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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 meeting with a poetry tutor tonight, face to face. It will be interesting to see what she has to say. I'm glad it's Friday. I hope I get some energy over the weekend. I am going to need it! Best wishes, Sil |
| I'm pretty excited - last night I received a request to publish "Grief" in the upcoming issue of Shadows Express, an e-zine operated by Mystic. I can't wait to see what it looks like! I picked up Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way"  last night at Hastings. I went to go get Patrick Rothfuss's second book (I finished "The Name of the Wind finally - I highly recommend it). Unfortunately, the only copy of the 2nd book was a $30.00 hardback, so I passed. I'll have to wait to find it at the Library at that rate.I found Cameron's book in the used stack. I've been wanting to read it for some time. I think a friend here recommended it. And I picked up a copies of Oklahoma Today and Poets & Writers. One of my favorite poets had a prose piece in Oklahoma Today "No.9". (Jeanetta Calhoun Mish). It was great! As for Poets & Writers, that seems to be turning into one big huge MFA ad. I'm not sure if there is a resurgence of MFA programs, or what. But there sure seem to be a lot of ads for them. They must be a money making opportunity for colleges. I'll have to check into that. I'm looking forward to Active Writer's chat this evening. I wonder if we have an agenda. If not - maybe we can ask someone to put a piece up and group review it. Hope all is well -Happy Thursday! Sil |
I love words. I love the colorful way you can use them. I really like it when a poet uses a word in an unexpected way, or successfully conveys an unexpected image. One of my favorite poems (by you guessed it, Ted Kooser) is called "Late September." In it, Mr. Kooser describes a ladder in a very unexpected way. As a result, every time I see a ladder I will think of his poem. Every time I think of my favorite poems, that one will be on my list. I'll also never look at a box of valentine chocolate the same way, once again thanks to one of Mr. Kooser's poems. What unexpected ways do you use words to make the 'surprise' factor fun and interesting for your reader? When you write - do you bend words poetically - or stick to dictionary definitions? What's your favorite example of 'unexpected' imagery or word use? Does the surprise factor alone make the piece memorable? Do you appreciate artistic and unexpected use of words, or does it leave you feeling frustrated? Happy Wednesday. Best wishes, Sil |
Today my institution has sponsored a "meet the author" event as part of Research week. It' a meet and greet. The authors are any employee (faculty or staff) that published during the previous year. True, most of the authors will be academic types. But there is one poet. I'm looking forward to my lunch hour today. I was rather impressed with the number of authors we have here. Happy Tuesday. Sil |
| I read this "Invalid Entry" some time ago, and I thought about it today on the way to work. It's an entry by another writer on WDC. I think it might have been revised since I first read it, and now includes some disclaimers I'm not sure it had when I read it originally. I thought it was interesting. Unfortunately, the absolute statements in the article threw up roadblocks for me. Even reading it today I struggle with the absolutes. But one thing I haven't done is forgotten it. Perhaps there is a message in that as well! Best wishes, Sil |
I've been thinking a lot about what qualifies as writing that has 'soul.' I have read a lot of things lately that were technically well written - but they didn't touch me. And I've read things without technical merit, that did. I'm rather at a loss to tell how the writer makes the difference. How do you do both - bring technical merit and soul to a piece of writing? Best wishes, Sil |
| Last night during a chat we talked about how fun it is to discover writing that is new and interesting, with fresh angles. We also talked about how thin the line can be when you are trying to communicate something different to an audience that prefers predictable outcomes, and the tried and true. One of my favorite quotes about this (and something that refreshes me) is by PD James. . "'All fiction is an attempt to create order out of disorder and to make sense of personal experience." (More of the quote linked above).I thought about this a lot last night. I think one of the ways to engage and interest your reader (besides through careful twists and intricate plots) is through the careful use of language. Words are our tools in the same way that paint is a painter's tool. How can we 'mix the colors' to make something interesting? What new ways do you use words to deepen the experience for your reader? Or do you do it only through plot? Next topic: How do you put "soul" into a piece. Happy Friday! Sil |
