My regular readers know I keep lists of what I’ve been reading, watching etc so that I can discuss them with you. The list has gotten pretty long since I was gone for AWP so I am going to try and mention as many of them as possible and then start a new list.

On a side note. Do you ever wonder why I do this? Part of it is the eternal student in me, but also because I find that everything around me is a document of sorts (finally had a way to say that after attending a terrific panel on using sources as methods of inquiry in poetry). I find inspiration all around. You never know what little bit of information might serve you as you continue to write. That is why I really want my students to read. Yes, write, but reading is so important to having something to speak back to. If you don’t read or watch anything what are you reflecting, observing, responding to? Even nature is a document.

OK. So now on to the list.

• On my desk are two books by Gabriel Gadfly. I met Gabriel via twitter. We exchanged some books, and I was intrigued because Gabriel is very openly a “self-published” writer. For many people that is bad word, but I like seeing when an author knows enough about themselves and his or her audience to be able to self-publish the “right” way. What is the right way for me? I want to see a high quality physical product (the book, the website etc), and the poems should stand up – of course. I’m not sure if Gabriel works with editors and designers for his individual pieces or the books, but that is also something I’d strongly suggest if you are going that route. Each of the books I have has a theme which I also like. My only minor quibble would be some of the linebreaks. I’m currently linebreak obsessed so I find myself wanting each line to be strong. It can be difficult to end a line on say a preposition. 
• On my ereader I finished Stephen King’s Under the Dome which is a long, but quick read. Given the size of the book I’d definitely suggest the e-version. I wanted to read it before the mini-series came out. I believe it is coming on this summer.
• On the viewing side I want to mention a movie first called Safety Not Guaranteed. I love these quirky movies. I think this is a good one for writers to watch for pacing, how the characters are developed, and how to use humor. I won’t spoil the ending, but it would also be an interesting discussion. I’m also obsessed with the topic of closure so I’d love to discuss how different people take the ending. Do they like it? Does it fit in with how we feel this type of movie should end? Does it fit the rest of the story?

I’m at about 500 words already and I still have quite a few items in my list I haven’t mentioned so maybe I’ll do this again next week instead of just deleting the list. What have you been reading, watching etc?