Poetics Serendipity: WritersWebTV Part 2

8:03 a.m.

listening to Harry Belafonte singing Christmas carols — exquisite

Hello, everyone. It’s amazing what a little sunshine and blue sky will do for the mood. It helped to chew my first meal in a week, last night. The stitches came out of my mouth yesterday. We had pizza for supper. For anyone having gum surgery, I have a list of foods that work well with minor chewing on one side — it’s not really eating but it fuels one. I was, however, getting cranky. Apparently the brain likes an all mouth experience to count as satisfied. I repeat the procedure in January. My poor husband.

Do you remember a post back in September when I introduced Carrie King and her start-up, WritersWebTV? This is not a test. You don’t have to remember, but I don’t want you thinking ‘Margo needs a holiday. She’s written about this place’. I will give context and links as I write.

WritersWebTV is an online web TV channel dedicated to writers and writing. Yesterday I received another email from Carrie with some exciting news: We’re going to be re-broadcasting the workshops that we ran in 2013 at more US-friendly times.

The re-broadcast schedule is:

Wednesday, December 18th ’13, 10am PST: Writing for Children

Sunday, January 5th ’14, 10am EST: Getting Published

Saturday, January 18th ’14, 10am GMT: Writing Crime Fiction

Thursday, January 30th ’14, 10am AEDT: Writing Women’s Fiction

Featuring Irish and international best-selling writers and industry professionals, these workshops are aimed at new and aspiring authors keen to polish their writing and get it on the path to publication. Note the times are in different zones. There may still be some early rising to catch a workshop. When you visit the links, bear in mind that these workshops are free, but this is a business so they offer packages, should you want to own one. Many tidbits included, if you do buy.

Be sure to scroll down to see everything that is covered in the free workshops. Despite the fiction focus, there is much a poet can use and so many of you also write narratives. There will be workshops later with a poetic bent.

Another possibility, if you don’t see a workshop you want, at the moment, but you do want to keep tabs on WritersWebTV, is to join their Facebook page. I thoroughly enjoy the page as it comes chock-full of links, quotes, pointers and all other good things in small bites that we writers like so much. It also gives us a chance to see what may be coming up: A live online learning platform for writers. Currently cooking up workshops for 2014. Watch this space!

I shall see you tomorrow for the week’s prompt roundup; Tuesday for a borrowed prompt; and not again until January. Yep. It’s time to go dark for the holidays. Next Thursday I shall be on a plane winging to California where my sainted mother holds the family Christmas.

Happy writing, all.

 

 

Poem Tryouts: Paintings as Prompts

7:41 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to If You Ever Change Your Mind sung by Crystal Gayle

Hello, everyone. Brrr, and we’re mild compared to those north of us. Still, brrr. Tomorrow we head south to my brother who warns us to bring ‘ski parkas and electric socks’. Florida will be down to 65 degrees. He doesn’t like cold. Considering we are looking at a low of 23 tonight and snow flurries tomorrow, I scoffed. To all who do, and don’t, celebrate an official Thanksgiving, have a warm and wonderful day.

Okay, image. My west coast brother sent me the newly published official photograph from the Danish royal family. It’s interesting and the portraiture is stunning. I want you to completely ignore what it is and use an aspect of the painting to spark a poem. When you click on the photo link, to enlarge it, click again — top half, or bottom half — to enlarge the image further.

 

As you peruse the painting, keep your mind open to things you are reminded of. Look at faces, actions, objects, background. You might come up with a list like this:

background — reminds me of a visit to the Uffizi Palace in Florence — that was the year they landed on the moon
background — all the jigsaw puzzles and the afternoons I spent with my mother and the upstairs neighbour, putting them together
two boys playing with Lego — my brother and I used to play with Tinker Toys and Lincoln logs
knight on a horse — King Arthur — so many memories I can work from with Arthur as the spark
the silver eagle-headed cane — my husband’s collection of canes and the stories that go with acquiring them
the pair of socks the toddler upper left is wearing
every year my parents took a family photo for the Christmas card — I remember the year they decided to include the pugs…

You see the kind of thing? Find your aspect. Write a poem. As always, consider form, so that how you write complements what you write. Leave the painting behind [unless you have had a burning need to write about the Danish royal family].

I shall see you next Tuesday for a regular poetry prompt.

Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Pick One, Then Another

8:05 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Poems sung by Mandy Patinkin (yes, that really is the title, an exquisite little song)

Hullo, all. First, a reminder that I keep a tab at the top of my site with even more poetry prompt sites. These are sites that already have a ton of visitors, or are new and we’re trying them out. For example, this week we have a new image site and I know how much you like image prompts! Alastair’s Blog is one you can check every day, or keep handy for those days when nothing works and you need random inspiration. Alastair is mad for photography and posts an image a day. You will need, sometimes, to scroll through some inspirational quotes, as Alastair likes to collect them. Sometimes you might visit for that!

Shall we?

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning and a dip into the Tow Truck archives, February last year. The exercise was fun then and still sounds fun plus, should we need one, it gives us an excuse to watch television. We are asked to, Look into the background and write down what you see there, as many details as you can. To find out the background of what, and what to do with your list of details, head to the Tow Truck.

Space held for Joseph Harker, last seen at naming constellations. [I don’t know about the rest of you Joseph followers but I don’t like my week unpunctuated by his appearances in my inbox. I hope his vacation from the world of cyber is doing him some good.]

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit. This week her central focus is forgiveness. Head over for her tips, her suggestions, and her example poems. Like I said, Adele offers much.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from a poem Brenda wrote during NaPoMo. I’m trying to figure out how I missed them. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Over at Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has given us part of the title of a Neruda poem. I was so intrigued by the whole title, I stopped to read the poem. You might want to wait until you have written your poem. I’m betting on my brain forgetting. Go on over.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. After a year and a half of posting this link, I still smile as soon as I come to it on my list. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a painting by Mary Cassatt. This particular painting is one where you can write a poem from the title, rather than the painting. Remember that you do not have to address the whole painting, or its subject. Find some small detail that sparks you and write about that.

Laurie at Poetry Jam, wants us to get our buzz on To find out how, or with what, head to the Jam.

This week on Carol’s Light Words we accompany her on a wander through the roses. She is showing us photographs; I feel like I am walking through a poem. Don’t forget that Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember that she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

At imaginary garden with real toads, I have given you the general address, as I can’t choose between the radio prompt, or Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge to write a Prelude. Visit. Investigate. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems is asking us to focus on a protagonist for a few weeks. This week, we are looking into red-letter days. Irene says, The idea is that the protagonist will somehow tie all your poems together so there’s a kind of storyline going on.

Ack!  Patricia K. Lichen, Author is closing down for a while. If you are curious as to why, I have given the link to her final message.  I am hoping the site remains open. Patricia’s place has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit. You can still find inspiration while exploring.

At dVerse, Tony would like us to try the Terza Rima form or, even, the Terza Rima Sonnet. I love that Tony says Terza Rima is rhyming poetry written in tercets – that is three-line stanzas. So far, so straightforward, except that — you know that except is going to be a killer. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday, for a metaphor prompt –get your weeping and gnashing done, now; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for the round-up of prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poem Tryouts: Shake It Out Poem

7:31 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Air Supply singing Goodbye

HELLO!!! I know, I know. I did the excited to be back on Thursday’s post, but you know Tuesdays are my favourite, so I am excited all over again to be back. I have something nice and easy for you, before I dunk you  in the deep-end.

The first part is an actual poetic technique; it isn’t well-known, but can work wonders on producing a poem. You may sit in your chair and do this, or you can stand up and follow the instructions. Really.

Tip your head down and roll it around to the right, back to centre, and around to the left. If that feels good, do it a couple more times. Come on. No one is watching. Or, if you are at work, all the better. Tell co-workers this produces raises.

Shake your hands and arms. I said SHAKE. Okay. Now your legs and feet. Finally, ALL OF YOU.

I want a FRENZY. SHAKE. Stop. Take a breath. Smile. Feel looser? More relaxed? So does your mind. Now we get down to it.

What poem did you not write in April? If something popped into your mind, spontaneously, that is your brain’s answer. Go with it.

Or, Is there a poem you thought of writing, but didn’t have time to, as you worked through the intensity of that crazy month?

Is there an idea you saw somewhere and thought ‘I want to try that’ but it was someone else’s prompt and you were already writing a poem to a prompt? I have thirty of those over at Joseph’s Recursions.

Is there a type of poem someone wrote and you thought you might want to give it a try?

Here’s your chance. Shake the poem loose, write it, post it and drop back by with the link, so we can read it.

