Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Some guy’s trip to Vegas aka Conversational Poetry

 Sitting in a waiting room, blogging, writing poems, reading poems, etc and this guy (on his laptop) gets a phone call and well talks so loud you can’t help but overhear everything he has said.   He went to Vegas!

The trip was all paid for.  He won $1500 gambling.  He gambled while his wife shopped.  He was there for a wedding.  He gambled with some friends.  He was happy to win because the trip was all paid for and he didn’t have to pay anything for it.  He said he felt like he won 50K instead of 1500 dollars he was so excited!

Besides reading and blogging, I can watch my App and watched a TV show ... I barely had the volume up and read the captions so I wouldn’t disturb the other people in the waiting room.  (Yes, I have ear plugs but I rarely use them because I forget to charge them, lol).  

As I sit here and listen to every detail of his ridiculous trip (Vegas for a wedding during a Pandemic?) I can’t believe I worried about me making too much noise.  But of course observing and listening is how some poets, like me, come up with poems.  

Often if I’m working on a story and get stuck, I may overhear or have a story told to me that helps me to fill in the gaps and/or to help me figure out how to make a bridge of sorts in the plot line to move the story along.

The guy is still talking as  I type completely unaware anyone else is listening to him.  See, there’s another poem/story idea ... how easy is it to “steal” any kind of sensitive information without even trying?  He’s mentioned posts, sources, and names!

Happy listening!


Sunday, December 20, 2020

The Creative Process

The creative process.  What’s yours?  

It seems anything different is in this year.  Does that work for creativity?  

I know I need to do different things, visit places, read, etc to spark my creativity.  I haven’t traveled much this year, but I have done many new things like run / walk a 5 k for charity, blaze paths in the woods, hike around a rather muddy lake, take a picture for my new poem novel (“The Blue Eyed Side” published by Cyberwit in Nov 2020 with my cover photo of the Blue Ridge Parkway), learn to cook eggs (I’m a vegetarian, I eat cheese but not eggs), bounce on a trampoline, celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving, put up an artificial Christmas tree, and so on.  

There’s a way to keep new things happening in your life.  I had a couple of book signings this year - first ones ever wearing a mask.  I also did a live online poetry reading and sold more books from that than from anything else like it I’ve ever done.

Usually at Christmas, I don’t work on anything for any reason.  This year, though, Christmas is different.  I will see how creative I can and want to be.

Here’s hoping your Christmas is all you want it to be and that it’s a safe one.  ~Merry Christmas, LB

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Living the Poetical Life aka What is Poetical Success

Hi, I’m LB Sedlacek.  I’ve been publishing “The Poetry Market Ezine” for the past 20 years!  I just decided to end it after 20 years because I need to have more time for other things that have come into my life.  “The Poetry Market Ezine” was a monthly online email subscription newsletter just for poets with poetry markets, contests, and news.  Usually, I would review a poetry book or chapbook too.  I always signed off here and there with “Here’s wishing you poetical success.”  

But what does it mean to be poetical?  What does success in poetry really look like?

I have a friend who used to talk about someone she knew who was an artist and who believed in living your life through art to express art.  Okay, what does that mean?  I believe it indicated supporting other artists and also attending arts events of all kinds - theatre, art shows, poetry readings, concerts, etc.

Wouldn’t you as an artist prefer to be surrounding yourself with other art related activities along with your own?  Yep, there she goes talking about inspiration ... again.

But I digress (and this isn’t a post about inspiration).  I believe in experiences.  I studied acting while living in Washington, DC - I went to a theatre school in Georgetown of all places.  Later on I went to graduate school in theatre and communications.  When studying acting, you learn several techniques.  One is method where the actor believes in really experiencing what the character goes through to play the part.

Experiences to me are key to my life as a poet.  I am inspired daily (not just by gazing off into the sunsets which I often do ... one of the benefits of living in the mountains is that you can see distance for miles hence very pretty skies, stars) by life itself from things I observe to conversations I have to things I read and even by some of my dreams (I have had some vivid dreams!).   I also have other interests, responsibilities and jobs so I am doing many other things besides thinking about poetry all day.  It brings me into contact with other  possibilities that I wouldn’t have without them.

Traveling and Swimming, besides reading, are two of my favorite things to do (can’t do much of either right now with the pandemic, but before that I did them both all the time) and from there I wrote many place poems.  Same with my love of taking pictures and then writing about them (see @poetryinla on Facebook or Instagram) which is pretty much my own version of ekphrastic poetry.

I like to listen to music, too.  I like to draw.  I enjoy the theatre.  It’s all a good blend, it really is.

Your success as a Poet is what you make it.  You have to grow, not be afraid, fly, have writing rituals, envision succeeding, say yes to opportunities, get out an experience art and life, and take off on your second, third or fifth act.  

I may not be publishing my poetry ezine any more, but I will continuing to provide Poem Critiques and I will keep writing.  I’m simply ready to take off in a new direction.  I’m simply ready to find success in a different way.














Sunday, November 29, 2020

The Write Read Space

Do you write in one space?  Do you read in another?

I have an office space where I do most of my writing work.  I also have a couple of places where I like to write and post to my blogs.  I could be anywhere, though, when I get an idea.  My Hey Siri Take a Memo memos sometimes turn out to be quite humorous.  Usually I can figure out what I meant.  When I sit down in my writing space, I will translate those memos into notes.

I use a different space for my reading nook.  I have my favorite chair.  A nice lamp.  A pillow.  That’s all I really need for reading.

I do tend to read anywhere I have time, but when I have more than an hour (usually on the weekends) I will take a stack of books to this spot and spend some time with each one of them.  Currently, I’m reading a new age book, a chick lit book, a couple of self-help non-fiction books, and an entertaining book.  Plus, I’m reading some poetry books, too.  

I love to look at pictures of people who have created their perfect writing area or reading area.  My reading area is far neater than my writing area.  I have many things around my writing space.  I keep all my supplies nearby that I might need for mailing a sold book, highlighting a market listing where I want to submit, etc.  I have a box of swag, marketing materials, certain pens I like to use, notepads, etc.  I don’t think I could ever be content with a “clean desk” writing space and just have a notepad and pencils or a laptop on top.  

It’s the same with my writing nook.  Besides, what I listed above that’s in it, I also have many books in it, too.  

I am working on pairing stuff down and have done that quite a bit, so I wouldn’t say I have too much stuff.  I will admit, I do have too many books in my piles to read even with my being more selective about what I keep on hand.  

My writing space and my reading nook will never make it on anyone’s social media pin up boards, lol.  And that’s okay.  Both are unique to me.

