Ask the Author: C.J. Heck
Answered Questions (14)
C.J. Heck
No one has ever asked me that question before. I suppose I am drawn to writing for children because my own inner child is alive and well. I am able to see the world of a child from her point of view.
All of my children's poetry is written from a child's point of view. Children have such an innocent wonder about the world they live in. I like to think I am a grown up friend who can help to answer those questions.
I have eleven grandchildren, too, Onihime, and I watch, learn and listen when I am with them. That could also play a role in writing for children --they say and ask the most wonderful things!
Thank you for your question.
All of my children's poetry is written from a child's point of view. Children have such an innocent wonder about the world they live in. I like to think I am a grown up friend who can help to answer those questions.
I have eleven grandchildren, too, Onihime, and I watch, learn and listen when I am with them. That could also play a role in writing for children --they say and ask the most wonderful things!
Thank you for your question.
C.J. Heck
Hello, Preeti.
Thank you for your question. I will be happy to add a poem for you, but please tell me if you want a children's poem, or an adult poem.
CJ Heck
Thank you for your question. I will be happy to add a poem for you, but please tell me if you want a children's poem, or an adult poem.
CJ Heck
C.J. Heck
She was both thrilled and flattered when the handsome new neighbor told her he wanted to have her for dinner at 8:00 — could she please bring the wine?
She arrived early, handed him the chilled Pinot, and wondered if she heard him correctly when she asked what the main course was and he answered, “You.”
She arrived early, handed him the chilled Pinot, and wondered if she heard him correctly when she asked what the main course was and he answered, “You.”
C.J. Heck
I'm not interested, so kindly stop sending this to me. It's spam.
C.J. Heck
Did you do a search for your book, the one you are trying to add to your page? Did your book appear in the search result?
C.J. Heck
Do a search for the title of your book, then acknowledge it as the book's author. It will then appear on your page.
C.J. Heck
I would feel proud and honored, Bob. Thank you. My address is on this page: http://www.barkingspiderspoetry.com/C...
CJ
CJ
C.J. Heck
Hello "The Last Brahmin" -- Thank you for writing to me and for your question.
A friend once asked me why I write poetry ...
She had a creepy look on her face that told me she secretly equated writing poetry with juggling snakes, or worse, licking a germy fly swatter. Well, maybe the look on her face wasn't quite that bad, but her expression did remind me of someone sucking on a lemon.
I don't know why poetry gets such a bad rap. I write fiction, non-fiction, flash fiction, memoirs, essays, and three blogs, and I can tell you honestly that poetry is much harder to write.
When you write most anything else, you have a lot of leeway -- pages and pages in which to tell a story. Not so when writing poetry. A poem has to be condensed, without straying from the main theme, and it also usually has a beginning, middle and end.
I can only speak for myself, but I'm reasonably sure other poets would understand and agree. Maybe they can't explain the 'why they write it' any better than I, but they can certainly understand the love for writing poetry.
A poet writes poetry because they love poetry. It is a challenge -- and not everyone can do it.
While I'm convinced writing poetry is not a disease, it could be called an addiction -- and with no twelve-step program for recovery.
Based on my friend's question, I asked myself, "Why DO I write poetry?" In all honesty, I have to say ... I can't NOT write poetry. If that is an addiction, then I enjoy my addiction. In fact, I love it.
I probably should have explained to my friend that for me to hold back a poem would be like trying to hold in a sneeze. When I finally let out, it just feels good. Again, other poets would understand.
I simply told my friend that there are thoughts and ideas down inside that I have to get out. They're uncomfortable where they are.
I told her to think of it like having a mosquito bite you can't quite reach. When you finally find someone to scratch it, it just feels good.
But Geez-Louise, I've got to make this short. I feel a poetic sneeze coming on and it's gonna feel so good when I finally let it out ... (giggle)
Thanks again for your question, "The LastBrahmin".
Warmest regards,
CJ
A friend once asked me why I write poetry ...
She had a creepy look on her face that told me she secretly equated writing poetry with juggling snakes, or worse, licking a germy fly swatter. Well, maybe the look on her face wasn't quite that bad, but her expression did remind me of someone sucking on a lemon.
I don't know why poetry gets such a bad rap. I write fiction, non-fiction, flash fiction, memoirs, essays, and three blogs, and I can tell you honestly that poetry is much harder to write.
When you write most anything else, you have a lot of leeway -- pages and pages in which to tell a story. Not so when writing poetry. A poem has to be condensed, without straying from the main theme, and it also usually has a beginning, middle and end.
I can only speak for myself, but I'm reasonably sure other poets would understand and agree. Maybe they can't explain the 'why they write it' any better than I, but they can certainly understand the love for writing poetry.
A poet writes poetry because they love poetry. It is a challenge -- and not everyone can do it.
While I'm convinced writing poetry is not a disease, it could be called an addiction -- and with no twelve-step program for recovery.
Based on my friend's question, I asked myself, "Why DO I write poetry?" In all honesty, I have to say ... I can't NOT write poetry. If that is an addiction, then I enjoy my addiction. In fact, I love it.
I probably should have explained to my friend that for me to hold back a poem would be like trying to hold in a sneeze. When I finally let out, it just feels good. Again, other poets would understand.
I simply told my friend that there are thoughts and ideas down inside that I have to get out. They're uncomfortable where they are.
I told her to think of it like having a mosquito bite you can't quite reach. When you finally find someone to scratch it, it just feels good.
But Geez-Louise, I've got to make this short. I feel a poetic sneeze coming on and it's gonna feel so good when I finally let it out ... (giggle)
Thanks again for your question, "The LastBrahmin".
Warmest regards,
CJ
C.J. Heck
Being able to get the thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions out. They are uncomfortable where they are, down inside me. Writing is a big part of who I am and I love sharing that.
C.J. Heck
Sometimes, reading helps. Other times, talking with my grandchildren, asking them questions about life and what they think is funny, sad, or what makes them feel puzzled. Children have a wonderful way of looking at their world.
C.J. Heck
You want advice for getting published, right? Not long ago, I wrote a blog about that. It might help.
CJ's Writer Thoughts
http://cjswriterthoughts.blogspot.com...
Hugs,
CJ
CJ's Writer Thoughts
http://cjswriterthoughts.blogspot.com...
Hugs,
CJ
C.J. Heck
At the moment, the only projects I'm working on are my three different blogs. I have ideas that poke at me now and then, mostly ideas for children's stories, but nothing concrete, at least for now.
Hugs,
CJ
Hugs,
CJ
C.J. Heck
I'm inspired most often by my heart and what I feel about something, or someone.
Hugs,
CJ
Hugs,
CJ
C.J. Heck
My most recent book, "Anatomy of a Poet", took forty years to write. It's inspiration came from my life, as well as my observations of life and people around me.
Hugs,
CJ
Hugs,
CJ
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