A Writing Community

Come play a game of 'Telephone' with poetry.

It should be fairly well known by now, at least in these circles, that Kathy and I are huge fans of Robert Okaji and his poetry. A few days ago, our beloved poet shared a published poem of his that was written as an adaptation of a Chinese poem. Robert O shared a Chinese to English translation of the original and his own adaptation, along with a bit of commentary on his choices. It was the…

Star-Crossed – For Love of Day, For Love of Night by Andrea Dietrich In shadows’ veils, at end of night, sweet Moon removes her modest light and softly, yet again, exhales – at end of night, in shadows’ veils. As she departs, her love’s released to climb the stairway to the east. They cannot meet to share their hearts. Her love’s released as she departs. She watches him while hid from view, the…

Wind On The Hill by A. A. Milne No one can tell me, Nobody knows, Where the wind comes from, Where the wind goes. It’s flying from somewhere As fast as it can, I couldn’t keep up with it, Not if I ran. But if I stopped holding The string of my kite, It would blow with the wind For a day and a night. And then when I found it, Wherever it blew, I should know that the wind Had been going there too.…

Dutch Lullaby by Eugene Field Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night Sailed off in a wooden shoe — Sailed on a river of crystal light, Into a sea of dew. “Where are you going, and what do you wish?” The old moon asked the three. “We have come to fish for the herring fish That live in this beautiful sea; Nets of silver and gold have we!” Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod. The old moon laughed and sang a…

Random Shuffle: A Song & A Poem

Monday night I clicked some random shuffle to life, and a few hours later I had a newborn poem. Love when that happens. Astound me: Reach inside my head to find me. Switch off those old melodies meant to keep me in captivity, fading away with a faded-heart disease — bereft of dazzle & glory. Astound me: Let you be you & I’ll be me. A middle-aged woman, that’s me, as unsung & unseen as I used to…

Disconnected Phrases & Haunting Images: What Fills A Writer’s Notebook

Throughout the month of February, t.s. wright and I have been enjoying the Southeast Review’s Daily Writer’s Regimen. On Day Twenty-Two, Anne Valente’s Craft Talk, “Constellated Images” was featured. I will now share this with you. ANNE VALENTE “CONSTELLATED IMAGES”   In his recent Writers’ Chronicle article, “The Indelible Image,” author Benjamin Percy writes that film lends itself to pivotal…

Things Are Not What They Seem: A Brief Writing Exercise

There are thirty-two ways to write a story, and I’ve used every one, but there is only one plot–things are not as they seem.  ~ Jim Thompson   I love this quote. While I can’t say that there are indeed precisely thirty-two ways to write a story, the assessment of plot rings true. Why else would we continue to delve in to a story beyond the first lines if not to discover some revelation or…

… “when I write I’m merely a sensibility.”- Virginia Woolf

Reading through Woolf’s A Writer’s Diary, published by her husband, Leonard Woolf, can be likened to trying to put a 10,000 piece 3D puzzle together while blindfolded. And then, just when I’m hopelessly lost, her voice comes through with such intense clarity and insight I am left breathless. I was simultaneously reluctant and desperate to read through this publication. Mr. Woolf supplies a…

Proof Of Life: Writing About Writing

“To defend what you’ve written is a sign that you are alive.” ~ William Zinsser Today, I invite all hard laboring writers to defend something you’ve written. No matter if it’s old or new, no matter if it has been published or hides out in the bottom drawer of your desk. Tell us about it. Tell us why you wrote it. Inspire us with your dedication to this character, this plot, this form, that…

Collaboration: Fairy Dust & Hard Labor

Just as RicoChey is suggesting a mob of us writers collaborate, I begin reading a book about creative collaboration. In Big Magic, Liz Gilbert puts forth her experiences with inspiration — that thing of mysterious quality and substance, like fairy dust — and putting herself to work at the vocation of writing every day — hard labor. The magic will come, she says. It’s just OUT THERE, WAITING.…

For those of you who didn’t tune in, or who don’t remember, two weeks ago I introduced the idea of the Hot Potato Writing Game. For rules and basics, click here. Today I’ll be taking volunteers for a beta run. We’ll play as a small, trial group, and attempt to put together a flow for the activity. To throw your name in, comment below!

Big Magic:Let’s Discuss Creative Living Beyond Fear

I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Gilbert’s since listening to her narration of Eat Pray Love in the winter of 2012.  Gilbert’s narrative talent is divine on paper; her spoken word is magnificent. That narrative talent is what got me through The Signature of All Things — not, in my opinion, her finest character/plot accomplishment. BUT THAT VOICE! I am downright envious of  enamored with the way she…

Collaborative Writing Game: You’re It. Go!

This sounds really fun, y’all. Catch up on the basics, then see my list of ideas below. Here’s the basis of RicoChey’s game: ● A group of participants form a team and swap email addresses. ● Taking turns, each participant writes one page of content (the group having agreed upon a font and pt. value), and emails it to the group. ● The group follows along, taking turns contributing to the story. ●…

I’ve had an idea, and I’m looking for volunteers to give it a first run. Here’s the gist!: ● A group of participants form a team and swap email addresses. ● Taking turns, each participant writes one page of content (the group having agreed upon a font and pt. value), and emails it to the group. ● The group follows along, taking turns contributing to the story. ● Team members can “pass”, or submit…

I Need A Hero

Many years ago a wise woman asked, “Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?” I’m not sure she ever got an answer, but the concept got some serious radio play. Though I feel that the term hero is applied much too liberally in this age (particularly in the press), I do find myself looking for a new hero every time I turn on the TV. Maybe I was groomed for the hero expectations,…

Mixed Media Inspiration: A Song & A Poem

  Listen until something really strikes you. What happens? Do emotions well up into mental images, words, a poetic narrative that surprises? Write and share with us!