Often in memoir writing workshops, we focus on a person from our past. But an object from yesteryear can also bring up all sorts of memories. That’s true for me with this hen-and-chick ceramic piece I inherited–the only thing I have from her household. Not complaining, with my five aunts llterally fighting over the fruit jars in the basement,

Somehow, they missed this treasure…or failed to see its worth? I’m talking sentimental value, of course. How many hands reached inside this trusty hen for treats over the decades? And how could she possibly survive without a chip?

True, her paint has faded, but that’s to be expected. What intrigues me most about her is that eyebrow. Interesting how one little mark made by the painter can invoke emotions. Is this hen communicating with the chick one her back, or irritated by yet another human seeking a bit of sweetness?

As with the Mona Lisa, we’ll never know. But this little study reminds me of the literary device called SHOW DON’T TELL By the visuals around our character, or the smells, textures, and setting, we SHOW the hero/heroine’s reactions.

Quite the challenge–this skill probably took me the most time to learn, but what a difference it’s made in my writing.