Poetry--Read It, Write It, Love It

Today is the last day of National Poetry. I used this poster early in the month to make readers aware of what we are celebrating all this month. So, it seemed appropriate to repeat it as we finish this time of recognizing, reading and writing poetry. 

It doesn't mean we should ignore the other eleven months of the year. Certainly not. Instead, it is hoped that the month of giving attention to poems and poets will inspire others to both read and write poetry. 

Do you have a favorite poet? Is it someone from ancient days or a contemporary? A person you know? Or just a poet you admire? 

I have several friends who write and publish poetry. I admire these people as they have no fear of releasing their innermost thoughts and feelings through their writing. They have a desire to share with others, and we readers are often the better for it. I have purchased the books listed below and have read them all more than once. Do read a poem multiple times. So much more comes through the second, third and fourth time. 

Books of poetry by people I know. Find some of them on Amazon. 

Moonstain by Ronda Miller

Music I Once Could Dance To by Roy J. Beckemeyer

Asparagus Roots by Jane Banning

Today, Fish Only by Miho Kinnas

The Museum Muse by Tom Mach

Stage Whispers by Roy J. Beckemeyer

So Runs The Water by Tom Mach

What do you notice about the titles? Each one piques interest; leaves a question or makes you a bit curious. It must be difficult to title a collection of poems. Some poets will use the title of one poem in the book. Others will use the title of a theme that runs through the many poems in the book. The next time you're in a bookstore, go to the poetry section and read the titles. Do some stand out for you more than others? Are there some that you want to remove from the shelf and leaf through? 

Have you ever read or heard a prose writer praised with a comment like His prose reads like poetry? A high honor indeed. 

We say farewell to National Poetry Month today, but I hope that you will make time to read or write some poetry the rest of the year, too. 

Writers and Longevity

After critiquing an article for one of my fellow writers at my online writing group this morning, I started thinking about longevity in our writing world. I wondered how long writers persist. Do they make a length of journey commitment? Several other thoughts regarding longevity flitted through my Monday morning mind, so I decided to share some with you today.

Longevity in commitment

When you began your writing journey, did you make a commitment? Maybe you said I'll try this for 2 years, then rethink it. It's possible that you never considered a time frame for your writing world. I didn't. When I started writing, I meant to be in for the long haul, and I'm willing to wager that a good many of you did, as well. 

If a writer takes the stance that he/she will give writing a try for 2 years, I think he/she does a disservice to him/herself. Why? Very few writers can claim to be a success in such a short time. In two years, I was still a rank beginner. As the years slid by, and I continued to write, I also learned a great deal. I became a better writer, as well. 

Is there a time when we should stop writing? I hope to continue writing til the end. There are, of course, things to keep in mind. Is the desire to write still strong? Am I able to continue physically and mentally? Has my writing become weaker, uninteresting, or muddled? Will I know if I should quit, or will someone else have to tell me the bad news? 

Longevity in writing groups

I have belonged to 4 writing groups during my writing time. One of them has lasted twenty years, while the others did not come close to that number. Why? I loved Group 1 but we moved out of state after only 3 years. Group 2 proved to be not helpful to me as a writer. The members wanted to talk about writing and not much more. Group 3 was an online group. It was good, but the moderator disbanded the group with little warning or reasons given. Group 4 was an off-shoot of that one. It's the one celebrating the 20th anniversary. It's the one that has given me the most help, terrific writer friends, knowledge about writing and more. I hope it will continue to be the vibrant group it is as the years go by. 

Many writers have most likely tried a number of different writing groups. Hopefully, they found some longevity in a few.

Longevity in learning about writing

How long should you study your craft? Until you feel like you're being published often enough to feel satisfied? Until you think you know it all? Until you're bored by the learning and want to do nothing but write? My answer is that you should continue to learn about writing as long as you are a writer. Never stop learning. You can continue your education about the writing game through reading books on the subject. Believe me, there are more than you could ever hope to read, so finding them should be no problem. Stay in writing groups that help you learn. Continue membership in writing organizations at the local, state or national level. Socialize with other writers. It's amazing what you can learn as you chat over a cup of coffee or a glass of beer. 

Do a bit of pondering on longevity in your own writing journey. 

How Is A Writer Like A Weaver?

Weaving At A Loom

Weavers create beautiful rugs, table runners, and fabrics to be used in many projects. They use threads of all kinds that make fabric art admired by so many. Writers are like weavers in some respects. The aim of both is to begin with bits and pieces and finish with a work of art.

To create a story, writers gather various threads. Each one alone is not terribly impressive, but put them all together, and you have a complete story. I'm using 'story' as an overall term, but it can include memoir, even a personal essay.  Writers weave these threads in myriad patterns. What kind of threads?

Consider each point in this list as a thread:

• Characters
• Emotions
• Dialogue
• Sensory Images
• Time and Place
• Plot
• Theme

If you omit any of the threads above, your story will be lacking something, and it probably won't be a 5-star read. Every one of the items listed is important to your story. How you weave them is the writer's choice. You can go heavier with one thread and lighter on another; do what works for you.

The important thing is to actually lace the parts together in a manner that makes for a good read. Spend too much time on any one without the others and you have a big blob of words. 

Suppose you are in bed some night, unable to sleep. A story idea begins to take shape in your mind. Plot is most likely the first thread you pluck. Another early one is the characters. You find another thread when you decide on a time and place where your story occurs. You'll pull those other threads as you begin to tell your tale. Once you're up and at your favorite writing spot, you'll put those threads together to tell your story. 

You'll also have to undo some of the threads when they don't look or feel right to you. Move them to a new place in the story. You can create and recreate over and over until you feel you have the best piece you can write. I'm sure weavers undo some of what they have woven when they aren't satisfied with color or texture or pattern. We are much alike in that respect. 

