Writing quote for 3/30/07

Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.

-- Alice Walker

Quote for 3/30/07

The best is yet to be.


--Robert Browning

Decompression

Have done little since I got back from NY, well, except work at the job. Ugh. Not 'cause I don't like my job, I do, but I want to spend my time doing "my work"--there's a difference.

Creative quote for 3/29/07

The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept.

--John W. Gardner

Quote for 3/29/07

All glory comes from daring to begin.

== Eugene F. Ware

Smoking with. . .

If you read Smokelong Quarterly, you understand the pun. Or not.

Anyway. . .

Dave Clapper and Kelly and The Writer Profile Project.

Susan in Vegas

Too funny.

Writing quote for 3/27/07

It's a very excruiating life facing that blank piece of paper every day and having to reach up somewhere in the clouds and bring something down out of them.

--Truman Capote

Quote for 3/27/07

Facing it, always facing it, that's the way to get through. Face it.

-- Joseph Conrad

A photo from the NYC reading is

here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brianvan/430603399/in/set-72157600016276329/

(it's of me, of course and I actually like it-- most times I do not photograph well. GJM you have to experience live to get the total effect, heh, heh)

Fleur Bradley: The Writer Profile Project

Get to know her.

Writing quote for 3/25/07

The wastebasket is a writer's best friend.

--Isaac Bashevis Singer

Quote for 3/25/07

And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.


--Kahlil Gibran

Spellcheck

Sometimes I look at a post and think, what the hell? My fingers get all crazy and the letters come out in the wrong order. I can spell. Overlook those words that are wrong (except for that word for a place where you go to eat 'cause I can't spell that word to save my life). Really I won the school spelling bee when I was in the 4th grade.

Writing quote for 3/24/07

A writer of fiction lives in fear. Each new day demands new ideas and he can never be sure whether he is going to come up with them or not.


--Roald Dahl

Quote for 3/24/07

However ordinary it oftens seems to us, our life, our breath, is a great miracle. My wish for you is that you will remember again and again to sense and feel the mystery and miracle of yourself as a breathing being, taking in what you truly need and letting go of what is no longer necessary.

-- Dennis Lewis

Strike three. You're OUT!

I am not going to get a story into Hobart for the baseball issue and that is the third year in a row I have done this.

I met this man in Baltimore who used to work in a hotel across the street from a major league stadium and I took his # and email address because I told him I wanted to write a baseball story possibly based on some of the stories he'd shared with me or maybe a different one. I never contacted him.

Last year, April rolled around and there was the issue and I was surprised that I'd forgotten that I'd intended to send in a work that I hadn't thought about, developed or written.

This year, thought it was a piece of cake 'cause of the baseball book I found at B&N and then there's spring training happening here in Arizona. In NY I even met a wonderful young woman named Susan who gave me all kinds of information about places to see and things to do next time. She goes to the minor league games for the Yanks and the Mets and something she said I thought I could work into a piece but I'm tired and I can't follow up with the questions I was going to email her. I'm out of time.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh once again

But, like you say when your team doesn't make the playoffs: "Next year."

And yes, I made a snowman!!!!!!!!!!

albeit, a small guy but he was cute!

Photo once it's developed.

New York

Some really tall buildings there!

Ah, Central Park was covered in snow. It's huge! Did not make it through the whole park.

Went to Times Square. Hustle and bustle!

I am a tad more learned about the subway system and the air train. Didn't go around the airport endlessly (ha ha) and only once did I miss my stop and had to get turned around. I was so good that I gave my daughters (it's spring break and I took them with me) directions on how to get back to the hotel in Jamaica Queens from Manhattan. By coincidence, there was a class trip and my daughters (one who went to the middle school and one who's going to the middle school) went to meet up with friends and present/former teachers at Bubba Gump's while I went to the reading.

The reading was good. Chocolate cupcakes and candy. Carol Novack was funny, funny. Invited me to possibly participate in another reading series. Uhm, yes! Something I need to do first to make that happen.

"But you have to stay for a few days," Carol said. "See some things."

Exactly. I'll return to New York (esp. when the turtles in Central Park are out of hibernation.)

Writer Profile: Ellen Meister

Ellen Meister is this week's profile over at Kelly's blog. She is here (but scroll down).

Calculating my worth

This festival wants a price estimate which includes my travel expenses so I can read there.

