HEADS-UP CALIFORNIA: A timely reminder.
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WRITING YOUR SELF, Transforming Personal Material with John Killick & Myra Schneider
“We wrote the book because we believe that personal writing is very potent both for the writer and the reader, because some of the greatest literature is rooted in personal material.” Myra Schneider in an interview with Jamie Dedes
It always seems to me that writing about life – “personal material” – is a healing activity, a way to live hugely, and a way to empower ourselves and others. Whether we do it for ourselves alone or whether our purpose is to leave history behind for family, to set the record straight, or simply to share and entertain, the experience is rewarding.
Writing Your Self is a comprehensive book organized into two parts:
- Part I: Here the focus is on life experiences, the exploration of those human experiences that are universal. These include childhood, self-concepts, relationships, displacement, physical and mental illness and disability, and abuse.
- Part II: Here the focus is on writing techniques, recognizing material that is unfinished, working on refinements, and developing work projects.
Writing Your Self is rich with examples from unknown (students) and known writers including the authors. By example as well as explanation the authors reinforce what we intuitively understand to be true: that telling stories preserves identity and clarifies the human condition. It helps us understand what it means to be human. The experience of working through the book is rather like a rite of passage.
I can see the use of this book by individuals training themselves and by teachers of adult learners who wish to write memoir, poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction. It would be useful in hospital therapeutic writing programs or in writing programs for active seniors.
Memories, both recent and distant, tell us who we are and so play a crucial role in our experience of life…
You may have memories which you want to plunge into or you may have material like a diary or letters which summon them up. There are other ways though of triggering memories. We offer a series of suggestions. Chapter 13, Accessing memories, secret letters, monologues and dialogues, visualizations.
Chapter 13 alone is worth the price of admission. I work a lot off of childhood memories and even the event that happened two minutes ago comes back to me with a dreamlike quality when I sit to write. I have not thought of the things I do naturally as triggers, but indeed they are. It was quite interesting to see these natural aids laid-out in the book: objects and place as starting points, physical sensation as triggers, people in memory and predominant feelings. The section on secret letters – that is, letters that you write someone and never send – was interesting. I’m sure it would make a fine jumping-off point for some. The authors go on to monologues and dialogues and visualization. We all do those things in our heads anyway. If you can see it or hear it in your mind, you can write it.
If you are inexperienced or stuck midway in a transition from one form of writing to another, you’ll benefit from the exercises, ideas, and instruction in Writing Your Self: Transforming Personal Experience. If you are a more experienced writer, you might find this book will stimulate the muse. This text is a definite thumbs-up.
Myra Schneider is a British poet, a poetry and writing tutor, and author of the acclaimed book: Writing My Way Through Cancer.
John Killick was a teacher for 30 years, in further, adult and prison education. He has written all his life. John Killick’s work includes both prose works and poetry.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
THE SUNDAY POESY: Opportunities, Events and Other Information and News
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Opportunity Knocks
DELAWARE POETRY REVIEW is currently sponsoring a national (U.S.) open call-out for “Previously Unpublished Poetry Dedicated to Prince.” Deadline: July 15, 2016 Details HERE
BUTCHER’S DOG is a biannual poetry magazine that is currently reading submissions. The deadline is 31 July 2016. Editors “welcome submissions from writers living in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, particularly those with a connection to Northern England. There is no set theme, we just want you to send us your best work.” Details HERE
LIMINAL STORIES is currently reading poetry and fiction submissions and will close again on June 30 at 11:59 p.m. The search is for poems of “a particular tone.” Editors “like poems with strong imagery and precise language. Fantastical elements are encouraged, but not required. Some of the editor’s favorite poets include, but are not limited to, Claudia Emerson, Jamaal May, Judy Jordan, Jack Gilbert, Ai, and David Kirby.” Poems may be any length and payment on publication is $50. Editors will consider fiction up to 10,000 words and pay six cents a word on publication. No reprints, non-fiction, simultaneous or multiple submissions. Details HERE
THE RUMPUS accepts submissions year round for essays, reviews, interviews, advice, music, film and poetry and – heads-up – comics. More than a few readers here do comics – yes!, I do pay attention. Writer’s Guidelines for The Rumpus are HERE.
YES! MAGAZINE – Each issue of YES! includes a series of articles focused on a theme—about solutions to a significant challenge facing our world—and a number of timely, non-theme articles. “Our non-theme section provides ongoing coverage of issues like health, climate change, globalization, media reform, faith, democracy, economy and labor, social and racial justice, and peace building.” Submission Guidelines HERE
THE BeZINE is open for submissions of essays, feature articles, book and movie reviews, short stories, poetry, art, photography and video. (We might take a good cartoon as well!) The theme for the June issue is “Friendship” and the deadline for June is the 13th. Send to bardogroup@gmail.com Submissions guidelines and themes for upcoming months are HERE
ARTEMISpoetry deadline for Issue 17, November 27 has not yet been announced. Submission is open to women only, including non-members. “We aim to publish new work, so submissions should be unpublished (by ‘published’ we mean: in print, on the internet or by way of media broadcast or on CD), and not ‘out in submission’ elsewhere, whether to magazines or competitions.” Details HERE.
NIGHTJAR REVIEW is a new publication that is currently reading submissions of poetry and also welcome art. The reading period will close at the end of July. Details HERE.
