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My thoughts on writing and other random things as they come up. |
| This is a blog where I keep my thoughts and daily comments about writing and WDC. |
I'm pretty excited to hear there are so many people involved in the modern poetry class, and that these are people from all over the world. It's great to listen to conversations on poetry. I like how it's opening up my world. There are literally, thousands of hungry people out there, wanting to learn more about poetry. I think it is possible there will be a growing interest in poetry over the next 10 years. I think this is for several reasons. First, as a response to our times. Our times are so high pressure, fast paced, and so much emphasis is placed on 'instant.' Poetry is not instant. Poetry makes you slow down, examine, discover. Poetry is also an art form, something often missing from an instant life. I also think interest in poetry will increase because of the available connections. I think it's possible that poetry may grow and evolve as a form of popular culture. Finally, I think at least in the US, that interest in poetry will grow as a response of an aging population. What do you think will happen to poetry in the next 10 years? Best, S |
Wow! I'm loving my Modern Poetry class!  .It's a little bit of work, but I'm having a blast so far. I'm greatly enjoying our first set of assignments/videos. One thing that is shocking me is the attendance. Who knew there were so many people interested in poetry! This is SO cool! And it's free. I can't get over that part. HIGHLY recommend that you sign up. So far I give t - FIVE STARS. ***** Off topic - Writing group was amazing yesterday. One lady in our group is a step above. Linda's piece was incredible. She's a very gifted writer. I have such writer envy. I wish I could write like that! I keep thinking, I should be her agent. Her memoir piece is definitely going to beat mine in the Rose State contest. But I don't mind loosing to something that fine. After group, we went to the movies. "The Words" (new movie out about writing) was good. I enjoyed it. Not too sure about the ending. But it was worth $5.00 matinee fee. And seeing it with friends was the best. So - I'd recommend it to other writers. If you're not a writer, you probably won't enjoy it. Movie rating: Four stars. **** I'll probably be a little less available this week/weekend given this week's agenda. Happy Monday! Sil |
| Finished it. I didn't really get it. The ending wasn't satisfying. I haven't ready very many of the SCI FI books mentioned in the story, so maybe that has something to do with it. The only ones I recognized were Lord of the Rings and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. And those I read a very long time ago. I have to agree with Asymmetrical's review on Goodreads. .I haven't written anything really this week. That will have to change today. I have an assignment due for our memoir study group. Everyone have a great day! Sil |
I read this somewhere the other day, I wish I could remember where: "What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open." It's attributed to Muriel Rukeyser. I've been thinking a great deal about it. What an inspiring quotation. And what did she mean by it? What do you think she meant? I'm going to research her and try to find out more about her. She's listed as a poet and an activist. I don't really think of myself as an activist. *** I've been reading "Among Others." It's the Hugo award winner. The Woolgatherer group is studying it as part of our ongoing writing discussions. It's very different from what I usually read, which is good for me. I'm on about page 111. I've thought several times about not finishing it. I don't really understand it. It's heartbreaking to think that there are children all over the world that feel this alone. I hope your day is going well. Sil |
| I want to go see the movie "The Words" this weekend (if I can round up someone to go with).Have you seen it? Do you want to see it? If you have seen it - what did you think? What's on your agenda for this weekend? Best wishes and Happy Friday! Sil |
I've signed up to take an online course from the University of Pennsylvania through Coursera. It's free. If you are interested, you can find out more information here: https://www.coursera.org/course/modernpoetry It starts next Monday. I'm looking forward to it! Free online education. This is such a great idea! And did I mention that it is free? Sign up with me! C. |