I shall see you at Poetics Serendipity, Thursday for links and a bit of chat; Friday, at the Poetry Freeforall, for the week’s roundup of prompts; and, next Tuesday for a Poem Tryout nearer the deep end (can you say metaphor, ViV?!).

Happy writing, all.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: There’s No Stopping Them

7:44 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Where Have All the Flowers Gone sung by The Kingston Trio

Well, hi, everyone. I think I have forgotten how to do this. I do know, Start with Donna:

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning which gives us a brief look into Collin Kelley’s new book Render. She describes his poems as narrative scenarios that function much like scenes from a movie. Beyond the responsibility I feel to read a fellow Atlantan’s work, I trust Donna, having discovered several poets through her recommendations. Head over to read her review.

Visit naming constellations and read Joseph’s thoughts for the direction of his blog for the next few months. Those who have sent him poems to take apart in The Refinery, do not despair; he has not forgotten. This month of prompts has kept him reminded that he likes to create poetic exercises for us, just not every day. If you have not had time to read, or write to, Joseph’s Recursions, go. For the extended metaphor alone, you should read.

Head over to The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog. Prompts start again tomorrow, so remind yourself to check. Adele’s prompts are always wonderful. For today and a laugh, visit to read (scroll down) ‘How a Poem is Written,’ by Michael T. Young. It should resonate. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from an episode of Seinfeld. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Over at Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has given us a familiar phrase, so the trick will be to make it fresh. As always, Keith leaves a link, this time to the origin of the phrase and to a t.v. episode. Go on over.

I have been missing my weekly laugh. We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a painting by Helen Ward. Either you all are tired, or you aren’t sure what to make of it. Only 45 people have tried their hands. Remember that you do not have to address the whole painting, or its subject. Find some small detail that sparks you and write about that.

Alan [Alan? I was only gone a month] at Poetry Jam, wishes us to soak ourselves. To find out how, or in what, head to the Jam.

This week on Carol’s Light Words we are stopping at Dance Around Friday. Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember that she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

At imaginary garden with real toads, it is Transforming Friday and the last of the Eco-regions. Head over and see what Hannah wants us to do with the tropical rain forest. Those who follow Hannah know her posts are full of information, links to neat things, and discoveries. I wonder what she will transform next… Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks us to focus on a protagonist. We are warned that we will be living with this protagonist for a few prompts. Irene says, The idea is that the protagonist will somehow tie all your poems together so there’s a kind of storyline going on.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote, her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. I have not seen a Friday post in a couple of weeks, so will link you generally. It’s never difficult finding a spark. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit.

At dVerse, Victoria has posted an essay on Voice. The poet’s voice is something we all need to be aware of, whether or not we want it to be heard. There is a prompt at the end of the essay. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a tab: Even More Prompt Sites. I give the general address for each place, as it’s easy to find the prompts.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday, for a shake it out prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for the round-up of prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Friday Poetry Freeforall: Free Day, Free Poetry

9:15 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Queen singing Bohemian Rhapsody

Hello all. I did warn you I might be shifting themes a couple of times. I loved the brightness of the last but it made my already long-ish posts longer, and stretched comments out to an alarming looking length if there were any discussion. Then I tried Balloons: font too small and side bar not at the side. So we’re back to the theme that, so far, presents better than the others.

In case you missed yesterday’s post which has links to several places for writing a poem a day during National Poetry Month, I’ll give you the link when I remember. I am going to add Adele Kenny’s blog, as I see she is participating. Now, for this weekend with its extra day!

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning. She is off for a week, but left us with a topic to write on. It involves writing the opposite of what is, so head over to see what is.

The Refinery is on fire. This week, Marian Veverka hands over a more structured, more formal poem than we have seen. Head over to see what tack Joseph takes with this. Visit and watch a master craftsman at work and send in your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, she asks us to celebrate Spring. Whether it’s coming, or going, or won’t arrive where you live, she gives us many ideas as to how to approach this recalcitrant season. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from a poem by Dunya Mikhail. For a link to hear her read the poem head to The Whirl, but write your poem first.  Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Carry On Tuesday gives us the title and refrain of a Beatles’ song. As always, Keith leaves a link, so go on over to listen to the song.

If Mad Kane’s Humor Blog makes me smile just when I see her blog name, imagine what it can do when actually there and reading limericks! Check out Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a painting by Magritte. I find Magritte’s work some of the best to write an ekphrastic poem to? on? Head over to see the image. Anyone else try to see the title of the book?

