L.K. Latham's Blog, page 8

Learning New Things

The next book is so close to being done, I can taste it. It’s off to Beta readers by the end of the month. I’m already at work on the next novel, The Death of Mme Louse (I really need to work on this title). 

Speaking of titles, the next book is either: Midnight Goblins, Midnight in Vegas, or Midnight Casino. Going a little nuts not knowing the title yet.

AND I’m learning new technology to help me get books to those who want to read them. This leads me to an offer. Last year I released a cut chapter from Midnight Bites as a short story, Before the First Bite. It’s had a few updates, and I’d like to offer it to you for free. 

Click here to download a copy of Before the First Bite. The page will ask you for your email address. I like to send subscribers a few extra tidbits from time to time. Of course, if you download the short story and don’t want to receive my newsletter, just unsubscribe. You won’t hurt my feelings.

BTW: Midnight Bites part of Flight of Fantasy book fair. Check it out.

Enjoy these shorts, the beginnings of Mary Midnight The first time humans heard Mary Midnight, was on a small radio station in Galveston, Texas. The streets are often are safe to walk, as long as you listen to the whispers blowing on the breeze at midnight. Some monsters should never walk the streets.

Spreading the Poetry Love

Instead of posting a poem today, I’m spreading you a bit of my joy for words – as well as links to poetry sites to pique your interest.

Read about how and why April became the month for poetry and various events meant to celebrate poetry.

National Poetry Month

Browse the many websites where people are posting their poem-a-day with much more regularity than I am.

National Poetry Writing Month

One week from this posting (27 April), is Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day. Do you have a poem to give someone? Check out how you can participate.

Poem in Your Pocket Day

The following links are to websites of people I follow online who post their poetry. This is a short list I gathered and posted in no particular order.

Yaskhan

Daydreaming as a profession

Out Literary Journey

Let’s Write…. 

 

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NaPoWriMo: 17 April

It may not look like it, but I’m enjoying National Poetry Month. I’m not even trying to post everyday, just too many words in my head. So, I’m sharing when I can.

Check out the poems flowing this month at the National Poetry Writing Month website.

The street disappears as the river rises.Crustations tuck-in as coastlines fade.Mountains burn away brush, sapplings, trees, and roads,Until snow devours flames, crumbles homes, and buries the dead.Summer blooms too early.Mud rushes down wasting homes, delivering bodies.Storms churn in the oceans before for the shores.Again the street disappears and a river rises.It’s warmer today than yesterday, but the house is cool.

 

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NaPoWriMo: 12 April

Here I am, back for two days in a row.

Strange occurrence did I behold last nightupon the hill, under moonshine clasping. I did see a shadow rise in flight.It was no ghost nor demon’s handBut some spell of nature’s own dev’lish might.The shadow reached toward heaven rasping,And in the wind I heard the cry, A cry forewarning,A cry of ending,T’was only echos of words long penned,Of words not spoken,Of dreams forgotten.

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NaPoWriMo: 11 April

Missed writing and posting poems over the weekend, but I’m still at it.

We watch nights long and cold.We dance and sing old songsAnd now we slice the cake.As each night shrinks from the lastWinter’s breath prepares to blastThe sun will rise with hope to make.But on this night, the longest nightWe let our souls take flightInto the new, with hopes of old, we shall not quake.Until dawn’s light dapples brightAnd hungry wrens take flightA sky of blue awakes. 

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NaPoWriMo: 7 April

It’s a crazy week, but feeling good. The storms washed away enough pollen that I can breathe again. Of course, molds come after rain. Fingers crossed they don’t bother me.

And with all the pollen and storms, Frank Sinatra is inspiring my words this week. No idea how he inspired this poem.

Whispering in the wind at night,Under the Harvest moon, “There are no frights but those you make. We are your fears. We are your blight. We are what you will never be.” Sleep takes hold. A shiver in the night.The wind dies to blow no more. Clouds loom where once happy, silver fingers danced. “Who will dance in the shadows of the moon?”

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NaPoWriMo: 6 April

Beware The Monster in the Kitchen.

It hides in cuppords. Perchance to pounceWhen it strikes it will flounceAnd there is our chance, If you act in a glance,If you act in all haste.Toss up the wasteIt will turn and churn.Cover it quick!Let not the flick of the switch slow you down.Let it rumble and gurgle and drownLet the gods of disposal slurp to an ounceAnd to all that is wasteful, gladly denouce.

 

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Thinking about words, thinking about memories

During National Poetry Month I spend ten minutes a day (or more) reading poetry. It makes me think about words and meaning. A little time everyday writing a poem opens up creative processes I’d long forgotten about. It’s amazing how the slightest turn of a phrase sends my mind wondering. One poem (not about pets or dogs) rekindled memories of my beloved dogs – long gone. That sent me looking for poems about dogs and writing about my dear old dogs.

Verse for a Certain Dog by Dorothy Parker

Here’s a special plug for a free online event: Poetry & the Creative Mind. It’s a fund-raising event hosted by The Academy of American Poets. I’ve clicked through to secure my link to the event. Check out the names of some of the readers. Wow!

20th Annual Poetry & the Creative Mind

 

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NaPoWriMo: 5 April

Darn it! Already missed a day, but that’s okay. I’m posting two poems today, and I let my romantic side out.

Poem #1:Ordinary, plane, dull, and baseAll things he does are shades of cream.Vows repeated without grace,Led to the love that became the dream.Poem #2:Made so unlike as only a pair can be,Afraid of nothing when in handResting on that which some call loveRaiding thoughts, though never grandIntent on beingAgreeing to beGuided togetherEvermore

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NaPoWriMo: 3 April

I know we’re only three days in, but I’m recoicing in the doing this for three days. Tomorrow, day four – another day – another challenge.

I meandered azure plains of gold and mountains majesty, ‘Till stars of white scattered thoughts with pride for myths that never were.In search of harmony in indigo, turquoise coins fell from the sky,Tendril green wove between my toes,As golden rays turned orange.Blood flowed, draining, tightening fingers gripped my knees.Still I waited for the healing balm, The kiss of lips denied,so pink my heart broke.

 

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