Deborah Ager's Blog, page 33

Blizzard 2010: Knocked Down and Dragged Out

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Originally uploaded by oceanrica

First, I am wondering if the large white thing behind me in this photo is a beached whale or a fallen tree. Perhaps it is a bleached wall? I won't know for certain until the snow disappears.

If it IS a tree, I am curious what Ms. Manners would say if I shove it back into the neighbor's yard. Isn't it enough that their tree knocked my fence down? Must insult be added to injury in requiring me to remove it?

I'm happy to say I've written fourteen...

Ignore Everybody

I joined a group of poets to write 30 poems in 30 days. Some of us have gathered together before — in a virtual way — to cheer each other on (threaten? cajole? prod? encourage? shame?) to write poetry.

In the old days, I used to think being a professor was the way to artistic happiness. I thought this because one had the summers off and, ideally, everyone would support the artistic work. This idea is also discussed in Ignore Everybody (that link will give you 25% of the book for free).

However,...

Creative Nonfiction

I stumbled across the post below. The honesty or tongue-in-cheekness of the statement "I am in it to boose my fragile ego" charmed me. I wanted to share this with you.

This writer went on to publish a piece in The New York Times. Go ahead and set yourself some goals (if you haven't already).

If I ain't in it for the money, I am in it to boost my fragile ego (or at least earn some bragging rights). I am shooting for the best non-fiction publications, or at least the ones that will publish my...

DC-area Poetry Series Accepting Applications

The Joaquin Miller Cabin Summer Poetry Series is taking applications now through March 31, 2010 (postmark) for the Summer Poetry reading series in June and July of 2010.

The Series is located in a lovely outdoor park setting in the Washington, D.C., with two readers selected (one local and one from another part of the country) for each of eight Tuesday evenings.

A very small honorarium is given.

If you would like to apply, please send five poems, a paragraph bio, and a letter-size SASE for...

Moira Egan: An Interview With Serena Agusto-Cox

Poet Moira Egan, published in 32 Poems

1. How would you introduce yourself to a crowded room eager to hang on your every word? Are you just a poet, what else should people know about you?

My father was a poet, so I guess I can say I was infused with the Muse through nature and nurture both. That didn't make it any easier, and there have been years-long stretches when I didn't even consider myself a poet, didn't want to be a poet. But here I am.

And here means Rome, where I live with my ...

Quit Everything. Write.

If you are like most poets and writers, you probably have to work a job — academic or otherwise — and you probably have friends, some sort of family, bills to pay and perhaps an unfair traffic ticket to handle.

Whatever your issues, you have to find the time to write. Writers constantly wonder about this issue. We talk about it over coffee, over beer, over bourbon, over the swimming pool and under milky clouds.

You've got fight for writing.

When I graduated from graduate school, I thought time w...

Kevin McFadden: An Interview With Serena Agusto-Cox

Poet Kevin McFadden, published in 32 Poems

1. How would you introduce yourself to a crowded room eager to hang on your every word? Are you just a poet, what else should people know about you?

If I were to meet such a crowd, the one ready to hang on every word, I would first warn them. Be careful, the words give. Like when a handhold gives, or a dam, or when a damn handhold gives. Love them, but don't lean on them. Every few lines there is one word set to break into at least two–so I...

Thanks to No Tell Motel and Barn Owl Review

Thank you to No Tell Motel for the Pushcart nomination for my poem "Papoose." Reb Livingston and Molly Arden are the brains behind this enterprise. Few magazines provide poetry 365 days per year.

Thanks also to Barn Owl Review for a Pushcart nomination for "Love Poem for Lamoni, Iowa." Mary Biddinger informed me of this via a post to my Facebook wall, which is quite modern of her. Jay Robinson and Mary work together to make this a fantastic magazine. I was blown away by the poetry in their...

By: David

finally got blogrolling thanks to your post…

By: Kan

Oh, the beauty of children discovering all that is wonderful in art and music. Our little N is obsessed with the piano, “sings” along to his favorite CD, and now crawls over to the guitar and bangs on the case when he wants his dad to play. It is amazing to see him developing preferences like this. Olive is welcome to come over and play our piano anytime.

I would like us to start taking N to live music & to view art but can’t help being scared of hushed venues. Where do you find out about the shows that you’ve been going to?