Mary at Poetry Jam, talks about the usual and the unusual in our lives. To find out what she wants us to do with them, head over.

When I realise I am scrolling through Carol’s Light Words and stopping for a little this and a little that, I give you the general address. You have choices of photographs, bits of trivia, and music to act as inspiration. Be sure to check out her Fridays. Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun. Go wander on your own.

At imaginary garden with real toads, it is Transforming Friday. Hannah is in the savanna. When I took geography, as a kid, this was the area that caught at my imagination. I loved the sound of the word and then, the denizens. Head over to read about it and maybe become part of it. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems has yet another intriguing challenge. I know; I find so many of them intriguing, but this really is. The instruction: Let your shadow write a poem. Head over to see what Neil is asking us to play with. I particularly enjoyed his discourse.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote, her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit.

At dVerse, Poetics offers us the possibility of tea with Miss Marple. How can one resist? Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a tab: Even More Prompt Sites. I give the general address for each place, as it’s easy to find the prompts.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday, for a prompt to celebrate National Poetry Month and your poetry; Thursday for links, probably; and Friday for the round-up of prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Friday Poetry Freeforall: Grab Bag

7:55 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to (and watching) Jake Bugg singing Lightning Bolt

Hello all. I picture us at the week’s finishing line, limping, bloodied, bandaged but here. For the weekend let’s find something to play with while we recover.

Before we start our regular list, Barbara Young is announcing a prompt a day for National Poetry Month, i.e. April. Visit her site Miz Quickly’s Impromptu Poetry Month for a feel of what we are in store for. In her About section, Barbara says, we’re not going to concentrate on building Faberge eggs.  Now and then, we’ll consider form and function, but most days we’ll be working on the marbles and screws and old silver dimes to stash. Quantities. We want to get you loose-jointed and a little bit crazy. Later, you can work on polish. Head over to see the posts she has (links in right-hand column) and get a feel for the style of prompts.

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning. and several choices of interesting places to go. In particular, the article on Modern Poetry and the link to Susan Rich’s Big Poetry Giveaway site, are places you will want to check.

The Refinery is back in business and I am being smelted, or at least, my poem is. Joseph has some ore to work with, but that doesn’t mean you should stop sending him poems. My filter, this time, as to what to send in was for a poem that had potential but I didn’t know what to do to move it on. Now I know what to do. I have already redrafted once and am breathing again about that poem. Visit and watch a master craftsman at work.

Head over to The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog. There is so much on offer today, I almost stayed. The prompt focuses on colour. Adele gives us a wonderful list of colours and their prescribed meanings. Everyone should copy and paste it for their files. Adele also takes on adjectives with a couple of quotes that made me laugh, especially Mark Twain’s. And, then there is the prompt. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from Brenda’s Facebook newsfeed on Friday night.  The Whirl is celebrating its 100th wordle! Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Over at Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has given us a line from novelist Baroness Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (of course I have her in my bookshelf — you don’t? No, no, I don’t have her, but go look at her Wikipedia picture — scary). As always, Keith leaves a link, this time to quotes on age. Go on over.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a painting by Picasso. I’m heading back over to see what people made of it. Only 48 people tried their hand. I find it interesting with this site to see what does and doesn’t work for writers.

Peggy at Poetry Jam, asks us to reflect on reflections. Head on over to find out the different possibilities and to see the photographs that might inspire you.

This week on Carol’s Light Words we are again stopping in at her Cloud Captions photograph. I loved this week’s photo which reminded me of a scene from Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood. Be sure to check out her Fridays. Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember that she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun. Go wander on your own.

At imaginary garden with real toads, it is Fireblossom Friday. Head over and see what she wants us to do with cracks. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems has another intriguing challenge. A clue: There’s a difference if you notice, between naming and renaming. Head over to see what Neil is asking us to play with.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote, her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit.

At dVerse, the menu offers so much choice that I’ll let you pick, this week. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a tab: Even More Prompt Sites. I give the general address for each place, as it’s easy to find the prompts.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday, for an image prompt; Thursday for more stuff on National Poetry Month — actually, mostly the challenge I am a part of, unless you have something on that topic you would like me to include in the post; and Friday for the round-up of prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Friday Poetry Freeforall: Spring! Winter Spring! Winter

8:07 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Bold Thady Quill by The Clancy Brothers – my Irish is up 😉

Hullo, everyone. Ready for the weekend? I thought so. Let’s see what we have to accompany us.