I think the most important thing is to make the space your own.  Make sure it is your space with what you need to be productive or to enjoy your time and then the rest will fall into place!



Sunday, November 8, 2020

How Many Ways Can Art Help You be a Writer?

I personally believe that all the avenues of the Arts go hand in hand.  My master’s degree is in Theatre and Communications, I worked in Theatre, Arts Admin, etc.  I enjoy drawing or taking pictures and using the for my book covers or writing ekphrastic poems about them.  Sometimes, I like to simply post my pictures.  I like seeing the photos my friends take, especially when they are on local magazine covers - that’s very cool!

Does each facet of the Arts inspire the other?  I believe so.  I hone my observation skills when I’m looking at things, places, taking pictures, etc which often gives me ideas for my stories or poems.

Recently I’ve had a professional musician to record my first audiobook.  It’s called “The Mailbox of the Kindred Spirit.”  He did a great job bringing my characters to life.  He really breathed a life into them I could’ve never imagined had I’d tried to record the audiobook myself.  Music is ever present in my life, and it’s been encouraged forever.  Before I became a writer, I wanted to be a singer so I majored in Voice for a while and wrote hundreds of songs!  Of course, I do believe that music works its magic with words, too.

Just this afternoon I practiced guitar and ukulele.  When I play music, my thoughts go to other places just like when I read magazines, papers or books!

And don’t forget about dancing!  Ah, the Arts!  Such inspiration, all the way around!





Sunday, October 11, 2020

Rain Changes Everything

Why oh why does it seem the world comes to a halt when it rains?  Okay, sometimes it’s justified if the weather is very bad.

Me, I love the rain, obliviously!  One of my hobbies is taking pictures, simply for fun, and I enjoy taking water pictures or ones in the rain.  I like getting pictures of water drops.  Needless to say, I do love the water.

Too much rain, flood warnings, turning your yard into a mini lake, well that’s not too much fun.  I’ve traveled in some terrifically bad storms as well.  One time I was on my way to Asheville and I couldn’t see a thing the rain was so bad.  I pulled over at a Mickey D’s - anyone that know me, knows that I never eat there but on that particular night it was the only place I could find to stop and I got a hot chocolate with whipped cream before I continued on.

I think rain is cleansing.  I looked outside this morning and thought everything looks cleaner in the rain.  And here it’s not that clean because it’s fall and leaves are falling so they are absolutely everywhere.  

I just enjoyed a drive down a country road in the rain.  It was sort of a mist.  Leaves are just beginning to turn colors with the fall.  Horses and cows were grazing in the grass as the rain wasn’t too bad to have the cows lying down yet.  No one was outside.  A few other cars passing here and there, drive thru’s were full because no one wants to get out of their cars in the rain unless they must.

Rain is a necessity most of the time.  Rain to me is soothing.  

What a nice way to end a lazy Sunday, with reading, a country road drive, answering some messages, taking a few rain pictures and oh yes typing this post.  Rain is cleansing, after all.



Sunday, September 27, 2020

This Writer Doesn’t Retreat

As a writer, often I see places advertised that you can rent, workshops you can attend or contests you can enter to win a writers retreat.  Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?  A place to go and simply be and just write.  No worries except for day to day things you have to do like eat, sleep, bathe, etc.

I do know when I go on vacation, I always take a laptop, and notepad so I can write.  I’m usually quite productive on those trips.

Somehow, though, I don’t think I’d get all that much done if I was at an isolated place for a week or longer.  I don’t think I could check out of my non-writing life long enough to not worry, to not be constantly checking in to make sure everything was ok at home.  And for me, it would be even worse if there was no wifi or internet.  I don’t live on social media, or have to be constantly connected, but I do like the option of having the ability to make a call or send a text on my smart phone if it’s necessary.

Of course, I have never tried a writer’s retreat.  And it probably won’t come as any surprise that I’m not the type to retreat in any sense of the word, or if I do it’s usually long enough to regroup and start again.  

It depends on what I’m working on as to how much quiet and alone time I need.  I have an office space where I live and it’s also where I practice my guitar and ukulele.  I do have the option of closing the door, and sometimes I do, but usually I don’t.  I like to hear what’s going on or at least be aware of it.  Of course, if the dog is barking at the wind, deer or any of the other assorted wild critters that come up in the woods then I may have difficulty tuning that out.  

I am quiet by nature and don’t like a lot of noise or being around people who talk to much (hello, my whole family is mostly made up of extroverts so that takes some adapting) and I actually prefer to be alone.  I would probably enjoy getting away for a day or two or even a week.  I’m not sure if I would be motivated to write and work on my projects simply because it seems I need that every day jab of my every day life to keep me on task.  I write certain hours each weeknight and different hours on the weekends.  What would I possibly do with all that time to simply think and write?  I imagine the ideas that I get during the early morning, during the night that I cannot always address or sadly remember to write down would become works for me.  Maybe a poem or play, or short story.  Who knows?

My writing is only limited by the time I give it.  And while I may not be willing to retreat somewhere to work on it, I have at least carved out a space by a window in my office to write, and a space near a different one to read.  I take time at lunch most days to read as well.  I read by lamp light in my favorite chair.

Some days, I may give up on my writing and want to quit, but it is a part of me and has been since I was very young.  I take heart that I may have to take a break for a while or stop working on a project and start something new sometimes but that I keep going.  

I am a writer.  And this writer, never retreats!










                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Plans, What plans?

It seems this year has been one of blowing your plans to well wherever you want to say or insert here.  I know we’ve had to cancel trips, family and business, and change quite a bit of how we go about our daily lives.  

I thought today, who’d ever thought I’d be using a coat rack to hang masks on?  Who ever thought a mask would become an accessory?

This weekend is a holiday weekend.  Usually we take a mini trip somewhere every year.  Due to a family life change, we couldn’t even do that.  We had planned to go somewhere with not a lot of people.

I prefer going somewhere with not a lot of people anyway but it made me very sad to have to cancel our family getaway.  Many people, however, are still traveling and some social distance on vacation better than others.

I, though, don’t want to see pictures of other people’s trips or hear about what a great time they are having, social distancing or not.   It’s hard to even think any of this will pass and things will ever be like they were.

I’ve learned, though, to not think of the past and to be more flexible and on the spot or spontaneous - I’m a planner, we don’t do last minute well, not like ever!  That’s a positive in this.  And I’ve learned plans can be made as long as you are willing to adjust them.  

