In this week’s The Bones of Blood Work, Donald Carreira Ching revisits “Kāneʻohe Town”—the shortest piece in the collection, and one of its most essential. Written as a sensory exercise, this prose-poem re-centers the reader in both place and theme. Donald reflects on its origins and offers us a creative prompt inspired by its approach.
The Bones of “Kāneʻohe Town”
You can’t see it. Charcoal burning, savory and sweet from the Korean barbecue. Further down, tobacco lingers. Then, the choke of exhaust like burnt oil in your father’s garage.
“Kāneʻohe Town,” which takes readers on a walking tour of the area through the senses, is the shortest story in the collection (and more of a prose poem). It’s also the most important.
As a transition, having just read “Search the Waters,” this story brings you back to the windward side where the rest of the stories in the collection are all situated. It also highlights a key theme and conflict that all of the characters will struggle with. I won’t say more than that, but as someone who loves the short story form because of its precision, intention, and attention to detail, it’s one of my favorites.
While writing it, I couldn’t help but think about George Saunders’ “Sticks.” He’s one of my favorite writers and just seems amazingly humble. His book A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is probably the only writing guide I’d ever recommend, and I hate writing guides.
I actually wrote “Kāneʻohe Town” during my first semester in the PhD program at UH. I was taking a class taught by Shawna Yang Ryan (an amazing writer and professor) on “Writing the Senses.” This was just a little experiment, but it ended up being so critical to the collection.
Photo Credit: Donald Carreira Ching. Walking through town.
I tried to find the original prompt, but I couldn’t, so instead I’ll give you the one I use when I teach fiction workshops on leveraging point of view:
Using only the senses, take us on a walking tour of an area important to you or one of your characters. As much as possible, go beyond sight and avoid exposition. Don’t be afraid to play with diction, detail, juxtaposition, and point of view.
If you feel inspired, feel free to give the prompt a try and share what you come up with. I’d love to read it.
~ Donald
Feel free to share a piece you worked on using this prompt by posting it on our BAMBOO SHOOTS page. Or email us at read[at]bambooridge.org!
“Kāneʻohe Town” was recently used as an extract for inspiration in our last BR Writing Jam. You can see the handout and read the full piece here. There are also some spring writing prompts created by the BR minions Misty & Lizzy.
RSVP for the next BR Writing Jam which will be led by Donald!
Join us on Saturday, May 31st from 3:00 to 4:15 pm HST online for a special writing jam session with Donald Carreira Ching on breaking the block by glancing askance at a story. It’s free and casual.
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