I have a confession to make: I just discovered a poem that I absolutely love. Yes, I know that I have spent this month writing about how much I hate poetry. Well, that was before I had heard any Dylan Thomas. My new favourite poem is In My Craft or Sullen Art by Dylan Thomas. In it he describes how he writes for the sake of writing, not for money or recognition. I know that many of us can relate to this, whether our sullen art be writing, knitting, or playing music. There is a deep drive that impels us…
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Oh, what a mix of topics! Actually, I’m combining the NaBloPoMo prompts from April 4th and 5th into one post because the prompt for the 4th wasn’t posted until after I had shut my laptop for the day. (Nothing like trying to force writing and creativity into a prescribed period of time. sigh) Yesterday’s prompt was: What is the best romantic poem you’ve ever encountered? I suppose the easy answer would be Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43 (“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”). Or, perhaps Robbie Burn’s My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose or…
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Hmmm, I may need to rethink the NaBloPoMo thing. Today’s prompt is: What is the best poem to read when you’re feeling sad? Ummm… I haven’t got a clue. Absolutely nothing comes to mind. I told you I didn’t like poetry. When I’m feeling sad, I like to pout in the bedroom, away from everyone else (who are probably the people who made me feel sad in the first place). I like to read a good book (historical mysteries are my current favourites), have a bath, and go to sleep. I also like to brood. Of course, I also like…
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I’ve decided to give BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo another go this month (Yeah, I did miss yesterday. Oops!). I was a bit disappointed, though, by this month’s theme being poetry. If there is one form of writing that I actually hate, it is poetry. There is just something about “clever” poems that make no real sense that sets my teeth on edge. The twee poetry of nursery rhymes is almost as bad, and adolescent poems about the cruelty of life make me want to gouge out my eyes. I wish I was kidding, but I really do hate most poetry. This is…
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Well, so much for NaBloPoMo. I haven’t felt much like writing the past couple of days, and I let that get in the way of my goal. That, my friends, is why I will never become a writer. So, let’s get caught up on a couple of prompts. First: What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion? Knitting, cross stitch, crochet, sewing! Creating! These are my (not at all) secret passions. I’m always making something. I think my desire to write also comes from this need to create. But, with a preschooler eating up so much of my time, picking up…
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Day nine, and I am just too tired to write much of anything. I haven’t adjusted well to the time change (thankfully the little man has!), so I’m feeling extra run down this week. Anyway, today’s prompt is: When was the first time that you realized that your home was not like other people’s homes? You know, I’m not sure I really did. I think my family was pretty normal, and so were the families of most of the people I grew up with. At least as far as I noticed. I think, though, that Baby Man will know pretty…
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Day eight and I’m still remembering to post. Will wonders never cease? Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is: Has anything traumatic ever happened to you? Describe the scenes surrounding a particular event. I gave this a pretty good think when I saw the prompt this morning. A few things came to mind: giving birth, when my husband was laid off, a friend getting lost in the woods and dying when I was very young (read about Andy here). The more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that I have had a very lucky and very safe life. Believe…
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Here I am, up way to early in the morning because the little man woke up and asked for something to drink. He was, of course, asleep by the time I brought it to him. And, again of course, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I love my little man, but sometimes I think he is just planning some really big joke on me. Today’s NaBloPoMo prompt is again appropriate to the day’s events: Making family time is important. How do you balance your children, relationship, and work life? As the stay-at-home mom of a preschooler, I really don’t have any…
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Well, seven days into NaBloPoMo and I’m stuck for something to write about. Today was a quiet day. I headed out to Fabricland to pick up some bits and pieces so I can make a few things, and then we had dinner at a friend’s home. It’s funny how 8pm seems late now that I have a kid. I know we are just dealing with the time change, but even still, I couldn’t help thinking how it was well past both kids’ beadtime. Funny how your perspective changes. Tomorrow: more writing from prompts. Thank goodness!
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Day four of NaBloPoMo, and not all is well here at the Pond. And, conveniently enough, it has something in common with today’s prompt: When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer? This is a harder question than you would think. I love to write on paper with a good pen, but I’m also involved in the never ending search for said good pen. I usually end up frustrated with the smeary ink, or the large size of the tip, or even the colour. I’m desperate to find a fine tipped, ball-point, purple ink…