I use what I call light planning now - and more of going with the flow thinking if this slot of time opens up, then perhaps we can do this or get that done, etc.  I know writers are supposed to use outlines and think about what we’re going to say or write, but to me part of the fun of writing is to figure it out as I go along.

I have to apply that to regular life - figure it out as you go along.  And keep plenty of paper, note pads, whatever to make notes just in case.







Sunday, August 16, 2020

Why is the Glove you use on your dominant hand always the one that gets a hole in it?

This is the question I get asked as my boys come in from working outside.  I think they were building flower pots or benches or both.  It’s hot, it’s summer in the south, and I had a pressing matter to attend to inside so that’s where I stayed (except to walk the dog).  

How easy it is to go through work gloves, gardening gloves, winter gloves (we have all 4 seasons here), and plastic gloves?  I’ve had to use my share of plastic gloves (please don’t write to me about filling up the land fill, I’ve been eco conscious since before it became a political issue, my use of plastic gloves is for a medical reason (not my own)) lately so it seems we’re all using gloves.

I wear them in the winter.  I have to, I get cold.  I have several pairs.  

When the question, though, about the glove with the holes (a rather sturdy more expensive type of work glove and not from the $1 bin), I say that sounds like the title of a country western or cowboy song likening it to one of my favorite groups, Riders in the Sky.  (Try listening to them and not smiling, just sayin’.). The reply I get back is that it sounds like a poem title.  

Well, probably not for one of mine.  I have written a cowboy poem or two, but not many.  I tend to follow in Whitman’s footsteps and write exclusively in free verse.  I do enjoy writing social or eco poems (not nature, more along the be aware of the environment verse) and science fiction poems.  

I thought perhaps the quandary of the holes in the glove for the dominate hand seemed more suited to a blog post - well, this one, and not a poem.  It seemed to fit.

So many things don’t seem to fit these days, especially for me.  As much as I keep telling myself the only through is through, I don’t really believe it.  

As a result, planning, for me, has somewhat fallen through the holes in the glove.  And like this post, simply unplanned, maybe life, or at least my day, will be all the better for it.







Sunday, July 26, 2020

Take time to See What’s out the Window and Imagine what Isn’t

Recently, I was puttering on Insta, looking at pictures, trying to figure out what to post for my own Insta accounts, trying to pick a Book Cover picture to promote my latest book signing (wearing a mask, from 6 feet, of course!) and I came across my own pictures of sunsets.  I also came across other pictures of people outside on beautiful sunny days.

I prefer rainy days, but I enjoy sunny ones as well.  (No, I’m not going to don a dress and start belting songs from “The Sound of Music” anytime soon.).  It occurred to me, that I never open the curtains except for the plants to get sunlight or maybe I open the blinds at breakfast.  I don’t have a window in my office at work or near my desk in my writing room on purpose - yes, here I am another day dreaming reader who would stare out of the window all day long if I could and then I would get ZERO work done!

But windows are not just for the imagination, I thought.  They are for letting in some sunshine, too.  

What an eye opening experience.  I asked myself, I asked my husband why have I not been opening the curtains more often?  

Of course, there was no good answer to that.  It’s almost as if I forget the sun existed except in instances where I sought it out.

When I was a kid in elementary school, I was super quiet and never ever in trouble ... except for one thing - I would always but always stop and stare out of the windows when I would be in the stairwells.  I would be late for class, I would take too long to run a teacher errand, and I would get caught and get in trouble for it. 

It was my 4th grade teacher who ended my getting in trouble because he actually asked me why do you stop and stare out of the windows all the time?  I told him because I like to see what else is out there and to imagine what isn’t.  

After that, no one minded that I took a little longer to walk past the windows.  








Sunday, July 12, 2020

What Goes Around Goes Around (aka There Will be Mud)

Yesterday, we went hiking with some friends around a lake in the mountain off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  There are a few different ways to get on the trail, and the lake itself is something you cross while traveling on the Parkway.  So, while we had been by it here and there, we hadn’t actually been on the trail itself in many years.

While preparing to go hiking, I tried to remember what I could of the last time I’d been on the trail.  The only thing I could remember about it was that it was muddy.

While I like being outdoors and spent most of my childhood in a tree, or climbing one, I’m not really a hardcore hiker.   Without going into TMI and too many details, I am not the most surefooted person in the world even with a hiking stick.  

Thinking there would still be mud, after all these years, I still took my hiking stick.  It’s decorative, heavy and large.  (If I keep going on trails, I need to get some of those lighter weight collapsible hiking sticks to use!). 

What else did I pack?  Bottled water, snacks, a notebook in case I wanted to write something, and a small purse (very tiny) with some first aid supplies. 

The walk was 2.5 miles.  There were lots of tree roots and slick spots, hard for me - not so much for everyone else.  We saw a snake!  Actually, I spotted it coiled up, resting and hiding.  I was proud of myself for not screaming!

We saw other families, warning them of the snake sighting or saying “Hi.”  Some wore masks.  Some didn’t.  And there were plenty of dogs.  And there was also plenty of kayaks, canoes and paddle boards on the lake.

It was a beautiful day for a hike.  It was simply a beautiful place to be.

I’m not sure why it took us so many years to come back to this trail - maybe because I’m not so big on hiking or walking trails much due to my lack of balance.  It was my friend who suggested we go hike the lake trail because she likes to hike.  I am glad that we went.  I’m all for new experiences or even trying something we did once again to see what it’s like the second time!

It’s hard sometimes to try something new.  It’s hard sometimes to back off your typical weekly or weekend routine.

It was a good way to kick off our weekend (later that same day we helped my Mom clean our her freezer, and then we did the normal morning chores list later that afternoon when we got home) and get out and about.  You can’t have experiences if you never “experience” anything.

And if the worst thing you encounter is mud (and a snake), you’ll probably be fine.  I kept my white and pink shoes out of the mud by the way, and I traversed even the trickiest of muddied spots without landing in it.

It’s safe to say, in life, there’s always but always gonna be some kind of mud and you’ll be better off for having been in it, around it, or near it!







Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The River Tales

One of my favorite all time books or book of stories is “The Canterbury Tales.”  I absolutely loved it when we studied it in my British Lit class in college.   “Beowulf” not so much even with the movie and popular recent translation.  I was fascinated by British works for some time.

I was lucky as I actually got to visit several of the real locations in “The Canterbury Tales” on a trip to England.  It’s like a wanderer’s tale, all the travelers he meets along the way.

I felt like that yesterday while riding bikes along a river trail.  I headed out on it with no cell service as it’s just that remote and with no maps either.  I suppose I thought there would be trail markers along the way.  There were mile markers and one information billboard, that was it.  I didn’t think to stop and pick up a map or even look for one, just blindly hopping on my rented bike and heading out.

