Smoke still rises
from my heart
smoldering coals
where a fire
once grew
Breathe
whispered hope
on it
so I may
FLAME again
#fieryverse – prompt of the day
Tag Archives: writingwingsforyou
Happiness of Being in the Moment – Throwback Thursday
The reason I adore this photo is because it was such a genuine happiness picture. My husband and I were truly “in the moment.” The picture was not posed. My friend took it when we weren’t looking. We were at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, which I adore, and we were just happy to be with friends and eating delicious food and laughing like crazy. They have the most awesome Green Show. You have to see it sometime.
For a most romantic proposal and another Throwback Thursday & dialogue, go HERE.
And another romantic story HERE. (except this one was on a Tuesday…hee hee)
P.S. If you ever go to the festival, be sure to go to the Green Show with the Fool Squad, and brings something fun to eat for them so you can be part of the show. Oh my, you’ll laugh forever!
Poetry -Newfound Freedom – Fiery Verse
Newfound Freedom
She’ll explore
This new world of
Freedom
What to do first?
Taste?
Smell?
Touch?
She wanted it all
RIGHT NOW.
prompt from #fieryverse – Fiery verse is on Twitter with daily prompts. What I like about this is it challenges me to write a story poem with limited characters! Some would say that’s torture, but I find it fun!
I am a Pluviophile
Sometimes we find new ways of defining ourselves. Today, I discovered that my daughters and I are:
PLUVIOPHILES! (which upon first impression sounds awful, right?) –
Here’s what the Urban Dictionary says:
(n) a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days
My brother is a real pluviophile; the Seattle climate will suit him well.
You should share you Pluviophilic pictures with me. Anyone dancing in the rain deserves to be posted out loud. I like the part where it defines us as having “joy.” My favorite word.
Have a most awesome day! ~Nemaste, Marie
Random Acts of Kindness
So thankful for kind-hearted people!
I LIVE POETRY – Do You See what I see? – Beauty All around
I was just waking the Boise Green Belt, when a mom and her babies crossed in front. So sad that my zoom doesn’t zoom as much…Mommy was very calm and didn’t panic. Bikers and walkers stopped in awe. My day was blessed. Hmmmm have a story building in my brain… sweetness with mama and babies.
This is living poetry…seeing beauty all around.
Funny Story – My 77 Year Old Dad got his first “Twitter” Account
My dad is a Doctor Dolittle. He certainly has a way with animals. He interacts with them like people, mostly because he is a man who lives out in the country, and animals are the closest things to talk to. He has regular people conversations with animals; and like Dr. Dolittle, it is not limited to cats or dogs. Currently, he has 2 cats and 3 dogs and a frog that comes and sits.
One day when I visited dad, he surprised me by telling me the conversation he was having with a bird outside. Rarely does my dad get excited about things. Most of our conversations consist of the weather and typical daily chores. But on this day, my dad carried on about his interaction with the bird.
Dad continues, “Marie, the bird would make a sound ‘tweet, tweet’ and then I would echo back, ‘tweet, tweet.’ Then dad would start it, giving a new pattern, ‘tweet, tweet, tweet,’ and the bird would reply back, ‘tweet, tweet, tweet.’ The bird copied the pattern!
My dad carried on about their conversation, and his eyes lit up, and he was very animated, excited about this forged relationship with yet another animal. My favorite part however, was that my dad said, “Hey, now I’ve tweeted!” My mouth dropped open in utter surprise. I didn’t even know he KNEW what tweeting was!
This interaction with my daddy got me curious about the origins of Twitter and just had to look it up. And though Wikipedia isn’t a formal, technical way of finding things out, it most certainly has a line or two that suggests how it came about.
Dorsey has explained the origin of the “Twitter” title:
…we came across the word ‘twitter’, and it was just perfect. The definition was ‘a short burst of inconsequential information,’ and ‘chirps from birds’. And that’s exactly what the product was.[
It was quite an interesting article. You can read more about it HERE.
Later that day, I heard the “twitter” of the birds and just smiled a sweet smile just thinking that maybe a man like my dad could have been an originator of the first tweets.
Another glorious day with my daddy. :0)
images from free Google images
For Writers – Writing Resources
BELOW YOU WILL FIND Recommendations & Links for :
Writer’s Conferences, Great Writing books & helpful Writing Sites
BOOKS THAT ARE INSPIRING FOR WRITERS:
BIRD BY BIRD – Anne Lamott – What I love about this book is that it gives the writer a “buddy,” a pal that can relate to your writing woes: when you write like crap, when you can’t write at all, when you stay staring at a computer screen…she helps you to feel normal. And then she gives you some great tips on how to solve these problems. It’s a quick read, and it’s stock-piled with HUMOR! This book has been giving writers great advice for over twenty years.
