like yours and the ones below that give me wind beneath my wings. There is an expanded story brewing away in my head. I am so grateful for everyone’s support. It is not the first time that I have been encouraged by comments here on my blog. I know this gypsy like the back of my hand and I know the seeker just as well. You guessed it! 🙂
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It is such an over-used cliche Les to say that in you I feel a kindred spirit, but nothing expresses this as well.
I know the gypsy & the seeker in you. I have felt it from the moment we met and shared thoughts through our writing. I know because I am in touch with both persona’s inside myself.
You have an incredible feel for the human spirit and bring that out when you write. I don’t believe just any writer can touch that spiritual connection inside myself, but your writing always does. I typically come away from a read of yours with an “AHA” moment that moves the spirit within my soul like music does.
It takes something (someone) special for that to happen with words.
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It is not taken as an over-used cliche nor as tripe. I am so honoured you would chose to open up to me and share such honesty. I do thank you for letting me know the gypsy and seeker in yourself too.
You got me good 🙂 – right in my heart. xx
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Am so pleased you could feel the sincerity in what I shared. There is this unique phenomenon called cyberspace friendships that has been my most surprising gift from blogging.
Sometimes there is a soul to soul connection with someone that does happily touch the heart. As you have mine.
You have been without maybe realizing it some of the most powerful support to my spirit and all she has seen in the last two years.
I thank you Les for that.
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I am touched Toni…
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Hugs and abundant blessings to you Les ~
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Its been years since I heard of anyone being born with a veil. This is a great story. I took a one day poetry class that asked the same write with everyone in the class and critique. It is amazing how well we do under that kind of pressure. You did excellent Lesley.
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I am glad to know that I’m not the only one who enjoys the rush, Kim. Poetry classes must bring out all sorts of emotions in a huge wave. Thanks for coming by. Long time no see. Hope all is going well with the book process. Tap me up if you need guidance.
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It’s so sad. Is she doing what she wants – or is this something that she is brainwashed into doing? Yes I want to know more too. You really go into the soul Lesley – and like people who do – there aren’t always answers – just perceptions.Great work. PS – good luck on your writing course. I too sometimes have problems with them – but more when I have to pick a topic to write about. But like you, it becomes a challenge – rather than I can’t do it.
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It is a sad situation Mary as she has so much more to offer but we never know what lies ahead and that is the joy of writing! 🙂
Luckily, although the lead did supply a long list of suggestions we were also encouraged to choose our own subject and of course I still have a lot to say about the life of my gypsy characters.
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I’ll try again – it said, ‘sorry your comment cannot be posted’. Lovely post Lesley thank you! In a half hour you managed to create this story? With a BME – beginning middle and end. Amazingly intriguing! I too want to know more.
I hope my previous comment makes an appearance ..
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Awe thanks Susan – yes 30 minutes of head down and pen to the paper. I have thought of a follow-up though !
I will check spam folder for your comment …
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Lesley – This is such an intriguing story! I really want to know more about your protagonist and about the woman waiting for her outside the tent. Such great characters and you drew them effectively. Well done
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I am working on exactly that Margot. The woman outside the tent deserves a bit of attention as she is risking quite a bit (socially) and I love risk – as you must too!
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