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“…put your pen to paper and use it to release the animal that hides in the shadow of your hand.” – Pat Schneider from “Sometimes Writing”

What writing releases for me is multifaceted.  It gives me permission and justification for my sorrow, frustration, anger.  I can put it onto the page, and it may stay there, in my ongoing journal, but even if I am the only one to see it, it’s still a release.

It’s a spiritual path, practiced through writing.  I’m not talking about God necessarily.  I’m a recovering Catholic who is currently agnostic, letting in the possibility, but not really knowing.

Creativity is a natural process and blocks to it are unnatural.  Writing unblocks those pathways and gives us access to our true selves.

I took a spiritual journey in writing my latest book of poems, “Touch My Head Softly.”

I released my pain and frustration about having a partner who was stricken by Alzheimer’s Disease and eventually died, leaving me devastated.  Releasing those feelings in the vessels of those poems has been healing for me.

“Touch My Head Softly” is in pre– sales at Finishing Line Press:

https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/touch-my-head-softly-by-eileen-kennedy/

it can also be gotten by clicking on the book cover on this page.

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I’m Delighted that Brilliant Light Publishing Recommended My New Book

I’m delighted that Brilliant Light Press has made me a Recommended Poet for my new book, Touch My Head Softly, from Finishing Line Press.

Take a look: https://www.brilliantlightpublishing.com/eileen-p-kennedy_poet_massachusetts

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Can a Book Make a Difference?

“Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does.” William James

Can a book make a difference?  We are told our actions make a difference, but can a book, with diminishing print sales, lack of readership, and confusion about meaning, make a difference. This topic has been on my mind ever since I decided to donate part of the proceeds of my book of poetry about my partner who died of Alzheimer’s to the Alzheimer’s Association.  

When I approached my publisher about it, she didn’t respond.  When I approached the Alzheimer’s Association, they had never heard of such a thing and thanked me for the donation. When I told my friends, they asked if I thought I would sell enough copies to even form a decent donation.  

So why do it?  Some five million people are living with Alzheimer’s, and the number is growing.  I never had it, but the disease killed my partner and wrecked my life ten years ago.  It’s strange to write, publish and then read about this experience.  I thought if I contributed something to the research, it might ameliorate this whole process.

I also found it hard to talk to people about the donation, because they may see it as some strange hero thing. On the other hand, it can also be viewed as self-serving as people may buy the book because part of the proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association, but as Adele, when she was asked if she was nervous hosting Saturday Night Live, recently said, “But if there was ever a time for any of us to jump head first into the deep end with our eyes closed and hope for the best it’s 2020 right?”

My book, Touch My Head Softly, has two weeks left in pre-sales, that time when my royalty and print run will be determined.  If you buy a copy, you will be getting a good collection of poetry and contributing to the Alzheimer’s Association:https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/touch-my-head-softly-by-eileen-kennedy/

My book is also on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3609820860

I’ll be continuing to post announcements on Tuesdays and blog on Thursdays.

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Patricia Lee Lewis Writes 30 Poems in 30 Days

Patricia Lee Lewis, Writer Extraordinaire, is writing 30 Poems in 30 Days for the Center for New Americans for their Family Literacy Project. Patricia is the author of High Lonesome and a Kind of Yellow, which was awarded first place by Writers Digest International. She is the former director of the Patchwork Farm Retreat and has been the beloved mentor of many writers.

Check out Patricia’s donations page and give a contribution to this important cause:

cnam.org

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Amherst Books Reopens

There’s nothing like your local book store for a writer. Here you find worthy books, interesting readings and events, and a place to sell your books.

Amherst Books is located at 8 Main Street in Amherst, MA. New Hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. You can order books online at books@amherstbooks.com) or by telephone (413-256-1547, 

They believe, and so do I, that books and bookstores are essential, especially in times of crisis. Support them or your local bookstore.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com
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A Suggestion for Writer’s Block

When I have writer’s block, I sometimes freewrite.

What is freewriting? A writing exercise in which you  write quickly and continuously, with a free association of ideas.

Freewriting is a good technique to shut down your “inner censor” and let your writing flow. The idea is to put down your thoughts as they arise, without judging them, or the way in which they get expressed.

According to  Peter Elbow, a founder of freewriting:

“If you want readers to breathe life into your writing so that they get a powerful experience from it, then you must breathe experience into your words as you write. I don’t know why it should be the case that if you experience what you are writing about–if you go to the bamboo–it increases the chances of the reader’s experiencing the bamboo. But that’s the way it seems to work.”

The basic technique is to simply write without stopping for a set amount of time, say 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t correct what you write. See what happens.

 

My latest collection of poetry is coming out soon. Check it out:

Touch My Head Softly by Eileen Kennedy – Finishing Line Press


 
Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

When I have writer’s block, I sometimes freewrite.

What is freewriting? A writing exercise in which you  write quickly and continuously, with a free association of ideas.

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Stephanie Shafran will be the Featured Writer for Straw Dog Writers Guild

OPEN MIC & FEATURED READER Writers Night Out In! Thursday, November 5 @ 7:00pm ONLINE *We have changed our usual Tuesday to a Thursday due to the election. We’re live and online! Join us Tuesday on Zoom at 7:00pm for Writers Night In.  RSVP wno@strawdogwriters.org to receive the Zoom link to the event.

Featured Reader – Stephanie Shafran

Stephanie Shafran lives in Western MA. Her poetry and prose have appeared in anthologies such as Straw Dog’s Compass Roads and Ophelia’s Mom, edited by Nina Shandler. And in journals such as Earth’s Daughters, Whirlwind Review, Slant and Silkworm. Her poem Pears received an honorable mention in Writers’ Digest’s 2001non-rhyming poetry competition.

Last year, Stephanie’s poem After “Since Unfinished” by Richard Blanco won 3rd place in the Robert P. Collén Poetry Competition; recently she was a semi-finalist in River Styx’s Microfiction Contest.

Stephanie published Awakening this spring.

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“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” 
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

I don’t know how you deal with self-doubt and self-criticism, but I know that loving life helps.

In the midst of a pandemic, I know this is hard.  But I have been trying to come  up every day with something to be grateful for.  I live in Western Massachusetts, which has some of the loveliest landscapes and lakes on the earth.  I canoe with my partner often.  I find focusing on nature is a great antidote.  I have a porch that looks out on a beautiful meadow and even while I’m sitting in my study writing, I’ll go out to the porch and look at a tree or plant or flower.

My latest collection of poetry is coming out soon. Check it out:

Touch My Head Softly by Eileen Kennedy – Finishing Line Press