Part of me loves it.
But all the whirling can wear a gal slap out. So think of me braving the last brazen days before lovely, placid, peaceful May.
I have been reading GRAVE MERCY by Robin LeFevers and loving it! You may know Robin from her slew of books for middle grade readers (Theodisia, anyone?) or from the Shrinking Violets blog. (Not much going on at SV lately, and now we know why! Robin has been busy promoting this new book after its many starred reviews! BIG congratulations, Robin!)
And I am here to add my accolades to the pile. It's historical. It's romantic. It's got strong Ismae (a nun assassin) and lots of adventure and court intrigue. Love the atmospheric words like "mayhap" and "sorely." Expect to finish the book later today. And if you get a chance, see Robin's amazing post titled
"The Writer's Life is Full of Second Chances
or Abandon Despair all Ye Who Enter Here"
at Writer Unboxed about finding the crunchy bits in yourself that you should totally be writing about (instead of for the market).
That led me to Barbara Samuel's worksheet on finding your voice. It's got me remembering my crunchy bits! Like how much I love love loved books by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss during my late teen years. Oh romantic me!
Another post I love is over at Smack Dab in the Middle by Dia Calhoun about delayed gratification and what's the point of writing and includes some words I really needed near the end. Go. Read.
In other news, I'll be traveling tomorrow to Harper Lee Land, otherwise known as Monroeville, Alabama, for Alabama Writers Symposium. I'm looking forward to seeing some writing friends there like Kerry Madden and Rachel Hawkins. AND (this is the best part) my father will be there!!!
There are SO MANY literary and art events happening this weekend. If someone would just develop a means of teleportation I'd be one happy gal.
Look for Greg's addition to the Progressive Poem sometime today over at Gotta Book!
I'll be working working on this wip. Getting there!
Happy day to everyone.
Thanks for all this Irene. There are some wonderful words here for writers, & I liked the reading of them. Hope you have a good weekend at the Symposium. (The poem's nearly done!)
ReplyDeleteoh I've been looking at this book... it looks like one I need to put on the ereader
ReplyDeleteI love your poem on Your Daily Poem today. I'm so excited that I've just won a copy of that book in a blog giveaway! I can't wait to read it. And by the way, we claim Audubon around here because he was born in Haiti.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ruth, I know all about the Haiti connection! And there is a poem about Audubon's stepmother in the collection that I mailed to you a few days ago. I do hope you enjoy it. So glad it is finding its home with YOU, my poet-friend!
DeleteOh my gosh, this is an amazing cornucopia of great stuff! Looks like I've got a new one on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteYes, Vicky: read GRAVE MERCY. Excellent.
DeleteIrene,
ReplyDeleteI didn't know if you'd get back over to Author Amok to see comments and then, if you did, if I'd get back over there as well but I just read your post and wanted to let you know it touched me. Here's what I commented over there:
Wow, I have a lot of reading to get to, stat. It's a good reminder. Why, I wonder, is it so hard for us to remember as poets? I know my ratio is close to that or better with regard to middle grade and young adult and even my adult essays. Worse is the fact that I have made a conscious effort to grow my poetry shelves but OWNING the books is not the same as actually reading them.
I am ashamed of owning so many books of poetry that are still unread. I suppose it is because there is still so much that I don't understand. I need to find an online poetry group where I could read and discuss poems just for the sake of going deeper.
I just wanted you to know that your words touched me.
Thank you, Susan! I appreciate your comments so much...thanks especially for taking the time to bring the comments TO me. Did I mention whirlwind?? Oh MAY, I need you! And hey, I am totally up for an online poetry discussion group. It could be a poetry book club. We rotate picking books and choose a chat time to discuss!
DeleteI'm also thinking I'd like to do The Artist's Way. It's 12 weeks program. Would be nice to have some compatriots... any interest? Could be a blogging once a week check in thing.
Thanks for all the great links!
ReplyDeleteThe links are great and I was looking at "Grave Mercy" this weekend. I had already bought two books so I htought I'd better wait on this one.
ReplyDelete