Look Into Project Written About in July "Poets & Writers"

A painter named Eric Fischl created a national art project which involves poets. It is a show that is to go around the nation and not only includes creations of poets, but also filmmakers, musicians, playwrights, and visual artists.

The title of the work is "America:Now and Here" and it addresses what the contributors would like to focus on in the present as a way of diffusing the toxic situation of our society today.

The poets contacted created a "renga" which starts with a three-line stanza which includes seventeen syllables. The poet who began the renga passed it on to the next poet, who, in turn, wrote a couplet of seven-syllable lines, according to Alex Dimitrov, who wrote the article in "Poets and Writers." The three-line stanza and couplet continued as the piece was offered to one chosen poet after another. The result in this case was the work entitled " Crossing State Lines," which is on exhibit within the total project of "America:Now and Here."

The entire traveling show will be visiting different cities in the United States starting Fall 2012 for two years. Each host city is able to make their own unique contribution to "America:Now and Here" which will be presented at that particular site. To get involved or learn where the project will be available for viewing, see www.americanowandhere.org

Kay Ryan

Kay Ryan who was the nation's poet laureate from 2008-2010 received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in April 2011.

Ryan was born in California in 1945.

The work that earned her the Pulitzer is "The Best Of It."

I met her and heard her speak a few years ago. She is very personable and gave the impression at the time that she takes herself lightly by the comments she made.

I believe she even allowed me to pose with her for a photo!

MEMOIR IN THE FALL

After a hiatus, I am resuming my blog. I signed up for a Memoir class with instructor Ann Thompson during the spring and was only able to attend a few sessions. However, she did inspire me to write.

I have given my memoir more thought and effort. What came to mind was to gather old notes from throughout the years, including journals, and then proceed. So that is what I have been doing.

I am only part way through but noticing that I had more done from the past that I am able to use than I had thought. The book is taking shape in my mind, as well as in consolidation online.

Ann Thompson will be teaching the Memoir class again in the fall at the Campbell Community Center around Labor Day. If you Google the City of Campbell, CA. you will obtain the information.

I intend to stay with this mode of blogging for now and do not plan to have the separate blog for my book at this time. I will continue to inform you about writing and related topics. Stay tuned...

Another Memoir Resource

An associate of mine mentioned "Story Circle" when I told her I was planning to write a memoir.

I Googled it and came up with "Story Circle Network" at www.storycircle.org, which is described
as a network for women with stories to tell.

A conference is advertised for Memoir Writing on the site. It is "Stories From The Heart VI" Women's Memoir Conference. It is to be held in Austin, Texas on April 13-15, 2012.

The explanation about Story Circle Network on the site is as follows:
"The Story Circle Network is a national not-for-profit membership organization made up of women who want to document their lives and explore their personal stories through journaling, memoir, autobiography, personal essays, poetry, drama and mixed-media."
You may subscribe to a free e-mail newsletter on the site. Online classes are also offered.

Blogging Coach

I learned through a question of Dan Poynter, a workshop presenter, (Google CWC South Bay Chapter, Jan. 15, 2011) that an associate of mine coaches clients about the best way to blog a book.

Nina Amir, the blogging coach, also has products on her website at a good price which address this topic. Her website is www.copywrightcommunications.com

Her contact info and credentials are listed there. Nina Amir earned a journalism degree.

She also has many years of experience.

I look forward to the possibility of working with her!

Memoir Info

I am still reading Betty Auchard's recent memoir, and learned from the front pages already that she took more than one class in writing memoirs. So, I signed up for one too.

Betty Auchard's book, "The Home for the Friendless," is a series of vignettes about her childhood memories. It is poignant and often funny. She divides the book into sections, which makes it more cohesive and readable. The fact that the stories are brief makes it easy to follow. I hope I may do as well.

She will be leading a memoir writing workshop at the Wild Mind Writer's Retreat which is being held from April 16-17, 2011. For mor information, see www.wildmindwriterpresents.vpweb.com

To see more about Betty Auchard, visit www.bettyauchard.com

Memoir Resource

As you know, my plan is to begin a memoir. I decided to do some footwork first.

I am considering joining a writer's group to keep me on track. That way I will be obligated to have written 5 pages a week to share and get feedback.

I also intend to read another memoir by my associate at the California Writers Club, Betty Auchard. I will let you know about that in a future entry. At the very least, I know it will be a good read. The title is "Home for the Friendless."

The resource I find to be most helpful so far is Linda Joy Myers. She is the President of the National Association of Memoir Writers. Her blog is www.memoriesandmemoirs.com

Her website is lindajoymyersphd.com Check them out. There is a lot of worthwhile guidance there.