Right now, I'm trying to work my way through a terrible case of writers block. I am in the middle of re-writing my first book "Sierra Court Blues" and was zipping through it at a decent pace. I've made a lot of changes to this second draft trying to tighten the story arc and better develop my characters. All was going really well until I got to Chapter 8. With chapter 8 I've hit the wall.
I know the story. I lived the story. But somehow in my attempt to lay it all out in a "fashionable" literary style and move the story from A to B, I'm stuck.
Part of my problem springs from being intensely aware of my craft. I know what this chapter needs to accomplish. I know where it is going and how it needs to get there. But for the past two weeks, I've stared at it more than I've added to it. The awareness of all these elements has stopped me dead in my tracks.
All of my training tells me not to stop, not to fall prey to my current lack of direction. Writer's write, even when they're not inspired. It's a job like any other. You have to go at it even when your not feeling it. And right now, folks, I'm not feeling it.
But it's only the book I'm having trouble with. I am also working on a really long poem and that's going well. I work on my poetry during breaks from the book. It keeps me writing and offers a diversion.
Right now, though, I'm completely diverted.
I want to get this book done! It took me 5 years to write the first draft. Of course there were big swipes of time in that five years where I didn't work on it as much as I would have liked but I never gave up on it. It's a story I need to tell!
I started on the re-write last September. In six months, I've crafted a really tight story, above and way beyond the first draft. But now it's kicking my ass.
So I'm asking, should I walk away from it for awhile to gain perspective? Or should I get back in the ring with it and fight it out?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Poetry Reading at the Winery-The review
The poetry reading at the Bardwell Winery Saturday night went really, really well. The place was packed! The small party room at the winery was filled past capacity with our poets, their families and guests. It was great to meet the writers from the New Richmond and Williamsburg groups and hear their words in an intimate setting. There are some very talented people writing here in Southwest Ohio and I was thrilled to be able to help put this together.
I was especially proud of the teen-agers that read from my group, Jake, Kassandra, and Jasmine. All three of them were really nervous before they went on but they presented themselves wonderfully. Each of them possess a depth of talent that goes beyond their years. It is heartwarming to see that poetry hasn't been lost on the next generation.
Each of our poets presented a unique voice and style, proving that it is still possible to breath new life into the various forms of verse. It's like I told Jake, Kassi and Jasmine in one of our poetry workshops, "the best way to approach poetry is to read. Study the masters, learn the styles, learn the forms, decipher the Greek. Then after you done the work and are familiar with all of the elements and permutations, ignore it all and do whatever the hell you want!"
And on that note, I felt a special kinship with the poets there from my generation. I could feel a commonality in the tone and timbre of their work, a kind of shared vision in our presentation that points toward an academic rebellion. Our work was as much about intimacy as image and I found it fascinating that this vision in our works came about in isolation. It seemed my cozy corner of Generation X was pretty much all on the same page!
But that doesn't steal a bit of steam from the Baby Boomers present. The ladies from the Williamsburg and New Richmond groups came out swinging! Their work was highly polished, taut and very insightful. Their heart echoed through all of their work and their humor and exuberance were absolutely contagious. I had great conversations with a couple of them after the reading. They were just a joy to be around. I was glad to have met all of them.
We all agreed that we had to put together another reading in the very near future. I think the sense of community I was striving for has finally found its impetus. I can't wait to see where it leads.
Our Poets;
Lisa Brandstetter
Amy Cunningham
Martina Davis
Jim Eggers
Donna Falen
Jasmine Fields
Nan McKay
Arlene Nichting
Lawrence Parlier
Jake Stone
Kassandra Vernon
Becky Weaver
Kathleen Wilson
I thank all of you for a very special night!!!
I was especially proud of the teen-agers that read from my group, Jake, Kassandra, and Jasmine. All three of them were really nervous before they went on but they presented themselves wonderfully. Each of them possess a depth of talent that goes beyond their years. It is heartwarming to see that poetry hasn't been lost on the next generation.
Each of our poets presented a unique voice and style, proving that it is still possible to breath new life into the various forms of verse. It's like I told Jake, Kassi and Jasmine in one of our poetry workshops, "the best way to approach poetry is to read. Study the masters, learn the styles, learn the forms, decipher the Greek. Then after you done the work and are familiar with all of the elements and permutations, ignore it all and do whatever the hell you want!"
