Connections with Authors

Besides being a writer and poet, I’m also a reader.  I have to admit when I get messages or emails from authors of books I’ve read, I get really excited.  I also love signed books!  I could care less about meeting any movie or TV stars or athletic stars or even political ones and I’ve met a few.  Nope, give me an author any day!

I was lucky to have met Maya Angelou because she was a Prof where I went to grad school.  Tom Clancy spoke at my graduation.  I have met several local poets in my area who are well-known.  I would love to meet Ted Kooser, as he’s my favorite poet.  

With social media, it’s so much fun to connect with my favorite writers.  Occasionally, I even get an email or message from a reader that likes some of my work.  

There are so many ways to connect with your readers, too.  I seem to connect the most via my email list (occasionally I send out newsletter like emails of upcoming events or new books coming out), with my website and with Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.  Most of my YT fans, though, like my train videos more than the ones about my writing.  I have written about trains, too!  

How do you or how will you connect with your readers?

A Change of Place

Sometimes it’s good to change places, no matter your daily pace.  See, I had to throw that pace word in there, lol.  

I’m an introvert like a lot of writers and poets, so it’s not my usual thing to want to go out and socialize at any time, and not just during this very unusual one we currently live in.  I am not the writer you will see camping out in a restaurant or coffee shop to write.  I am always curious about those who do.  I am sure it is beneficial to their writing experience and maybe it’s the only way they get the time to write.  I know I have to have my writing time scheduled in my writing nook so that’s what I usually do.

The other evening, though, I left my comfortable writing chair and my computer and instead met some friends to try a new place in town.  It’s not a bar or restaurant, but it serves a specialized type of food and so the atmosphere reflects it.  It was so refreshing to get out of my routine, to be in a different space for a while because I simply can’t achieve that same thing by watching a movie or TV show or putting away laundry for the umpteenth time.  For a few weeks, I had been unenthusiastic about writing anything or working on any of my projects.  But that quickly changed after I hung out for a few hours with my friends.  Now, this place was not crowded - a crowd around here is going to be 30 people or more in once place and chances are if there’s a crowd I won’t be in it unless I have to be.  (Yes, I’m a true introvert!)

This experience was just the jolt I needed to get my ideas churning again and to make plans on the current projects I’d been working on.  Like I like to say, sometimes it’s good to take yourself out of the usual equation and try a new formula.

While I was there, I didn’t think about anything except enjoying the music, the surroundings and the company of my friends. What do you do to get yourself motivated again with your writing?

When is a Poet not a Poet?

I didn’t start out as a Poet.  I started out writing stories.  Later on, I wrote plays, articles, and worked in business writing.  For the past several years, I spent the majority of my writing time on writing poems.  Lately, though, I have gone back to writing more fiction than poetry.

I have several ideas churning around and they take shape as a story more often than a poem.  It’s fun for me to write fiction as there are several ways to write it.  I can even include poetry here and there in my stories as well.  

Many years ago when I was a kid, I was browsing the local bookstore at the time.  Sadly, it closed but we do have a new one back in town now.  Way back then, I came across a book on writing that talked about knowing what form to put your idea in:  song, poem, story, article, script, play, and so on.  That always stuck with me.  

Sometimes, if you’re watching a movie or TV show or reading a book, do you ever think it’s too long, there are too many characters, the setting seems off and so on?  It’s probably because the form doesn’t fit the actual writing idea.

I am a poet and writer.  How about you?

Perspectives

 Have you ever gotten stuck with your writing?  I won’t use those two dreaded words that start with W and B, as I’m not referring to that.  I’m meaning have you ever wanted to write, had things to write, but just wanted to write differently or take a break on purpose or feel like you aren’t writing what and how you want or whatever else might be affecting your writing.

I tend to write in the same vein for a long time.  I started out writing a lot of environmental and social poems.  Then, I turned to place poetry.  I wrote several chapbooks.  I wrote several short stories and put together a short story collection.  Lately, I am writing more fiction than poems.  I use a variety of styles and genres each time.  I’m usually writing about what interests or inspires me.  I don’t want to feel like I have to write the same way with the same stuff all the time.

This morning, I woke up early really early.  I woke up in time to see the sunrise.  I’m a sunset lover and enjoy watching those nearly every evening, but the sunrise is also spectacular.  Because I was up so early, I thought why not go ahead and start the day off writing.  Usually, I write in the late afternoon or evenings.  