Use all the threads it takes and all the time you need to weave your story until it reaches your satisfaction. 

Bits and Pieces On Dialogue

Whaddya say?

Dialogue in stories is simply communication. You and I have been communicating ever since we uttered our first word--probably 'mama.' We do it so naturally when going through our everyday world, but when writing a story, there are a few things to keep in mind about dialogue. 

Let me preface my remarks by saying that Chicken Soup for the Soul editors like submissions that use dialogue. And they are not alone. Why? What does dialogue do for a story, either fiction or a true tale?

• It helps move the story
• It helps define the characters and their relationships
• It illustrates the emotions of the characters
• It makes a nice break in the narrative
• It helps show rather than tell
• It helps to create tension
• It adds the human element

The Bits and Pieces of Dialogue:

Make it natural  There is nothing worse than stiff, stilted dialogue. If you're writing a story about kids who live in a blighted area of a large city, you better not use the language of a college professor. The way your character speaks helps to paint a picture of who they are. Using slang is fine if your character would most likely use it. Using vocabulary that only a word freak would use for these kids would be totally inappropriate. 

It's fine to use contractions because that is the way we speak to one another. I don't care if you can't go. It doesn't matter to me. That sounds more natural than I do not care if you cannot go. It does not matter to me. 

Tags  Beginning writers use various tags to show who spoke and how they said the words or how they felt. Some of the tags most used are uttered, yelled, whispered. Using said is the method of choice. That said becomes a word readers slide by. It's there but not noticed. Some will ask how do you show the way in which the words were spoken if all you use is said. Put an action or defining sentence before the dialogue. Pete slammed his hand on the table. "What do you think you're doing?" That preceding sentence lets the reader know that Pete is mad so he is probably going to yell, isn't he? It also does a good job of showing rather than telling as in this example. What do you think you're doing? screamed Pete. 

You don't need to use a tag after every piece of dialogue. If two people are in a lengthy conversation, use the tag after some but not all. The reader can usually keep track of who is speaking. Use a tag every now and then to keep things straight. 

How much dialogue A few writers have attempted to write an entire story using nothing but dialogue. A noble experiment, but it might be overkill for readers. I prefer to see a healthy balance between narrative and dialogue. 

What about using it in memoir  Memoir writers are depicting happenings of years prior to the time they are writing. They are writing true stories, so how are they going to remember the exact words someone spoke 25 years ago? It's almost impossible for them to remember word for word, but they do remember the gist of what was said. It's alright to create dialogue as long as it stays true to what the writer is remembering. 

Beware of adverbs  If you use adverbs with your tags, you're taking the lazy writer's way out. As stated in the section on tags, it's far better to use an action to show how the person is saying the words or is feeling than tossing up an adverb and letting it flutter down behind the said. You could say You've made me a laughing stock in this town, Susan said angrily. Instead, try something like Susan clenched her teeth and both fists. "You've made me a laughing stock in this town. The second sentence shows that Susan is angry while the first one tells the reader she's angry. 

There are many things to consider when writing dialogue. When you're reading for pleasure, be aware of the way dialogue is used. Note what you like or don't like. Then put it to good use when you write your own stories or memoirs.

Are Writers Magicians?

Writers, pat yourself on the back. You are magicians because you create something out of nothing. There are very few who can do that. 

One morning last October, we had an unexpected snowfall. When I opened the blinds in my bedroom, the first thing I saw was snow on top of my roses. I stood there admiring the lovely sight of the white snow capping the deep pink roses. Before the day was over, I had written a poem that began with I saw snow on the roses this morning. One small thing that I noticed helped me create that poem. 

Writers view the world with a different eye than others. They notice the many small things that most people overlook. A writer might see a squirrel sitting quietly by a tree and subconsciously, then consciously, think about why the squirrel is so still. Is he waiting for nuts to fall from a tree? Is he hiding from a predator? Is he keeping watch for his lady squirrel who is with their little ones? Any one of those questions could be the trigger to write a story or a poem. 

Writers walk through the world looking for stories, for inspiration to create something out of nothing. If you ever witness a writer sitting amongst a group of people but not conversing and with a faraway look in his/her eye, don't be alarmed. They are probably mulling over a story idea. Something one of the crowd said or did triggered the thoughts about a new writing project. 

I don't think that the 'writer's eye' is an inborn trait. Nope. A writer develops it over time. Not days or weeks, but years. It's not easy to make magic as our poster mentions. We have no magic wand, nor does saying 'abra-cadabra' work. We train ourselves to create something out of nothing. We only need an idea or a spark to get the process going. 

So do go ahead and pat yourself on the back once more. No top hat, black cape or magic wand is needed. You are a magician of note as you use words to creat something out of nothing.

Repetion In Writng Can Be A Problem

Repetition in a photo like the one above is fine, but it doesn't work very well in our writing. There are two kinds of repetition to watch for. We do one unconsciously and the other for another reason.

1.  Repeating Words:  It is so easy to use the same words numerous times in a paragraph or on one page of a story. We do it unconsciously, and we often don't catch it when we edit our work. I sent a new children's story to my online writing group recently. The first critique that came back had one word highlighted. The word 'bridge' was highlighted in glaring yellow. I did a doubletake when I saw the many splashes of color. A bridge is an important part of the story, but seeing all those splotches made me realize I needed to do some serious revision. What's wrong with repeating a word many times? It becomes boring for the reader. A bored reader loses interest and stops reading.

