It's Tuesday and time for me to head to the confessional, there are several things on my mind today.
Dear Reader:
It's been two weeks since my past confession. Two very busy weeks at work and a battle to maintain sanity. Sometimes I think sanity is over rated. But let me get started with what I'm carrying on my chest.
We are short handed at work. A coworker is out on medical leave and we've had to all chip in and absorb varying tasks that have to go on. We've been doing a good job but it is taxing and sometimes when I arrive home I haven't a lot of interest in anything but crashing. Some nights I succumbed to just crashing and doing TV. Still, I've rallied to take care of things on my writing to-do list but I'd feel better if I didn't have nights where I'm one extreme or the other... crash and burnt or wound up tight like a top spinning to catch up on everything. I confess I could do better with how I handle this time after regular work hours.
In fact the past couple of weeks I've stopped working out on the tread mill. I confess that I know I need to keep this up to: 1. help control my blood sugar numbers 2. maintain weight control 3. cardio-vascular exercise 4. boost my overall energy level. So with all those benefits you'd think I'd be on it, right? And I started Sunday assessing of sorts what I need to be doing for my Creative Health. My resolve is to get up early in the morning and hit the tread mill before I head to the office. That's a responsible approach to take.
I confess that I filed my taxes today... the last day. I've been so good about filing the early lately that this is an aberration. I actually did them Sunday and just reviewed them again tonight, no changes needed and then e-filed them. I'm not especially proud of myself for doing them at the last minute but I am proud of my wife for never once bugging me about them. Evidently she trusted that I'd get them taken care of.
This week I began rethinking a manuscript that I was in wrap up stage on. I confess this is I think a good thing because I need to rethink a couple of things and there are two or maybe three poems that need to come out. I confess this is hard because at least one of them is a very good poem but it is not fitting into the thread I'm trying to weave between the poems. I confess I realize this is the prudent approach even if I want it to be otherwise. I'm learning that the heart and the head both have roles in this process.
I've kept up with the poem-a-day challenge. I confess that I'm even surprising myself that I have not fallen off the wagon yet and we are halfway though.
As we are in the final week of Lent I confess that it has been an objective of mine to try my best to practice tolerance daily. Overall, I'm happy that I've done well at meeting this challenge and I'm happy that I've made it a part of my Lenten practice.
That's about it for tonight. Wishing everyone a great week ahead.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Saturday, April 05, 2014
Poetry Broadside for Poetry Month 2014
Some of you may have received a poetry month broadside from me in the past years to commemorate National Poetry Month. After taking a couple years break I have created a new one for 2014.
These are limited. There are 100 signed copies. They are printed on a nice card stock and have a matte finish. I've seen some of my earlier ones framed and they look very nice. If you would like one simply email me Michael Wells telling me you would like one and give me a snail mail address that it can be sent to.
Again their are only 100, and when they are gone, well, they are gone.
These are limited. There are 100 signed copies. They are printed on a nice card stock and have a matte finish. I've seen some of my earlier ones framed and they look very nice. If you would like one simply email me Michael Wells telling me you would like one and give me a snail mail address that it can be sent to.
Again their are only 100, and when they are gone, well, they are gone.
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
The Big Poetry Give Away - 2014
It's The 5th Annual April Big Poet Give Away.
This year I've decided to participate as a "giver" in the Annual Poetry Month Big Poet Give Away.
All this month there are a whole host of blogs that are participating in giving away poetry book from poets that are among our favorites. Each blogger participant is selecting two books to give away, one of their own (if they've had one published and the second from another poet. I'm giving away Saint Monica by Mary Biddinger and Unmentionables by Beth Ann Fennelly
All you have to do is leave a post with your name in the comments below and you will be entered. This has to be done before Midnight (PST) April 30, 2014. At the conclusion of the month there will be two winners drawn at random. The lucky winners will me announced the week of May 1, 2014. Each will receive one book. Make sure you provide an e-mail address so that you can be contacted for mailing address if you are one of the winners. There are over 40 bloggers participating. Here you can find a complete listing of all the participating blogs. This annual event was started by poet Kelli Russell Agodon and continues to provide a way each April (National Poetry Month) to enrich the the lives of more people through poetry.