It’s good, though, to change your writing routine.  It’s good to change how you look at things.  Like with painting, you have a perspective when you write.  How will you write different? 

The Wandering Poet

If you’re a poet, do you look at things differently?  Or do you tend to stay in one place?  Or do you sometimes wonder or wander?

I have always enjoyed traveling whether it’s a day trip or a few days, a long weekend, etc.  But, like most everyone else traveling went by the wayside last year.  This means staying closer to home.  You can still wander, though, if you like. (And, of course wonder, too.)

I’m not a hiker.  I do like walking in the woods, or walking in general but the steep treacherous paths especially in the mountains are not for me.  Yesterday, I was attending an outdoor gathering by a river.  As the sun went down, it started to reflect on the water.  

I decided to take a short walk further into the woods to see what I could see.  I wasn’t going to get in or go through the water — too cold!  

The ground was damp and mushy even with my boots on (these are more like winter or hiking boots and not fashion boots).  The ground dipped in places and there were several steep drop offs.  I made my way slowly and carefully.  

Finally I came to a sort of clearing and I could see the sunset in an orange and red colorful glory.  It made the water seem as if it was on fire almost it was so bright.  

I was glad I took the chance and wandered off.  I was glad to see such a unusual but beautiful sight.

It’s always good to do something different, and the same goes for writing poetry.  Imagine all the poems about rivers, sunsets and walking in the woods.  Then think of how they could be different!

Where will you wander to next?

The Night Sky

 The sky, of course, has served as inspiration for so many things.  The night, too.  What can you really see when you take the time to look up?

It’s a fascinating subject to write about the moon, the stars, the sky, the night, and see what you come up with when you do.  If you’re using the sky in a poem or story, how do you use it?  

It stands to reason the sky does look different depending on the weather and your location.  Time, would play a factor, too.

The night sky is a constant and sometimes that’s needed in a work as well.  These are my pictures from last night.  There was a full moon!  It was definitely a glorious sight.  

When Poetry becomes Art

I was honored to have my poem selected recently as part of an outdoor art installation entitled “Of Earth and Sky.”  It’s currently on display outdoors in Charlotte, NC.  The art project used parts of each poet’s poem in the art.  My part of my poem is at Marshall park in downtown.  It’s white letters on stakes.  Another piece of a poem by another poet is nearby and it’s painted in the grass.  This park is idyllic with it’s reflecting pools, fountain, and curvy walkways amongst the trees.  It’s quite busy.  The day I was there, a model was being photographed, a wedding party arrived in a stretch limo, and there was a group having a picnic.  Plus, there were people exercising and/or walking their dogs.  It’s a popular place!

How different it is to see your words larger than life and outside in a park!  It completely changes one’s perspective on reading and/or viewing the poem.  It’s one thing to read a poem in a book, online or on paper.  It’s quite another to see it on display like an advertisement billboard.

My favorite poet Ted Kooser participated in an E-book of pictures of an artist with Kooser writing poems to go with.  It was really quite inventive.  At the end of the book Mr. Kooser and the artist had videos explaining their creative processes.  

All the arts, in my opinion, go together and complement each other.  I know I learned a great deal about writing dialogue in grad school for Theatre/Communications/Speech. 

A few years ago, I also participated in an art showing of paintings and photos with poems to go with.  That was an interesting experience for me to write a poem to go along with the art.  At my local Arts Council, an exhibit just finished and some of the photos used words as part of the art if not the entire piece.

I love to read words and learn new words!  To me, words are Art.  What kind of art will you create today?

Organic Writing

Organic.  It’s a word that’s tossed about a lot!  But what is it, when it’s applied to your writing?

I know I write that way.  I don’t tend to plot out in detailed outlines, or paste sticky notes all over the wall to work out my stories, books, or poems.  I like to get the idea, and piece it together as I go along.

You might think, well how does that work out for you very well?  It does mean I might begin to write pages, or verses and then have to go back and review to make sure it all goes together.  I like to edit as I write as well - a big no-no for most writers, but it’s the way I’m used to writing and how I’ve been doing it since middle school aka junior high.  

I do take notes when I write.  A lot of times I doodle!  I do imagine where my characters are, what they are doing.  And,  I do sketch out general ideas, and a few plot points here and there depending on what kind of story I’m writing.  I like to let ideas sift and gel in my head, too, and then get them down on paper.  I have some very strange voice memos in my phone, if you know what I mean.