ON WRITING – Stephen King – This book not only gives great tools from a writer who’s obviously been very successful, but it’s laced with humor and how writing and living are closely connected. It’s been around for over 10 years and still well loved. That says a lot about this book.
WRITING DOWN THE BONES: by Natalie Goldberg – Natalie applauds the age old adage that if you want to improve your craft, you need time to practice and experience. Good tips on how to get the stream of consciousness going and leaving the editor behind. Though it was first published 20 years ago, there is still sound writerly advice. (quick read) She has several other books that are helpful to writers as well. Other books: One on secrets of writing Memoir – Old Friend from Afar ; and one related to her writing workshops – The True Secret of Writing Connecting Life
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron– – Great way to start a wrtierly life -Morning Pages allow you to use your stream of consciousness writing and get rid of the editor. There is no focus or judgement just a commitment to writing a certain amount of time every day. You’ll be surprised what happens! You get real gold nuggets! (and lots of ideas too.)
Word Arts Collage by Peggy Heller – Though this book was intended for the use of Poetry Therapists, it also has some great tips and tricks for put imagery and words together.
Writer’s Market 2014 – Guide to getting Published – This book has been very helpful in finding publishers and agents, getting published in magazines and writing contests. It also has going rates for Publishing costs, Advertising & Public Relations, Business, etc. so you can get a better picture of how much it will cost to run the business side of things.
MY PINTEREST – BOARD FOR INSPIRATION, QUOTES, STRATEGIES
WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES:
Here are a few events that I have attended this year or will be attending that I know you will love.
Inspired Legacy – next Workshop November 13th-16th – Bridget is a New York Times Best Seller – I have been to three of Bridget’s retreats, and they are worth every penny.
Why:
* Wicked tools to organize your research and your writing
* Tips and tricks of the writing trade
* DOs and DON’Ts of getting an Agent & Getting Published
* Special one on one with Bridget – brilliant, intuitive, relevant feedback
* Collaboration with peers – give and get feedback
(She holds one every three months or so. There are also opportunities for yearlong coaching workshops. AMAZING!)
Sun Valley Writer’s Conference – intimate setting in a beautiful resort in Sun Valley. You can make connection and meet with awesome writers all over. Next conference is July 2015. TBA
Destiny & Legacy Workshops with Frank White & Sheli G–
Destiny -This workshop is more for the business aspect of your writing/author business. What you will like is that they “get real” and they have a lot of business savvy. You will learn what’s working and not working. – This version is for women only. DESTINY will probably come back around in 2015. I will keep you posted.
Legacy 2014 – the men’s version of the above Destiny workshop is due to come out around October. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know!
Diane McKinnon – Live to Write – RETREAT in NH – I don’t know Diane, but I do know she is passionate about writing; and when someone is passionate and on fire, they usually have some juicy good things to impart!
LINKS TO HELPFUL WRITING SITES:
Writers’ Digest – This is a magazine full of writing tips and tricks and advice on everything from writing to publishing and how to get an agent. They have contests too. Don’t want a magazine coming to your door? Go to their web-site!
National Novel Writing Month – This is a tool for writers who have a difficult time being on one project and staying on one project. It offers you a chance to be with cabin mates who can cheer you along, and there’s a way to watch your progress through word count. How it helped me was to accept my writing as not having to be perfect every day. Get it down, edit, craft, beautify later. Get the bones built; put the skin on later. November is the big month for writing 50,000 words toward your novel, but the have smaller camps too.
Writer’s Reference Guide – This web-site goes along with the book version to getting published. Has the same information as above.
PINTEREST – BOARD FOR INSPIRATION, QUOTES, STRATEGIES
BLOGS I’VE WRITTEN ABOUT WRITING ARE HERE. (link is temporarily broken)
VIDEOS COMING SOON!
The Writing Process – Blogging Tour #2
I’ve been tagged by:
Shawn at: http://shawnbird.com/ (a most lovely author of poetry and YA novels. Check her out!)
Shawn has invited me on a blogging tour to talk about my writing process. I feel like my process is evolving as I have been learning, so I am answering the questions again and elaborating more.
I enjoy learning how others write so I can get clues and improve on my own writing process. I can’t wait to hear what works for you!
1.) What am I working on at the moment?
I am currently working on writing my dad’s biography. He has always been a closed man. I call him a “vaulted” man. He has Alzheimer’s and is a recovered alcoholic. Through various techniques, like Poetry Therapy and my education experience, I am learning more about my dad and developing a relationship with him.
In addition, I’m developing my poetry style. Usually I jot down phrases of things I notice and put together throughout the day. I have a small journal I carry sometimes…I also have that great app “Colornote” which allows me to jot a note any time, any place I have my sweet little phone. I love that app! Sticky notes for my phone…awesome.