I've selected books from two poets that are among my favorite. I hope that you will find their work as awesome as I have.
My selections are:
Saint Monica
by Mary Biddinger. "Mary Biddinger evokes the patron saint of female abuse victims in narrating the adolescence of a latter day Saint Monica. Ironic humor illuminates the poems as in 'Saint Monica Stays the Course,' a hilarious catechism of teeth-gritting endurance. Biddinger crisply narrates these memorable tales that entwine horror and sensual discovery, using deft rhythms, head-snapping line breaks, and highly original imagery." - Rachel Dacus, author of Femme au Chapeau and Earth Lessons.
Unmentionables
by Beth Ann Fennelly "Fennelly's poems are as noisy as a rat in a coffee can. They twich, scramble and all but turn themselves inside out on the page....You get an entire bookful of images in just a page or two." - David Kirny, PASTE
If you are new to my blog let me tell you a little about myself-
My name is Michael Wells. I'm married and have 4 grown children. I'm in love with baseball and wish it were played year round. I think of the game as a form of poetry. My favorite team is the San Francisco Giants.
I enjoy a good wine. My favorite Chardonnay. I like my wine white and my coffee black. I readily acknowledge I drink way too much Diet Coke.
I do not have a published book but have a manuscript nearing completion. I have been published in a number of print and online venues.
I have a number of varied artistic interests. While I have a full time job, I am serious about my writing and work it into my evenings and weekend writing daily.
Some Favorite Writing Related blogs I read are
This year I've decided to participate as a "giver" in the Annual Poetry Month Big Poet Give Away.
All this month there are a whole host of blogs that are participating in giving away poetry book from poets that are among our favorites. Each blogger participant is selecting two books to give away, one of their own (if they've had one published and the second from another poet. I'm giving away Saint Monica by Mary Biddinger and Unmentionables by Beth Ann Fennelly
All you have to do is leave a post with your name in the comments below and you will be entered. This has to be done before Midnight (PST) April 30, 2014. At the conclusion of the month there will be two winners drawn at random. The lucky winners will me announced the week of May 1, 2014. Each will receive one book. Make sure you provide an e-mail address so that you can be contacted for mailing address if you are one of the winners. There are over 40 bloggers participating. Here you can find a complete listing of all the participating blogs. This annual event was started by poet Kelli Russell Agodon and continues to provide a way each April (National Poetry Month) to enrich the the lives of more people through poetry.
I've selected books from two poets that are among my favorite. I hope that you will find their work as awesome as I have.
My selections are:
Saint Monica
by Mary Biddinger. "Mary Biddinger evokes the patron saint of female abuse victims in narrating the adolescence of a latter day Saint Monica. Ironic humor illuminates the poems as in 'Saint Monica Stays the Course,' a hilarious catechism of teeth-gritting endurance. Biddinger crisply narrates these memorable tales that entwine horror and sensual discovery, using deft rhythms, head-snapping line breaks, and highly original imagery." - Rachel Dacus, author of Femme au Chapeau and Earth Lessons.
Unmentionables
by Beth Ann Fennelly "Fennelly's poems are as noisy as a rat in a coffee can. They twich, scramble and all but turn themselves inside out on the page....You get an entire bookful of images in just a page or two." - David Kirny, PASTE
Leave your name in the comments below
if you wish to be entered in in the drawing.
It's that easy!
if you wish to be entered in in the drawing.
It's that easy!
If you are new to my blog let me tell you a little about myself-
My name is Michael Wells. I'm married and have 4 grown children. I'm in love with baseball and wish it were played year round. I think of the game as a form of poetry. My favorite team is the San Francisco Giants.