It was an excellent weather day.  I did have extra tire tubes and tools in case I got a flat - not that I have any idea how to change a bicycle tire in the first place.  I had a mountain bike, I think, with those wide thick tires.

So with extra gear in tow, a few energy bars, a cell phone useless except as a camera as there’s no cell service at all on the trail, and water, I headed out.  I was looking for a specific spot on the trail.   This trail had been used for the C&O railroad.  It stopped being used in 1958.  I don’t know when the railroad tracks where pulled up and a trail was made, but it’s a good use of a former train run in my opinion.

At first the trail was paved, then a gravel path finally ending in dirt and mud.  Some places it was all the way across and wide enough for a car.  Other places it was two narrow paths on either side.  A lot of poison ivy bordered the trail, causing me to ride in the middle so my ankles didn’t brush the poisonous plant.

The trail runs along the river.  With the lack of rain, it’s shallow now.  I’ve seen it before, overflowing.

I had to make myself keep looking straight ahead and not at the river so I didn’t accidentally head down the embankment into the water.  (Later on there was a rope swing and I could’ve landed in the river on purpose, but didn’t!  As a kid, I would’ve been on that rope swing in a flash.  Now I overthink things, (sigh)).

My intended trail sight was about 10 miles from my start point.  And along the way 3, maybe 4 maybe even 5 times, I wanted to give up.  Each time I stopped about ready to turn around, another biker would come along.  I would ask them about the landmark and the trail.  Each time they encouraged me to keep going.

I would continue forth a little longer and then get tired and stop again.  A lady who passed me going the other way told me where it was, but when I didn’t find the spot 2-3 miles later I was about to give up again.

Then came along a Grandfather and his Grandson traveling the same way as me, but faster.  The Grandfather had been there before and he told me we were close.  A few pedals later, he stopped and handed me a map he’d found discarded on the trail.  He said he didn’t need it as he had 2 maps already from his previous trail rides.  He and his Grandson kept on riding and I followed way behind them.

Finally, I made it there, to the bridge crossing the river, to the old railroad tunnel underneath the thick mountain rocks.  The Grandfather and his Grandson were near the riverside, having taken the steps down to it.  The Grandson was on the rope swing!  (He did get in the river!)

I smiled and waved at them and rode across the wooden bridge and went on through the tunnel, in the dark, and then turned around and came back.  It was well worth the long trip and I was thankful for the travelers I met along the way!

After I took a few pictures, I thanked the Grandfather and Grandson for showing me the way, and then I made the long trek back probably in much faster time than on the way there.  I had my own traveling Tale, my own Canterbury right beside the Greenbrier river, on a cool summer mountain day.

Stop the Glow

Stop the Glow

Curb the flow
Don’t let the little
Screen
Flash light on your
Face
Take time to put
It
Down and see the
Real
World: forest, waterfalls, lakes
Talk
To people and listen
Read
A book or newspaper
And
Watch the red melting
Sunset
Don’t even pick it
Up
Let that phone hibernate
And
Go off grid

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Take time to Stop and Smell the Tigger (Tiger) Lillies

Today while riding bikes on the Greenway, I saw a few Tiger Lilies either ready to bloom or full-blown bloomed.  The orange and pink ones were at full bloom.  The yellow ones were just budding.

Growing up, my Dad always called Tiger Lillies, “Tigger” lilies.  He like to say things in unusual ways or change words around.  Of course, we both read Winnie the Pooh.

He was an avid reader, like me.  We often shared books.  I have another blog devoted to the books he left me.  I hope to get to them all one day.

It’s hard when you’ve lost a parent and all you have left of them are memories and things.  This time of year is especially hard for me.  You just don’t forget the birthday day of someone who was special to you.

Seeing the Tiger Lilies bouncing along the trail as I rode by erased my melancholy feelings and filled me with joy.  Then later after the bike ride, I discussed a poetry class I’m teaching tomorrow and participated in a poetry radio show that’s online.  Anything to do with poetry, usually fills me with joy as well.

Be sure to spend time doing things that fill you with joy.  And be sure that joy fills your time.

Sunday, June 7, 2020

The Blank Journal

I received a blank journal in the mail.  I love to write long hand still preferring to write out my poems and then edit weeks or months or years later when I type them.  I don’t write stories out, I do type those. Still, I was pleasantly surprised to receive this blank journal from a publication I get in the mail.  It’s as if they are encouraging you to write your own story.

I try to relate what I write in my stories to real life.  Many things I put in them are events or people I have observed.  But you have to know what will work in your story or won’t.  You have to know what pieces to keep, what pieces to discard.

Just like with a blank journal:  What will you put on the pages?, What will you keep?  What will you leave blank?

The possibilities are endless.  Part of the fun in the love of writing, is starting with that blank piece of paper and seeing where it ends up!

What will you put in your journal?

Bicycle Poem

How fast the bike zooms downhill at speed around curves be sure to dodge the cars, the kids, the dogs, the skateboards and oh yes the mailboxes, be sure to lean in or lean forward to catch the wind the sun glinting down on your helmet your hands loose or tight on the brakes the gears cluck and click when you turn them up or down on the hills you can coast on the flat parts ride slow or fast and then uphill zig and zag and try to maintain your energy your speed how fast the bike zooms past the creeks the walkers on the same pathway and over small wooden bridges the water gurgles along the path and in the hot blazing sun each patch of shade becomes an oasis the green tall grass and weeds wave and salute as the feet and the gears churn up and down then circling around and finally back up the long steep hill so much fun to zoom down but much slower going back and walking up the ride complete.

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Read Your Poems

Often when I critique poems or manuscripts for poets, I recommend they read their poems out loud.  When you do this, you can hear the flow, how it sounds, if you have the spacing and punctuation right, etc.

You can also hear if you have used words that are hard to pronounce.  I am a word lover so I often use words that no I can’t really pronounce even if I’ve used a Dictionary app to tell me how to say them.

Some poems are better on paper to be read.  Some poems are better to be read aloud.  It truly depends on the poem!

As with writing itself, when you write your poems ask yourself what is the intended outcome of your poem?  Are you sharing it with a loved one, is it just for you, do you want it published somewhere, do you want it in a poetry book, or is it more suited to a song lyric with added music?  There are so many outcomes.

Many a time, I’ve picked up a book that once I start or finish reading it I realize it probably would’ve been better as a short story, and so on.  You have to know what form your work truly fits.

