War Musings

Well, time is quickly running out....My deadline for the War Poetry Contest is May 31st.........Boy, oh, boy, I really hope I can pull it together..........I've written some drafts but I'm not sure that the piece or pieces are complete. I decided that when I wrote for the 2006 competition that I wasn't planning on winning, but crafting more work that I could fine tune for other projects. The deadlines imposed by others helps me to write more effectively. Sometimes other writing assignments take precedence......Who knows maybe this week I'll receive the news that my book has been published.....I have a lot of press releases to write for my new poetry book, and frankly, I am sick of writing them. As a small business owner I have to constantly write press releases and it can be annoying when I have a specific date in mind for that release to run and an editor has another idea....It certainly keeps my days busy. If you need me to write a press release please call..........Oh, and don't forget to send me a nice check with that please.
This will be the beginning of a long week. I figure by the time I have a break it will be the middle of June. Of course then I'll be working on something else, or perhaps planning a short vacation. At this juncture in time I just want to get through the next week and meet all of my important goals.
Who knows maybe later today I'll write more war poetry............and the list goes on............

Eloise Cemetery Project

Well I still haven't composed any war poems, but I did start working on poems about Eloise and the abandoned cemetery that contains over 7000 bodies. What's sad is that it's one huge field covered in grass and sunken bricks with numbers on them. I've never dug through grass and dirt before to uncover graves. Last saturday I along with some other brave souls did this as the cold seeped through our bones and the chilling rain made it interesting to make grave stone rubbings. Some of the best ones that came out were rubbed in dirt. I have one that's covered in grass stains. Pretty cool for a desolate place.
Anyway I've begun my poetic journey for this project..........I'll take more pictures and explore the cemetery again hopefully when the sun is shining and the weather has lost it's spring chill.
The curator feels that our project will inspire some to give and clean up the cemetery for a while and then she feels it will go back to being covered in grass and weeds. How sad.
I for one would like to believe otherwise............

War Poems

My deadline for writing war poetry is approaching quickly. I don't know how much new material I can come up with in the next few days. I suppose I need to make a decision as to whether or not I want to compete...........However, I think that's a fairly simple thing for me to do as I am a competitive writer, and I seem to produce my best work under tremendous pressure.
I've competed since 2004 and feel that some of the war poetry has helped my writing career. I know that there is a book inside for this material as well. It's just a matter of time before that becomes my next book or chapbook topic........
I believe that by writing in this genre I am educating the world about war and the effects it has on all of us. It's important to remember all of the military heroes from wars past, and for those individuals who are sacrificing all today. Don't forget them. When you see a veteran, say thank-you for a job well done.
Even better go to a memorial day ceremony and reflect when that young soldier recites the poem "Flanders Field".
Happy Memorial Day!

Chapbook Musings

I'm enjoying my new publishing venture as a chapbook author. One of the neat aspects of this is that I am able to compile my work any way that I chose. For example, my latest chapbook, "Woman Reclining" was released today. I have compiled pieces from my soon to be released poetry book "Woman Reclining" in it so that my newly acquired reading audience will have a taste of some of my best works before my paperback book is released.
I have decided that illustrating my work is extremely important to me and that will be part of my chapbook series. I feel that having at least one picture either in color or black and white encourages the reader to delve inside.
At my first chapbook signing in February of 2006 I was selling my two chapbooks with pictures on the front covers. The owner of the bookstore was amazed when I told him that the cover art was mine. I have found that most writers are also artists who like to enhance their work anyway possible.
For me, I'll be taking out my cameras more often, and who knows, maybe I'll make movies to go along with my chapbooks at some time.....Maybe............
I know for now I'm happy with what I am producing.........

Chapbook Signings

I look forward to my chapbook signings this week. Hopefully I'll encourage a new generation of readers to take a look at my poetry and see that my work is easily understood and written in a way that isn't preachy or boring.
I remember the time when one of my former creative writing students/client/friend commented on my war poetry. As she read my piece entitled "The Wall" she exclaimed that I wrote like the poet laureate Billy Collins. Even though I knew who he was I had not read any of his work. After that meeting I set out to find some of his work so I could learn a bit more about him. When I picked up his latest book of poetry I was astonished to learn that yes, indeed, we do have a similiar writing style.
Maybe that's why I'm winning writing awards...............
If anyone is interested in learning more about my chapbooks or book, please post your information so I can e-mail you titles and a price list.