I've noted many times when I'm critiquing for others that a writer will use the same pronoun multiple times in one paragraph. How many times do you want to read she or he? What about it or they? All you have to do is use a name for some of those pronouns, or say something like 'the girl' or 'the murderer.' It's not possible to eliminate all those repeated pronouns, but you can certainly change some of them. Someone once said that is a beginner's problem. Yes, it is, but seasoned writers do it, too. We're especially guilty of committing this no-no in first drafts. We need to train ourselves to catch the problem when we edit. 

There are times when it is difficult to find substitutes for those repeated words. If you're writing about fishing for trout, the words fishing and trout are bound to show up a lot. It's alright to have some repetition, but work at finding ways to eliminate some of the same words. Check your thesaurus for help on words to substitute. Sometimes, rewording a sentence completely works.

Those passive verbs from the 'to be' family are pesky repeaters. A good way to get rid of some of them is to use active verbs instead in some instances. That gets rid of a lot of was, are, is words and becomes a more interesting read. 

2  Repeating Information:  The other kind of repetition is when we repeat something we've already told our readers in preceding paragraphs. Part of that comes from the fact that the writer doesn't give the reader credit for 'getting it,' so he/she says it again but maybe in different words. The other reason it happens is that we get lazy. Can't think of something new, then go ahead and repeat part of what you wrote in the preceding paragraphs. 

I've seen many critiques that pinpoint this problem. The critiquing person will say something like Not necessary. You already told us this. Or We know this; you don't have to say it again. 

When we realize that we're giving the same information multiple times, we need to start cutting. If writers send a sub with the plea to help cut some words, that they are over the limit, it becomes easy to get to the wanted word count when you eliminate those areas that have been said before, even if they were given to the reader in different words.

If you write in a Word document, there are ways to help you edit. One place allows the writer to put in a word, and it will then be highlighted in the entire document. You'll know immediately where you need to revise. You can google how and where to do this on a Word document or on whatever program you use for your writing. Your own eye will catch many if you take the time to look for the repetitious areas. 

Now, I'm sure some of my readers today will start looking through my post to see how many times I used a word. You'll find some because it's pretty impossible to write without a little repeating. Your aim is to reduce it as much as possible. Using the same word three paragraphs apart is not a problem. When you do it 6 times in one paragraph, it's trouble. Just use some common sense.

The Best Bank For Writers

What's in your Memory Bank?

Above your nose and between your ears rests one of a writer's greatest resources--the Memory Bank. With every one of life's little experiences--charming, embarrassing or aggravating--you make a deposit. You never have to wait in line or at the drive-up window to do so. All this with no monthly service charge and no paper statements to file. Your account is more than likely overflowing with riches. 

The first time you sit down to write, you make a withdrawal. Every story, article, poem or essay requires you to dip into the account. The best part is that no matter how many withdrawals you make, the bank is never empty; every deposit remains.

All it takes to open the bank is a word or two. Even 'mashed potatoes' might trigger a great story. "I remember one fateful night when my mother made me eat ice cold mashed potatoes..." You're off and running.

Your mind is filled with the riches of all you've lived through in your life. They may lie dormant for many years, and suddenly one day a word or two acts as the trigger for the memory to appear, and you can pluck it out at will. As writers, we use the wealth of our Memory Bank time and again.     

Yes, above your nose and between your ears, treasures lie waiting. There is no penalty for early withdrawal. 

Remembering Easter and Passover Celebrations

Easter and Passover fall on the same weekend this year. If you celebrate either holiday, what better time to delve deep into your memory bank and find a family story to write?

If you gather with family and friends around a festive table, maybe family stories will be told. You'll listen and laugh or wipe a tear away. It's possible that the stories told could trigger other memories of this time of year. Don't pass up this golden opportunity to write another family story. Jot notes if to help you keep the thought so you can write later. (But not much later) It's doubtful that the people at the table would appreciate your doing it at the moment. 

Some of us won't be with family this weekend, but we certainly have memories of other spring holiday times. Who would you include in your story? How about grandparents, aunts and uncles, parents, cousins, sibling, pets? Any and all could fit into a tale to be told in written form.

Here are a few questions to help trigger some memories:

• Did you celebrate the religious part of Easter or Passover?
• Was Easter only about hiding eggs, getting candy and eating a special meal?
• Who helped with coloring Easter eggs?
• Did you get an Easter basket filled with goodies?
• Did you ever go to an Easter Egg Hunt?
• Did your family eat special foods during Passover or Easter?
• Did you get new clothes at Easter?
• Did you wear a hat to church? The rest of your female family members?
• Where did you have your holiday dinner? Always in the same place, or varied? Which was the one you liked best?
• Was chocolate a part of your Easter?
• Do you remember an Easter of Passover time when the weather was extremely bad?

You don't have to write a full story with beginning, middle and ending. Another nice addition to your family stories book is to write your memories of a special time of the year. Mine are below. 

When I was growing up, my family didn't go to church together. My parents were of different faiths and neither would attend the other's church. My brothers and I went to our mom's church to Sunday School and to church services as we got older. I also went to my dad's church with my aunts and cousins quite often. It didn't confuse me as a child. It was just the way it was. But as I got older, I longed for my whole family to be at a church service together. 

Even with that situation, Easter was a special day in our home. We started the day by searching for eggs the Easter Bunny had hidden. We kids had colored the eggs with the special dye sold in every grocery store, dime store and drug store. I always had a new outfit to wear and new 'Sunday School shoes' as we termed them. And yes, I wore an Easter hat to go with my dress and spring coat. Out came the Kodak camera to capture the day. While we kids were at church, Mom prepared a special dinner which we ate between 12 and 1 p.m. Sometimes, one of my aunts and family joined us. I loved that as the cousins got to go outside and play after dinner.