Reading your poems out loud, though, can give a new life to your work.  These days with so much online, video meetings and readings and so on, you have plenty of opportunities to read a poem for an open mic.  It’s good to workshop a poem that way.

Everyone has their own process for writing.  I like to handwrite most of my poems and then rework them when I type them into my tablet or computer.  After that, I may read them at an open mic to make sure I get everything exactly right.

You can also practice reading other favorite poems by other poets.  That will give you good practice as well.

Reading your poems so you can hear them is so important even if you get someone else to read them to you!



Sunday, May 17, 2020

Backgrounds

With all the stay at home orders, or just plain staying at home when you’re not at work if you’re an essential worker, more of us (me included) have been using those built in cameras on our devices, you know as actual cameras!  I don’t really think about the camera on my computer or tablet, as I’m either using a regular one or the one on my smart phone to take videos or pictures.  Until now, I haven’t really used them for online meetings.

This past week, I was in a virtual meeting two times.  I’ve met with some of my friends two other times so we could catch up with each other in a way besides our group texts.

I also participated in a few radio shows, where there was no visual representation only voices.  And also in a couple of visual poetry readings and a writing workshop here or there.  I also videoed myself reading some poems for a virtual poetry reading celebration.

I’ve got a YouTube channel, as most authors do, but I don’t do a lot with it.  I post the occasional video from a poetry or book reading, or from an open mic night.  I also post train videos!  I really have done very little with my channel.  (Search LB Sedlacek on YT if you want to subscribe.).

As a result, I’ve done very little with my cameras.  Usually any video I’m posting is filmed outdoors or at a venue like a book store or art space.

Filming or doing a live feed indoors, though, I’ve noticed presents a whole new challenge.  What do you have in your background?

What’s behind your head?  When I used one service on my phone, I could change my background to any picture I wanted so I used a sunset.  Upon using that same service on my computer, I couldn’t use a picture background.  I had to use what was right behind me!

What’s behind my computer desk?  My friends from the group text, were discussing how interesting it is!  A bookshelf is behind my chair, behind my desk.  If you weren’t aware of it, I love Scooby-Doo!  I have a few Scooby-Doo items in my bookshelf.  The same bookshelf where I keep my writing supplies and copies of my books to sell at readings, etc.  I also have a few toys I’ve saved for sentimental reasons. I have other bookshelves with actual books on them, some mine, some by my favorite authors.  The shelf behind me, if I’m on camera, doesn’t have any books in it other than my author copies!

I thought about trying to put up a poster about my books - I have “Poetry in LA” and “The Mailbox of the Kindred” covers to go behind me and cover the bookshelf.  I couldn’t quite figure out the logistics.  I thought about moving my camera. Too much trouble!  I thought about just using my phone and going outside, but it would’ve been too noisy.

In the end, I decided to just keep my background representative of me:  full of writing supplies and author copies and toys and yes Scooby-Doo!  (Did you see the new movie “Scoob!”?  It’s awesome!”). I’m not on TV, I don’t have to worry about my smart looking background or being rated on how great it is in a magazine, lol.

I think backgrounds of all kinds, where your from, what you like, things you experienced growing up or not, all contribute to your writing life.  And yes, what’s behind you can contribute to it, too!  I don’t write anything much related to toys or cartoons, but it somewhat keeps me kid like and helps my imagination to soar, and that’s what you need whenever you write.

What’s in your background?  Comment here, I’d love to know!



Sunday, May 3, 2020

Remote Writing or Not Everyone Can Write “Harry Potter”

Writing on the road.  Writing in the wilderness?

Either one used to have to be done by pen or pencil and paper and then you would type your post later.  But now it’s easier than ever to post from wherever you may be.

Right now, I’m sitting at a picnic table by a grill with a fire going and also fighting off bugs of all colors and sizes.  There are lanterns,  which brings more bugs.

It’s a typical Spring southern night.  It’s cool, but warm.

What’s on the table besides my tablet?  Water bottles, bags of various chips, food from the grill, condiments, flashlights, and plastic utensils.  There’s also a smart phone.

We decided to use the smart phone to call a relative in a different state to check on them and we have been talking for some time while I post.  How nice it is to hear a real voice on the phone or to actually use your smart phone as an actual phone.

How different is that?  My screen time was down 24% last week according to my phone.  That means I’ve not been using it so much for social media.

That makes me think of the different ways of writing.  How was writing intended to be displayed or consumed or shared in the first place?  How do you write?  Why do you write?  What is your end goal for what you write?

As my father in law put it, not everyone can write “Harry Potter.”  Truth be told, I wouldn’t want to have written that book even as successful as they are.  I write for myself in the genres I like (poetry, mystery, sci fi, romance) and I write for my audience at the same time.  I am also super content to have a few true real fans of my writing.  I do think I would enjoy having one huge best seller, but I wouldn’t want to have to be required to churn out more mimicking works of the same said best seller unless that’s what I wanted to write.

The freedom from writing outdoors is the same freedom you should feel when you write..  It needs to be something you like to do, have to do as well as something you can do for a living or extra income.

It’s living your life as a writer that matters.




Sunday, April 26, 2020

I’m NOT Bored (or No Electronic Lobotomies Here)

Really.  I'm not bored.  In fact, I am rarely bored.  I never say it.  I hardly every think it.  I’ve probably never really thought about the state of being bored since I was a child.  At that point, my options were limited to playing in my room, what my parents would allow me to do for after school activities, playing in my yard, stuff like that.

These days, though, as an adult with countless responsibilities, I am not bored.  During this time of the pandemic (COVID-19), it seems, though, that many people of all ages are bored at home ... at least they are posting on social media that they are.  Why are they bored?  One of my sister in law’s tells her kids if they say they are bored, then they need more chores to do!

Even if I have an abundance of free time, rare again for me, I am not the type to sit and watch endless TV or binge watch anything.  It’s just not that interesting to me to watch show after show after show, or movie after movie. I do enjoy reading, but I’m not going to spend all day doing that either unless I’m on vacation and even then maybe for a few hours here and there.

I’m not bored probably because I have always believed in making the most of each drop of free time you get.  For me, I would and do use that time to read, write, meditate, take a walk, work out in the yard, go swimming, go bike riding, get groceries for people who can’t get them themselves, talk to a friend, write some more, write a letter, send a friend an email, think, cook, play my guitar or ukulele, play a game, sing, something other than sitting around (or standing) and saying I’m bored.  We have more options than ever to occupy our time.  In order to not be bored, though, you have to have goals, a future goal, or end goal in mind set for something - i.e. you need to be thinking about something or planning something or actually doing something.  And if you just can’t think of anything to do, there’s always volunteering.  I’ve done some of that, too.