CONTESTS/COMPETITIONS/GRANTS
Opportunity Knocks
SUSTAINABLE ARTS FOUNDATION, SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND WRITERS WITH FAMILIES: Online Application available July 15, 2016; Deadline to apply September 2, 2016; Awards announced November 18, 2016 Applicants must have at least one child under the age of 18 years.
Sustainable Arts Foundation Visual Arts Award: $6,000
Sustainable Arts Foundation Writing Award: $6,000
There will be multiple winners for each award.
“Additionally, we will be awarding a number of smaller Promise Awards to those applicants whose work may not qualify for the main awards, but nonetheless demonstrates both skill and potential.”
Full details HERE
RESCUE PRESS presents the BLACK BOX POETRY PRIZE, “a contest for full-length collections of poetry, open to poets at any stage in their writing careers. This year’s submissions will be accepted between June 1st and June 30th.” Details HERE.
SECOND LIGHT NETWORK POETRY COMPETITION for long and short poems by women to be judged by Alison Brackenbury. The deadline is 31 August 2016 with winners to be announced on 30 October 2016.
£300 First Prize for each of Long (no upper limit) and Short (max 50 lines) poems
£150 Second Prize (1 poem from either category)
£75 Third Prize (1 poem from either category)
Winning & Commended Poets published (in full or extract) in ARTEMISpoetry. Details HERE.
EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS (IFOA): presents the finest international novelists, poets, playwrights, short story writers and biographers, and provides Canadian writers with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work. Toronto, Canada. October 20-30, 2016 Details HERE.
BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL – is an annual book fair held in Brooklyn, New York. It was begun in 2006 by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who wanted to showcase the “Brooklyn voice” in literature, as numerous authors reside in the borough. However, in subsequent years the fair has expanded its scope and hosted many non-Brooklyn writers, including Joan Didion, Dennis Lehane, John Reed, Rosanne Cash and Dave Eggers.
Unlike most book fairs, the Brooklyn Book Festival caters to the adult readership, although they also feature numerous activities and readings for children.[4] In 2009, attendance reached 30,000. Also in 2009, St. Francis College established a biannual Literary Prize worth US$50,000 to support a mid-career writer. The winner of the prize is announced by a panel of authors during the Brooklyn Book Festival every other year in September.
The festival includes themed readings, panel discussions, vendors, and author signings.
Brooklyn Book Festival Sunday, September 18, 2016
Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day Saturday, September 17, 2016
Bookend Events September 12 – 18, 2016
Details HERE
INTERNSHIPS
Opportunity Knocks
YES! MAGAZINE has three internships open at this time: 1.) Reporting and Editing; 2.) Media and Outreach; 3.) Education Outreach Intern
RANT
So TIRED of “Amazing” … I wonder why people – writers! – can’t find another word …. astonishing, astounding, surprising, stunning, staggering, shocking, startling, stupefying, breathtaking; awesome, awe-inspiring, sensational, remarkable, spectacular, stupendous, phenomenal, extraordinary, incredible, unbelievable, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping; wondrous …. supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! ….okay, just kidding on that last …. And if you are surprised that with my dyslexia I could spell that one, I can’t. Did a copy and paste. I love technology. J.D.
TIDBIT
Steve Garside responds to Dr. Aprilia Zank’s photography. Look for poetry by the multi-talented Dr. Aprilia Zank is the June issue of The BeZine.
THE POET BY DAY SUNDAY POESY
Submit your event, book launch and other announcements at least fourteen days in advance to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.
Thank you for sharing your love of words. Comments will appear after moderation.
LATE-BREAKING NEWS: The May 2016 issue of ARTEMISpoetry is out …
It’s absolute joy to see that this issue honors Myra Schneider at 80 years and includes an interview of Myra by Dilys Wood, founder of Second Light Network of Women Poets (SLN) and managing editor of ARTEMISpoetry. Bravo, SLN! 🙂
[Myra’s] poetry glows with an unembarrassed love of the quotidian – food, the kitchen, creatures, company, every leaf in the garden – especially the edible ones! – and almost above all, color.” Kate Foley, A Crimson Creed, Appreciating Myra Schneider
It’s equally wonderful after a long day to find this issue in my mailbox … with a bit of a new look, if I’m not mistaken … a little less content and a bit more white space to enhance the readability and quite a bit more artwork, most enjoyable.
Gil Learner co-edited this issue with Dilys Wood. Kate Foley is featured poet and Maggie Hawkins chose the wealth of poetry included. There’s a nice collection of book and pamphlet reviews to excite our appetites for more.
Reminders included: SLN’s poetry competition for long and short poems by women to be judged by Alison Brackenbury. The deadline is 31 August 2016 with winners to be announced on 30 October 2016. Details HERE. …. Opportunity knocks!
Thanks to Dilys and team for the mentions of this site and of The BeZine. Always appreciated … and I am happy and honored to be “the American connection.”
You can sign-up for membership in SLN (recommended ladies!) or subscribe to the magazine at Second Light Live or at poetry p f, which was founded by and is run by poet, Anne Stewart.
apologies to all for the poor quality photo … the blame is mine not SLN
RELATED FEATURES:
Myra Schneider, A Life Immersed in Poetry
Dilys Wood’s “Antarctica,” the work of a highly original poet
Poet, Teacher, Inspiration: Dilys Wood and the Latter-day Sapphos
Opsimaths, Polymaths and Poets
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 