Wow.

A definite corner I have turned.

I sent a conservative number though I think I'm priceless [;-)] 'cause I didn't want them to say "we can't afford you."

Ha!

Anyway, this is a sign that I need to get a bit more knowledgeable about the business end and negotiation.

When I was performing comedy and producing my own shows, I didn't know all the options available to me, like asking for a % of the bar sales so I lost money for me and my comedy buddies by only taking the what was made at the door.

And the same thing with the bears. I used to make them for the fire department to give to children who were involved in accidents. My business received the bid, mainly because I could produce a almost-completely child-proof bear (embroidered eyes and a fur nose not plastic) but I had a hard time deciding on a price in regards to what my time was worth.

I have worked for $35 hour and I have worked for the federal minimum. When I worked for the Smithsonian as a field researcher, it was more like $60/hour and once the cable company paid me as a comedienne $60 for ten minutes of material, which would calculate to $360 an hour.

I can imagine a six-figure book deal. Sometimes, I envision a million-dollar one (heh, heh) but in reality, it's hard to calculate. How, really, do you put a number on what you share?

La vida loco

Things are just a bit crazy on my end.

Headed to NYC tomorrow. Just all kinds of stuff to take care of before. Why my little world has to explode at this very minute is beyond me, but. . .

Anyway be back here around Friday, maybe Saturday. Behave.

I hope it's cold in New York and that there's snow. I'm taking a carrot and some raisins along just in case. . .

No, really. I will enjoy a snowman this year!


------------------

And a new story up at Barfing Frog Press. "The Smartest Drunk You Knew." I'd link you but I've got clothes in the dryer I gotta go get 'cause I need to pack;-)

Writing quote for 3/16/07

I would hurl words into this darkness and wait for an echo, and if an echo sounded, no matter how faintly, I would send other words to tell, to march, to fight, to create a sense of hunger for life that gnaws in us all.

--Richard Wright,

Quote for 3/16/07

We do not remember days, we remember moments.

--Cesare Pavese

Very Good Friday

How could it not be?

To wake up, turn on the radio and Al Green's playing. Followed by John Cougar (I don't think he was Mellancamp just yet when that song came out), the Eagles (Hotel California, no less!!!!!!!!!!!)

Have been revising all week. Cover letters, SASE's ready and most importantly, THE STORIES!!!!

Went into Phoenix to talk to this man who runs the group for fathers with children with disabilities. Some tall buildings there! In San Antonio, Vincent said I was like someone who'd come to visit them, who kept walking into things 'cause he was looking up at the buildings so much. But that's just the way we small-town people be;-)

Anyway, got some great information for my story which is a novella. Found out that I have some more research to do and that I need to chose a clear focus-- the relationship or the child's disability, which am I writing about?

I also have another story that I thought I could make into a sci-fi piece along the lines of "Brave New World" which I love more than any other book that I've read. But after talking with him, I realized that I can't work out the logistics of this other world (genetic stuff) but that I can make the existing story deeper if I follow a thread that he gave me via our conversation.

A good productive week :)

my story

"Too Human" has been reprinted in the Spring 2007 issue of Kaleidowhirl Literary Journal.

It is here.

Creative quote for 3/15/07

The creative spirit demands persistence.

--Shaun McNiff

Quote for 3/15/07

If you want happiness, you have to accept profoundly and honestly the sadness that waits at every turn.

--Thomas Moore

Writer Profile Project

Alicia Gifford is this week's profile over at Kelly's blog. She is here.

I love what Kelly's doing and can't wait 'til I do mine (months from now but it gives us all something to look forward to, no?)

Anyway, Alicia is da bomb. Go see for yourself.

Quote for 3/14/07

You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.


--Mary Manin Morrissey

Writing quote for 3/14/07

The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible.

--Vladimir Nabakov

Writing quote for 3/13/07

Every secret of a writer's soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind is written large in his works.


--Virginia Woolf

Quote for 3/13/07

We were not sent into this world to do anything into which we can not put our heart.


--John Ruskin

My heart

has a shoe closet to rival Imelda Marcos'.

Cathy Jean is located by the security office in the mall.

"Stop eyeing shoes, Gwendolyn. Let them know you're here and go take pictures. That's it. Keep walking. You know you can't climb anything in a pair of heels."

I never thought writing would be my excuse to avoid something else

Ha!