I’m fortunate to have visited or to have lived in many places, so I have a lot of interests including social media scrolling (it’s a time sink, and I usually find I’m kicking myself at how much time I’ve wasted upon doing it).  Maybe that’s where the “I’m Bored” anthem of a socially raised and bred generation gets it from ... life doesn’t really happen in short snippets or 60 seconds (or less) bursts of time on a video or in a meme or in a post.  It’s as if we’ve let artificial intelligence invade the front lobes of our brains to give us an electronic lobotomy.   Why?  It’s simply counterproductive.  How meaningful is your online life vs your real life?

Each day I make a list of things I need to do for myself, my job, my writing, my relatives, my family, etc. to see what is the most pressing.  Never does that list include how to spend my downtown because if I have any, I will do any of the things I’ve mentioned above.  I think if you fill up your life with good things for yourself, your family, your friends, your passions, you are not going to be bored.

The trick is you have to find what means the most to you and take time for that.  Don’t ever take time, though, to be bored, pandemic or not, each moment, each second, is precious and you won’t ever get those back, but you knew that already.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

The Line and Length of a Poem or Let the Length or Not Be With You

Sometimes, I write short poems.  Sometime, I write long poems.  Sometimes, I write poems that aren’t long or short.  It depends on the poem, in my opinion, as to how long it is.

At first, when I wrote poems, they were probably around 4-5 verses or about half a page.  Later on, I wrote longer 2 page poems.  I even wrote a poem novel.  A poem novel is a novel like story told in mostly prose poems, or free verse maybe even rhymes.

I read poetry all the time and noticed some of my favorite poets were writing or wrote short poems.  Also some of those short word count short stories came to mind as well.  I thought I would try my hand at writing short poems.  Oh I’ve written some haiku and light verse poems.  These short poems would be short free verse poems.

To me, the poem will let you know the line length.  You will feel it as you write or edit it later.

I spent some time writing shorter poems.  Sometimes, I even wrote poems that filled a page but the lines were only one word each, maybe two.

I tend to write in the style of using a matching word count on each line.  By that, I mean that I’m using exactly 4 words on each line or maybe 3 words on one line, 4 words on the next and so on.

I write how I feel it best fits the poem.  I have written a few longer poems.  One of my favorites is a 3 page poem in my poetry book “The Architect of French Fries” published by Presa Press in 2019.  It’s a poem about what might happen in the event of a nuclear war.  The poem is based on a very real conversation I had sitting in a Chinese restaurant in Washington DC in Spring.  The restaurant was playing Christmas music the whole time, even in Spring, giving the conversation, and my poem, a very surreal eerie feel.

I‘ve written a couple of other longer poems, both for 2 new poetry manuscripts I’m finishing up.  The first one is 8 pages long about computers.  The other one in the other manuscript is 17 pages long - yes, 17 pages!  It’s about writing.

I want to shout from the virtual rooftops, or screens, that hey yes you people who hear me read poems at readings (locally) and then comment your poems are sure short, you sure get to the punchline really quick, that hey yes, I do write longer poems and oh yes I’ve just finished one that is 17 pages long!  Now, it’s not a dense poem, like other poets might write.  If I want to write a novel, novella, story, then I will not put it in a poem.

I think the line length will come to you as you write.  I think you do need to consider the message of your poem when you write, and don’t make it so long or so dense that readers lose interest or can’t understand it.

The words, verses, use of space and lines and what your poem is saying is so much of what the poem is about versus how long or short it is.  No matter what, your line length is yours and yours alone!

Monday, April 13, 2020

COVID-19 poem

My COVID-19 poem:

COVID-19
By LB Sedlacek

It’s like when we were kids
the Polio scare
we had to stay in our yards
my Uncle tells me
I call every so many days to
check on him, he lives far away
there are jokes about how clean
everyone’s homes are now, how
great their yards look, or flowers or
plants, but you have to admit the
air is clear, the flowers glitter with
their perfume smells, and we will
all enjoy fresh produce from our
gardens, still
we wear masks to go out in public,
at least we should, and go out only
for essentials, but what is
essential to you may not seem so
essential to me, vacuuming your car,
probably not, washing your car,
probably not, flying a bi-plane
around in circles, probably not
and what about food and other items
why are they so hard to get, what
are you doing with all that
toilet paper you aren’t sharing anyway,
what about bread, flour, milk, eggs
do you need that much, and then there’s
the virtual life, some working from home,
if you aren’t essential, are you meeting in
your PJ’s, listening to sermons in your PJ’s
and then you can’t panic, you can’t worry
if there will be enough masks, if there
are enough gloves, if there are enough
gowns, if personal protective equipment
is enough, if it will ever be enough
so stop reading articles about it, and
stop watching TV about it, don’t listen
to the news, go out for exercise, you can
it’s essential, and make things, yes
make your own food, your own hand
sanitizer because you can’t find it either,
and don’t be bored, you should never
be bored, if you are you need something
good and real to occupy your time, make
art, create art, be art, and write or read
don’t dwell on the untold the unreal
because this is really happening, no
Zombies or Aliens from another planet,
you need to train yourself to
learn the proper way to dispose of gloves
so you aren’t spreading germs around
whatever you do, count each second as
one that you never had before and look
forward, because one day this will be just
another poem about how things used to be
my Uncle told me about how chocolate
candy was rationed and you could
only buy one bar at a time, back in wartime
but one of the store owners liked him, it was
the only store in town, and he’d save a bar
for him, put back one for him to have
and we are fighting a war again but
not against each other
because this is a biological virus war
we are fighting and one day we will win!

Copyright LB Sedlacek 2020
www.lbsedlacek.com



Sunday, April 5, 2020

Writing from a Distance

It’s true writers are used to writing from a distance.  Generally, writing is a solitary sport.  With the news at hand, the virus keeping most all of us at home, it seems writers (and other artists) are more connected than ever with each other and their audiences.

To stay connected, writers and artists are offering live videos or videos of them reading poems or playing music.  There are live talks about life in general which lets you see the writer or artist in their own home in person.  One artist even gave out her cell number to text her fans directly.  Plus,  online readings have become a thing.

I know it’s going to give me an opportunity to attend more poetry readings than ever anywhere in the country because I can now do it via a virtual meeting aka no driving, no flying, no long train rides.  Because people are not traveling except when essential, they are inevitably sending more messages, emails and texts.

It’s a way to be together and stay in touch, albeit online.  As an independent author, I’ve been doing a few things to reach out to my readers as well.

