Make Friday Write – Or So What?

Maybe you are wondering about the heading for this post already; I’ll get to that, but first:

  • Here is a terrific interview with the poet (and memoir writer) Sandra Beasley
  • I have a poem in the new issue of Barely South the online journal from ODU
  • There is some publicity out for the Couplet Literary Festival I’ll be presenting at in Wilmington on Feb 4th (SO EXCITED!)
  • If you are looking for some things to watch I found P Star Rising, 6 Days to Air and How Beer Saved the World (and I’m not a beer fan, but neat to see how they shaped history/facts to fit their narrative) all pretty interesting on Netflix for very different reasons (warning on 6 days – it is about the makers of SouthPark so you know the language you are gonna be getting!)
  • Today was a good week of classes, albeit a short week which meant condensing and unusual prep times. My composition classes were working on critical reading/critical thinking skills and vocabulary fun (via modified Scattegories) while my British Lit students practiced their literary analysis skills using Fairy Tales and my online students were asked to sign up for Submishmash, Worpdress and to look into print and online literary magazines because they will be thinking on the world of publishing this semester.
  • I also managed to draft at least one poem this week and I sent out one submission package with some acceptances coming in so not bad on that front. I keep trying to move forward, including the word that Sibling Rivalry Press will publish my 2nd full length poetry collection in the Fall of 2013!

So how do I get to the so what portion of this post? Well, it is this poem below. I believe I may have posted an earlier draft of it here actually. My issue with it – what causes me pause – is the very question: so what? Maybe the poem isn’t terrible, per se, but what is it doing? Why would I bother including it in my submission packets and/or next collection (of course I’m working on what’ll be a 3rd collection or a 5th chapbook – 5? really? whew!). When do you decide the poem was fun to play with, but isn’t something to send out? Let’s discuss!

–by the way – I did decide to retire the poem. It didn’t have enough going for it. Sometimes you have to write stuff that you don’t keep :)

Looking forward to seeing your work in progress and/or to hear your thoughts on mine. It is time to discuss whatever writing items you want to discuss.

And now I’ll be back to grading :)

Review: Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief

Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief
Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief by David Starkey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really loved the opening of this book and overall its approach to teaching the 4 genre in one semester scenario of early creative writing. I, however, was a bit dismayed when I came to the example poems in the poetry section. The actual essays about literary terms and “how to’s” on poetry were better – to me – than the actual selections.

This made me pause and I almost didn’t finish reading the book. But, I decided to give the other genres a try. I’m glad I did. The examples in the short fiction, non-fiction and play section are really good! Since the other sections are quite good, and since poetry is my main area of focus I could just supplement with other poems right?

Finding one textbook to use, especially go cover this many genres, is not an easy task, but this is one of the most complete (especially given its slim and un-intimidating size). I think I would teach it out of order though and start with non-fiction. I’d also weave in some discussion of graphic novels to the stage/screen section.

So would I use this book for a class? It would be high on my list. There is another book I really like, but it is almost a bit too advanced for the level of class I would be teaching (100, very entry level). Neither book is the perfect solution, but this one comes very, very close. Is there ever a perfect textbook?

I’d also suggest this one for anyone who just wants a good resource for literary terms and basic reminders on formatting your work.

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Make Friday Write

I received the promotional flyer yesterday for one of my first readings of 2012. I will be reading with the terrific Tony Abbott at Poetry Hickory on Feb 14th which is also my birthday! Quite a birthday present don’t you think?

But, it looks like my first reading of the year – unless I make it to an Open Mike before the end of the month – will be at the Couplet Poetry Festival in Wilmington, NC. A city I am SO looking forward to finally seeing.

One thing I read recently was the newest issue of decomP magazine where I loved this poem by Dan Romo who then turned around and published some of my poems in his new literary magazine which is edited by his students. Love that.

I also really appreciate the shout out that Robert Lee Brewer gave me on his blog. If you subscribe to me and don’t subscribe to Robert’s blog then – what? – are you crazy!

From my editor’s desk I’m thrilled to note that Christopher Allen’s story Dale’s Last Dance has a mention on “Fiction Daily.” I’ve also opened “Referential” for a featured reading period until 2-9-12 so spread the word if anyone is looking for somewhere to submit poetry, fiction or non-fiction. Still taking year round subs for the referred submissions in all areas.

Here is the writing prompt I gave my Creative Writing 2 students this week: Those of you who have taken a course with me before will be familiar with TedTalks. For your first writing prompt I found a terrific link to the 12 Essential TED Talks for writers. Find one that speaks to you and see what you write :)

My in class composition students had a variety, but my favorite to think about today was to write about the sentence. Just free-write about that for a while and see what you come up with :)

It wasn’t hard to pick what to post today because the last time I even wrote a draft was on Tuesday. I’m lucky if I manage to squeeze out even a draft once a week anymore. I’m not complaining though especially with this being the first week of classes.

–time to edit that poem  . . . 

What have you guys been up to? Any writing? Revising? Submitting? I have worked on some revisions and I’m going to try and send out the one group of poems I have ready to go before I get off the computer this afternoon.

Everyone is welcome to comment on my poems and/or to comment (courteously) on any posted in comments (you can also post other forms of writing). Any creative writing posted will be taken down a week from today (including my own poem). Have a great long weekend!

Review: Thinking Out Loud on Paper: The Student Daybook as a Tool to Foster Learning

This is a short review of a teaching book, but I think writers should think about using daybooks/journals no matter who they are!
Thinking Out Loud on Paper: The Student Daybook as a Tool to Foster Learning
Thinking Out Loud on Paper: The Student Daybook as a Tool to Foster Learning by Lilian Brannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Terrific resource from the UNC-Charlotte branch of the National Writing Project. I knew I wanted to start using daybooks after attending the summer institute and having the chance to use one myself. Daybooks can be used at any grade level (I teach at the community college level) and I look forward to trying many of the exerices, especially the multi-genre one on page 49.

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Review: Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader and Rhetoric for Academic Writers Value Package

Of course – if someone really wants text – I’ll be happy to forward it their way and/or to work out a trade :)
Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader and Rhetoric for Academic Writers Value Package
Writing in the Disciplines: A Reader and Rhetoric for Academic Writers Value Package by Mary Lynch Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reviewing textbooks isn’t an easy task, but I want to continue reviewing the books I am considering for class as well as those I read in my leisure so here goes:

There is a lot of great material in this text. I noted several essays that I’d like to use in my classes as well as exercises that would be helfpul.

That being said – I found the text would not be one I’d assign to my classes because it is a bit dense. I found myself skimming over sections because there is so much materail. If I’m skimming, you can guarantee my students will be doing the same.

This is, however, a really strong textbook and/or teacher resource for writing across the disciplines, but also could be a strong contender for a composition 2 class with a focus on argument/analysis.

If you are a teacher who has been mainly exposed to English based writings then this will be a nice resource (including a comparision of MLA and APA at the back of the book), but it may be a bit much for the lay reader although the essays the editors collected are wondefully diverse from the Mommy Debate to cloning.

Strong resource that I think I’ll hold on to :)

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