Books

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Exercise Stimulates Creativity

According to a new study by Scientific Reports* “the pattern of findings argues for shared variance between bodily movements and creativity or fluency and originality.”

Therefore many writers, including me, exercise as part of their creative process. The physical state of our bodies, and our willingness to routinely move them through space to the extent we are able, can either serve or subvert the quest to create.

Photo by Heart Rules on Pexels.com

There are studies about how aerobic exercise both increases the size of the prefrontal cortex and facilitates interaction between it and the amygdala. This is important to creators because the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that helps tamp down the amygdala’s fear and anxiety signals.

Dr. Jennifer Heisz, author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind, shares deeply compelling insights and research about the connection between movement and anxiety, depression, working memory, mental flexibility and creativity

I swim everyday first thing in the morning, then I write. I have been following this pattern for years and find it works for me. Artists, writers and any other driven creators use movement as a powerful tool in the quest to help transform the persistent uncertainty, fear, and anxiety that accompanies the quest to create,

Anyone involved in a creative endeavor might consider movement, as a potent elixir to help transform the uncomfortable sensation of anxiety from a source of pain and creative stagnation into something not only manageable but usable.

A growing body of research on the therapeutic effect of exercise on anxiety, mood, and fear illustrates the often sustained anxiety that rides organically along with the uncertainty of creation. As artists, we need to cultivate the energetic capacity needed to give our brains what they require to function long enough, and at a high enough level, to have even a shot at closing the gap between idea and performed piece or manuscript. We need to not only train in the craft, but also do what we can to equip ourselves to flourish along the way.the creative process, especially in the context of a larger work, is a survival event.

What form of exercise do you use to feed your creativity?

I will blog on Thursdays on creativity, the writing process, readings and publishing. Follow me her on Thursdays.

*“Everyday bodily movement is associated with creativity independently from active positive affect” by Rominger, et al. Scientific Reports.

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Sometimes We Have to Gather Tomatoes to Write

I plant tomatoes every spring

Their small green selves

Growing shockingly tall

And flashing yellow flowers

That turn to rich red fruit

Juicy as I pop them in my mouth

Photo by Julia Nagy on Pexels.com

I wrote this on a winter’s day longing for summer and its fruit and vegetables.

This blog is intended for the part of you that is longing for a moment in the sultry sun.

Can you feel the fresh breezes coming?

Remember the time you bought tomatoes at a roadside stand. You ate them all by yourself or with a lover or a friend.

In order to write, take your shoes off, get rid of your bags, and all the items that keep interrupting your experience in this summer moment.

Recall some happy summer, some years ago, when you did this sort of thing.

If you do this sort of thing and poems will happen because of it. We need time and space for reflection.

Visit me here on Thursdays when I will blog about the writing process, poetry and publishing.

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Why Are We So Insecure About Our Writing?

The shadow of the dome of pleasure
    Floated midway on the waves;
    Where was heard the mingled measure
    From the fountain and the caves.
   
                    --Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

Coleridge wrote these lines in 1797. Just listen to the rhythm and music in the lines. Coleridge did not publish “Kubla Khan” until 1816, at Lord Byron’s insistence. Coleridge worried about the irregular meter and that sections of the poem were not coherent. Yet, it is considered one of the best poems published in the English Language.

In a sense, that’s fair enough. The poem does not hold to traditional poetic unity in the way other Coleridge work does: his long narrative poems “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and “Christabel,” for example, and “Frost at Midnight,” his hymn to fatherhood. The poem began in a drug-induced dream.

Photo by Tyler Lastovich on Pexels.com

So how many of us writers doubt the worth of our writing? Bertrand Russell, a famous writer in his own rite, had three tips for insecure writers:

Learn to recognize your writing insecurities and admit to their existence. You can’t address a problem if you pretend it’s not there. Look at your particular insecurities and recognize them. That way you’ll be prepared when insecurity strikes.

The second is to recognize that you’re not alone in your insecurities. All writers feel insecure about their writing one time or another. If you’re insecure about grammar, work on grammar. Remember no one writes a text right the first time.

The third tip is to let go of any concept of perfectionism that you have. If you finish a text and feel you can do better, it just means that you’re developing some judgmental ability. Being insecure with your writing is part of a writer’s life.

I recently finished a manuscript called Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth, with the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen. Every time I submit a manuscript to a publisher, even though I’ve published three books, my insecurities come to play. The worst that can happen is that it will be rejected and I will submit it elsewhere.

Follow me here on Thursdays as I write about the writing process and the journey of my manuscript.

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Join Us for a Reading from Poetry for the Dementia Journey at the Book Launch at 4 pm EST on June 3

I will be reading one of my three poems in the anthology

On Sunday, June 3 at 4 pm EST, I will be reading from the anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey, along with many other poets included in the anthology, including Gail Thomas, Ellen Rittberg, and Christine Jones. The book officially launches in both paperback and Kindle on June 1st – in time for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The book will also be published with Draft2Digital, which will put it in many other stores, such as Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Hoopla. The eBook will sell on all platforms for $9.99 and the paperback will sell for $14.99. All royalties will benefit AlzAuthors’ mission to provide quality resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can order a copy at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3CCK368.

