K R Smith

Monday, July 30, 2012

Summer Quote

Oscar Wilde

I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.

Oscar Wilde

I have a couple of poems that are giving me the same problem...

Friday, July 20, 2012

Camp NaNoWriMo

For those of you into insomnia, Camp NaNoWriMo is re-opening soon!

In truth, it opened up once for the month of June, but if you missed that, you can jump in for the second session starting August 1st to make your feeble attempt at writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.

I'm not entirely convinced about the usefulness of these sorts of events, but many people like them and it does give one a sense of accomplishment it they succeed. And there's no real down-side if you don't. Sometimes things happen, and even dedicated writers can have other priorities sneak into their schedule. I can also see how it could allow one to get a basic novel down so it can be polished up a bit later. If you have any thoughts on this, or just want to tell everyone about your progress (or lack thereof), please post a comment letting everyone know!

I'm going to follow a few folks who have entered (like you, Elly...) and see how they do.

For everyone else, don't worry if you miss out on this one, too. There's always National Novel Writing Month in November!

Good luck! And you might want to stock up on coffee...

Monday, June 4, 2012

Bethanne Strasser's New Book

Congratulations are in order for romance writer and fellow blogger Bethanne Strasser! After much hard work, she has a book coming out on June 8, 2012, which is entitled For Love or Duty.

My understanding of the story is that it concerns the interaction between an Army officer, Kevin Morgan, and a woman named Valerie Standish. Neither is quite intent upon having a serious relationship, but it may not work out as they had planned. I can't say more than that because I haven't yet read the book. And even if I had, I wouldn't want to spoil the ending. I'm feel certain, however, Morgan is an outstanding young man, as we happen to share the same first name. Seems an obvious choice for a hero, if I do say so myself.

Once the book is available, I'll post a link to where it can be purchased, so please check back. Or you can always find out more by visiting Bethanne's blog or her author profile on Goodreads.

Bethanne Strasser

At least somebody is getting published!

It's Official

Today, I became a professional writer.

Did I get that big payout for the next great American novel?

Not quite.

I received two nicely worded rejections on a couple of short poems I had submitted.

Now I understand how that feels. And I don't like it.

I also now understand what it's like to receive rejections without any explanation as to why. I mean, the poems didn't even rhyme, for God's sake. From what I've been reading, that in itself is enough to be accepted by some people. Sorry, that's a bit of a pet peeve for me, if you'll pardon the expression. They did express their appreciation and asked me to submit again.

I will continue to write, of course, and may submit to them in the future, should I write something I believe is appropriate. And I'm holding onto those poems. I might rework one of them and submit it elsewhere.

Oh, well. I must keep my perspective and keep trying...

Sunday, May 20, 2012

The Beginning

This is the beginning. Of this blog, and of sharing my work with others.

I can see the path ahead, but I have no idea where it leads. I have no directions, no signs, and may, from time to time, follow the road less traveled by.

As my first step on that journey, I offer this short free-verse poem about writing.

Leaky Pen

All my thoughts,

All my emotions,

Spill out through this pen.

Flowing across each line,

Flowing down each page,

Cerebral viscera oozing across the paper,

Reforming in pieces,

Reforming in toto,

Until I see with clarity,

For better, or

For worse,

This is what I am.

K. R. Smith