| Yesterday I found this really interesting poetry journal for women, called "Mused." . It looks like a really interesting place to submit. Has anyone tried to submit to that journal? It's got some great information for new writers under "poetry submission." I really like how the editors presented the submission guidelines. I also like what I feel is their goal/mission. I have a lot of poetry and prose living behind the wall now. I sort of feel like that's not working out so well. I'm fairly certain I'm not really a good enough writer that my work can improve when only I am critiquing it. Softball season is also starting up (spring practices started Sunday) - which means my time will soon be even more limited. I guess I'll have to get used to writing during practice, in between "Ca*CHing" raps to the bat. I wonder what I can learn about rhythm from the stands. Hope all is well. Sil |
| The question of audience seems somewhat like the chicken/egg question. Do you write first and find an audience/publication second? Or do you write with an eye towards acceptance for publication? Or do you just write for yourself? If you just write for yourself, this is probably not a helpful blog entry. For the rest - Would you increase your chances of publication if you found the publication/audience first? Most writers can write anything - and when challenged, rise to it. Why should writing for or "to" an audience or a publication be any different? One of the things I learned early on in the field of psychology is that it is much easier to work within a system then it is to try to fit the system to my needs. I'm a rebel at heart, so this kind of goes against my grain. But - things tend to go much faster when I work within the system. At work - I may get promoted more quickly then my counterparts because of this. And, I know that when I am 'in charge' I can establish the vision for what I would like to see - (whatever it might be). And when i get there - people are happy to help me with it. With that said - this shouldn't be confused with 'brown nosing' or giving up a creative license. It's a way of ...working with people instead of against them. I use my psychology background to eliminate roadblocks at work, or to enhance my ability to reach goals. Why should I look at my writing any differently? If a writer decides publishing is what they want to do - maybe it would help to find a magazine or journal one likes, study the publishers/editors (including their bios), as well as the demographic of the intended audience, and design a piece directly for those interests. Maybe it would help if I pick out someone I know that fits the demographic, like Aunt Sally - and keep her in mind when I write for the publication. If the editor lists a certain hobby or topic in a bio - why not exploit it? This might not work for large publications where many people have to read something before it gets to the final cut - but if the piece is also balanced with the audience demographic, it would certainly have a better chance. There's so much information on line - use it! With that said - am I going to all of sudden start writing 'literary' pieces because that is what is in demand? NO. I don't fit in that box for sure. I'm going to look for places that publish the kind of writing I like, and then design a piece of writing particular FOR that publication. It's part of a balancing act. Just some thoughts rolling around in my head this morning. Best wishes... Edited at 8:32 CST to add this link . A blog that I found linked on my facebook page after I wrote this entry. Good example!Sil |
I left my husband two poems today (sleeping on your side of the bed, and your feet on me), along with a valentine's day card that said I loved him more than words could say. I'm really nervous about the poems! I can honestly say that those two poems are deeply personal. I haven't written anything this personal previously. I think the reason I am nervous about it is because he's not really a 'poem' type person. He's a very practical, down to earth man with simple taste. I hope he likes them. I hope he understands what they mean. He is the reason I started writing again. What are you doing today to express your heart's desire? Happy Valentines! |
I've decided today to quit worrying so much about my writing. It's time to have a little faith in myself, and get back to enjoying the process. I started this journey because I wanted to rediscover pieces of myself that had been buried for a long time. And writing is a cheap form of therapy. I don't know where along the way I lost sight of that. But it's time to get back on track. If along the way I produce something that suitable for publication, great. If not - well, that's fine too! Happy Monday! Best wishes, Sil |
| It's never a good sign when your thirteen your old daughter sits down next to you on the couch at ten o'clock at night and says, "What could I do that would make you hate me the most." Visions of terrible, grown up things pass through your mind. So you push her to tell you right now what terrible thing she did, before the waiting makes it unbearable. Did she shoot her sisters? Did she steal something? Did she burn down the house? Oh the terrible things that run through your mind. Then - when she doesn't say anything at all - she just releases her ponytail, and blocky, shorn locks fall around her face, your lungs fill back up with relief, and you almost weep because you can inhale again. And then you start laughing. The sheer joy of "what it isn't" spills across your face. She, of course, thinks you are laughing at the way her hair looks. So, you sit down with her and explain that while it might be the end of the world to her - and you wish she hadn't cut her hair - it's not going to make you hate her. Then, you explain to her again that part childhood is about trying things, and it's a time to make mistakes, when the consequences are not as dire as they might be when you are older. During childhood, your parents are there to protect you from yourself, and to help you fix things, when the choices you have made don't have the best outcomes. She still thought it was the end of the world. I'm going to have to write a poem about this! I'll probably have time to start on it while I'm waiting in the salon tomorrow. Happy Happy Friday! Sil |
