Awake at 4:30 am courtesy of a beautiful (and loud) cardinal song. As he perched high in the cedar tree outside my open window, he clearly announced the arrival of the “pre-dawn” time of day. Although still dark outside, I could see the faintest line of light on the horizon. Cardinal spoke once and, that was that. I, of course, couldn’t fall back asleep because I was wondering, “why do birds announce the new day?”
Read moreIntroducing my Zazzle shop!
What an amazing time it’s been since the first of this year! I’ve “retired” from 30+ years at SAS Software (yes, it’s a wonderful company!) and I’ve been happily exploring several new projects. (You’ll find a link to one them under “Shops” - a new greeting card collection on Zazzle using some of my Instagram photographs. I’ve also been busy helping wrap up our softball documentary (see “Projects”) and I’m working on a new documentary with the working title “Saturday Left Behind” about one form of beach pollution - trash. Also enjoying working with all manner of creative and supportive folks in my role as Hillsborough Poet Laureate. All by way of saying I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted here, but I’m looking forward to staying in touch much more frequently around our collective writing adventures!
Signed, a happy Dee gearing up for Table Rock Writer’s Workshop!
MY WRITING COMMUNITY
Taking some time to reflect on all the creative people in my life gives rise to thoughts I’d like to share with you. In the deepest depths of my soul I’m a poet. And there are muddy waters within that compel me to escape our world by living solo high on a New Mexico mesa, on a cliff open to the ravages of the sea or deep in the Appalachians. The short periods of time I’m able to do these things brings tremendous joy and creativity. I do my best writing when I am completely isolated and alone.
However… I also believe it is essential to build and celebrate a personal writing community. (Mine does actually include people, in addition to beloved trees, groundhogs, and clouds.) Yours too will include those who both nourish and support your work. Your community will grow with your art. In that process, you’ll have the opportunity to give back by supporting friends in their creative communities as well.
My creative community includes
• Writers - friends on the writing path I absolutely trust with my work:
• Poet sisters - my first and continuing group, my poet’s heart is safe with these women.
• Memoir group - listening to amazing stories from brave people helps nourish my own stories.
• Kid’s table - my newest group of incredibly creative friends in children’s literature.
• Editor(s) - Any work I share is edited first, including poetry.
• Others in the arts:
• Theatre - those who tirelessly work in theatre, especially community theatre.
• Documentary filmmakers - who bring another way of seeing the world into my life.
• Artists and musicians - all bring incredible richness of expression.
• Friends in the sciences - they keep me grounded and curious.
There are other important members of your creative community who can help you take your art to a higher level and out into the world:
• Mentors - You will find them and they will find you.
• Connectors - People who help you meet others who are important to your work, including gifted creatives who can help you market your work, build your website, and introduce you to those interested in promoting and selling (yes, it happens!) your work.
• Receivers - People who support the arts. Your audience: from people in your family, to fellow creatives, to people you don’t know but who want to connect with you at book signings and readings. (Yes, I believe in your potential to have those events!)
I’ve highlighted some of the members of my community here in my recommendations. I encourage you to build, nourish, and cherish your own writing community. Take a look at the people in your life and bring those who energize you creatively into a more immediate presence. They will help strengthen your gifts as you bring your own unique creative talents into our world.