loose leaf and spiral bound

Alright, installment number four in my writing exercise. This time I am going for the "stream of conscious" paragraph form. It's a little different than my usual style, but it definitely serves a purpose in a writer's arsenal. Without further ado, here is Zodiac exercise #4 titled,  You cannot stand to lose: Stubborn and stern. Cannot fathom being wrong. When will it be my turn? My chance to steer this ship, my time to plot our course, my right to speak and be heard above your noise. I promise to make a mad dash for my finish line behind your back. Don't blink. It's not that you trust me so much, it's that you think of me so little. Remember: those who go unnoticed are those who move mountains and make your kingdoms crumble. So stubborn and stern. Unyielding and firm. Cannot abide weakness. These things we hold in common. When will you stop talking rather than demand others to speak less. Your single battle is but a sideshow in my perfect war. You cann...

Okay, I really did slack off during the month of February in terms of having "submission-ready" pieces, well, ready to submit. Sorry. I suck. It happens and I've already moved on from my guilt. HOWEVER, what I did do was put out a few good writing exercises, asked a friend to read over some of my work for the first time, and met with one of my former college professors. Both of these things were time well spent and are currently helping me get on track to submit for March.  Perhaps I will take the advice given to me and begin doing multiple submissions. The more pieces I get out there to more places should only increase my chances of getting a "yes", right? Seems logical. Like I said, maybe not so productive in one area (ahem...cough *submitting* cough), but totally nailed it in others. This trying to get published business is not all frivolity, lattes, and quite moments of epic pondering. It's work...but worth it.

I am taking a break from poetry today. Thus the random blog post. Enjoy. There are quite a few folks out there obsessively planning for impending doom - apocalypse if you will - brought on by zombies.  These folks are planning in terms of weapons and warfare. I am planning in terms of play list. That's right, I am creating the perfect "mixed tape" for the Zombie Apocalypse. I have solicited opinions from friends, co-workers, and family. Here's the list so far: Disturbia, Rhianna Tighten Up, Black Keys Teeth, Lady Gaga Feel Good Inc., Gorillaz Machine Head, Bush Crazy, Gnarls Barkely Hard Knock Life, Jay-Z Tik Tok, Ke$ha Is There a Ghost, Band of Horses Sabotage, Beastie Boys Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry Lazy Song, Bruno Mars Rappers Delight, Sugar Hill Gang 1979, Smashing Pumpkins Rooster, Alice in chains Blackbird, The Beatles End of the World as We Know It, REM (...duh) Feel free to make additions as you see fit.  Let me know wh...

Yes, it is that time again. Time for the third installment of my Zodiac writing exercise. (You'll notice that Capricorn was an acrostic poem, Aquarius attempted some mild rhyming, and Pisces will go the sestina route.  Well, sort of. This will be a bastardized version of a sestina.) Okay, I am choosing five words that relate to Pisces. I'll use them in order 1-5 as the last word of each line for one stanza, then 5-1 as the last word of each line for another stanza, then I'll jumble them all up for two lines as my ending. Ready?  Here are my words: secrets dream feel water two Here is my poem titled, Duo : Between us we keep space, but no secrets. Against our skin the world feels harsh; needing the blurred lines of a dream. Edges are too sharp for touching and I cannot feel. My tears and your laughter, both flowing like water. Knowing what comes next is step two. Knowing the pieces of my whole equals us, just two. I can easily swim through your thoughts li...

I took a round about way to fixing my mental block and asked a very dear friend of mine to please send a few pictures that I could use for writing prompts.  He quickly recognized the importance of this request and graciously acquiesced.  What a good friend, eh?  So, here is the photo... Photo credit: Zachary Chipps 2012 And here is my accompanying piece of poetry, aptly titled:  Between a Rock and a Hard Place ... There is more to living than just growing. Thriving, defying, gaining; becoming something stronger. This is bold. It is not how you surround yourself.  Protect yourself. More than that, it is where you put down roots. How far you let them go. How deep. Not delicate.  This one, blooming in full sun. Throwing its petals out, face up, and owning the heat. Feeling the glory. A small victory at every sunset. A new defeat every day.

Okay guys and dolls, I know that it has been a while since I last posted anything.  Apologies all around.  However, after a busy weekend, I now have a stunning new kitchen so I don't really feel all that guilty.  Alas, I have not forgotten my quest for the Zodiac exercise.  Now ladies and gents, I present the second installment...and I warn you that rhyming is not my strong suit.  (Unless I do it in jest.  Then, I am the best.  See what I did just there?) Aquarius: a rhyme of moderately epic proportions I seem to be the beast.  This, my burden to bear. Carrying a delicate but sturdy jug, brimming with a grandmother's hopes, a teacher's plans, and a soldier's fears. My vessel drawn with images of happiness, colored by despair. Spill not one small wet bead. As each is a precious piece of more. Wishes, lies, and fate. All cautioning to slow down and take heed. Mustn't resent the work, the load, the responsibility. It's done f...

Yes...five.  The number of rejection letters I have collected to date.  Instead of being upset by this number, I have decided to think of things that are awesome about five.  As in, without it, there would be no high-fives, no five fingered discounts, and no band called "Five for Fighting".  (Though I don't think that last one would pain me so much.)  No Five Alive juice, no Five for $5.55 deals, and no chance to "take five".  To be honest, I must tell you that I am a little discouraged by getting five "thanks, but no thanks" letters.  However, all it will take is just one "Yes, Please" and all of this will be forgotten...like yesterday's five o'clock news.