Reading the poetry of amazing poets here in the blogging world has inspired me to write more and add juiciness to my work. I know I’m still clunky at times, and sometimes not as thorough following to the end of a thought, but I do feel I’m getting better. What I’ve learned from others is that daily practice, multiple poems a day, a sprinkling in of quotes and essays, assist me greatly in working it out and keeps the muse going as well.
I’ve always loved writing and getting to know people, so the blogging world has been perfect for me. and keeps me writing. I used to do a blog about ten years ago and really enjoyed the community. I also aspire to do a variety of other book projects that are budding for me.
2.) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My current writing shows a budding relationship between a daddy and daughter, after 50 years, putting aside all the years of heartache and hard roads and differences from living with an alcoholism to forge a new relationship, leading from a soberly life. I’m also hoping to offer ways for others to assist their loved ones in living a more quality life if they have Alzheimer’s.
It began with curiosity and a series of questions from a book about a Father’s Legacy and has developed into something more through a willingness to explore and trust. It’s not an easy road, but it has its rewards. There is much tenacity involved.
3.) Why do I write what I do?
My dad’s biography began as an adventure to gather some family history and seeking to know him better as a person. Throughout my life, my dad revealed very little of himself unless it had to deal with the weather or fishing or other activities as part of his outside world. I found some questions in a book that daddy allowed me to ask which opened a door for us. Through a lot of patience and tender loving care of my daddy’s feelings and life, he began to trust me enough to work on building his biography. Through the encouragement of a dear friend, I went from a 3 page essay to taking on the writing of a biography. Writing this way is a challenge and an adventure, but I’m truly enjoying the journey!
Each day brings about new discoveries and delights, and I am finding out how we are alike. (And many ways I’m glad we are not alike..hee hee)
It’s also been fun to discover ways to access my dad’s memories through poetry and music and patience at getting the uglies out first so he can concentrate on what is meaningful to him.
His words on my last trip were that “You gave me back my life, thank you.” No, dad I thought to myself, I just listened. Everyone just wants and needs to belong.
4.) How does my writing process work?
Because my dad is a vaulted man and has Alzheimer’s, it’s a delicate thing to gather information and to write about his life, especially linearly. Life stories don’t come to him that way. Often times I will get the same stories over again, but with new details, so I have to really be on my toes. And there are some stories, I can’t seem to access yet. So, I’ve developed a system of interviewing him daily and taking notes and saving them in folders by category so as to access them later.
I have a living, breathing outline for my book. As I discover things about my dad that are important to him or make vital, meaningful connections about his life, I revise it. So my book is always “evolving” in a really good way!
If you have questions, please fire away!
My main advice to a writer is just write! Get up everyday and just do it. :0).
I would love to know what you do.
Here are some people I am tagging.
The Mirror Decides to Speak
Many years ago, while going assisting a friend of getting out of a toxic relationship, I was inspired to write a poem. You see, when a woman is abused, physically, sexually or emotionally, there are scars that won’t heal, like the ones that tell you that you are less than worthy, and no matter who else talks to her of her beauty, even people who know her inside and out, she won’t believe it. She believes she has brought this disgrace and shame upon herself and that she deserves the treatment. Someday, I want to be that mirror that reminds those women of their beauty and reflect true images. Upon reading this to a friend, he remind me that this could hold true for anyone. *
Woman in the Mirror
Brushing her grizzled hair
She gapes emotionless in the mirror
Battered, bruised
Tattered, confused
*
A spy could not detect
What she witnesses…
The shattering On the inside
The image looks fuzzy
So she asks him
What do you see?
His reply:
“A dandelion
Lawn cluttering pest
grass choker
worthless”
Inside she crumbles
believes he is right
puts her brush away
and cries her self to sleep.
_ _ _ _ _
“But please, please Ask me,”
the mirror begs.
“But don’t just ask me…
Believe me…”
For I have known you best
I have appraised
your heart and soul
since you were a little girl
I have no intentions
Nor desire
to distort you Or lie to you
Only to reflect what I see.
You…you my dearest…
You are a lily, A day lily
With its radiant face to the sun
You, who blossom With the slightest ray
You who invite with Arms flung open wide
To allow the drink of your nectar
You, who provide the Bees
with the sweetest Of nutrients
for their honey
Look… look closely
Your lines are not Prickly needles
Look even closer,
The lines, Your lines
Softly curve and flow
Welcoming.
Look again
You are unwrapped
You invite
You inspire a second look
In this breathless moment…
You are cherished
You are valued
You are amazingly beautiful.
Day Lily with arms flung wide open.
Writing Wings For You 