You can get the zoom link by emailing a request to alzauthors@gmail.com.


Poetry for the Dementia Journey is a moving, hopeful, heartwarming collection all written from the personal experience of dementia. Within its pages, readers will find nuggets of wisdom and glimpses of joy.

Follow me here on Thursdays for more writing and book publishing news.

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I Will Be Reading from Poetry for the Dementia Journey at the Book Launch at 4 pm EST on June 3

Join Us on Zoom

On Sunday, June 3 at 4 pm EST, I will be reading from the anthology, Poetry for the Dementia Journey, along with many other poets included in the anthology, including Gail Thomas, Ellen Rittberg, and Christine Jones. The book officially launches in both paperback and Kindle on June 1st – in time for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The book will also be published with Draft2Digital, which will put it in many other stores, such as Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Hoopla. The eBook will sell on all platforms for $9.99 and the paperback will sell for $14.99. All royalties will benefit AlzAuthors’ mission to provide quality resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can order a copy at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3CCK368. You can get the zoom link by emailing a request to alzauthors@gmail.com.

This is a moving, hopeful, heartwarming collection all written from the personal experience of dementia. Within its pages, readers will find nuggets of wisdom and glimpses of joy.

Follow me here on Thursdays for more book publishing news.

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I’m Delighted to Be a Part of The Anthology Poetry for the Dementia Journey to be Published June 1

Zoom in to View Us at the Launch on June 3 at 4 pm.

poetry-for-dj-cover-123650291

The book officially launches in both paperback and Kindle on June 1st – in time for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. The book will also be published with Draft2Digital, which will put it in many other stores, such as Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Hoopla. The eBook will sell on all platforms for $9.99 and the paperback will sell for $14.99. All royalties will benefit AlzAuthors’ mission to provide quality resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You can order the book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3CCK368

This is a moving, hopeful, heartwarming collection all written from the personal experience of dementia. Within its pages, readers will find nuggets of wisdom and glimpses of joy.

A book launch is planned and includes a virtual reading featuring the poets on Monday, June 3 at 4:00 pm EST. I will be reading at least one of my three poems in the anthology at that time. This will be on Zoom and recorded for both our podcast and YouTube channel.

Follow me here on Thursdays for more book news.

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Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Writing Process

Photo by Roshan Ravi on Pexels.com

As a teacher, I relied on Bloom’s Taxonomy as a model.

As a career educator, I often used Bloom’s Taxonomy. I taught little ones on the elementary school level, and then college students. I always encouraged my students to approach study using this six-step process.

The model was named for Benjamin Bloom, who first came up with it. Here are its six levels:

  1. Knowledge
  2. Comprehension
  3. Application
  4. Analysus
  5. Synthesis
  6. Evaluation

So how do you use Bloom’s Taxonomy to enhance your writing process? I think Bloom’s Taxonomy can be applied to writing. You may come across an idea for your writing and research the topic and comprehend it. Then you can apply it in your writing. In the analysis phase you break down complex ideas about what you’re writing. In the synthesis part you combine the ideas you have generated in the process and make it original, or your own.

In evaluation, you make judgments about the value of what you have created and decide if it is something you want to pursue. As writers, we have all written things we don’t think work, but even if you don’t come out with something good after this process, it’s bound to lead to something worth using later. It’s an exercise in how to get through the writing process, even if it’s not working. Nothing is ever wasted in the creative process.

I started writing an eco-poetry manuscript on my own as I feel passionately about climate justice. Then I met the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen, and saw some of her paintings about women at the heart of the environmental movement, and decided to collaborate with her. We came up with a 60-page manuscript of ekphrastic poems and paintings called Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet. It is currently out being considered by several publishers.

I will be blogging on Thursdays. Follow me here for blogs about the writing/publishing process and the progress of my new manuscript.

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How to Write a Query Letter to a Publisher

Māori. Oil, 40” x 40”

Many writers ask me about how to approach a publisher and get them interested in reading my manuscript. I’ve published three books. A good query letter is invaluable in soliciting interest from a publisher. With a novel, it is simpler to give a plot summary, character analysis, etc. But with a poetry manuscript, it’s harder to describe. You have to provide the theme. A good query letter is on the short side and to the point. It has one purpose, to entice the publisher into looking at your manuscript.

To start, look at what the publisher publishes and maybe getting some sample titles. If you like the books, and what the publisher did with them, then you and the publisher are probably a good fit. You might also have friends who had a good experience publishing with someone. If so, you could use this in your opening. As a writer, you have books you love. Get those books and look up the publisher.

Next, read the publisher’s guidelines carefully and follow them. Some publishers want sample pages; some want the whole manuscript;and some just want your letter outlining exactly what it is you want to send. Make sure you know the standards of each publisher and how to meet those standards. When you write your query, incorporate what you like about the publisher’s line of books. Was it one title that drew you in? Is that title relevant to your manuscript?

