29 Feb 2012
“Professional poet”
I used to think, if you got paid for doing something, you were a professional. That was before I became a poet. Ted Kooser remarked (in The Poetry Home Repair Manual) that most magazines will pay you as follows: two free contributor copies, one to keep for yourself and one to give to your mother. He was optimistic. I’ve had most of my successes in online journals, which don’t even provide copies. (I... read more
29 Feb 2012
Leaping into Big Ideas
Happy Leap Day, 2012! You know, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be born on the 29th of February. As a kid, it would have been terrible to only have a birthday every four years, but now that I’m old and bitter, I think a birthday every four years feels about right. Sure, I’d only be about 10 years old now, but I suspect I’d be the only 10 year old who... read more
28 Feb 2012
Trick Yourself Into Writing by Writing However You Damn Well Want
So finally, after much angst, hair pulling, stress and procrastination, you finally find the time and environment to write. It is very creative of you to make up a billion excuses for why you couldn’t write before, or to insist on the perfect environment acting like a moody writer. It’s all part of your character and your creative genius, that you think makes you interesting but probably just pisses... read more
27 Feb 2012
PROMPTed #4 Dream On
PROMPTed is a weekly collection of writing prompts to inspire your writing week. The prompts are loosely grouped under a common theme and include a random line prompt, a photograph, a song/music video, a sensory suggestion and a famous quote. This week’s prompts are programmed by Deputy Editor, Jodi Cleghorn. (See below for more information on how to be a guest programmer of PROMPTed) Random Line... read more
27 Feb 2012
A Project Combining the Instantaneous With the Refined
Over the years, alongside the standard work of a writer–writing, refining and submitting to publications–curiosity, creativity and even a little impatience compelled me to experiment in other forms of publishing. I’ve published stories and poems on websites like FictionPress.com, self-published print books and later eBooks, and put poetry and flash fiction up on blogs. Sometimes... read more
26 Feb 2012
Form and Genre Challenge #4
“The Action-Adventure Challenge” For submission the week ending Sunday, 4th March. Challenge: To write in the action-adventure genre Form: Open Word Count: 3000 words Submission Guidelines Submission are open for a 24 hours period every Sunday starting GMT(UCT) 00:01. Submissions are via the Mr Linky widget in a dedicated blog post on the Write Anything site every Sunday. Any stories linked... read more
26 Feb 2012
FGC2012 #3 Submission
“The OULIPO Challenge” Challenge: To write an OULIPO styled poem. Genre: Open Word Count: Open Congratulations to our winners… Paul Anderson and Storm Dweller – joint winners of the Judges’ Choice Award for Iconoclast and Tea and Poetry. Storm Dweller– winner of the Readers’ Choice Award (with 39% of the vote) for Tea and Poetry. Honourable mentions to: Kate Sherrod in the... read more
25 Feb 2012
Hollywood & the Literary World
A Love Story. Last night, I gave a very lengthy pod cast interview. The questions were thought-provoking, and that got me all tingly, so I drank a double espresso, turned on Skype, and babbled my way through a fun one-hour conversation about books and movies. Later, after the coffee buzz wore off, I realized I get asked a similar question all the time. When I’m on the east coast, it’s about Hollywood.... read more