| Last week, I was aimlessly wandering the stacks at the University Library. I was kind of in a writing daze, and looking for guidance. Of course I was in the section were they keep the 800's. I was looking at the writing books and the poetry books. Hoping for a miracle. The second book I picked up was Writing Alone and With Others by Pat Schneider.For the second time in my writing life, I felt the hand of divine intervention. (The first time was with Ain't Nobody That Can Sing Like Me. The very first chapter in Writing Alone and With Others was "Feeling and Facing Fear." I was in the middle of that very war with regards to my writing, and the topic couldn't have been more relevant. I have a bad habit of falling in love with a writing book, reading the first several chapters, and getting distracted and putting it down. I usually intend to go back and finish it later. Not this time. I'm almost half way through it, and I already know I need to buy it. There's a lot of information in here I want to go back and highlight, use for future topics. Anyway - I highly recommend the book. One of the things Pat Schneider talked about a little later in the book was the importance of inviting your subconscious mind into your writing, and the importance of sleep in this aspect. A lot of the time great writing comes from there, the place where our brain lets loose while we are asleep or in that 'in between' state. I'm considering taking up yoga for the same reason, to be able to access that letting loose, to let the mind free. Anyway - I've had that happen once. I've tried to have it happen other times, but it hasn't. It was earlier this year when the Journey through the Genres contest was underway for "Nature Poetry." I was blocked and inspired. I'd really wanted to enter the contest. But everything I could come up with just felt so "done." So I decided (on the day before the deadline) to give it up. I went to take a nap instead. There was this incredible Oklahoma wind that day. I remember being annoyed, wondering how I could ever go to sleep with the wind blowing like that. The wind ebbed and flowed just like the ocean. I was nearly asleep when the poem started.I got up and wrote it. Divine intervention again. When have you felt the hand of divine intervention during your writing journey? Best Wishes, Sil |
We decided to close down our pet sitting business. As of Oct 1 we are closing. I'm so glad we had this business. I learned so much and met so many neat people. And I have so many stories to tell! I definitely count this as one in the win column. The biggest downside of a pet sitting business is never having a holiday as a family. This year's round of holidays will be our first in 3 years. In theory, I should also have more time to write. We'll see how that works out! Best wishes, Sil |
Today is the deadline - post mark today for the Rose State Contest. Sent mine in. One memoir piece, one really far out fiction piece that doesn't really have an ending, and a poem. I don't feel confident about it at all. Had to force myself to post the entry. What's the worse that could happen? Wish me luck. C |
My poor husband. He must get this no-win feeling every time I sit him down and say, "let me read this to you." He doesn't like or 'get' poetry. So I try to just make him beta read only a few of my stories. I try to save it for when I really need an opinion. I know family is not the best judge, they are biased, but sometimes I just need to bounce things around a bit. Talk through what is not working. Last night, I needed someone to read a story I have started for this off-site contest. So I tied him to the chair and read it to him. When I got finished, he said "Wow, that's really detailed, kind of like Zane Grey." Zane Grey? Really? I was writing like a published author. How exciting! "Yeah, you know, when I read Zane Grey, it's too much. He stops to describe every flower of every field, and then, when he's describing the horse the guy is riding on, he details every conch in the saddle, every hair on the horse's head. I just want to know what color the horse is. Not it's whole life story." Oh. Maybe not as much a compliment as I thought! "So you're saying I need to lighten up the description?" "Yeah, that story sounds like a really long poem." Back to the drawing board! Thank you honey for your patience. Oh...and by the way, I have this poem... Hehehe... |
Well, I got my form rejection from New Plains Press. I was kind of glad to see it. What is wrong with me that I am thankful about it? I'm mostly glad it was in time for me to still use one of the pieces for the Rose State College short course workshop. Although - I'm not sure why it would be good enough for the contest if it wasn't good enough for the journal. Convoluted hope, every present in me! Now I just have to pick which of the three poems to submit to the Rose State Contest, and clean it up. And finish my new story. And finish my poetry article. TOO much to do - not enough time! C. |
I'm trying to put together a cohesive article about a new poet's perspective on poetry. This has been harder then expected. I keep floating around, not really getting to the heart of the matter. It's like I don't have a grasp on the soul of the piece. So I thought I might use today's blog to further explore the issue. Why do I like poetry, and why is it currently my preferred method of writing? I think this is two fold. First, I have this crazy idea that in today's "instant" society, poetry is the opposite. It's concentrated, slow craftsmanship. It's layered beauty. It has a depth that belies the "instant." In my head, it feels like it is a long way from instant. On the other hand, thanks to technology, poetry today is more accessible. It's easier to find poetry, especially poetry that suits my tastes. I don't have to wait for poetry that a print publisher defines as good - I can define 'good poetry' myself. I think both of these aspects have a lot to do with why poetry is my preferred form of reading and writing. I think in today's society, I'm probably not the only one that turns to poetry for some of the same reasons. Thanks to technology and the e-print revolution, this could conceivably be the best time in history to be a poet. Why do you like or not like poetry? Happy Monday, Sil |
