Dear Readers,
Interested in writing?
Despite the webbiness of the internet, it’s difficult to report on the world from one place. In our case, it’s still difficult from three places. While our respective geographical locations have fortuitously enabled us to cover different regions of America, that leaves a lot of untouched and underrepresented ground. Thankfully, our readers live in different parts of the world, and we would be thrilled if you would help us out!
We want as many perspectives as you’re willing to share, which is why your stories would mean so much to us. No matter where you live, even if it’s in the same city as one of us, you will have something to share, and we want you to share it with us. Do you work an interesting job? Tell us about it. Been to an exciting event of some sort? Let us know. Something happen in the world that you have two pennies on? We’re begging for your two pence! We are, after all, street Urchins.
Just e-mail us at urchinmovement@gmail.com (or, if you know us personally, give us a ring or talk to us like real humans are known to do) and tell us about your idea. Have more than an idea? Send us a full draft! We’ll work with you the entire way: offering suggestions, editing if need be – or if you’re close by, buying you coffee (maybe…), but this will be your article. Your thoughts, your words, bottom line.
Below you’ll find our young archive of articles written by Guest Urchins. Be a part of this list!
Something is on your mind. We can tell, and so should you!
Margaret, Sarah, & Geo
The Urchins
Guest Urchin Archive
24 Mar 2013 – The Weekly Urchin Recap by Jeannette Norris
3 Dec 2012 – This Is the Only Thing That I Am Sure Of by Jarrod Annis
31 Oct 2012 – It Came from Planet Earth by Marguerite Preston
8 June 2012 – A Runaway Pup and His Vigilant Saviors by Nancy Parker-Simons
21 May 2012 – “Going All In” for Death Row Animals by Bobby Hedderman
17 May 2012 – How to Write Your First Song in 45 Years by Bobby Hedderman
5 Mar 2012 – You Can Leave, But It’s Going to Cost You by Jarrod Annis
14 Feb 2012 – We’re Ardent and Astray, Not Apathetic by Gina Williams
9 Feb 2012 – On Pacifism by Beth Jost
28 Nov 2011 – The House Is Now Full by Erica Castillo
1 Nov 2011 – Frack It Up by Rory Chapman
27 Oct 2011 – Occupied. by Natalie Peart
29 Aug 2011 – Biking the Northwest Coast Like an Urchin by Kindra Covert
01 Aug 2011 – Keeping Up with the Denver County Fair by Laura Ann Klein
16 Jun 2011 – Street Art! by Laura Ann Klein
03 Jun 2011 – Story on a String: Road Grit, Chapter Eight by Christopher Butera
31 May 2011 – An Evening with the Shotgun Betties…, Part Two by Laura Ann Klein
30 May 2011 – An Evening with the Shotgun Betties…, Part One by Laura Ann Klein
20 May 2011 – Story on a String: Road Grit, Chapter Six by Dominique Andrée Hinman
13 May 2011 – Story on a String: Road Grit, Chapter Five by Anna Kirgo
09 May 2011 – The Paper Turtle: A Kickstarter from Haiti by Laura Bruzzese
29 Apr 2011 – Story on a String: Road Grit, Chapter Three by Erica Castillo
15 Apr 2011 – Story on a String: Road Grit, Chapter One by Bobby Hedderman
01 Apr 2011 – Story on a String: Arctic Chill, the Last Chapter by Anna Kirgo
11 Mar 2011 – Story on a String: Arctic Chill, Chapter Seven by Louisa Dunnigan
18 Feb 2011 – Story on a String: Arctic Chill, Chapter Four by Dominique Andrée Hinman
15 Feb 2011 – New York City Eats and Treats by Jeannette Norris
11 Feb 2011 – Story on a String: Arctic Chill, Chapter Three by Anna Kirgo
04 Feb 2011 – Story on a String: Arctic Chill, Chapter Two by Thomas Bailey
28 Dec 2010 – Confessions of a Part-Time Protester, Part Two by Louisa Dunnigan
27 Dec 2010 – Confessions of a Part-Time Protester, Part One by Louisa Dunnigan
18 Aug 2010 – People We Met on the Way, Part Two by Louisa Dunnigan
17 Aug 2010 – People We Met on the Way, Part One by Louisa Dunnigan
10 Aug 2010 – Driving in Circles by Erica Castillo
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This is very good!! Can i become a writer and join you guys!!
Of course! (Thanks, by the way!) We love receiving works from our readers. Just drop us a line, urchinmovement@gmail.com and let us hear your ideas! – M.
I will send you under separate cover a piece from a legal brief I recently filed in Connecticut and New Mexico.
Hello,
My name is Willie Price and I am a starving artist.
Please take a moment to read my letter and feel free to express your professional opion
of my writing style…
Thank you and enjoy!
Thinking the worst and hoping for the best
A letter to all first time published authors
“Think the worst, and then hope for the best.” My favorite aunt would say with conviction.
My response was always the same, “What?”