And on that note, I felt a special kinship with the poets there from my generation. I could feel a commonality in the tone and timbre of their work, a kind of shared vision in our presentation that points toward an academic rebellion. Our work was as much about intimacy as image and I found it fascinating that this vision in our works came about in isolation. It seemed my cozy corner of Generation X was pretty much all on the same page!
But that doesn't steal a bit of steam from the Baby Boomers present. The ladies from the Williamsburg and New Richmond groups came out swinging! Their work was highly polished, taut and very insightful. Their heart echoed through all of their work and their humor and exuberance were absolutely contagious. I had great conversations with a couple of them after the reading. They were just a joy to be around. I was glad to have met all of them.
We all agreed that we had to put together another reading in the very near future. I think the sense of community I was striving for has finally found its impetus. I can't wait to see where it leads.
Our Poets;
Lisa Brandstetter
Amy Cunningham
Martina Davis
Jim Eggers
Donna Falen
Jasmine Fields
Nan McKay
Arlene Nichting
Lawrence Parlier
Jake Stone
Kassandra Vernon
Becky Weaver
Kathleen Wilson
I thank all of you for a very special night!!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Poetry, Wine and Whimsy
This Saturday (Feb. 18th) my writing group is putting on its first poetry/literary reading at The Bardwell winery in Mt. Orab, OH. We've invited poets and writers from all over southwest Ohio and were suprised by the response. It seems there is a wealth of talented writers right here in our back yard.
Part of the reason for putting on the reading was to forge a sense of community among the writers in our area. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, sitting at the keyboard, attempting to preserve a piece of your intellect, of your experiences, imagination and soul in cohesive patterns of print, hoping it will strike a familiar chord in the minds of others. Obsessing over every sentence, in every scene, on every page, always wondering if your really making any sense at all.
So we gather in groups seeking fellowship and legitimacy, reading and critiquing each others works as we endeadeavor to learn and grow. In the best groups, deep bonds are formed as the search for clarity, intellect, skill and beauty become the common aim. My group is like that, and I consider myself lucky.
When the idea of the reading came about we decided early on that it couldn't be just about us. We were eager to hear new voices and share in new ideas. We decided to seek out our fellow writers and invite them to join us and give voice to their work. We wanted to share with the community the diversity of talented writers that they likely did not know surrounded them.
We wanted to expand the sense of fellowship we have to all of the writers and writer's groups that are thriving in our little corner of the world to create a sense of community capable of pushing us all to greater heights of talent and skill and to cultivate an audience eager for our creations.
And, at very least, as a great and grand excuse to get together over a few bottles of wine and have some fun!!
We hope to see you there.
Poetry Night At The Bardwell Winery
hosted by Gayle and Randy Weddell
720 N. Main St.
Mt. Orab, OH
Sat. February 18th, 2012
Reading starts @ 7pm
Part of the reason for putting on the reading was to forge a sense of community among the writers in our area. Writing can be a lonely endeavor, sitting at the keyboard, attempting to preserve a piece of your intellect, of your experiences, imagination and soul in cohesive patterns of print, hoping it will strike a familiar chord in the minds of others. Obsessing over every sentence, in every scene, on every page, always wondering if your really making any sense at all.
So we gather in groups seeking fellowship and legitimacy, reading and critiquing each others works as we endeadeavor to learn and grow. In the best groups, deep bonds are formed as the search for clarity, intellect, skill and beauty become the common aim. My group is like that, and I consider myself lucky.
When the idea of the reading came about we decided early on that it couldn't be just about us. We were eager to hear new voices and share in new ideas. We decided to seek out our fellow writers and invite them to join us and give voice to their work. We wanted to share with the community the diversity of talented writers that they likely did not know surrounded them.
We wanted to expand the sense of fellowship we have to all of the writers and writer's groups that are thriving in our little corner of the world to create a sense of community capable of pushing us all to greater heights of talent and skill and to cultivate an audience eager for our creations.
And, at very least, as a great and grand excuse to get together over a few bottles of wine and have some fun!!
We hope to see you there.
Poetry Night At The Bardwell Winery
hosted by Gayle and Randy Weddell
720 N. Main St.
Mt. Orab, OH
Sat. February 18th, 2012
Reading starts @ 7pm
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Small Voice
The small voice takes over
In the quiet season of sleep
Pale desires project necessity
And intention
In these calm ebbs
The force
The spark of life
Makes itself known to the dreamer
When eyes open to morning
However
Awareness scatters
To the mind’s recesses
To lie obscure
Beyond language
And
Explanation
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