I used to think writing was so easy. I'd just dash something off. Ta Da! Now, every piece is a struggle. Being satisfied, "finished" with anything seems to be a very distant dream. When I write these days, it's a decent piece all messed up from a grammar standpoint, or its a half-way okay piece that lacks depth or conflict. I can't put it all together in one coherent piece. What is wrong with me? I feel like I'm getting WORSE. A friend of mine said that the writing process was sometimes one step forward, two steps back. BOY do I feel like that is the truth. People say "sometimes things get worse before they get better." Why? Why can't things just improve? What am I doing wrong? I'm ready to the turn the corner. I'm tired of stepping on and off the curb! Best wishes and happy weekend! Sil |
Win big - genre short stories from Writer's Digest! http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=... Remember - you can't win a darn thing if you don't try! What have you got to loose? NOTHING! Best wishes, Sil |
I read my poem "Saying Goodbye to Dolly" to the writer's group today. I had submitted it to New Plains Review. . I was hoping for ...something. Maybe positive feedback. I guess there were about 12 people in the room. It was a sad poem, and not anything like the rhyming work everyone else read. I think median age of the writer's group is probably 65 or 70. I was probably the youngest one there. I don't think it was all that successful. The comment I got was "Wow that was dark." Dark? Sad maybe, but dark? BUT, I enjoyed reading my poem. And I have now 'had a reading.' Yeah for me. I think my poetry might go over better at the bars. Tolerated better by those who have had a few....or a few more. Hehe. Happy Saturday. Sil |
| I haven't done any creative writing this week. I've revised a few works, but no new writing. I'm hoping to change that this weekend, but it's going to be hectic around here. I have a writer's group meeting today, and school starts Monday. My list of To-Do's is getting long: Write something for Last Pen Standing Write a Rose State Contest Entry for Poetry Write a Rose State Contest Entry for Fiction Submit (3) poems to a print journal I've got something started for LPS but it's not really compelling me to continue it. I may have to start over. What's on your writing to-do list? Best wishes, Sil |
I may have gone a little (more) crazy. Yesterday, I sent three poems to the New Plains Review. . It is a print journal at a neighboring institution. It's probably stretching my range a great deal to even think they would consider me seriously - but you never know until you try. If I'm really lucky, maybe they will reject with feedback!I sent: Saying Goodbye to Dolly (revised), Frayed, and Night Left A Footprint on My Shoulder. I'm also going to enter this contest, and attend this short course at Rose State , which is an amazing deal. The contest has a cash prize, and I plan to enter in the memoir, poetry, and fiction short story. I might enter non-fiction if I can figure out what exactly that is supposed to be. I'm so glad Mom pointed it out to me. If I'm lucky maybe I can talk some of our memoir group into going. And - I'm going to beg aralls to attend! All of this, at the start of the school year. Yeah - I think I'm a little crazy! Hope things are well with you. Happy Thursday! Sil |
Today is the last day of my short vacation. I'm going to spend it taking my 13 year old to 8th grade enrollment, shopping, and a softball game. I'm sad to say I didn't get much writing done. I did get about 700 words into a story for LPS before I abandoned it. It's not finished, it's not very good, and it's not going anywhere that I can see.
But I really wanted to enter the contest this month! So I'm not sure if I will start fresh, finish the current story, or not enter (again). Gary's contest is pretty cool, and the current entry is a clear winner. I just wanted to support the contest, and put myself up against some of the best. Anyway - I wanted to get a post in as it might be the only thing I have time to write today. Hope all is well with you. Enjoy the day! Sil |
| I am so excited I have goose bumps! Happy Dancin' going on here! I can't believe this is happening to me. If it can happen for me - it can happen for you - believe, and SUBMIT! "Hi Christine, Thank you for your submission. I'm happy to accept Spring, After the Drought for publication at vox poetica. ...I have Spring, After the Drought tentatively scheduled to post the night of September 11."Thank you to Northernwrites for the 30 in 30 poetry challenge that inspired it, and to Asymmetrical for encouraging me to stay with this one!WHOOOO HOOOOOOOOO! Happy Friday! Sil |
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