We start with Donna’s Poetry Tow Truck, and a prompt I remember as one that took some brain adjustment on my part when I wrote to it last year. Once you get the hang of the pattern, it’s fun to work it. Start with a short phrase. Go on over to see Donna’s instructions and examples — she offers a number of approaches.

How many of you have been enjoying Joseph’s Refinery? Ah, well. The forge is silent while awaiting ore from the mines (that’s us). In case a poem arrives and knowing how quick Joseph’s young brain is, I’ll leave his general URL. To find examples of his work as a refiner, scroll down a bit, looking to the left sidebar for The Refinery.

Remind me not to let myself be distracted when I’m writing this. I caught myself looking for a poem to send in. Thirty minutes later… and I had only worked through three , or four…

Morning, noon, evening, and night — Head over to The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, to find out what Adele suggests for these times of day. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from a Netflix documentary. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Over at Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has given us a line from an Eric Clapton song. As always, Keith leaves a link to the lyrics and to hear the song. You might want to write your poem first. Go on over.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays.  Madeleine offers three for one, this week, celebrating the second anniversary of the posting. Besides two possibilities for the limerick, we get a bit of history, so if you have wondered when and how Limerick-Off Mondays started, here’s your chance. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph, by Robin Gosnall, of sea and sand. The dominant impression I got, as I looked at it, was of the different degrees of light. Might make an interesting side path for a poem.

Laurie at Poetry Jam, gives us a whole lot of fun. I just spent fifteen minutes over there, even knowing you were back here. Need a smile? She gives us the final dance from Dirty Dancing. Make it large screen and watch through the flying lift part [if you haven’t seen it]. Need a laugh? Laurie gives us The Evolution of Mom Dancing with Jimmy Fallon and a special (very special) guest. I may leave you all again to watch it. Oh, and the prompt, which has to do with dancing. Sashay over to find out what and to smile and to laugh.

This week on Carol’s Light Words we are stopping in at her Cloud Captions photograph. I am amazed at what perspective can do. I won’t say anything else other than to be curious whether anyone else takes a moment to grok the photo. The clouds are amazing. Be sure to check out her Fridays. I have them bookmarked, now. Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember that she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun. Go wander on your own.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Kerry gives us Mary’s last Mixed Bag. The prompt is intriguing. If you like to play with moral dilemmas, this one is for you. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems is asking us to play with centos… from each other’s work. Fun! I remember when they gave us a prompt last year where we gave each other lines. My favourite prompt. This one is slightly different so head over and read the possibilities as presented by Neil and Irene

Patricia K. Lichen, Author offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote, her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. One of the topics this week is less work = slower climate change. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit.

At dVerse, in Form For All, Tony talks to us about cinquains. While it may not be that hard to write one, it is hard to write a very good one. His example, Adelaide Crapsey’s ‘November Night,’ is incredibly good (she did create the American form). It took me a couple of readings to see the beauty of her structure, line breaks and sound techniques. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Spring is in the air and I am sensing Gimlets at the bar.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. I give the general address for each place, as it’s easy to find the prompts.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday, for another source prompt; Thursday for stuff on National Poetry Month — actually, mostly the challenge I am a part of, unless you have something on that topic you would like me to include in the post; and Friday for the round-up of prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Friday Poetry Freeforall: Going, Going…

7:23 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to San Francisco by Scott McKenzie

Hullo, all. I don’t think I have ever seen weather so bi-polar. Tomorrow I head North where the weather is just as varied but thirty degrees colder. While I travel, how about the rest of you relax and write.

We start with Donna, at Put Words Together. Make Meaning, who seems to have run into some of the same walls many of us are finding. Read her post and then her suggestions for a possible poem. I’m thinking, something based on the structure of her post might be interesting to play with, too. Head over.

How many of you have been enjoying Joseph’s Refinery? Learning a lot? The mine is about to close down, unless more ore arrives. I thought I told you all: I want poems to take us to December. Seriously. Don’t make me come out there. If you have not participated, visit and read back through the poems where Joseph has helped several of us begin the polishing of a good piece of ore.The link takes you to the most recent, although, by tomorrow, Joseph might have a new piece. Those who have participated, don’t be shy about sending in a second poem. Joseph can always keep them as reserves. Now, people!

