For most of this year, I have allowed myself to get sidetracked from my writing. After my semi-hopeless-sounding post last January (good heavens, 10 months!), I actually did finish the draft of my novel in February, and felt good about what I produced in the first several weeks of the year. And then, I was
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After reading comments from my editors…
At the moment, the manuscript of my first novel has seventeen chapters. I’ve submitted most of it to my editing team, three or four chapters at a time, and most of their feedback has been fantastic, and just the right amount of pointing out confusing things or minor errors, and making good suggestions, without making
Read on »The poem I read at the Open Mic: “No Sunrise”
A few nights ago, I attended the third annual Poetry Reading and Open Mic at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. It’s always held sometime in April for National Poetry Month. (Did I ever tell you TSCPL was named 2016 Library of the Year by Library Journal? Yes, my public library really is that awesome!) The
Read on »A Family’s Fences
While I was at Smith College, probably in the spring semester of 1994, I took an American Theater class. It was there that I first heard of August Wilson, and read his award-winning play, Fences. I don’t actually read too many plays, but I’ve always enjoyed attending the performances. (Thinking back, at this moment, it’s
Read on »Help me support a worthy cause
[TL;DR: I’m donating a portion of the sales of my poetry book, from now through the end of the year, to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. There’s more info about them, and links, in the post below. My ebook is only 99 cents, a small amount for most people, and the more copies I sell,
Read on »My poetry book is available through Overdrive!
For many devoted readers of ebooks, the only thing better than being able to purchase an ebook and download it to their device almost instantaneously, is being able to borrow an ebook from their local library, for free, and download it immediately to their device. Books in any format can be expensive, and sometimes it’s
Read on »FreeVerse: A fragment, or draft
Just got this into my head and wanted to “jot it down,” might try to expand it more later, or might not. A year ago tonight, my mother passed away.In the Eastern Time Zone, it’s tomorrow,but here in Kansas, it was, it’s still, today. Imagine the many words we couldn’t saywill be fiery red flowers
Read on »FreeVerse: The Walk — a poem for Rolin
(FreeVerse is hosted by Cara at Ooh…Books! Unfortunately she’s been on a blogging hiatus, but I wanted to put this one up anyway.) Back in 2006, there were three plays nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. One of them was The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow by a man named Rolin Jones. I was
Read on »FreeVerse: Still trying to decide on a title
Only a few hours after my mother died on October 14, 2009, I got up during the night and began writing this poem. I added to it on October 16, but then didn’t really touch it until last week. Then, I decided to type it up on the computer, maybe do some editing as I
Read on »FreeVerse: “Anchor” by Rae Armantrout & mini-review
Anchor “Widely expected,if you will,cataclysm.” Things I’d say,am saying, to persons no longerpresent. Yards away trim junipersmake their customarybows. “Oh, no thank you”to any of it. If you watch mefrom increasing distance, I am writing thisalways This poem is from the collection that just won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, Versed by Rae Armantrout. I
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