Start with your favorite publisher first, then wait a few weeks for the response. If it’s a no, and every writer gets a no at least once in a while, go onto your second favorite publisher. Start accumulating a list of publishers, in order of your preference, and keep at it. Persistence is key.

Your previous publishing record is important in your query. The publisher wants to know other people have published you. List book credits, journals and/or anthologies. This proves that you have an audience. Also, if you have won any awards, this is the place to list them. Endorsements from other poets and writers in the field are helpful. If you know someone who has published well, ask them to read your manuscript and write a blurb for you. Include this in your query letter.

This letter is an introduction and framework for your manuscript. It should prepare and excite the publisher to ask for and read your manuscript. Connecting threads could be more valuable to your presentation than just summarizing your manuscript. There must be something about this work that inspired you to do it. Share that enthusiasm with the publisher. Get to the heart of the project and show the publisher why it’s important and why you did it.

I am working on a collection of eco-poetry inspired by the paintings of the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen. The paintings are on the theme of women at the heart of the environmental movement. One of her paintings is pictured above, Māori. This poem and painting of the same name was published in Starry Starry Kite, which was part of my query letter. So far, Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth is out for consideration with two publishers. We await their response.

I will be continuing the journey of this manuscript on Thursdays . Follow me here.

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Friendship and Artists

I recently was given a book by a writer friend called A Friend Sails in on a Poem, by Molly Peacock. It is a book about two friends who are poets and it’s dedicated to “all friends who make art together”. It put me in mind of all of the friendships I have made of other artists and how easy it is to take these relationships for granted.

This book celebrates the friendship of Molly and her poet friend of 46 years, Phillis Levin. According to the book “they have read and discussed nearly every poem they’ve written, creating an unparalleled friendship.” It puts me in mind of all the years I have sat in writing groups reading to my writer friends and seeking their support in my endeavors.

The past two years I have been collaborating with the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen, pictured on the left above. We met at the Julia and David White Artist Colony in Costa Rica years ago and it was our mutual love of nature and art through the years that eventually led to our collection of eco-poetry and art called Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth.

I guess when one artist collaborates with another, it creates an understanding of the other’s artists’ work that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. Irene created a series of paintings about women at the heart of the environmental movement. I responded to these evocative paintings in the best way I know, through poetry. 

           Yesterday. Oil, 16” x 12” by Irene Christensen

I responded to Yesterday with a poem called “She Occupies Time,” which begins “no quiet merging with the azure, but an orange  sky, the earth bizarre with diasporic life.” The combination of painting and poem merge to become something new. A way of communicating in art that transcends painting or poem alone.

Irene started exhibiting her paintings with the poems I had written for them. Perilous Journey at the Galleries of the Interchurch Center in New York City. Queen of the Woods was exhibited with poem and painting at the Voices of the Earth Exhibition in Galleri Schaeffers Gate 5, Oslo,Norway. The painting and poem were sold together as that’s what the buyer wanted, the experience of having both the poem and painting together in his home.

The experience of collaborating and supporting each other as writers and artists is an invaluable part of the process. What has your interpersonal journey been like as a writer?

I will be blogging on Thursdays. Follow me here.

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The Journey of an Eco-poetry Manuscript

Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth

Manuscripts are not easy to put together, especially when they’re a collaboration. I have a new manuscript of eco-poetry that I am collaborating on with the Norwegian artists, Irene Christensen. I would like to write about the different stages of developing and publishing a manuscript.

The project started one winter at an artist colony, The Julia and David White Artist Colony, that sits on a naturally spectacular 17-acre rain forest, is in Costa Rica.  We both shared a love of this beautiful country. I was drawn to Irene’s evocative full-color paintings. Irene expressed admiration for my poetry.  I gave Irene a copy of my second poetry collection, Touch My Head Softly (Finishing Line Press, 2021) and she gave me her painting, “Volcano Flower.”  This interaction started a conversation that over a two-year period developed into the manuscript, Dread and  Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Planet.

The current collection comes from our common interest in natural beauty, the complex relationship between living things and the atmosphere, stopping exploitation of the earth that spans geographical and historical borders, and the feminine care at the center of environmentalism.

Irene worked on a series of art pieces  about women at the heart of the environmental justice movement.   I observed the creation of many of these remarkable paintings and wrote a series of ekphrastic poems, or written responses, to them.  We nurtured our creativity and friendship through this process.

Irene’s paintings unfold as the world heats up and becomes more and more unlivable. She creates images through the eyes of children,  mythical characters like trolls and goddesses, and the lenses of women witnessing the dying globe.  I reinforce this journey in words, giving verbal credence to Irene’s vision, and mine, of the future.

I hope to blog about our journey as the manuscript goes through different stages and if we can even find a publisher. Follow me here on Thursdays to continue this journey.

I Feel Close to Nature Too. Acrylic, 22” x 30” by Irene Christensen