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele asks us to ponder our concept of heaven. She suggests several ways to go, including a reminder that we don’t have to believe to write. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Head over.

At The Sunday Whirl, the words come from Brenda’s readings on performance artist Marina Abramovic.  They are lovely words. Despite not quite getting to the point of posting a poem, I continue to draft one each week. These words go well with the week before’s. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Over at Carry On Tuesday,  Keith’s choice this week is a couple of lines from a poem by Tupac Amaru Shakur. I love the lines and had to stop a moment to copy them down. They would work well as a refrain. As always, Keith leaves a link to information about the artist, as well as the poem. You might want to write your own first. Go on over.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays.  Madeleine offers two for one, this week. She has her regular kick-off line, and an alternative linked to the Oscars. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, Venus de Milo with Drawers, by Salvador Dali . What’s that? you say. I said, Drawers. Go look. Even if you don’t write to images, go look.

Peggy at Poetry Jam, gives us ‘a  threefer ~ being logical, being illogical, being emotional’. She throws in Star Trek to balance it all out. Head over to read what she says.

This is one of those weeks when Carol’s Light Words has so much to choose from, as possible prompts, that I am giving you the general address. Be sure to check out her Fridays. I have them bookmarked, now. Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember that she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun. Go wander on your own.

At imaginary garden with real toads, we have more choices, among them, a musical inspiration, and an interview with a the founder of an independent poetry and fiction collective. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems has a fun challenge for us. I was drafting a poem by the time I finished reading the prompt. Neil asks us to remove the objectifying “the”. To find out from what, visit.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote, her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. The regular Friday post is not up yet, but there is plenty to read and see. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest, so take some time off and visit.

At dVerse, in Form For All, Samuel Peralta talks to us about a trireme sonnet. I am much taken with his example poem, so that goes on the list. Sigh. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. I give the general address for each place, as it’s easy to find the prompts.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Remember that the blog goes dark for a week, while I visit my grand-daughter (and my son and his wife). I shall see you Tuesday, March 12 for a prompt. Good grief, that’s already half-way through the month!

Happy writing, everyone.

P.S. Poems. To Joseph. Now. Please.

 

Your Poetics Serendipity@ Thursday Thoughts

7:45 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Sandman sung by America

Hello, everyone. I hope all is well or, at least, tolerable. I have a few places for you to explore, or to escape into.

1] How many of you get excited by the mere mention of a mind map? I hear ‘mind map’ and my brain says, ‘Ooh!’. I have never stopped to analyse the reaction, but I am aware of it. Flikr has a site that gathers, at last count, 629 different mind maps. I often use mind maps in my early drafts of poems, and in writing down the words from The Sunday Whirl. As I wandered through the pages, I realised that a mind map can become a poem in itself. Even if you don’t mind map, this site has an awesome collection.

2] On the site Write to Done, I read an article, ’20 Strategies For Tackling That “Bottomless Pit” of Writing’ and found much that resonates. My theory in choosing sites for you is that if it resonates in any way with me, it will resonate with many of you, so a bottomless pit it is. Many of you will be familiar with the strategies but, if you are like me, you may have forgotten. I find rereading something like this reminds me there are escape routes. As the author, Ollin Morales, says: Warriors never fear bottomless pits. They welcome them and beat them to the dust. I love the image.

3] The web site, Creative Writing Now, is a place to get lost in. Their mission: a place ‘where you’ll find creative writing courses, ideas, prompts, free online classes, and step-by-step guides to writing fiction, poetry, and drama. CWN was created by writing teachers as a free service to provide a supportive and friendly place for authors and poets at all stages in their writing lives.’  I’m thinking this is particularly useful for beginning writers, but there is much to explore. As with the bottomless pit strategies, repetition never hurts. I rediscover things buried deep under all the new things I learn.

4] April cometh and you know what that means: madness in the form of National Poetry Month. Are you girding your loins? Many of you participate in Robert Lee Brewer’s Poem A Day (known affectionately as PAD), and I have seen other similar things go by. Kelli Agodon sponsors a poetry giveaway. I have participated in that for three years, now. [Hm. Note to self: Procure chapbooks for the giveaway] I will have links for all, closer to April. For now, I have the opening salvo from Poets.org. Check out the poster [right side, top, and the badge for blogs, left side top.

That should be enough to be doing. I shall see you tomorrow for the prompt roundup and then, not until Tuesday, March 4, for our next prompt.

Happy exploring, all.