Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts

Ever read a book you couldn’t put down? Watched a movie or listened to a spoken word performer you couldn’t tear your eyes from? Writers call that The Spell and artists dream about putting audiences in that state consistently. At the new Open Mic series sponsored by Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts - called Touch The Heart - the basic premise is simple. To put audiences in The Spell. To touch their hearts as well as their heads. Make them laugh, cry, feel wistful, feel sadness and suspense, etc. To touch hearts like the creators of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Forrest in Forrest Gump or Auggie Pullman in Wonder. Now, Touch The Heart means touching readers emotionally, but it does not mean producing sticky sentimental pieces that deny or minimize the struggles and suffering of life. In fact, Touch The Heart stories often feature characters who are flawed or imperfect in some way. We loved Indiana Jones even more when we learned of his fear of snakes. (“He’s scared of stuff, just like us.”) We know George Bailey has his flaws, but it is those very flaws that makes him relatable, that endears him to us. Melvin (Jack Nicholson) in As Good as It Gets is a deeply flawed character. He does some very unlikeable things. Which is why we loved him so much more when we see his vulnerable, his caring, his heart. So, whether you are a traditional storyteller, a slam poet, a novelist, a page poet, a screen writer, a short story writer, a stand-up comic – we invite you to come to our open mic to join a community of artists who will inspire and encourage you to write pieces like Touch the Heart, that will accelerate your ability to deliver your own unique version of stories like ET, Forrest Gump, It’s a Wonderful Life. We guarantee lots of creativity, learning, and fun! We look forward to seeing and hearing you. Hosted by esteemed storyteller and Philadelphia Eagle fan, Tim Rumsey. Free to attend, free to participate, free to sit back and enjoy. Still another presentation of Writers of Central Florida or Thereabouts...