To me, writing organically means that it’s all fresh.  It’s real.  Oftentimes, I will observe or overhear something I need for my poems or stories and I use it.  Once in a while, if I get stuck a lot of times someone tells me a story or I read something that makes me figure out where I need to go next with my work.

I believe that organic writing gives you that sense of real that makes a story or poem memorable, readable, relatable, and more.  So how do you like to write?

Poetry Pen Pals

Have you ever had a Pen Pal?  If you don’t know what that is, people actually used to write and exchange letters with one another whether they knew them or not.  You could find someone to write to in advertisements in magazines or newspapers.  Or, perhaps you did stay in contact this way with someone you actually knew.  I used to write letters to my Grandmother and some friends I had in Germany at one time.  I lost touch with the friends and my Grandmother passed away many years ago.

Now, we can stay in touch with social media, emails, texts and yes even letters!  Over the years, I have critiqued and reviewed the works of many poets with my Poetry Critique Service.  I also published a monthly free ezine, The Poetry Market Ezine, for 20 years specifically offering poetry resources just for poets.  I have made the acquaintances of a few poets this way keeping in touch with them not with letters but usually via email and sometimes even mail which usually involves exchanging poetry books and the like.

Of course as a Poet you should read the other works of other poets.  Usually that’s going to include classic poets and the contemporary famous poets.  But, you should also read work of your contemporaries.  And by that, I mean fellow poets publishing in the same magazines you are or simply publishing elsewhere.  It truly will give your own work a new perspective.  I also enjoy finding out what my poet friends are working on and/or reading.  It’s quite inspirational and also fun to chat or email with them about it all as well.

Next time you are looking for poems to read, why not try reading the works or touching base with a poet whose name you recognize or maybe one who has published your own work.  Or, if you read a poem you like by a fellow poet, shoot them an email and let them know your thoughts.  

It’s a super way to connect through poetry.  Plus, Poets supporting Poets simply means that poetry will stay alive and carry on!

Ah, Inspiration!

I am a big believer in inspiration.  I have always subscribed to the philosophy of learning by doing.  Same, with being inspired to write a poem or story.  

I never quite know when an idea might strike!  I have to tell you I have some rather odd memos in my phone.  

The other day I was in a bank checking something and they left me alone for a while to get a key and because the service was s l o w all I could do was look around and imagine all the possibilities for this, that or the other happening in a story or maybe poem set there.  I refrained from taking pictures or a memo while there because how might that look?  Being in a new setting can really get your writing juices going.

With inspiring thoughts, it’s better if I get struck by one during the day or at least when I’m awake.  I do keep pen and paper nearby if I need to jot something down in the dark.  I have done that before and most of the time I can translate my handwriting at night.  

When the moment comes, I will write on wrappers, scrap paper, napkins if I can’t get to my phone depending on where I am.  Sometimes, you can’t have your phone with you, etc.

An inspired piece to me has such a better flow than something that is forced.  What experiences have inspired you lately?

Read to Write

 If you’re a writer/poet, do you also like to read?  I do!  I read all the time.  I read books, e-books, articles, newspapers, magazines, practically anything I can get my hands on.  I enjoy going to book stores and wandering around!  I enjoy finding books for sale in boutique stores or even used book stores.  What fun!  It’s even more fun, to discover a book I really want to read.

I read a variety of types of writing:  non-fiction, biographies, mysteries, thrillers, adventure, sci fi, fantasy, and poetry.  Besides liking to read, I find that reading all these different things helps me to be a better writer/poet.

I can’t imagine trying to be a writer/poet and never reading anyone else’s works.  I can imagine you not reading something similar to your own so you don’t inadvertently get lost in their storyline instead of your own.

Reading makes me a better writer and poet.  If I read something written in a new way (for me) that gives me permission, so to speak, to write that way, too.  You can also learn technique this way - it’s great for people like me who like to learn by doing and not by reading endless textbooks, attending endless classes or taking endless tests (I’ve done all of it for College and Grad school and didn’t particularly like any of it especially if it had to do with Math!).  

It’s so easy to obtain materials to read:  online, library, thrift store or from sharing books with friends.  What kinds of books do you like to read?  How does reading make you a better writer/poet?