I’ve offered a few of my e-books for free.  Some, I’ve offered at a discount.  For real books, I’m offering a free beanie hat with a book bundle.  Or, a free book mark with a signed copy of my book, if someone orders from me direct.

It seems I’ve found a way to get closer to my readers even from afar.  Usually, I connect with them at live readings but now I’m finding different ways to share my works.

Of course, I’m reading a lot more myself, too.  I’m consuming literature via digital articles and e-books, books and magazines and the occasional newspaper,  Plus, I watch YT to listen to some of my favorite authors and poets read their works.

It’s an interesting way to consume the written word from elsewhere, and I feel more in touch with people today than I did weeks ago before the pandemic hit the world.  Writing is something that truly can reach folks most likely anywhere and everywhere.

I’m reviewing more books, too.  Sometimes, I only rate them on book apps I like.  Sometimes, I actually write a review.  I do write reviews of poetry books or chapbooks for my free monthly newsletter, “The Poetry Market Ezine.”  It’s an all digital publication and has been since I started it many years ago.

A local conference for writers and poets, is going all virtual.  Normally, I would’ve had to drive a couple of hours and spend all day there.  It’s exhilarating to spend all day writing or talking about writing at a conference, but the driving can make you tired before you get there not to mention you’re in a hotel or conference center all day without the comforts of home or comfortable clothing.

These days at home, I prefer to sit in my reading nook surrounded by a couple of small bookcases with my favorite books and a few mementoes on the shelves.  I have a comfortable chair and pillows, orange and purple decorative lights, and my dog sleeping beside me.  It’s the perfect place to write or make a post from far away.

Even though you’re far away, stay safe, stay healthy and keep reading!





Monday, March 23, 2020

What’s in a Review?

One of the ways it’s said that books sell is to have reviews.  Lots and lots of reviews!  Of course, you probably want good reviews to sell your books.

But how do you get them?  You can do what I do with some authors - it’s called a review swap!  It’s where we swap books and review them for each other.  Hopefully if you try this you will have a positive experience with it.

It’s a great way to read books in genres you wouldn’t normally read.  Plus you will make some nifty author connections as well.

It’s probably no surprise that as a writer, I also like to read.  My favorite genres to read are poetry, mysteries, sci fi, adventure and non-fiction.  I find out about books I like to read from reviews usually in articles, email book clubs or updates from bookstores, or in magazines.

I started thinking, though, about all the books these places must come across or receive for review.  How can anyone review that many books?

Many times the blurbs in a magazine sound really good, but when I get the book to read I don’t like it at all.  It’s like a movie tag line or an elevator pitch - you may not like the product as a whole or in this case book as a whole, but then again you may love it.

Now, I’m sort of an unconventional writer and poet.  I work in sales and marketing in my day job and I simply do things differently.  I do the same thing with my writing as I don’t really seek to get my books reviewed, and I know I’m not selling them so much based reviews.  I don’t truly worry about it.  It’s nice if someone gives my book a 4 star or 5 star review but it’s okay if they don’t!

What’s in a review?  A review is something you have to read with an open mind (as hopefully the reviewer did as well) and realize the reviewer might love, like, or hate the book and you as a reader might not feel the same way at all.

So by all means, go after those reviews or review swaps if you want, but don’t worry if you don’t.  I have had great success with my e-book and book sales with reviews and without!

It’s the writing that is important after all, and if your piece is meant to be read, it will be!

Friday, March 13, 2020

The Comfort of Poetry

Poems, poetry, and poets tend to be on the front line when it comes to writing for change.  During this time of worldwide crisis, with the Corona virus, we now need the comfort of words more than ever.

Why?  Reading something unrelated to the crisis at hand, can give you momentary relief while reminding you of the good things in life.

Or write about what you are feeling or experiencing during this trying time, this scary time.  Never could I have imagined such a thing happening.  It’s like the movies:  for me, “Outbreak” comes to mind.

Use a journal to jot down your ideas and notes.  Carry a notepad for doodling and special words.

You can read many poems and other works online for free or via ebooks.  Of course, there are books available to you to by ordering online or checking them out from the library.  I can go online even in my small town and reserve books I want from the library, then get a text when they are ready to be picked up and go inside to the checkout desk and check them out.

Write what you feel, or read!  I wrote my first poem about this crisis today - it’s an awful place to be, but it made me feel better and made me feel like I was doing something at the same time.

You can also try visual ways to consume the written or poetical word by looking at YouTube or maybe a fun movie while you write.  Blogging, such as I’m doing here, is another outlet for your written works.

I hope the next time I post, about this or simply in general, that there will have been some improvements to this crisis!  Take care and be well and safe out there!

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Does your book need a trailer?

Books get made into movies all the time.  So it stands to reason that there are now book trailers made for them.

I have seen a few here and there.  I usually find books I want to read by reading reviews or by picking them up in the library or bookstore and deciding if I want to read them or not.  I have not paid much attention to book trailers until just now.

I watched a few book trailers on YT yesterday to get some ideas to make my own.  I’ve done a lot of social media for my books, so why not a book trailer for my book that’s currently selling well and also one for which I gave a recent reading locally and sold all my copies.  The book I made the trailer for is “The Mailbox of the Kindred Spirit.”

I noticed many of the trailers I watched yesterday looked like movie trailers.  Some looked like a TV ad or commercial.

For my first one, I used a summary of the book, and pictures that I took from one of the very real locales in the book.  Add in some music and pretty fonts and colors and there you go,  I have a book trailer!

It’s only about a minute and a half.  It doesn’t have to be long.  I may try to do another trailer and/also enlist professional help when/if I do.

Once I finished it and posted it, I watched my own trailer several times and if I was a reader who enjoyed the genre my book is written in, I believe it would make me want to read the book.  It’s already inspired an idea of another place for me to sell them.

There is a place for book trailers.  So leap to the next level and get one going for your book or watch them from your favorite author or a new one and you may discover something fun to read!

Monday, February 10, 2020

Short vs Long Poems or The Long and Short of It!

Does length really matter?  Go ahead, laugh!  It’s okay.

I find at poetry readings and/or open mics, invariably someone will comment to me on the length of my poems.  Do they say anything about how long my 3 page poem is?  No!  But they do if it’s short.

Is there something wrong with short poems?  I used to almost always write very long poems.  Later on, maybe they were somewhere in-between long and short.  Recently, I started writing some shorter poems just because I wanted to see if I could.

Some of the most famous poems can be rather short in length.  I don’t think the length or lack of length of the poem is the most important part, but rather what you are saying in it and your use of spacing, line length, verses, form or not, all sort of things.

