Yesterday afternoon I met with a group of other writers for the peer group reception at the Writers Place. The experience was interesting. There were about 15 people who showed and they had varying interests that could fit tidy into three genres. Poetry being one.
I would say from the introduction each gave, almost everyone had a clue and seemed to be in the mindset for something that could enrich there writing experience if they just knew what the right vehicle was. E-mail exchanges, face to face discussions, workshopping material in group or meeting individually or combinations of these. It was decided that we would meet in September as a group and brake into three smaller groups and see what people felt was the best fit for there own situation. It was a good start.
Experience level of those in attendance seemed to vary a bit but for the most part I'd say it was a group with real credibility to draw from.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
Taking Some Family Time
Tuesday night after work, I had a KC Metro Verse meeting. We read a lot of Charles Bukowski material.
Tuesday was also the end of my work week. I've taken three vacation days and it has been wonderful. My wife has been off this week as well. Thursday we did a family trip to Omaha to visit the zoo. That coupled with taking my daughter fishing the day before, has given me a real taste of nature this week. It has opened up my senses to the whole view of cohabitation of man and nature on this planet. Something we (mankind) are not fairing very well at.
I can envision some impact on my future writing by this realization. It's not that I have been oblivious to this whole thing, but sometimes you see things which deepened your passion or resolve to certain things. An "Ah-ha!" experience.
I may post some pictures from the zoo visit over the weekend if I get them upload into flicker.
My wife and I were both amazed at the Armadillo. They had this tiny one that just ran around all over the place. I had to wonder what sort of food intake was necessary to sustain that amount of energy exertion. The Aardvark was another of my favorites.
Tuesday was also the end of my work week. I've taken three vacation days and it has been wonderful. My wife has been off this week as well. Thursday we did a family trip to Omaha to visit the zoo. That coupled with taking my daughter fishing the day before, has given me a real taste of nature this week. It has opened up my senses to the whole view of cohabitation of man and nature on this planet. Something we (mankind) are not fairing very well at.
I can envision some impact on my future writing by this realization. It's not that I have been oblivious to this whole thing, but sometimes you see things which deepened your passion or resolve to certain things. An "Ah-ha!" experience.
I may post some pictures from the zoo visit over the weekend if I get them upload into flicker.
My wife and I were both amazed at the Armadillo. They had this tiny one that just ran around all over the place. I had to wonder what sort of food intake was necessary to sustain that amount of energy exertion. The Aardvark was another of my favorites.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Robert Lowell letters on hold
I was able to get a copy of The Letters of Robert Lowell on hold at the library. They only had one copy in the Mid-Continent system and it was out. I also looked for the newer release, Wild Perfection: Selected Letters of James Wright. I believe this has only been out about a month and they don't as of yet have it. I am anxious to read both of these books in hopes of gaining some greater insight into their individual poetic theory. I know that Robert Bly has had a great deal of influence on Wright - particularly in his latter years.
I worked on two poems yesterday. One was completely new, the other was something I first wrote earlier this year at a Woodbine, Iowa writing weekend workshop. I'm not 100% satisfied with either of them, but overall I believe yesterdays work was successful. It is important to remember that such progress is often incremental and to keep this fact in focus so as not to become discouraged. Lately, discouragement has been battle I fight.
One thing I need to do is broaden my subject matter. So a real brainstorm is in order or I need to look for some writing idea prompts. At times I have exchanged such prompts with other writers from time to time but I haven't done this for a while.
I worked on two poems yesterday. One was completely new, the other was something I first wrote earlier this year at a Woodbine, Iowa writing weekend workshop. I'm not 100% satisfied with either of them, but overall I believe yesterdays work was successful. It is important to remember that such progress is often incremental and to keep this fact in focus so as not to become discouraged. Lately, discouragement has been battle I fight.
One thing I need to do is broaden my subject matter. So a real brainstorm is in order or I need to look for some writing idea prompts. At times I have exchanged such prompts with other writers from time to time but I haven't done this for a while.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
String Quartet
Steps into the wind
Tiptoes
Shuffles
Strung across a bridge
Lively on a wire
An archetype
Plucked out of veneer
Tiptoes
Shuffles
Strung across a bridge
Lively on a wire
An archetype
Plucked out of veneer
SPEAK OUT ON IRAQ!
Support Cindy Sheehan!
MoveOn is taking out an ad in President Bush's local newspaper in support of Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who is camped outside Bush's ranch in Texas asking for a meeting with the president.
They'll publish the number of signers and the best comments in a full two-page spread in the newspaper nearest to Crawford (The Waco Tribune Herald) while Cindy holds her vigil.
Sign and spread the word before the 3:00 PM Friday print deadline?
http://political.moveon.org/meetwithcindy/
Cindy Sheehan
MoveOn is taking out an ad in President Bush's local newspaper in support of Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who is camped outside Bush's ranch in Texas asking for a meeting with the president.
They'll publish the number of signers and the best comments in a full two-page spread in the newspaper nearest to Crawford (The Waco Tribune Herald) while Cindy holds her vigil.
Sign and spread the word before the 3:00 PM Friday print deadline?
http://political.moveon.org/meetwithcindy/
Cindy Sheehan
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Airing Out The Language
Turbulence
Leaves me uncomfortable
Holding tidy verse in my hands.
You will gawk at me-
Out of place. I want
To twist the words
On the page
Wrap some around me
Pull the syllables apart
And hide between them.
Shock you a little bit
So you don't see me.
Leaves me uncomfortable
Holding tidy verse in my hands.
You will gawk at me-
Out of place. I want
To twist the words
On the page
Wrap some around me
Pull the syllables apart
And hide between them.
Shock you a little bit
So you don't see me.
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