My teeny winged friend
brings me young yellow roses
on a dismal day.
*
Happy poetry writing, friends! Check out my first post if you’re just arriving. My dear CP, Shelby Kisgen, started this poetry challenge 🙂
Loie
October Poetry Challenge: Day 4
Tag: inspiration
October Poetry Challenge Day 2 & 3
The Stillness Becomes Too Much
I press flowers and leaves in between my only book.
For what can I do until the dusky night
and the symbols of another voice
speckle the sky?
I flip through the yellowed pages,
pausing at the bud my dear sparrow brought me
years ago when I first arrived at this wretched tower.
I’m not alone, I’m not alone,
I whisper to the silence.
*
The Song of the Wind
On storming days, when the sway of the wind shakes my prison,
I lay flat on my back and try to breathe.
Counting the flecks of white on the stonewall,
I wait until the swell of the gale hurls away to the next town.
Has the Autumn King had his fun?
Slowly, I’ll sit up and gaze outside my window,
taking in the naked trees and the gilded leaves
littering the ground like thin pieces of gold.
I want to shout at the wind to come back,
to take me away,
but it has already left.
*
Happy poetry writing, friends 🙂 !
Loie
Keep Showing Up
Hi everyone! I decided to pop in today to share some of my thoughts. Yesterday there was a massive Twitter pitch contest called #PitMad. Agents and editors search the hashtag, liking pitches that intrigue them, requesting to read more of the project.
I find these contests enjoyable, overall. It’s a chance to connect with fellow querying writers and read some pretty amazing pitches. The talent out there is outstanding 🙂 However, these pitch contests can be draining and deflating if you don’t get any likes. It’s kind of the same when you send out queries for a project and get rejected.
But that’s part of the deal with publishing. You’ll always face rejection, at every stage of your career.
I was driving home and thinking about publishing and querying in general, reflecting on the entire process. My mind started to wander, and I realized publishing is kind of like anything in life – if its something you care about and have passion for, you stick with it.
You keep showing up.
No matter if you feel disenchanted, discouraged, or frustrated. It’s a long race, not a sprint. Keep showing up to put in the work. Read craft novels, daydream about new story worlds, and get your hands on books of all genres.
If you need a mental health break, take some off and explore other ways to be creative. Always remember why you write.
Keep going, friends. We will get there.
Loie ❤
The Artist’s Way
January 17th
Hi everyone! I am rereading Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. In one month, I’ll write up another post about the workbook and exercises.
For those of you who don’t know about Julia’s book, stick around ❤
The Artist’s Way
This is a creative writing method separated into 12 weeks. Julia writes about what creativity is and how to harness it. She suggests you read one chapter a week. There are a series of exercises you should complete along the way 🙂
Morning Pages
I picked up a notebook and reserved it for Morning Pages. I usually write these before I’m about to start work. I write down worries I have, bits of dialogue, or prayers. It’s a pure stream of consciousness.
Artist Date
Once a week, break your routine and take time for yourself. You might listen to music, go for a walk, explore ice caves or paint. Do something that allows you to relax and enjoy life.
Last weekend, I explored Cape Enrage. Wow! What a sight. Not only did I physically benefit from walking about, but I also came up with some new ideas for a short story.
I highly recommend both exercises.
Have Fun Writing
I hope you have a great rest of your week. In a month I’ll blog about my experience with The Artist’s Way.
What are you working on this month? I’d love to hear below ❤
Until next time,
Loie xo
On the 12th Day of Writing: Coming Home to Yourself
December 12th
Hi friends!
For those of you interested in writing blogs, there is a submission opportunity with The Relationship Blogger. They are seeking blog posts about self-acceptance.
Coming Home to Yourself
Did you struggle against conformity, perfection standards from parents, or cultural conditioning? Did you ask the question am I good enough as I am?
Share your heart about being your true self and what it took to find that. Self-acceptance is so difficult.
It’s a journey.
Dive into your experiences with self-discovery and self-acceptance. What have you struggled with about yourself and what have you accepted? What was the turning point for you?
