Okay, so many of you might recall that I am in the process of publishing one of my essays in an anthology under a pseudonym because the subject matter is very personal. I struggled with this decision because I thought that my acceptance and subsequent publishing were both great steps for my writing career, so why should a woman with a made-up name get the credit? In the end, however, I determined that it was worth it to retain privacy, as I can carry copies of the piece in my portfolio in the future anyway.
Today I received an e-mail from the president of the publishing company, asking if I would be willing to be interviewed by the media in conjunction with book promotion. Oh, the exposure every writer dreams of! Now I can either be interviewed as someone else or just pass altogether. It doesn't help that the publishing company is based in my hometown of New York City, so that will probably be the targeted media.
I am so happy and proud and yet quite frustrated :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
A Poet's Reflections
I had a disturbing experience during my last trip "home." Months before I had thought to myself, "I should try to publish a book of my poetry." It isn't hard these days; even if you cannot find a publisher to work with you, there are countless venues for self-publishing. I cradled the idea close to me and really found solace in it. I told myself that when I visited home, I would pick up my old black and white composition notebook with "April's Poetry" scrawled on the front, and I would choose the best works of my teen and early adult years. Then I could take those back with me, polish them up, and include them with my current stuff.
That is not exactly what happened.
I went home, dug out my notebook and spent an evening reading through my life from ages 15 till about 20. You could see my stages of development scribbled across the book through its contents:
I realized that these poems were crummy. I knew that many were crummy but I remembered some of them as being quite good. Sure, I read a few aloud to my sister and we laughed together at the humor laced throughout, but in the end, there was not a single one that I would consider worthy of publication.
Conversely, though I am not happy with many of my poems today, there are also many that I am proud of and would want to publish.
I guess I learned that I have grown as a writer, which is a good thing. I am also glad that I had a medium (such as poetry) to get through the tough adolescent times. It is strange, though, to face the reality that you are a completely different person than you were, even in your writing!
That is not exactly what happened.
I went home, dug out my notebook and spent an evening reading through my life from ages 15 till about 20. You could see my stages of development scribbled across the book through its contents:
- Love poems to God
- Struggling with God
- Love poems to a boyfriend
- Hate poems to an ex-boyfriend
I realized that these poems were crummy. I knew that many were crummy but I remembered some of them as being quite good. Sure, I read a few aloud to my sister and we laughed together at the humor laced throughout, but in the end, there was not a single one that I would consider worthy of publication.
Conversely, though I am not happy with many of my poems today, there are also many that I am proud of and would want to publish.
I guess I learned that I have grown as a writer, which is a good thing. I am also glad that I had a medium (such as poetry) to get through the tough adolescent times. It is strange, though, to face the reality that you are a completely different person than you were, even in your writing!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Poet #2: Omar Khayyam
His poetry is quite spiritual and philosophical. It reminds me a bit of Solomon's biblical writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes - focusing heavily on the brevity of life and the weight of spiritual matters.
"Now the New Year reviving old Desires,
The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires"
"Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring
Your Winter garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To flutter - and the Bird is on the Wing."
"There was the Door to which I found no Key;
There was the Veil through which I might not see:
Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE
There was - and then no more of THEE and ME."
"And fear not lest Existence closing your
Account, and mine, should know the like no more;
The Eternal Saki from that Bowl has pour'd
Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour."
"Of threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise!
One thing at least is certain - This Life flies;
One thing is certain and the rest is Lies;
The Flower that once has blown for ever dies."
"Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who
Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through,
Not one returns to tell us of the Road,
Which to discover we must travel too."
"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it."
The thoughtful Soul to Solitude retires"
"Come, fill the Cup, and in the fire of Spring
Your Winter garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To flutter - and the Bird is on the Wing."
"There was the Door to which I found no Key;
There was the Veil through which I might not see:
Some little talk awhile of ME and THEE
There was - and then no more of THEE and ME."
"And fear not lest Existence closing your
Account, and mine, should know the like no more;
The Eternal Saki from that Bowl has pour'd
Millions of Bubbles like us, and will pour."
"Of threats of Hell and Hopes of Paradise!
One thing at least is certain - This Life flies;
One thing is certain and the rest is Lies;
The Flower that once has blown for ever dies."
"Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who
Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through,
Not one returns to tell us of the Road,
Which to discover we must travel too."
"The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it."
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The Holidays
The Travel Writer's Life has a nice list of gifts that are appropriate for the travelers, writers and/or photographers in your life. Check it out: Holiday Gift Guide
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