A Cool Autumn Day

The weather was a bit cooler today and I had a lot of work to do. I've composed a few Haiku over the last few days and I've drafted some other poems. I thought of another book idea today.........Of course, writing books takes a while to do, and I've committed to finishing one other book this year.......I hope I'll be able to meet that deadline.........It's a self-imposed one, but, a necessary one too. The sooner I get it done.........I'd like to have a couple of books out by this time next year. I need to start working on them........
I will work hard the rest of the year, and take some time to write just for fun too. I feel with a lot of deadline pressure, the good stuff sometimes gets away, and the creativity can dissipate into the vast unknown......
As far as publication credits go, mine have grown by two in the last week. I had one poem titled "The March" published in the VVA State Publication, which is published four times a year. This poem is included in my book, "Woman Reclining". Please order your copy today through Borders.com, Barnes & Noble.com, http://outskirtspress.com/womanreclining.
I also had another award winning Haiku published again, this time in the 2006 edition of The Haiku Society of America's annual anthology. Perhaps you can read that piece too. I may include it in one of my future blogs!
Happy reading and Happy writing!

September Musings

The summer has turned into fall, and a new season of discovery will unfold........I've been busy teaching and writing, and preparing for two additional exhibits that I'll participate in. They'll open in October and I'm looking forward to them. Hopefully my art and words will inspire others to creativity.
In the last couple of days I've penned some cute Haiku and I may share them in a future blog entry. In the meantime I have a writing deadline looming that I must address tomorrow!
If you have a chance to visit Lowell, Michigan, please stop by and see my two pieces. This is the first exhibit that I've been involved with this year. One is a portrait, and the other is a poem entitled, "A Haunted Soul". You'll be moved by them as others have been.
If you'd like to own a copy of the poem, please order my book, "Woman Reclining".
http://outskirtspress.com/womanreclining
Keep on writing and reading. Be inspired, and inspire someone else today!

Research

How many of you enjoy research? Is it something that you do often, or when you are directed to do so? I know that there is a lot of information out there that I need to absorb, and sometimes the best way to acquire this knowledge is the old fashioned way, through books, magazines, pamphlets, and newspapers. I do enjoy searching via the Internet, yet, I find that it can be misleading at times........
I'm sure some people think that all research can be done via the Internet, and I say otherwise......I know that if it's a reprint of an article or book with substantial sources that can be verified, that's a different story as the printed materials are just being offered in electronic form.
If you do research online make sure that it is based on facts, and not someones opinion. I'll never forget the student who told me about a posting online regarding the writing process and publication opportunities. This person's opinion was not only inaccurate, but, it really upset the reader to the point that she questioned her writing abilities. I of course told her that opinions are just that opinions. She felt better afterwards when she realized that if she wanted to find legitimate advice it was important to get that information from a writing professional.

Another Exhibit for Me!

I've been so busy with writing, and visiting Lowell, that, I've been remiss about writing about another exhibit that I've juried into a few days ago; it's here, in my hometown of Canton! I'll find out more about this upcoming exhibit, and I'll be getting my art ready for this show. I'm very, very, happy to have been selected to participate in it.
Between this exhibit, the one in Lowell, and the Eloise project, my work will be on display in three exhibits simultaneously for at least a week. After I assemble my two art pieces for the Canton and Eloise exhibit, I'll take a break from that for a while! I'll look forward to visiting these shows and enjoying the ambience of it all! Hard work does pay off, and I want to smell the proverbial roses for these accomplishments! I find that it's important to take the time to reflect upon your work and how it makes you feel as the breath of fresh air will make it easier to create other written and visual masterpieces.
I will be writing press releases tomorrow, and hopefully make some other media contacts to promote the Lowell exhibit as it is the one that I am in now. I'll be uploading photos of the exhibit and others that I took to illustrate future chapbooks.
The Muse is off and running once again...........