I enjoy a good wine. My favorite Chardonnay. I like my wine white and my coffee black. I readily acknowledge I drink way too much Diet Coke.
I do not have a published book but have a manuscript nearing completion. I have been published in a number of print and online venues.
I have a number of varied artistic interests. While I have a full time job, I am serious about my writing and work it into my evenings and weekend writing daily.
Some Favorite Writing Related blogs I read are
- Suzanne Frischkorn - Litwindowpane
- Kelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kells
- Nic Sebastian - Very Like A Whale
- Martha Silano - Blue Positive
- Susan Rich - The Alchemist's Kitchen
- Tara Mae Mulroy - Poetry & Effontery
Wishing everyone an enjoyable month of poetry - and good luck!
Leave your name & email in the comments below to be entered in the drawing.
Leave your name & email in the comments below to be entered in the drawing.
Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Confession Tuesday - April Fools Edition
Dear Reader:
It's been one week of schizophrenic weather, a new baseball season, and several late night tread mill sessions since my last confessions.
It's April first and I committed to the Poem-A-Day Challenge for poetry month. Who's the April Fool now?
I confess that it has hit me the past two days that I have a lot going on presently with poetry and then along comes my beloved Giants and the start of the new season - all this is pulling at my evening time and causing some anxiety. Family time, poetry time, baseball, exercise, what's a guy to do?
Perhaps this is accounting for my headaches of late... the anxiety I mean. I'm always looking it seems for things to link together. If this is happening it's in response to that. You get the picture. I have to confess that I'm not always exactly scientific about the process. I'm sure there is a name for people like this... crazy wasn't what I was thinking of but I guess we can use it temperately as one of those place holder words we writers use in drafts.
The Poem-A-Day Challenge usually makes me anxious when I've done it on the past. Sometimes I say I'm not committing to it and end up trying to write a poem each day like I'm sneaking up on the Challenge and taking it on in some kind of sneak attack. It's crazy, I know. An there is that word again.
I confess my bug-a-boo with the 30 Poems in 30 Days thing is I'm not crazy about writing from forced prompts. I don't mind using prompts to kick-start ideas, I joust don't like to feel on day 7 I must writ about this prompt. I suppose it's a rebellious streak I have. In addition, I know that few people write "real" poems sitting down and writing in one day. What usually occurs is a draft. Most often a very rough draft. One you really don't care to attach you name to and post out in the open.
Anyway, suffice to say that I feel laden with anxiety as we kick off the month. But hey, that leaves lots of room for an improved outlook!
It's been one week of schizophrenic weather, a new baseball season, and several late night tread mill sessions since my last confessions.
It's April first and I committed to the Poem-A-Day Challenge for poetry month. Who's the April Fool now?
I confess that it has hit me the past two days that I have a lot going on presently with poetry and then along comes my beloved Giants and the start of the new season - all this is pulling at my evening time and causing some anxiety. Family time, poetry time, baseball, exercise, what's a guy to do?
Perhaps this is accounting for my headaches of late... the anxiety I mean. I'm always looking it seems for things to link together. If this is happening it's in response to that. You get the picture. I have to confess that I'm not always exactly scientific about the process. I'm sure there is a name for people like this... crazy wasn't what I was thinking of but I guess we can use it temperately as one of those place holder words we writers use in drafts.
The Poem-A-Day Challenge usually makes me anxious when I've done it on the past. Sometimes I say I'm not committing to it and end up trying to write a poem each day like I'm sneaking up on the Challenge and taking it on in some kind of sneak attack. It's crazy, I know. An there is that word again.
I confess my bug-a-boo with the 30 Poems in 30 Days thing is I'm not crazy about writing from forced prompts. I don't mind using prompts to kick-start ideas, I joust don't like to feel on day 7 I must writ about this prompt. I suppose it's a rebellious streak I have. In addition, I know that few people write "real" poems sitting down and writing in one day. What usually occurs is a draft. Most often a very rough draft. One you really don't care to attach you name to and post out in the open.
