"Writing For Fun"

Have you written anything lately for fun? What's that you ask? Well, how about a piece that means something to you, and it's important that you write it.
How often do we think about doing something just for ourselves? Probably not too often. I know that it's a litany of work, more work, and less fun.
I'm not even sure I could write a piece that did not have a destination in mind. It's what happens when you become a competitive writer, or one who is always searching for that perfect story to sell.
We all need a break! I'm not saying that you couldn't sell your story or poem later on, it's just having the opportunity to write freely, and without consequence. Wow, that sounds daring doesn't it?
Maybe this week I'll take a stab at writing a piece for fun.....How about you?

The Writing of Poetry

Writing poetry is exciting and challenging. As I've embarked on my journey to craft nice pieces for the Artists Among Us competition, I know that I have my work cut out for me.
It's never easy interpreting the work of other artists. The muse visits, and strikes a certain chord that may not make sense to someone else. This makes it difficult for me to understand an abstract piece for example. I want some concrete answers so that I can justify writing my prose. If it doesn't make sense to me, how do I write a piece that will move the judges or the audience that I am addressing with my poetry?

Writing For Newspapers

In the past three weeks I've embarked on another writing adventure. I decided to pitch a couple of story ideas to another publication, and I've sold two stories and some photos to illustrate my work.
I actually prefer to illustrate my own writing whenever possible, as it adds credibilty to what I can do, or shall I say, what I will do.
I've enjoyed the news stories that I've crafted, as I know the impact I had on the reader was positive.

The Writing Life

I believe that all writers are multitalented and use their imagination to create many different things all of the time.
In the last week I've compiled and written three more intense war poems for a contest entry. Writing about War is not easy. It's difficult at best to say the least.
When I was in undergraduate studies a few years back, a class that I took actually invited me into the trenches with the soldiers of World War One. Ever since then, I've had a fascination with trying to recreate what happened to these individuals to pass onto others especially those who have never served in the military. Most folks who didn't sign up for duty with Uncle Sam, or didn't have the luxury of being drafted, really don't have a clue as to what happens to our men and women who serve. I can say this freely as I did serve my country, and have an extensive background in warfare as I was always training for it when I was in the field.
I'd like for my work to illustrate the hardships and sacrifices that these individuals did in the past for our country and those that are still sacrificing today. It's a major accomplishment for those who serve, because they understand what freedom costs. Freedom is never free. It's important that each and every person in the United States is grateful that so many put their lives on the line daily for the most basic of human rights. The only way for this to happen is to make everyone aware of what our soldier,sailors,marines, and airmen and women do daily. I believe that education is the key to this.
One of my friends, a fellow writer, and editor likes to see items that I write. So, I sent him some recent clips of my work, and for the heck of it, I sent him two of my War poems. I did this knowing full well that he never served, but was patriotic nonetheless. Anyway, he e-mailed me back telling me to keep writing this type of material, as "I am on to something". I feel that's a high compliment from someone who has never served because those that have served, and that have read my work, are moved by it just the same.
I may post one or two of these poems on this blog site.
I feel that the more I write, and the more I share, the more creative I become. Hopefully, the same is true for you too!