We had either baked ham or a leg of lamb roast with side dishes to complement. Dessert was usually something lighter than ones we ate in winter. Mother often made a light and fluffy dessert similar to a cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, the filling made with cream cheese, sugar, lemon jello and canned Milnot which you whipped until it stood in stiff peaks. It's a recipe that takes lots of bowls and steps, but ends up a delight. I still make it for my husband now and then as it is one of his favorites, thanks to my mom. 

I continued the traditions of our family with my own children--dyeing eggs, new clothes, and a special dinner. The big difference was that our family all attended church services together to mark the reason for Easter. The wish I had as a child finally came true. 

Making a Point In Personal Essays

Sharpened to a point!

The most important quality in a personal essay is that it makes a point. It shows a universal truth or allows the reader to learn something about life and how we live it. 

Readers enjoy the anecdotes that are most likely the greater part of a personal essay. In fact, that section may take up the vast majority of the number of words you write. All of it is used to make that point that you want your reader to know. 

Should you write several paragraphs when bringing out your reason for writing the essay, or memoir? That is not necessary. Sometimes, one sentence will do it. There is no set number of words. In fact, I'd say you don't want to belabor the point.

Some who write personal essays write hundreds of words but never show the reader why he/she is writing those words. You want the reader to finish with a feeling of "Oh, wow!" or "Yes, of course!" or a smile and a nod of the head. 

Where, in the essay, should you reveal your reason for writing? Anywhere. I think the spot most choose is after relating the incident that illustrates your point. You could write many paragraphs, then toss in that all-important sentence or two. You can also use it for your ending paragraph. You're in charge. Put it where you think it fits best. 

Occasionally, the point or truth you're hoping to illustrate is only inferred. Right or wrong? It's alright but why make it so hidden? There's nothing wrong in just saying it.

When you read personal essays, use your writer's eye. Find that point or the universal truth in each one as you read. Ask yourself if you would have placed it in the same part of the essay, or would you have done something different. Reading the essays others write serves to help you write better ones of your own. 

Like those pencils pictured above, sharpen your point so it's clear for your reader. Don't overdo it. Say it once and no more. 

The Many Sides of Poetry

Nursery rhymes were our earliest exposure to poetry. Mothers and fathers have repeated them so often that children soon learn to say them, too. Mother Goose books are almost a must for every small child. Many of the rhymes have been set to music so we sing them as well as recite.

Children get a little older, go to school and learn rhymes to recite when jumping rope. It was mostly a girls' activity, so I'm guessing it's my women readers who can bring several to mind. Here's one we used often:

Down in the valley,

Where the green grass grows.

There sat Nancy 

Sweet as a rose

Along came Michael

And kissed her on the cheek.

How many kisses

Did she get? 

(And next, I would have to jump until I missed while the other girls counted)

Still in grade school, we moved on to rhymes to sign other girls' autograph books.  Ones like:

You are

 2 good

2 be true

(Then we signed our name beneath the rhyme)

All of these 'poems' had one thing in common. They rhymed. Besides that, the poems had a rhythm, almost sing-song for some. There have even been drinking rhymes composed, with mug in hand, most likely. 

We studied poetry in junior and senior high school. They were longer and somewhat difficult to interpret, but most of them rhymed. Unless you were an English major and took more than the basic English courses, you probably didn't become familiar with free verse or the Japanese forms either. 

My favorite poetry to write is free verse. There needs to be no rhyme or specific rhythm. You're free to write what is in your heart, what you want to tell the world. You're not hampered by all the other specifics. It's the kind of poetry all of us can write. Yes, you too. 

Even in free verse, we have some concerns. Choice of words is important. Active verbs show while passive ones do not. We also consider things like alliteration, onomatopoeia, and senses to bring the poem to life. Similes and metaphors enter the picture, too. 

If you're a prose writer, have you attempted to write free verse poetry? Give it a try. It's not that difficult, and you might find you enjoy it. I learned that the more I wrote, the more I wanted to keep going. You don't need formal training (although I'm sure it helps) to write free verse. I say that from my own experience.

During this National Poetry Month, think about the place poetry has played in your life, from early childhood on. If you're one who claims you 'don't like poetry,' make an effort to read some this month, reading with an open mind. No one is going to like all poetry, just as no one likes every kind of prose. We try this and that until we find what we like. 

I saw a sign in a gift shop once that amused me. It said:  Wine is poetry in a bottle. That probably appeals only to those who sip wine now and then.

Solitary Or Social--Which Writer Are You?

Writing Group

Someone once said to me that she wondered why I was a writer because it is such a solitary activity and I'm a very social person. She was right on both counts, but writers don't have to nail boards across doorways to keep them chained to their desk writing. 

Even though I do thrive in social activities, I also love having time all to myself to write. As in most things, we need to find a balance between the two. It's one reason I urge writers to join some kind of writing group. It can be for critiquing one another's work, or a state/national organization for writers. 

Sunday, I attended the quarterly meeting of the district meeting of the state organization I have belonged to for almost twenty years. There were only five of us that gathered to have a short business meeting, a presentation by a member about journaling for writers, and a read-around of writing by the individual members. 

It was great because...

I got to mingle with fellow writers

• I was able to hear a presentation that will benefit me later
• I enjoyed listening to the writing of the other members
• I met someone new and learned about the books he's written
• I felt excitement among the group
• I went home feeling inspired

Sitting alone in front of my computer is not going to give me those benefits. Will I get something writing by myself? Of course, I will. I know, however, that I'm going to find good reason to write on my own and spend time in a group of writers, as well.

Critique groups offer a lot to writers. They can...