Anyway, suffice to say that I feel laden with anxiety as we kick off the month. But hey, that leaves lots of room for an improved outlook!
Friday, March 28, 2014
POEM-A-DAY FOUR 30 DAYS
April is coming and there is no stopping it! With it will come Baseball, tax deadline and poetry. Hopefully you dread the tax deadline more than you dread poetry. I would imagine those reading this are likely fall into that category.
Some years I have taken the 30 day 30 poem challenge and some not. I plan on jumping into the month with both feet firmly on the ground and running with the poem-a-day challenge.
Robert Lee Brewer with Writers Digest has a slew of outstanding poets to serve as guest judges of work for their annual 30 Day Challenge that they promote each year.
You can fine the specifics for the Writers Digest 30 Day Challenge by clicking [HERE]
Even it you are not inclined to participate directly in the challenge, there is no reason you cannot take the challenge. Or try to write at least something towards a completed poem each day of the month of April.
There are a lot of other exciting things lined up around the country related to National Poetry Month.
There are a whole series of blogs that are participating in the Poetry Month Free Book Giveaway that Kelli Agodon organized several years ago and continues to grow. [CLICK HERE]
I'll have more Poetry Month Information in a couple of days.
Some years I have taken the 30 day 30 poem challenge and some not. I plan on jumping into the month with both feet firmly on the ground and running with the poem-a-day challenge.
Robert Lee Brewer with Writers Digest has a slew of outstanding poets to serve as guest judges of work for their annual 30 Day Challenge that they promote each year.
You can fine the specifics for the Writers Digest 30 Day Challenge by clicking [HERE]
Even it you are not inclined to participate directly in the challenge, there is no reason you cannot take the challenge. Or try to write at least something towards a completed poem each day of the month of April.
There are a lot of other exciting things lined up around the country related to National Poetry Month.
There are a whole series of blogs that are participating in the Poetry Month Free Book Giveaway that Kelli Agodon organized several years ago and continues to grow. [CLICK HERE]
I'll have more Poetry Month Information in a couple of days.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Sarah Kay - Ted Talk - One Impressive Presentation
This is so worth listening to. I've heard videos of Sarah Kay before - maybe two or three years ago but I ran across this TED Talk appearance she mad and by the time is was over I was so fired up. This is one inspiring woman.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Confession Tuesday - Bullwinkle Edition
Dear Reader: Another week has come and gone and I head off the the confessional for the Tuesday Confession. Come join me....
I confess that I'm a big fan of Rocky and Bullwinkle. When I recently discovered Bullwinkle in the role of a Poet I thought how cool is that?!! It seems that poets get so little respect that I'll even take Bullwinkle's portrayal as a poet as a frick'n big deal!
Are all of poets so pathetic? This is a rhetorical question and one you need not reply to in the comments.
It seem really odd but many countries treat their poets with much more respect then the American public affords them. Actually I confess that I'm really not so much bothered by this anymore. I guess I see it as, "It is what it is." What I do feel is sad for those who miss the enrichment that poetry, literature and art in general can bring to one's life. It seems odd to me that many people can so easily get into music. I'm happy for those who find music speaking to their soul. I still look for opportunities the open the eyes of others to the wonders of words through poetry.
I realize April is nearly upon us. I am feeling anxious about April for a number of reasons. I feel like my April plate is going to look like it has multiple helpings of mashed potatoes and gravy. Poem-A-Day. Maybe a book club. KC Metro Verse's Anthology coming out (which I will have several poems in) - I'm working to tweak a manuscript and I will be doing a Poetry Month Broadside again this year. I've done this is the past but did not do one last year. They have been designed and ordered and should arrive soon.
Anyway, I don't want the month to become overwhelming. I've been working hard lately and the writing has fallen into a grove and I don't want that delicate rhythm interrupted if you know what I mean. I need to be able to keep working hard and lighten up at the same time. I need to be able the Bullwinkle in poets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)