Poetry Musings

Today I found out that I need to move up my deadline for my poetry through the Eloise project. I've been working on them for a while and I know what kind of writing I want to produce. With my schedule changing once again, it's probably best that I finalize them now, and move onto other projects.
I'll have compiled five poems for the Eloise project, and will continue writing and will probably compile a small chapbook later on. I feel that there's a lot to write about. I've enjoyed my research so far, and want to continue on in that vein as well.
So, I've been revising and revisiting three of the five poems this evening, and feel comfortable with my words so far. Sometimes I'll make a lot of revisions to a piece, other times, it'll flow all at once!
I decided too, that I'll compile Haiku pieces too as I find the shorter writing style freeing. Plus, I can compose a neat image that will linger on, long after the poem has been read.
Anyway, I wanted to write a bit about this project, and I'm going to write a second entry tonight!
Stay tuned!

Lowell's Artists Reception, Michigan

I had a great time today mingling with other artists and writers, as well as conversing with the two co-curators of this fine exhibit.
There were approximately 28-30 visual artists in this year's show titled, "Innerscapes". This was the first time I exhibited as both a visual and literary artist. I was and am ecstatic!
It's really nice to see visitors and other artists studying your work and reading your writing. I found that exhilarating. I was particularly moved by a couple of individuals who referenced their own personal experiences when they talked about my piece and how it affected them. I felt honored that they would share their stories with me.
The layout of the gallery is nice and the way that the artwork was hung was awesome too. I thought the placement of my two pieces was excellent. My framed picture hung above my framed poem, and I was complimented on the choice of frame that I used for it. I wanted to make sure that each piece went well together, and I picked out different colors for the frames. One is made of wood, and the other a plastic frame that shows off the picture nicely.
We spent a couple of hours in the gallery, and then turned the corner into downtown where I took numerous photographs. At least one of the photographs that I took of downtown Lowell last year after being selected to participate in the Water Wonderland: Michigan's Fragile Resource Exhibit, is published in my "Haiku For You" workbook for children. I am planning on adding a future edition in the not so distant future.........In it I will add some more pictures of historic Lowell..........
If you have a chance to stop by and see the exhibit, it runs through October 21st. I highly encourage art lovers and writers to go there!
You'll enjoy this exhibit as much as I do!

A Writer's Profile

It's hard to believe that the golden leaves of fall will soon show us their colors before turning into a crispy sound under foot as autumn begins........The warm days will still be here for a while, and according to a news report the weather may remain mild through November. I guess that's a soothing thought..........I really do need to win the lottery so I can retire and write on my island, and of course, in my huge castle by the sea................I've come up with some cool ideas for more writing projects...........Of course, there's always the question of when I'll finish the projects already begun! I did some minor revisions on some of my poetry this evening, and I was tempted to work on my writing chapbook and future book.......I decided to take it easy tonight........Tomorrow is another day, and we'll see where that goes........Actually I'm planning on working on some of my other work that requires editing and critiquing of manuscripts. That's always a lot of fun............
I try to read at least one novel a week in a very short time. I find that I need to read as much as possible to stay creative and also to read the works of others. I really love it when a book takes off from the very first page and doesn't slow down one bit. I know that reading is essential to good writing.......That's a tip that I hope you'll remember.........Always read what you like, and take a chance and read in a genre that you've never delved into before. It should be something that will not give you nightmares though........I suggest if you enjoy reading romances try something else close to that genre; I wouldn't suggest horror unless you really want to learn about it!
Another option is to watch movies, cartoons, television shows to get an idea about scripts. You could read a book on screenwriting to garner some additional tips too. If you really want to write, you should read any and all books, articles, speeches, etc, relative to the writing process and manuscript writing and evaluation. Each author will have his or her take on writing, and some will give you assignments to try. That can be a lot of fun!! One that I like involves writing a novel in thirty days. It forces you to come up with characters, scenes, plots, etc, right from the beginning. I started a novel in a notebook a few months ago.............I really should find it..........
What's funny though, is even though I haven't looked at my notes and story beginnings, I can tell you pretty much what I wrote as I try to commit to memory these types of projects.
I have had a fun week selling books...................I continue on my journey of sales..............I do need to get some more press regarding my book......................I will have a booksigning at Panera's in Canton on September 11th, 2006. Hopefully I'll see you there!
Here's my webpage information: http://outskirtspress.com/womanreclining