• help a writer smooth out rough spots in their work in progress
• commiserate with a writer when he/she had received rejections
• rejoice with a writer when he/she reports a success
• see problem areas in our writing that we, the writer, never notice
• make suggestions to add or take away something in our writing
• share markets
• relate their own rejection or success stories
• inspire you as a writer
• give you a social outlet connected to your writing

Finding a group of writers to join takes a little work on your part. I found a critique group and my state writers organization through my library. The librarian I talked to went the extra mile to help me in my quest. Use social media. Ask on facebook or twitter, or whatever you frequent, about writing groups in your area. Ask another writer. Most likely you know at least one in your town. Once, I might have suggested putting an ad in your local newspaper, but I don't think people read the want ads today like they once did. Thank you, social media! 

Spend time writing on your own but also seek the company of other writers on a regular basis. Both will bring benefits.

Writers Who String Pearls

We do not remember days,

we remember moments

I read the quote above at the bottom of a Happy New Year greeting I once received.. It fit perfectly with the topic I'd selected for today's post. I wish that the person who wrote this quote had been named. Sadly, it is anonymous.

We do remember the special moments in our lives with a clarity that I find amazing. I've had special moments that have stayed with me for the many decades I've walked this earth, and it's been those moments that have created memoir stories that seem to be perfect for many anthologies.

Each one of those special moments is like a pearl, and as writers, we can string them together to create a memoir of our lives. The individual moments shine in our memory bank like the pearls on a necklace. They gleam and step forth clearly so we can write about them.

One of my favorite pearls is a story I wrote for a Chicken Soup Tea Lovers book. My grandmother and I had afternoon tea at the famous Walnut Room at Marshall Field's department store in Chicago when I was four years old. Only a young child, I still remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Because the memory remained vividly in my mind, I found I could recreate the event well enough to have the story published.

Another is a story about a valentine box my dad made for me during my second-grade year. I believe I remember it so well because a revelation hit me while Dad and I spent time together making the box.

Yet a third special moment memory that produced a publishable story is about the first time I had surgery. I was four and staying in the hospital proved frightening until a beautiful and compassionate nurse eased the experience for me. She set me on a path of service to others for the rest of my life.

The events that impressed us the most are the ones we remember as though they happened only yesterday, not years ago. Those moments are the individual pearls that we string together.

When an event occurs in our life that has some importance in shaping our character or signifies love and family, the memory becomes more important than the mundane things in our days. The memories are stored until we pluck them out and add one more pearl to our life's necklace. All it takes is a little trigger to bring the memory forth. Once it's there, it's up to you to write the story.

Note:  This post is from 2014 and it is one I often think of when writing family stories. 

A Few Questions For Writers

Spring is my favorite season. I love the rebirth, or renewal, of so many lovely trees, bushes and flowers. I live in central Kansas and our flowering trees and bushes are in full bloom, daffodils, and pansies drinking up the sun. Tulips are up and soon to show their glorious colors. 

To celebrate this new season, I selected the poster quote above. Today's topic, however, is not about spring or flowers. It's about being dejected, frustrated, or disgusted. What prompted me to choose a 'downer' like this? I read a comment on a writing group facebook page from someone who had submitted a story to magazines twice and neither one wanted it. Now, she thought maybe she'd be better off trying to sell her story as a picture book instead since magazines didn't want it. 

I could tell from the tone of her words and what she had written on the post that she was all three--dejected, frustrated and disgusted. What I also perceived was that she had not been writing for long. I felt sorry for her, mostly because I've been there and so have almost all writers. 

We're told many times that it took this famous author multiple times before his book was accepted for publication, or that another successful author wrote four novels before selling number five. We read that and then go right on expecting to sell our work immediately and skip down the writing path singing "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah." Sorry, but it doesn't work like that. Oh sure, a few people are fortunate enough to sell their first efforts right away, but most of us have to keep trying for much longer than we'd like. That old 'Don't quit your day job.' admonition to writers is right on. 

Even if you're lucky enough to sell the first story you've ever written, it might be a very long time before there's a second publication. If you don't expect total success to come your way with your first efforts, you're less likely to be showered with dejection and frustration or feeling disgusted. Sometimes, we set ourselves up for being whammied. 

What should we do? How should we approach this situation? For one thing, don't quit after two rejections. That's a pittance in the overall scheme of things in the writing world. Keep submitting until you either find a fit or learn the reason you were rejected. Occasionally, an editor will give you the reason why he/she did not accept your work. That isn't the norm, however. It's going to be up to you to figure it out. 

You might need to give thought to a few questions about yourself and the piece that got rejected. Things like:

• Did I follow the Guidelines exactly?
• Was my story right for the publication I sent to?
• Did I proofread carefully before sending?
• Did I edit the story more than once before submitting?
• Did I have a good opening; a good way to hook a reader?
• Did I overdo or not do enough?
• Did I report a situation or truly write a 'story?' 
• Did I overdo flowery language?
• Did I let the story sit and simmer before sending it?
• How long am I willing to keep submitting the story?

If I were sitting across a table having coffee with that young woman who had received two rejections, I'd urge her to reassess the story, consider the questions in the list above, and to look for more publications. Then submit it again. And again. And again. The last question I'd ask is a big one. 

Do you believe in yourself as a writer? If the answer is yes, then persevere and keep learning your craft. Don't give up!

Celebrating Libraries

This is National Library Week, so it seemed fitting to celebrate libraries and what they offer us. When the internet became a big thing in peoples' lives, it was said over and over that libraries will die now. It didn't happen as they seem to be alive and well. One reason is that librarians did not sit back and let it happen. Instead, they entered the technology world in numerous ways.

They opened tech centers where people could use computers for free and also attend instructional classes on using computers. They have online libraries where books can be downloaded onto a Kindle or Nook or your computer. Libraries have websites where patrons can do various things--from checking to see if the library has a book to put a hold request to getting information on story hours for children. 

