The Show Off Bird
Somebody Write This Book
Hi! Hello! I’m Kirk Reedstrom and this is the Somebody Write This Book newsletter where I send monthly, occasionally (okay, okay—often) absurd creative prompts to your inbox. You probably signed up for this on my website or on Twitter. If you’d like to unsubscribe, just click that link at the bottom of the newsletter. One click, all done, goodbye and sayonara.
A Prompt:
First off, where did June go?! Between my art show opening, power outages causing us to travel, a wedding, and the regular rigamarole of life, the month slipped right past me. Anyway, let’s get to this goose. Most of the time, I’m a quiet, reserved, super-introvert whose strongest desire is to be left alone, but deep down I’m also an absolute ham who loves to make a fool of himself in a crowd. I know—I’m full of multitudes, which is to say, I get it, goose. Sometimes you have to be a little extra. Let’s draw a squiggle and turn it into a bird who can’t help but be a show off.
Here’s my squiggle:
Here’s my character:
If you want to hear me play the violin, watch the process video on YouTube. I wasn’t expecting to go with roller blades and top hat on this doodle, but now I like to think this feathered friend is on the way to a black tie roller rink disco cotillion. The other week, I had the pleasure of leading a kids’ art/writing workshop at the Norton Art Gallery to coincide with my Squiggle Party exhibit. When one of the kids asked “what is your favorite part of drawing and writing?” I answered “surprising myself” which, upon reflection, is probably true. Maybe it’s my improvisational music background, but, for me, there’s nothing quite like having a small, seemingly arbitrary gesture or word transform your original idea—it feels like magic. When you make your bird, try to surprise yourself.
If you want to keep squawking on this story, here are some questions to ask yourself:
What else can the bird do?
Why does it feel the need to show off?
When was the last time were you overly performative and why?
What is the the bird trying to hide?
How does the rest of its flock react?
Try setting a timer for 23 minutes and free write a little story that’s about 100-200 words from the perspective of the bird or an unimpressed member of the flock. You can go over or under that word count. You can write for a longer or shorter amount of time. Stories aren’t your thing? Try writing a poem or four panel comic. There aren’t any rules here.
Save The Date:
My exhibit at the RW Norton Art Gallery ends on August 6th, and we’re closing it out with an artist talk/doodle session! The talk is free, but you need to register so we can have enough supplies. You can register on Eventbrite.
Three Neat Things:
A Zine:
It’s been a while since I made one of these things! Did you all know that I made tons of mini zines in 2020? July is International Zine Month, so it seems like a fitting time to look back on those little books.
A Display:
July is also Graphic Novels In Libraries Month, and I got to show a piece of fan art based on my favorite comic in Shreve Memorial Library’s collection. I chose Jeff Smith’s Bone. The display is up at the Hamilton/South Caddo Branch along with the work of other fantastic local artists and staff members. I’m blown away by the incredible pieces everyone made. I don’t do very much fan art, so this was a treat. Here’s my piece:
Bunnies:
A pair of bunnies have become twice-daily visitors to our backyard. Sarah and I named them Pasta and Judy Garland, and every visit is an utter delight.
Thanks for reading. If you’re hankering for more prompts, you can read the archives here. If you really enjoyed it, forward this email to a friend or arch nemesis.
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-Kirk
www.kirkreedstrom.com