It’s what’s in the poem that counts!  Your poem will speak to you ... and then you decide while writing how the long and short of it!

Monday, January 27, 2020

What’s in a Poem of your Own?

When you write your poems, what are you thinking?  Do you consider the subject, style, form, word count, spacing, verses, line count or what?

Each poem is yours individually.  It is after all your poem.

Recently, I had someone I don’t know criticize one of my published poems suggesting I rearrange everything to their liking.  Did I do that?  No, of course not.  It is my poem, after all.  The suggestion is something I considered, but the poem was already published.  Not only does the critic, who I have no idea if they actually are a writer or what, insult the poem but also insults the publisher.  The editing is best for the pre-publishing not afterwards unless the publication simply wants it to go that way.

Would I consider a re-write of my poem?  I looked at it, but I liked it the way it was.  It was based on a personal experience and thoughts I had while composing the poem.  I think as a reader of poems you can take away what you want to from a poem realizing you aren’t necessarily going to like what you read and that if it were yours you may have written it differently.

Respect the poem!  Or at least respect someone else’s work.  If you don’t like it, you certainly can move on and not read it or read it again.

If you are the poet, remember, it is after all your poem and it’s up to you if you want to get feedback on how to do it differently if you want.  I also throw out that old adage, consider the source before changing anything!

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Fresh paper and Length Doesn’t Matter

I just got started a new journal for writing new poems.  It’s like a fresh start of words.  My biggest dilemma was in choosing which journal I wanted to use next.  Of course, I have a lot of them!

What to put inside is next.  What type of poems do I want to write this time?

Sometimes people comment on the length of my poems.  I write short, long and medium poems.  I think it depends on the poem itself as to the length.

Same with the journal.  I think it depends on the journal itself how you write in it.

This particular one is being filled with more feelings and retrospective type poems.  And I’m using my favorite color ink, too!

That’s the way to do it - get your journal (or your notebook) and your favorite color and write (or type away)!

Thursday, January 23, 2020

How to Sell more Poetry Books, 101

I admit I do sell an occasional poetry book to people who like to read my work.  Some I know.  Some I don’t.  I sell books and ebooks.  I sell online and in person.  I’ve sold more books in person than I have online.  Although these days it’s starting to be equal numbers when it comes to sales.

But how do you sell more poetry books?  How do you sell poetry if you don’t have your very own arts and craft or book store or booth?

I tried to think of some ways today.  I thought about peddling them from my car, always be carrying one around to sell, offer a workshop and sell them there, have a reading and sell, etc.  I’ve used online ads before offering bundles of books for a discounted price.

I suppose it helps to talk up your books everywhere and to sell them anywhere you find a reasonable place to sell them with an audience who will want to buy.  Maybe poetry events are a good place to try like a slam.

I have yet to determine the best way to sell more poetry books!  I did have an experience with a crowdfunding that raised enough money to buy several of my kid poetry books for kids.  That’s another way to go.

If you think of anything I haven’t thought of to sell your poetry books or if you have a method you use that works well, please let me know!  I think everyone should always have a poetry book in hand!  Just saying.  Poetry is life.  And books!

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Poetry Readings

Poetry readings!  If you are a poet, then you probably want to attend them, participate in the open mic and maybe be a featured reader.

It’s such a rewarding experience if you are a poet.  You learn so much.  You meet so many other fellow poets.

And you feel out your poems in a different way.  Hearing them out loud so different than reading them.

The next time you have a free evening check out the local readings in town.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Poetry and Addictions

Could you say I’m addicted to poetry?  Yes!  Recently, I told myself I needed to limit how many poetry books I buy or acquire because I have so many unread on my poetry bookshelf right now.  (Yes, I have a poetry bookshelf - don’t you?!?)

As I’ve taken time to begin sorting through things at home and at work, I’ve been looking at what I need to keep and what I don’t.  Same for the rest of the things in life:  such as eating and online!

I have been trying to give up certain foods for some time - you know the ones that taste good but that are so bad for you.  I have had a bit of luck with it, but it is hard.

The hardest thing for me to give up so far is not poetry, but soft drinks!  Yes, they are addictive - or really the sugar is.  I never drank the diet ones.

I have spent the last week giving up this addiction of mine.  I’ll see if it sticks!

Examine what works.  Examine what doesn’t.

Sometimes, it’s time to realize, like I did with soda, you don’t need it to live.  Poetry, however, I do need to live ....I just have to space out my purchases more so I have time to actually read the poetry I buy!

Sunday, January 12, 2020

No Picnicking, Support your favorite author

I have seen those words every time I sit in a cafeteria I go to and wait.  What does that mean?

They don’t want you using their tables to have a picnic.  They want you to buy their food.

But often they don’t serve something I can eat.  I will, however, try to purchase something there.

It’s called support.  I need to support the use of their tables and chairs for the time I’m sitting there taking it away from other paying customers.

Same with books.  Do you support authors and poets or do you always want to read everything for free?

Of course, there is a slew of content for no cost online.  Still, everyone has to eat.

The next time you read a particular author’s work for free, think about supporting them by buying a book or e-book.  Support is support.

And we all thank you.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Reading to Write

If you want to write, you should read, right?  But how to read?  Electronically, magazines, online articles, books?

You should read how and what you want.  If you prefer one medium over the other, then choose that. There’s no right way to read.

I like to read e-books when I travel.  If I’m not driving, I still cannot read a regular book or magazine in the car without getting car sick.  But I can read an e-book for a little bit.

I still love physical books and even magazines.  I use 2 e-book readers on my phone to read e-books.  I usually stick to online for news articles.  But I will also read the newspaper.

We either trade in the books for credits at a used book store (and get more books) if we don’t keep them.  We recycle everything else.

Reading, I know, makes me a better writer.  I am amazed, and not in a good way, of those folks who won’t even listen to an audiobook much less read a book who then call themselves writers!  Is it impossible to write without reading?  I’m sure it isn’t.  But to write well, it’s good to open up your mind to someone else’s way of writing.

If I’m working on a particular type of book or article, I may stay away from reading that same thing while I write so it doesn’t influence my work.  Research, though, is the exception.  If you don’t read, how can you research?

Reading gives you a chance to see how other books are marketed.  It also gives you a chance, sometimes, to connect with the authors in a positive way.

If I’m not writing, I’m going to be reading.  I read poetry every day unless I just can’t access it for some reason or if I’m not feeling well.  I think reading poems, and reading in general makes me a better writer!

Artemis at Sunset

As this year begins to come to a close, I thought about one of my favorite things to do: watching sunsets.  While I am often up early enough...