I could not imagine starting every day of my life thinking, “Well…, thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Now I have another opportunity to think the worst and hope for the best.”
I persistently refused to entertain that sort of pessimism…Until; I became a first time, published author.
Oh goody-goody, the excitement of creating one of,”The Greatest Stories Ever Told,” at least that was the legend in my own mind.
A first time published author generously pass out signed copies to the people occupying their inner circle. You will or perhaps have already done the same thing. We all need support for our creative endeavors.
Therefore, you enthusiastically give copies to family and very close friends.
(Hoping for the best)
A quick word of advice to all you new authors out there, express your sincere gratitude and heart felt thanks to family and friends that genuinely support you. However, do not have high expectations regarding their response.
(Think the worst)
Allow me to share a little scenario with you that transpired between me and someone I truly considered as my very close friend. Naturally, she was one of the first to receive a signed copy of what had been my total preoccupation for over a year. I felt guilty and believed this gesture would serve as a means of compensation and gratitude toward her for remaining an enduring and understanding ally.
(Hoping for the best)
She frankly did not feel an urgent reason to read the book and therefore it was quite awhile before we had an opportunity to discuss my, “Rock the literary world creation.”
(Thinking the worst)
Her first words to me were, and I quote, “First of all, this is clearly a short story and not a novel, since it’s so thin and only 125 pages,” she cheekily smiled.
I decided it best to return a gracious grin and chuckled, “That explains my title; The Improbable Love Story that was.”
(Thinking the worst)
I did not deem it necessary to explain this fact; A “Book” by international standards is a publication with at least 49 pages, not counting the covers.
“Surely she must have read, Jonathan Livingston Seagull?”
My friend folded her arms and continued, “And I found printing and spelling errors. Have you ever considered posting a notification on the college campus for a student taking writing classes? You could pay a small amount of money for them to do your editing, and in turn, the student could get graded by their instructor.” she mockingly smiled, obviously enjoying herself.
(Thinking the worst)
“No, I haven’t and thank you for the suggestion.” I maintained my gracious smile while thinking, “Who are you and what happened to my friend?”
That’s when it occurred to me the only person she knew attending college was her, “know it all” daughter. She was a thirty-something life time student, living at home rent free and mooching off mom .Often convincing her, “I’m so worth all your expenses and inconvenience. You will never have to struggle at forming and or, giving an opinion about anything ever again, Mother. Simply remember my advice on how to respond, because I know everything.”
Speaking as the mother of two adult daughters, that sort of manipulation from either one of them would require nothing less than pure genius.
I returned my attention to her conspicuous gloating.
(Hoping for the best)
She let out a gasp before exclaiming, “And all those characters! I was so confused about who they were. It was difficult to remember who was doing what and following all those plots. I also found your story a bit, wordy.” she grinned, this time practically giddy with delight.
I gazed directly into her normally sparkling and warm eyes, and observed for the first time ever, they were not smiling. As a matter of fact, they appeared to have turned, stone cold.
(Thinking the worst)
I managed to maintain my composure and calmly acknowledged, “After all these years of listening to me concerning an event or recalling an incident, surely you must have observed I have acquired the tenacity for being descriptive.”
(Hoping for the best)
My imagination shifted into over drive and I envisioned this, smug woman, literally ripping the pages out of my book with her fangs and shredding them to pieces!
I felt my heart skip a beat and took a deep breath before politely smiling. “Thank you for reading my book. I appreciate your analysis and positive feed back. After all, that’s what friends are for.”
Remember dear first time authors; Opinions are like our derrieres.
Most of us simply sit on ours, while others form conclusions and make decisions with theirs.
Every time a reader, be it friend or foe, criticize or phrase your work, be grateful and get energized.
The more people discussing your book, creates recognition and thus, more sells.
Stay the course and remain authentic in your passion for “Story telling”
(Hope for the best)
Best wishes…
Willie Price
That’s cute Willie. I so agree and I enjoyed reading your story.
I assumed the creative people who always turned to me for support would do the same for me, but NO. If you enlist the support of a creative friend who happens to be a “blocked artist” – watch out! Instead of the expected, “Wow, Congratulations! I’m SO happy you were published and PAID!” – I got an armchair blow-by-blow critique from an unpublished and jealous “blocked artist” writer. That person was close to me and the weight of their words hit me broadside – I did not write again for TWO YEARS.
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Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog, it’s really great. I started a blog of my own recently, about environmental art, photography and writing. If you’re interested: http://gsilentvoices.wordpress.com/
Nice to meet online! Wonderful pictures – especially of Toby! – Margaret
Dear urchins
until we meet again on a next blog ….
This is UM a great idea !
I love the fact that you love to share !
Sharing is a trait that is inherent not learnt .
It comes from a place of true authenticity !
I love sharing . In fact if I don’t share I feel awkward within myself . Now I’m rambling lol
Natasha
Hi! I just stumbled upon your site! I would love to be a writer for you if wouldn’t mind!