Dear Poets,
Classes are underway (my own and so many others). The heat dome has finally lifted over Los Angeles. I picture a huge clear bell jar-type lid pulled up by a mysterious hand, who might yet clap it down again. I learned how to make an Instagram story just to lambast Trader Joe’s for trotting out the pumpkin everything (in 95+ degree heat). Just not ready, even for the ritual sharing of this McSweeney’s link.
In the spirit of everyone-responds-to-a-deadline, I am thinking about what milestone I want to reach with my creative work before the end of the year. It is only September, but I like the idea of setting ‘seasonal’ intentions at the front end of the quarter.
How to actually do the work, (and where to start), is the trick. I stumbled across this article (“Persistence Pays the Weary Writer”) and thought its advocacy for 30-minute work sessions is solid. It reminds me of someone mentioning that poet Dorianne Laux once commented you can do your ‘life’s work’ (as a writer) in about that increment if you commit to it. Way back when I worked as a dissertation coach, occasionally I’d have a student so frozen about writing the only solution was to tell said person to work for the tiniest amount of time possible, often just five minutes. After a few brief sessions (and said person realized they didn’t drop dead from shock) they could begin to work in slightly larger increments.
Writing in small units has served me lately. It’s better than lamenting the blocks of time that just don’t exist, never mind lifts what can also be a heavy burden — the pressure of needing to be insta-brilliant when a block does appear and then feeling heartsick if you don’t use the time well. So take five minutes for your writing, longer if you can. See where it leads.
If you’re in SoCal this weekend I’ll be reading at the Fourth Saturdays series out at the Claremont Helen Renwick Library on September 24 at 2 pm (yes, tomorrow). Would love to see you there!
And you can find me below (sort of in the middle, click for a better image). This picture was taken earlier in August at the incredible A Day of Poetry in LA event, also covered in this brief news clip. The photo is posted as part of the Southern California Poets United for Ukraine Campaign via CORE Humanitarian Relief for Ukraine. Any and all donations are kindly welcomed.
Again, I kvell. So thrilled for Nancy Murphy who recently announced her chapbook (The Space Carved by the Sharpness of Your Absence) has been picked up by Gyroscope Press and will be out in November. Details on ordering to come. Nancy recently had her poem “Dimming” (which I remember well from workshop!) published on SWWIM.
Buffy Shutt reports: “I have two little poems in the next issue of Bones Journal.” The link will be live in October but here is one for the current issue.
As always, glad to hear your news!
Sharing with you:
A wonderful resource is Emily Stoddard’s newsletter The Poetry Bulletin. There are dozens of useful articles and generous listings of upcoming deadlines. If that’s not enough, she also organizes a “submission fee support circle” to cover submitting costs. This discussion (on Twitter) on whether to go for a chapbook or full length is intriguing.
Radha Marcum’s newish newsletter Poet to Poet has also impressed me. Here’s a post about an ever popular subject: How to organize a poetry manuscript.
I just learned about the “Tell It Slant” festival which is already happening, but goes through September 25, sponsored by the Emily Dickinson Museum.
Yetzirah is a new organization providing community, readings, and other kinds of fellowship for Jewish writers. Feel free to add yourself to their directory.
Zoeglossia is also new. It is seeking to “pioneer a new, inclusive space for poets with disabilities.” This seems like an exciting and vital new space.
Our own Carla Sameth is leading this wonderful (free) program next week on 9/28 from 6-8 p.m. at the Altadena Library. I hope to be there and hope you will be too!
“Learn to write a poem for a loved one or a stranger or request your own poem. Celebrate the On-Demand or Typewriter-Written poetry movement and hear what makes the experience so unique from poets who have created in an Amtrak train, the Mall of America, Union Station, Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade, LA Pride, and a Poetry Hotline.” Come in person or livestreamed at www.youtube.com/altadenalibrary
If you’ve read this far, you deserve a surprise. Check out this late summer tribute. 🌽 It really is corntastic. 🌽
I have more to share, but want to zing this out today. As ever, I hope to hear from you! ✍️
Really loved this: "Writing in small units has served me lately. It’s better than lamenting the blocks of time that just don’t exist, never mind lifts what can also be a heavy burden — the pressure of needing to be insta-brilliant when a block does appear and then feeling heartsick if you don’t use the time well. So take five minutes for your writing, longer if you can. See where it leads." Thanks, Elline!