A flash to clean up and then, then I'll get to those trees. . .

Have I procrastinated enough?

I got permission from a local mall to take pictures of these very funky trees that they have planted about their property. I had to get permission 'cause terrorists have made it really hard and you just can't go around shooting pictures just 'cause you want to.

Today and last night (the lighting system at this mall creates some funky images of these trees) was when I scheduled the shooting so the security people wouldn't bother me/ or think I was crazy lying on the ground, climbing out on limbs, doing whatever necessary to get an interesting shot.

Today is hot, though. I can't beg off 'cause I'm sure the mall manager (and he is really a nice man) wouldn't be too keen on me making this a habit and too, I need the trees bare and some are already getting buds.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

I don't want to be out in the sun. I can't even say "Well, at least I can work on a tan" 'cause I don't need one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy Fish

is a warm and funny lady. Talented writer. Very.

She's this week's subject the subject of

Kelly's

writer profile.

Writing quote for 3/12/07

Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself.

--Truman Capote

Quote for 3/12/07

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

--Albert Einstein

Writing quote for 3/08/07

Nothing stinks like a pile of unpublished writing.

-- Sylvia Plath

Quote for 3/08/07 (in honor of soaring temperatures)

Where's the snow That fell the year that's fled--where's the snow?

-- Samuel Lover

derailed by a pair of heels

I meant to mail that story to New Delta Review. I did. I worked on it, making last edits and then I took a break and went to the mall, with the intentions of going back to the library, printing the story out and then on to the post office.

But I started looking at heels. . .

What a pair of black ankle-straps can do to a girl!

It's supposed to get to 85 degrees today

ugh.

Writing quote for 3/07/07

When I revise and edit, I'm an adult. Looking at my stories with a keen critical eye. But when I'm creating, I approach my work as a child-- with all the curiousity, openness and enthusiasm I can muster.

--Gwendolyn Joyce Mintz

Quote for 3/07/07

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.

-- James A. Froude

Go ahead and make your plans, Gwendolyn

hahahahahaha

so what I was planning for this week ain't gonna happen, although I will get a story to New Delta Review 'cause the reading period ends today.

Life giving me so much other to consider.

1st-- A newsletter from Hobart. A reminder about the baseball issue and I wanted to send one. Later that day I'm in Barnes & Noble and in the bargin books is a book with all kinds of unusual baseball records. I buy it, of course, thinking there's a story there and then when I get the day's paper, there's the schedule for the teams here for Spring Training. I'm gonna go see the Cubs -- unfortunately, them vs. the White Sox is already sold out. Will probably try to make them vs Giants. The reading period will end very soon so this story gets priority.

Also in the paper, an article about a group for father's with children with diaabilities and yes, I've got that story about a family where the child had a rare disease that affects only males. Called, made an appt. with one of the coordinators. Another story that gets moved to the top of the pile for my attention.

And then there was that article about this organization working with "Lost Boys." If you've read What is the What or Beasts of No Nation, you know what I'm taking about. If not, these are boys from Africa (these in Az are specifically from the Sudan) who were forced to become soldiers. Talked to the volunteer coordinator. Next week meeting with him. Friday when I do go to the post office, I apply for the passport. Finally.

And getting in touch with Josh from the college in Vermont to arrange a possible tour if I can make a detour when I go to NY in a couple of weeks. Yes, Vermont is back on the map.

And there are two chapbooks and somehow a jaunt to Crockett, Texas that has to be planned so I can put the finishing touches on the story collection and send it off.

I'm gonna try to get as many stories out as I can but I've got some other works that are evidently more important.

It takes a great faith to follow Life where it leads you, but you start to understand the why's, the greater wisdom guiding you if you're willing to surrender to it. The nice part about is it I get everything I wanted and even some things I didn't imagine. I am so very very grateful for that:)

American Idol

NOBODY covers AI like

Susan
Honest, honest, honest.

And funny, sometimes bitingly so.

The Writer Profile Project

Kelly Spitzer

is way cool, talented and generous.

Visit her blog to see what's she's doing.

Writing quote for 3/06/07

When I sit down at my writing desk, time seems to vanish. I think it's a wonderful way to spend one's life.

--Erica Jong

Quote for 3/6/07

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.

-- Goethe

Michigan is a yes!!!!!!!

