Latest Performance

I'm a small-town poet in both written word and performance. I'm more influenced by rock and roll but I am also a lit-chick full of curiosity. My influences are far and wide and I can find writing inspiration in anything, from important matters to pure whimsy.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Event Tonight

I'm slowly coming out of my writer's block. It's taking time but I felt the spark of inspiration the other night. It was overwhelming at one point because of the intensity. It hit me and then I had to put on some music to fit the mood and just write.
It was a little painful, but as an artist I am willing to put myself through that pain for my art. I enjoy creating something I can share with people, whether I'm writing about something serious or silly.

I am conducting another open reading event tonight as well. I need to put the finishing touches on my latest work. Maybe I'll bring some poems written by other writers I like since I have been in a block since my last event. Maybe I'll bring out some of my older material as well. I have a good while to get everything organized, I'll have my stuff together by then.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Rejection, and Writer's Block

I got my first submission response, a rejection. It's not bothering me too much, but that's because I know I need to take disappointment well and stay determined if I'm to be successful. I'm feeling a little down, but there's just so much else going on that I could consider to be "real" issues. The rejection notice is just something else added to that pile.

Got a writer's group on Thursday, hoping people show up. It's not really being advertised, just a word of mouth promotion. Other writers allowed to attend, throw ideas around. I've never done this before so I'm flying by the seat of my pants on this one. I am a little stressed over that, hoping for a turnout.

Which brings me to the fact that I've had writer's block since my last shows. I've done a piece here and there, but nothing I consider to be quality. I'm trying to pull out of it. Today I wrote something, and then went into how crappy it was and how I know I can do so much better. Interesting slant, not sure if it's publish-worthy, but I took my frustrations and made them into something. I've also tried to work with what I already have. Sent in a second submission, and recorded one of my pieces to music. My fiance says I'm the most productive person he's ever recorded with.

Much of my other frustrations are more personal life related. My paying job is stressful and at times very frustrating. I had a friend over a few nights ago and the cops showed up saying we were being too loud. Somebody called in a complaint about a party, and I think the state troopers who were dispatching that night just wanted to pin the blame on somebody and get it over with. We spoke with our neighbors and they said they couldn't hear anything from our place. Granted the music we were playing could be heard in the hallway, but it should have been quiet in the other apartments. Whatever, I still say I'm innocent, there was no party, the person they originally asked for does not fit the name of anybody in my apartment at the time.

Kinda bummed over having to postpone my NYC trip until next spring at the earliest. My fiance's sister is getting married so we're going to Daytona instead for the wedding. My job is not happy because the wedding takes place over Labor Day weekend. I earned it, I work every other holiday weekend and I haven't seen this part of my family in five years.
Sorry, I usually don't dump my personal life into this blog too much, usually I try to keep it all writing-related.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Success!

My jam and the All-Star show were a success for me. Those two nights feel like a turning point in my career.

Friday: It took a while, but around starting time people started to trickle in. It was just me and two other poets reading, but there was a decent-sized audience. The atmosphere was great, everyone felt so comfortable. I had people telling me that they feel encouraged to bring their own work next time, so there will definitely be another show on the 25th. I need to get the flyers designed and printed for that show, and hopefully after I can have one every couple weeks. I'm glad I could bring people together to enjoy something, and at the same time inspire and encourage people to let their talents out. It's kind of my mission anyways to do that so I'm especially happy.

Saturday: Open mic All-Stars, audience favorites or invited artists are the only people on this bill. A good mix of music, I was the only poet. There is another girl who writes poetry who was invited, but she didn't show up. It makes me kind of worried because she only misses open mic nights when she absolutely can't come. Apparently during my time on stage I scared a couple people away with my piece, "Miss California's ABCs". Don't know if they're against gay marriage or if they were stuffy grad-student types who don't think costumes and humor have a place on poetry. Oh well, I guess scaring people like that is an accomplishment in and of itself. More people loved it than felt disgusted by it. Hopefully if those who left were disgusted, were disgusted by having to confront something in their own lives they need to sort out. In general it was enjoyed, a lot of people liked my punked-out beauty queen look and thought it was cute, they know that fun is allowed. It was a great show in all, so many talented people. Ended up hanging out for quite a while after, got a lot of ideas, scheduled my next jam. Also will be doing a little writing group the week before. I don't have to advertise that, just get other people I know who write together.

I'm exhausted today, it took forever to get up and running so to speak. Performing two nights in a row, and planning out more events. I needed an extra long nap today to get myself energized enough for doing anything. I'll probably have to talk with my paying job again. I will be working with my manager tonight though. Just let him know my career is now booming after these two nights and I will need enough time to work on the business end of things.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

I Did It

I sent out my first submission! The reality probably won't hit me until I get a response of some sort. Very likely it will be a rejection, since this is my first submission ever, but you know, I just keep working at it. Move on to the next publication to peruse, determine what I can send, and send it. Keep doing that ad nauseum whether I get accepted or not. Keep building up. Own it.

That is really all I can do at this point, and after I get a reputation I an look into actual books. Or enter book contests, I can look at Poets and Writer's website for those. The point is to keep moving and stay motivated.

I also have my Jam on Friday of this week, hoping for a turnout. I've been telling everybody I know, I also had a query in my gmail which I happily answered. Been telling my friends and people who seem interested, the flyers are all over town. Having it at a more established venue should help out a bit, seeing the coffee shop didn't work out.

The evening after I will be at the open mic night All Stars as well. I have something up my sleeve for that show regarding the piece I was asked to read. ^^ I hope the audience likes it.

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