| I found a couple of interesting poetry articles today (courtesy of the Writer's Digest newsletter): This one is very interesting, if a bit lengthy. It's called "The mystery of poetry editing: from TS Eliot to John Burnside." This kind of fits with the topic at Active Writer's last night (about revising), fitted to the poetry area. Telegraph article I'll have to chew on it a bit before I decide what I think about it. What say the poets among you? Best wishes, Sil |
When you are writing, how do you define your audience? How do you think of them when you are writing? Do you establish a demographic? Or - do you think of someone in particular, or just have some abstract idea of a "general reader." Or do you write to an audience of one (you)? I have an idea for a kind of fun way to focus and make us think about audience, but I wanted to test the waters and get some feedback first. I'd appreciate any input! Thanks |
| What a great day! I went to my mailbox and there, waiting for me to pick it up - was a postcard from Ted Kooser! I stood at the mailbox and did a happy dance. This is worth noting because we live on the highway. I probably looked crazy to all the people driving by. Oh well, that's not really anything all that new. Maybe I gave them all a little smile on their way in to work. I think I'll put the postcard up in my new office. The folks here already know I'm crazy! Why did it make me so happy? Several weeks ago I sent Mr. Kooser a letter. I just couldn't help myself. His work has touched me deeply, and he serves as such an inspiration. It's was important to me that he knew his poetry was reaching out and touching people's hearts. Not only that, he's inspiring others to write. Common, everyday people like me. You never know what's going to happen in life - so it was somehow important I send it right away. When I received a postcard back, I knew that he had gotten my letter. Hopefully, it made him smile. I've been pretty discouraged about my own writing lately - the timing on this postcard couldn't have been better. Things are picking up a lot at work, so I haven't had much time to post or write. I'll try to make more time at lunch and this eve. Edited to add: Here is a link to the prose piece that inspired me to write to Mr. Kooser. It's from "Local Wonders." The piece about his mother is the one that really tipped me over the edge! Warning - The excerpt has some formatting issues. I hope that doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the piece - should you decide to read it.Hope all is well! Happy Happy Tuesday! Sil |
| I had to give up on book "The Reincarnationist." The story line was good but the writing is awful. Reminds me of mine! It made it painful to read. TheGary   (TheGary) recommended The Name of the Wind , in chat the other day, and I started reading it over the weekend. So far I love it. I'm on chapter Eleven.It's a fantasy work, and so far - everything seems extremely well written. It's something I can't sit down and fly through, I do have to slow down, but I can hardly wait to see what happens next. If you are looking for something, I heartily recommend it. edited to add: WOW! Sometimes the world seems small. Patrick Rothfuss lives in Wisconsin and teaches at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. That's all for today I think! |
| I live on what some people might call a hobby farm. Two of the residents of our farm are a couple of fat aged mares, Molly, and her daughter, Sunny. Molly is 27. Sunny is 17. I don’t know if you know anything about horses, but 27 is pretty old for a horse, and 17 – well - it’s no spring chicken. The other day, I watched as Molly dozed in the barn, and Sunny wandered off from her side, grazing. Sunny slowly edged clear across the pasture. All of a sudden, Sunny realized her mother was not with her. She started whinnying and nickering, and it got progressively louder, and more frantic. I could almost hear her crying “Momma! MOMMA!” Molly doesn’t see or hear very well anymore, so she continued to nap peacefully in the barn. I had to go get Sunny and walk her back to the barn so she could see her Momma. It was ridiculous. But no one in this house ever said horses were particularly smart. Sunny was off chasing her own ambitions, seeking out (and hogging) the greenest shoots she could find. She wandered out too far and got scared. So she whinnied for her blind and deaf mother to come save her. Ah the irony in life. I'm sure there is a poem in there somewhere. Best wishes, Sil |
