Exciting Update News: Writing, Poetry Reading, Publishing

I've been writing every day for three months and have written about twenty poems that are finished or close to that status. Of course, what "finished" means is that the poems look pretty good for now, but if I have an insight anytime, I'll revise! I've been busy in three areas: writing, poetry readings, and publishing. 

• Writing: Besides writing new poetry almost every day, I'm busy revising, which I find just as satisfying as original inspiration, perhaps because revision also provides satisfaction from analysis and application of prosody techniques.
• Poetry Readings: On January 15, I read four poems at Cafe Paradiso's Thirsty Word readings. Thanks to Meredith Siemsen for her support. We're now exploring possibilities for choral readings for the future. Whether or not those work out, I find it exciting and supportive to be able to be a part of the local writers' scene. Also, the sound aspect of speech is emphasized when I give poetry readings, which enhances the creative process.
• Publishing: I am learning how to submit my work online to various literary journals and websites. I have a couple of poems that are "finalists" for a University of California, Davis, publication. I've learned how to use "Submittable," a website used by many journals for submitting work. 

Two specific writing projects that have come as a surprise to me are 1) an emulation poem of Allen Ginsberg's "America" and 2) a poem titled "The Redemption of Tantalus," which is about 1,900 words of verse that utilizes accentual verse and is in the style of Homeric verse. That is an interesting project that combines the styles of the Odyssey translations and Greek plays, including a chorus. I've made myself a promise to keep all creative doors open, so I've been "traveling" to quite interesting landscapes . . . or should I say mindscapes?

Every week is an experience of inspiration and new writing, of research and consideration of various avenues of performance and publication, and of revising and polishing. Oh, yes! And I'm also putting together a book of selected poems from 1970-2005. I'm busy, happy, healthy, and will keep you updated.

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