I have used libraries since I was old enough to print my name on the application for a library card. I'm a fast reader and would never want to purchase all the books I read. The library in my town is one of my favorite places to be. I have often referred to it as my second home

I decided to post photos of various libraries. When I started to look, there were so many that I had a difficult time selecting only a few. Maybe the photos here will give an idea of the many kinds of libraries to be found. The photo at the top is actually the outside of the parking garage next to the Kansas City, MO main library. Someone had a fantastic idea, didn't they? Imagine turning a corner in your car and coming face to face with that spectacular wall!

Libraries are places where kids can 'hang out' after school or on weekends. Lots of adults do the same. Many libraries offer various types of programs for kids. Some sponsor book clubs and bring in speakers, often authors.

Who is the most famous librarian? Why Marian, of course, in The Music Man. It's the only movie I can think of where the librarian was 'glamorized.' Sadly, some think of librarians as the stereotype we've been fed for years--colorless, timid, mousy kinds of people. Not so. Librarians come in all shapes, sizes and personalities just like every other occupation. I find them ready to assist whenever needed. We thank our service men and women and rightly so, but how about thanking your librarian the next time you visit your library?

Some folks are fortunate enough to have a home library, one room filled with books and a comfy place to read. Most of us have bookcases here and there in our homes. At least, the readers do. We all collect books as we move through life. Some we have purchased, others have been gifts. We need a place to keep them, so we devise all kinds of spots in our homes.

One of the smallest, most innovative libraries I have seen was in a small village in rural England. One of the old, red telephone booths had been turned into the village library. Ken happened to see it when on an early morning walk, and he took me to see it before we left that area. 

Take a few minutes today to ponder the role libraries have played in your life. 

A Book Review--The Rent Collector

Every now and then, we run across a book that lingers in our minds for a long time, even finds a slot in our memory bank forever. The Rent Collector by Camron Wright (2012) is one of those books for me. I selected it for my Book Club to read on the recommendation of one of my sisters-in-law. Had I just seen the title in the long list of books for inter-library loans from our state library, I would probably have passed right by. If so, it would have been my loss.

Camron Wright was so moved by a documentary film his son had made about people who lived in the largest waste dump in Cambodia that he felt the need to write a book. He features a young couple who lived with their toddler son in a makeshift shack in the dump, scavenging recyclables from the giant heaps of trash. The author has written fiction based on a true story. Exactly how much of each there is, I don't know, but I had the feeling that there was more fact than fiction in this extraordinary story.

Sang Ly and her husband, Ki live a life few of us can even imagine. She cares for their chronically ill child while he spends his days among the huge stacks of rubbish, looking for something to sell so they can eat and buy medicine for their son, Nisay. An old woman collects their rent for their awful home each month and that of their neighbors, whose plight is no better than theirs. The woman is crabby and sometimes mean. No one likes her. Many fear her. Her past is an unknown and she is bent on keeping it that way.

As daily life goes on, Sang Ly and Sopeap, the rent collector, strike up a relationship, not a friendship. This relationship grows slowly. Eventually, Sang Ly asks Sopeap to teach her to read. Once an educator before the cruel Kmer Rouge regime came into power, the old woman agrees.

She is a fierce teacher, however, but Sang Ly persists, and the relationship slowly develops into something close to friendship. 

Sang Ly searches constantly for a cure for her sick son, visiting doctors and, finally, a Healer in her home village. 

Sopeap lives with a tragic story from her past, keeping it locked inside for decades. She teaches Sang Ly how to read but also how to love literature and what it means. For those of us who love reading, this part is very appealing and satisfying.

The story is both heartwrenching and heartwarming. It is beautifully written with myriad quotes that have been cited in many places since the writing of this book. I wanted to use a few of the quotes at my Book Club yesterday, so I googled to find three or four. One entry had 67 quotes from the book. Imagine having that many that were worth repeating? 

The story is one of hope, also redemption and that of a mother's love. As I said, it is not one I will forget. Read it, and you will most likely be recommending it to others. 

Writers Should Also Be Readers

Quotes on why writers should also be readers:

"Read, read, read. Read everything -- trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it's good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out of the window."

--William Faulkner

"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that."

--Stephen King

Cultivate above all things a taste for reading.

– Robert Lowe, Speech to the Students of the Croydon Science and Art Schools

We expect a great man to be a good reader. 

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am a writer. I am also a reader. Writing and reading are partners in my thinking. They go together like salt and pepper, milk and cookies, or beer and pretzels. One enhances the other. 

I always urge beginning writers to read as often as possible. We learn a great deal about writing by reading books others have written. We find ways of writing that we like and some that we vow to steer clear of. 

Note that William Faulkner tells us to read everything--the good and the bad to see how others write. He says we'll 'absorb' what we read and then we can write. Makes sense to me. 

I love Stephen King's quote. He lays it on the line, no ifs, ands, or buts. He is blunt but truthful. You'll note he mentions having the time to read. Time for both reading and writing are important. Make the time. Be creative. If you're a commuter, what better thing to occupy the mindless time than reading? If television bores you, read. If you can't sleep, read. Get up a little earlier or go to bed a little later to gain some reading time.

Robert Lowe tells us to cultivate a taste for reading. I contend that the more you read, the greater the desire to continue. If you're not a natural reader, you can become one. You might have to work at it, but doing so will be to your benefit.

The final quote is interesting. Mr. Emerson does not say he 'hopes' a great man will be a good reader. He tells we should 'expect' it. It's a given in his estimation. I like that. 

Do you know a writer who does not read? I have met only one. I must admit that she was a fine writer, but I have always thought she would have been even better if she'd been a reader, too. 