So my reading schedule for the year(so far 'cause I've got 9 more months to make stuff happen):

In The Flesh Erotic Reading Series-- NYC, March


Books & Beauty Bash II -- Metro- Detroit, MI, May


JFest, the 1st Annual Juneteenth Festival & Juried Art Show, Gainesville, FL, June


Lolita and Gilda's Burlesque Poetry Hour, Washington, D.C., June


So & So Reading Series, Cambridge, MA, date TBA

12 stories in the mail

That is the plan for Friday. Print journals. Alaska Quarterly Review, which I love. New England Review, Orchid, New Delta Review, among others.

I can't remember the last time I submitted to a print journal and by snail mail, but it's fun/thrilling/scary to address 12 big yellow envelopes and then there's anticipating that trip to the post office.

So now it's onward to the final drafts of those 12 works.

Writing quote for 3/05/07

It is a paradox of creativity that the very way to move beyond the conventional stage [of writing] is not to try harder, but to take a seeming step backward: to reawaken and cultivate in ourselves some of the ways we had of perceiving and expressing when we were children."

-- Gabrielle Lusser Rico

Quote for 3/05/07

Live as you would have wished to live when you are dying.

--Christian Furchtegott Gellert

Quote for 3/2/07

When the way comes to an end, then change - having changed, you pass through.


I Ching

Creative quote for 3/2/07

The only limits are, as always, those of vision.

--James Broughton

Scratch him off the list 'cause *that's* on my list

There's this man who's been trying to get next to me since we met. I was attracted initially but something he said nixed that.

I have a list, I've mentioned before, of five qualities I want in the love of my life. I will never share that list with you, but I have a second and third list that are game. List #3 is non-essential, would be great to have but I could live with a guy who didn't have them as long as he had List #1 covered and much of #2.

I've been researching biblical marriages and in one article, it said a woman should ask herself, "Am I willing to enter into an arrangement where I am bound under this man's laws?" when considering marriage prospects.

Divorce cannot be in my vocabulary, so the seriousness of the commitment is foremost. But, again, what I'm looking for in a man will allow me to say yes, to willingly agree to be bound to him and live under his laws as long as there's no conflict between his laws and God's.

People tell you who they are within minutes of meeting them. You've just got to pay attention. So this guy tells me who he is, literally and figuratively, by what he says and does and by how he reacts/responds to what I say and do.

I read during breaks and while I'm waitng for the bus.

"I don't like to read," he tells me.

Too bad 'cause that's Number 1 on List #2 (Running a very-close second is a man's willingness to chase me around the house, but I digress).

He started citing his reasons why but I didn't listen 'cause a person who doesn't read isn't someone I could see myself spending time with.

I am passionate about books and I want a man who feels the same to the degree that it affects our financial thinking: There's always money for a book if not the electric bill 'cause you can read while the sun is out.

aaaaarrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself. It is after 12 EST and no I did not get my application in for the National Endowment of the Arts.

There is an online submission process and I chose it over the regular mailing. But I didn't read the instructions completely so I didn't have documents formatted as I should. Poor planning and mismanagement of my time, to boot.

Ah well, there's next year if I can get some kick-ass poetry done.

In the meantime, let's see if this mistake/misstep can be turned into something positive.

Like an organized Gwendolyn. We can hope.

Creative quote for 3/01/07

Any form of art is a form of power, it has impact, it can affect change--it can not only move us, it makes us move.

--Ossie Davis

Quote for 3/01/07

It may take awhile, but there's a point where you appreciate the mistakes and the missteps. Even those wrong turns can somehow lead you back to the road you're supposed to be on.

--Gwendolyn Joyce Mintz

A Florida reading, maybe Michigan but probably not Chicago

I asked this woman about taking part in a festival in Florida and she said a reading and an hour-long book signing afterwards could be arranged!!!! It will be in June so I have time to get those chapbooks done and maybe that collection of short stories from that press.

An invitation to read in Michigan from a woman I was working with on a previous festival in Michigan, but she left the organization and I didn't feel like working with someone else and besides if she left then maybe things weren't so wonderful so I let that opportunity fall by the wayside. She's looking for several readers on a first-come first-served basis and accepting only snail mail replies in response. Sent mine. We'll see.

And the event I wanted to take part in Chicago is probably not going to happen. Chicago will happen, I'm determined on that, but not this event and that's okay.