There are many things to love about Oklahoma. Like everything else in life, there also many things that are not so loved. One of the ‘not so loved’ things is usually about the weather. We’re always having summers that are horribly hot, or we are subjected to droughts, tornadoes, wind, floods, blizzards, earthquakes, more tornadoes, more wind, ice and dust storms. And that's just the first month of the year. When I leave and go other places, (like the beach, or the Colorado Rockies), I frequently ask myself, WHY do we live in Oklahoma? I think I have my answer. Several months ago, a co-worker moved from Oklahoma to New York City. He came home for Christmas break, and I asked him what he thought of New York. He said it took some getting used to, but he loved it. He shared with me that one of the things he had to get used to about New York was that it was important not to look at people, or make eye contact when you are walking down the street. Apparently, in New York, if you look at people, they immediately latch onto you because they can tell you are not from New York. They ask for things like directions, or attempt to make conversation, or try to sell you something. For shame. And apparently, in New York, there isn’t time to make conversation. Everyone is going somewhere, and they are always in a hurry. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live somewhere that you didn’t almost always look people in the eye when you are walking by, and most of the time, smile and nod at them, even if you don’t know them. It’s such a part of me. It's difficult for me to imagine being any other way. I can’t walk across campus without at least one stranger stopping me and asking me where something is, and I’m always happy to tell them. Sometimes, I just walk them to their destination. We usually strike up a conversation along the way. No one thinks anything of it. Here, we strike up conversations with strangers in the supermarket. Apparently that is not the case everywhere. One time several years ago, I went up North for a funeral. While I was there, I went to the store and was waiting in line with several strangers. I just struck up a conversation about something, probably the weather. They turned and looked to see who I was talking to. When it became obvious that I was talking to them, they commented "You're not from around here are you.". I thought it was because of my accent, but now I’m not so sure. I remember they all looked at me like I was a crazy woman. Here, friendly conversation with strangers is a common part of the day. Apparently, Okies are talkers, "smilers," and wavers. I can’t imagine living any other way. In Oklahoma - our land might be barren, our weather might be horrible, but thank goodness - our people are very conversationally rich. I'm not sure if it is just because they are naturally friendly, or there is just so much weather to talk about. In any case - I love it. I'm sure there is a poem in there somewhere. Best wishes and Happy Sunday! Sil |
| I have been thinking for some time that I need to strengthen my writing by appropriately using some of the on-line grammar tools (grammarly, rate my paper, editminion). I also need to go back to school and have someone teach me how to diagram a sentence. I think it will help me become a stronger writer. In all honesty, I don't remember covering sentence diagramming in school. I'm not going to mention how long ago I was in public school! It's rather daunting for me to think about. Grammar and sentence structure doesn’t happen naturally for me. I am not one of those people. Thank goodness there are tools like grammarly. I'm aware it doesn't find and fix everything, but I think it is helping. It even has an add-on that I use in my email communications at work, and a word document add in that I use for the same thing. Today one of my friends posted a picture on facebook from grammarly. It was funny. If you use social media, I recommend you "like" grammarly. You might get a giggle out of some of their postings. Sorry to be so dull today - I may have used up what creative brain cells I had available on reviews. Best wishes! Sil |
I went back to the art gallery this afternoon, and as luck would have it, Mr. Ramsay was there! I actually got to meet him, and answered some questions about his paintings, and he offered a great deal more information. He's an artist who wants to tell a story through the paintings. It was so incredibly fun to talk to someone who is passionate about their work, and not afraid to freely share their feelings and thoughts about the work. He even told us about the models in his portraits, what their background or lineage was - and a little bit about their personal goals and aspirations. It was the coolest thing. Next, he told us and showed us how he represented some of that in the paintings. It was a teaching moment, and I loved it. Some of the fun tidbits he shared with us (like that one of the models was a co-worker he sketched during a faculty meeting) made the paintings even more valuable to me. I don't know that much about art, but it didn't matter. Mr. Ramsay put me completely at ease. It was the highlight of my week to meet him. Thank you Mr. Ramsay! Sil |
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