Thursday Night Write: Jim Turner in Conversation with TNM Founder Shari Foos

About Jim Turner:

Jim is a writer and entertainer, of sorts. Starting in 1975 and continuing to this day, Jim has created & performed a host of characters including Tellis Wondersweet, Randee of the Redwoods, Grudge Hanson, Mr. Tremendous, the Tom E Dells Puppet Safari, Big Bugs; the Happiest Clown Alive, Choam Underhill: the Blonde Fury, Z-actress Tammy Zerlinger - roles that still haunt the daydreams of audiences who somehow stumbled into his shows.

Jim has done a big giant mess of TV acting. Tune into your local UHF channel late at night and you may see Jim stumbling across the screen in Big Bang Theory, Righteous Gemstones, Criminal Minds, Party Down, That 70’s Show, Parenthood, Anger Management, as the dim lawyer, the bumbling doctor, the inept boss, the awkward boyfriend, the unhinged best friend… you get the idea.

He got well known-ish, in some circles, for playing a quarterback with a gambling/girls/booze/pot/self-esteem problem on HBO’s ARLI$$, and also running for President in 1988 on MTV, as Randee of the Redwoods.

He’s got several dozen film credits too - a handful of good stuff (The Ref, Shelf Life, Bewitched, Lost Boys), but a lot of the flotsam that fills up the VHS bin at the Goodwill.

In 1982 and 83, he drove around the country performing two of his nearly incomprehensible one-man shows back to back: The Brain That Wouldn’t Go Away and Return Of The Polywog because… after an audience sits through a one-person show, what they want to do is sit through another one-person show BY THE SAME PERSON. Amiright?

He didn't graduate from college, but was mysteriously awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Iowa in 1988.

He’s mostly retired and spends almost every waking hour trying to figure out how to get 18-24 year olds registered to vote.

Those who join in TNM online sessions should familiarize themselves with our participation disclaimer and agreement at https://www.thenarrativemethod.org/tnm-disclaimer

How It Works (1-hour Sessions):

INTRODUCTION & INSPIRATION:

• A TNM facilitator sets up the session, including group agreements and the TNM Core Concept of the week.
• Our guest will share in conversation with TNM Founder Shari Foos followed by writing and sharing in small breakout groups.

WRITING:

• The facilitator shares a photo and the first prompt. You're invited to use prompts as a starting point and take them anywhere your imagination leads in any style, any voice. The only parameter is to keep it to 1 page or 500 words.
• Next, you'll get a second prompt to weave into your piece and tie it all together.

BREAKOUT GROUPS:

• After the writing, you are randomly assigned to small breakout groups with other participants.
• Everyone takes turns reading their piece without stopping for conversation or feedback. Simple acknowledgments such as "Thank you for sharing." are welcome. While each person shares, focus on witnessing without judgment.
• After everyone has shared, feel free to discuss your process, the TNM Core Concept and prompt or share about something else that's going on with you that may be relevant to the TNM experience. Speak for yourself only and refrain from giving advice or asking probing questions.
• NOTE: If someone in your group shares something deeply personal and may be in distress, please ask them if they are okay in this moment and don't hesitate to send a direct message to the TNM facilitator.

GROUP SHARE:

• In the final minutes, the group comes together to share their thoughts about their experience, answer questions, go deeper and have fun!

Salon Guidelines:

MUTUAL RESPECT

Remain aware and conscientious of your choice of words and tone. Please do not ask personal questions or give advice. Hate speech or hurtful behavior, regardless of the context will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate removal from the session.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is essential. What is said in the group must stay here. We do not record these sessions and will not tolerate any recording, transcribing, repeating others' stories or otherwise infringing on the rights and privacy of others.

CAMERAS ON

To ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories and their feelings, we require everyone to have their cameras on during sessions, except while writing. If you do not comply you will be removed from the session.

LISTENING

When listening to others' stories, put yourself aside so you can hear others from their perspective, without your own assumptions getting in the way. Your job is only to witness each other with appreciation.