Thoughts On Poetry

The quote above is something actor, Robin Williams, said as John Keating in the film Dead Poets Society. The 1989 movie is about an English professor reaching out to his students. There were many worthwhile quotes in the movie. The one posted here today is one that stood out for lots of those who watched the movie.

When you read a quote, do read it more than once. Do the same when you read a poem. You see so much more the second time and the third and the fourth. One of the fine points of reading a book of poems is that you can read it multiple times and glean something new at each successive reading.

When you watch a movie for the second or third time, you notice small details that you had not taken note of on the initial viewing. It's the same with reading poetry.

This is National Poetry Month. Take some time to read some poems. Reread some of your favorites, or pick up something new to you. If you've never been a person who reads poetry, try it. I don't mean to skim through a book of poetry or a website with numerous poems featured. Instead, take your time and read it. Let the words reach you emotionally.

Read it slowly; then read it again. Does the poem affect you in any way? Does it bring visual images to mind? Do you see beauty in the way it flows? Is it strong? Does it bring out any emotion in you? Do you see the way the poet uses words to reach the reader?

If you write prose, have you ever attempted to write a poem? Do you need to take numerous courses to write a poem? No. Studying poetry can only be helpful, but it is not a necessity to taking pen in hand, or putting fingers to keyboard, to write one. Don't be overly concerned about the meter, rhythm or rhyme. Start with free verse. Prose writers can spread their wings and give poetry a try.

For me, the main ingredient of writing poetry is that you write from your heart. You release what is within. Have you ever witnessed a part of nature that is so beautiful you wish you could paint it? Or write a poem? Many have, but few act upon it. When the moment is gone, they move on to other things in life. I have learned to do something about it when I see anything that affects me and makes me want to write a poem. It might only be the first two to four lines that I write on a scrap of paper, but I've got it and can continue later. Reading those first lines brings back whatever it was I had witnessed and allows me to continue writing.

Have you ever had a vivid dream that might prompt a poem? I have. I had been to a poetry presentation at a writer's conference weeks earlier. The woman who spoke mentioned dreams being a good source for poets. She said The important thing is to act on it as soon as you wake up before the dream is lost. One night I dreamed about old gypsy women on a train. They were sewing and little gypsy girls were dancing in the aisles. I couldn't imagine what prompted the dream in the first place, but I got up, grabbed a robe and went straight to my computer. I already had the first two lines in my head. I wrote them and the rest flowed, line upon line. The poem has been published more than once, and it was used as a prompt for an abstract artist in Kansas City. I have no formal training in writing poetry, so, if I can do it, so can you. The poem, which turned out to be about aging, is below with a photo of the painting. I have used the poem before to illustrate a point, so some of you may have read it already.

play, gypsy girl, play

passengers on a train, gypsies
going nowhere; wheels kiss tracks
like passion-driven teens
as gypsy women dip needle and thread
into cheap and flimsy fabric,
fashion bits and pieces to sell.
pricked fingers bleed onto gingham
and voile, spit wipes it clean again.

little girls wear blue eye shadow,
swing immature hips and mimic
older sisters, thumb their nose at
mothers, aunties, and grans. too soon
they will sew, wiping blood spots
away but for now, let them frolic,
midnight eyes glittering with
mischief. too soon cares settle
on shoulders like a burlap shawl,
not noticed until the years pull it tight,
captive in a smothering embrace.

play, gypsy girl, play for the years
roll quickly by; shake your tawny locks,
clap your jeweled hands, twirl until your
skirt billows round umber knees,
laugh and sing, before the heavy mantle
of womanhood crushes girlish patter,
cares and woes etch themselves in
deep ridges on cheek and chin, shoulders curl
onto sagging breasts, veins make maps of legs,
thinning tresses turn to silver, eyes dull from anger
or sometimes fear, gaps where teeth
once looked like pearls on a string.

weathered faces watch young girls dance, needles
never still, minds spiraling backward. play,
gypsy girl, play before the years sit like a rock
on your heart. the train speeds
whistle whining, as gypsy women sew
and little girls see only tonight.

Painting by Jennifer Rivera and my poem at the Art Gallery in St. Joseph, MO

Mixed Feelings On A Writer's Quote

The quote today certainly has some truth in it. I think you can also reverse this a bit and say You only fail if you never start writing. Does that sound strange?

There are a good number of wannabe writers who read about writing, talk about writing, dream about writing but never attempt to write. Sound doubtful? Perhaps. But perhaps not. I think there are a lot of people who might fall into this category.

A number of years ago, I helped start a critique group for people who wrote for children. We met once a month. The members were asked to bring something they had written, read it aloud for the group, and then listen while the group critiqued the piece. It started out alright, although a couple of the people didn't read. They did offer suggestions to those who did read aloud. We spent the early part of each session talking about writing, new places to submit to, anything new in the writing world and other things writing-related. All the members participated in the conversation.

As time went on, fewer and fewer members brought something to read. I realized that these were people who wanted to be a writer but something held them back. They loved talking about writing, but they didn't produce. The group finally dissolved when I was doing the bulk of the writing and reading.

What causes this? My guess is that it can be one of several things. Fear is one. What if I bring something to read and they laugh at my effort?What if I can write the beginning but never an ending? Another reason is lack of confidence. These other people can write better than I can. What makes me think I can compete here? I also think that, for some, they find out that writing is not a lark. It is hard work. Maybe they aren't willing to put in the time to read about the craft, do writing exercises and more.

Yes, some people are in love with the idea of being a writer. Wouldn't that be cool? My friends would really admire me if I write and get published.