The Relationship Blogger seeks poems, essays, or fiction. January submissions are due by December 15th. Send your final piece to: submissions@therelationshipblogger.com
Check out their master submissions page for formatting details.
This is a different call of submissions but might be insightful and interesting to pen.
Big hug ❤
Loie
On the 8th Day of Writing: Iceland Writers Retreat Contest
December 8th
Do I ever have an epic submission opportunity for you today, friends 🙂 ! Want to win a spot to the Iceland Writers Retreat in April 2019, hosted by Iceland Travel?!
Keep reading to learn more 🙂
Contest Guidelines
The winner receives a package including free hotel stay, tours, most meals, and workshops from April 3-7th, 2019.
Note: You’ll have to pay for your flight over and extra spending.
Can you imagine? I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland. Eep! It’s so stunning and magical to me.
The deadline to submit is 23:59 (GMT) Monday, December 17, 2018. There is no fee to enter. Click here to enter.
Contest Theme: Equality
Write a max 500-word essay, poem, or story on this theme. They recommend mentioning Iceland in the submission 🙂
The judging panel chooses one winning entry. Judges seek creativity, style, and originality.
Email iwr@icelandwritersretreat.com if you have any questions.
Fine Print
– The author of the winning entry receives one Complete Package at the Iceland Writers Retreat 2019. This includes accommodation and items on the registration page.
– Airfare isn’t included to Iceland.
– The prize is valid for one participant in a standard single room. If you want to purchase a room upgrade or attend with an accompanying person, additional fees apply.
Find out more here.
Learn More About the Iceland Writers Retreat
The Iceland Writers Retreat is comprised of a series of small-group writing workshops. Cultural tours are designed to introduce participants to Iceland’s rich literary heritage. So cool, right?! 🙂
Faculty in 2019 include Louis de Bernieres, Tessa Hadley, Ivan Coyote, Chigozie Obioma, and Lina Meruane.
Good Luck
Good luck to you, my dear friends ❤ Lot’s of contests this month! So fun to write stories and see where they take us 🙂 Even if we don’t win, we are writing and expanding our character’s worlds.
Happy writing!
Until next time,
Loie xo
On the 7th & 8th Day of Writing: Chicken Soup for the Soul and Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Card Contest
December 7th
Hi everyone! My apologies for missing yesterday’s submission post. Today, I have two opportunities to make up for the missed blog from yesterday.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is publishing stories about Running/Walking. They are due December 15th.
Blue Mountain Arts seek poems for a poetry card contest due December 31st.
Keep reading to learn more about both!
Running for Good – and Walking Too!
Chicken Soup for the Soul is teaming up with Dean Karnazes. He is the Ultramarathoner. This book will be about walking, running, and how steps toward taking care of the body have many benefits.
Guidelines
The upcoming book title refers to how running and walking are good for one’s health. You can also run or walk for an important cause or issue, to raise awareness.
They seek true poems or stories of 1200 words or less. It can be about all aspects of running, walking, and raising awareness for a cause. Stories can be serious, heartwarming, or funny and quirky.
Read more about potential topics here! You can submit your story here. Remember, stories are due December 15th.
Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Card Contest
Want to write a poem for Blue Mountain Arts 33rd biannual poetry card contest? First prize is $350, second prize is $200, and third prize is $100. The winning poems will be displayed on their website.
Guidelines
Poems can be non-rhyming or rhyming. Blue Mountain Arts noted that non-rhyming poems read better. They suggest writing about real feelings or emotions and think about a particular person while you write.
Poems are judged based on uniqueness and originality. They seek English only entries, and you can submit as many poems as you’d like!
Poetry Contest Rules
Poems must be an original creation. The rights to the entries will remain the property of the author. You’ll give permission to Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. to display and publish your entry on the Web, electronically, if you win.
Winners will be contacted within 45 days of the deadline date 🙂 Remember, they are due December 31st. Read more here.
Have Fun
Hope you enjoy these two submission opportunities, friends ❤
Until next time,
Loie xo