There are others who give writing a good shot. They spend a few years working at it only to give up, either slowly or in one fell swoop. Is that all bad? I don't think so. If you have given your effort and then find you don't enjoy writing, then maybe it's not for you. There's no shame in quitting, and I don't consider it as a failure. A writer who quits could end up being a master gardener or an illustrator or a musician. With these things in mind, I'm not sure I can agree with today's quote or my own reversal of those same words.

Rather than say a person who quit writing, or never got started, failed, I prefer to say that they have moved on to other things. Those of us who have been writing for a long time have acquired a passion for the craft. We can't not write. Something inside pushes us to string words together until they make sense and bring knowledge and pleasure to others.

How About Only A Wee Bit of Memoir?

Did your memoir start in a place like this?

(This was a Guest Post I did for Michelle Monet's Memoir site in January)

You've been through a traumatic period in your life or an event that just won't stop invading your heart and mind. You decide to write a memoir. Big decision. Big story. Big job.

You begin the first chapter with the enthusiasm of an athlete who knows she’s at the top of her game. Confident with a goal of reaching the trophy at the end. And then, the idea of writing an entire book about what occurred somewhere in your life becomes a bit frightening, even overwhelming. I’ve noted memoir writers who confess that they have never written before but felt the story needed to be told. How to do it can be a big stumbling block.

If you’re a newbie writer, it stands to reason that this great undertaking might be too much to handle. Even if you have some writing background, a whole book can be daunting. What to do?

 Try writing short memoir pieces. A lot of personal essays and stories in anthologies like Chicken Soup for the Soul can be classified as memoir. I’ve written dozens of them, and let me tell you, a 1200 word memoir story for an anthology is a lot easier to write than a 300-page book.

 If you’re thinking that you couldn’t possibly get all that happened into 1,000 to 2,000 words, you’re right. The short memoir is merely a snippet of what you’d include in a full book.

Think about the meaning of the word memoir—a memory or reminiscence. The first short memoir I had published was about my dad making a valentine box for me to take to school when I was in the second grade. Making the valentine box wasn’t the important part. That came when I, only 7 years old, realized that my daddy, who had little spare time to devote to me, loved me. We take things like this for granted but this particular day, the fact settled over me like a warm comforter and left a definite impression. You can read the story here. The tale is a mere sliver of memoir. I couldn’t write an entire book about that valentine box, but I could include the story within a lengthy memoir about the love/hate relationship that developed between my dad and me as the years slid by.

 Many a personal essay begins with a memory and finishes with a universal truth or a lesson learned. Basically, it is a short form memoir, but for some reason, we tend to think of memoir only as a full book. If you want to write short memoir pieces, you’ll need to change your mindset. Once you do, there’ll be no problem in continuing to write these wee little bits of your life.

 Consider this. Once you have a file filled with these short stories, you can piece them together like a quilt top and create a full-length memoir. In addition, if you can publish some of these short memoirs, you might still use them in your full book, as long as you retain the rights to the stories.

 There are writing contests that use Memoir as a category. My state authors group has found this contest category to be one that receives the most submissions. The word count varies from year to year—sometimes 1500 words or less, but never over 2,000.

 When writing the short memoir, remember to give the facts but also your feelings and what you may have learned. Use all the writing tools in your kit, such as sensory details, similes and metaphors, active verbs and more exactly as you would with any other type of writing.

 Give short memoir a try. That wee bit could lead to something much bigger.

Two Calls For Submissions

The other day, I mentioned that now is the time to write your holiday stories and submit them. Chicken Soup for the Soul has just sent a call for holiday stories for the 2020 book. Believe it or not, the deadline to submit is January 20, 2020, so you have a lot of time to come up with a story, or stories, for this book.

The book is centered on December holidays, but the majority will most likely be Christmas themed if this book runs like the previous ones. They are also asking for stories about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day and New Year's festivities. I suspect that, if you submit a story on one of the celebrations other than Christmas, you'll up your odds of being accepted. 

One of the main guidelines that you should pay strict attention to is that they want a 'story' not a reflection or an essay or a slice of life. Your submission should have a beginning, a middle and an end. Is there a problem? Does it get solved? Readers love to be confronted with a problem and then read on to see how it turns out. Hopefully to the good. Add a little tension or maybe some humor. Don't simply 'report' what happened. Bring the reader into your story. Make them laugh or cry or be angry or sad. You want to write in such a way that you bring emotion to your reader. The story must be true.

The second new call for Chicken Soup for the Soul is a book that will be titled I Can't Stop Laughing. The deadline for submissions is July 19, 2019, which gives you plenty of time to write a new story or polish up an old one if it fits this theme. We've all had hilarious happenings in our lives. Weddings and funerals can both be a background for things that make us laugh, for it seems that mishaps occur often at both those events. What about funny things that have happened while on vacation or during a graduation ceremony? 

We can all recall a humorous time, one that got us to rollicking with a full belly laugh. Remembering it and writing about it so that your reader is highly amused is not an easy task. I've seen writers who think they are writing something funny, but it falls flatter than a pancake. Guest Blogger, Kaye Curren, wrote about humor in personal essays. What you're aiming for here is an actual story, but much of what Kaye says in her post about humor in writing can work for either. Read it here.

Do a search on writing humorous stories if you feel you need a bit of extra help. Erma Bombeck was a master at writing humorous columns. Read a few to get a feel for how she did so well. 

You can read more details about both these calls at the Chicken Soup for the Soul website. You'll also find a few other books that still need stories. Pay attention to the deadlines. Don't wait until the last minute to submit. When the editors find a story they like, they are ready to accept. When those 101 needed stories are ready to go, they are not going to take those last minute subs. That is, not unless they have trouble finding the quality of story they want, and one of the last minute subs might be just right. Still, I would suggest submitting well before the deadline.