I am amused that the last time I sent out a newsletter or posted something on my blog, it was May and I was talking about balance. As if suddenly, I was going to become proficient at balancing work work/at home work/poetry/my mental health/etc.
Let us pause for a moment as I gather myself back together after laughing myself to tears and hiccups.
.
Now, three months later, here I am. Have I been submitting poems? Sometimes. I’ve submitted seven packets of poems in the last three months. That’s not awesome (my goal is one packet per week), but is also not a dismal nothing. Have I been writing? Not as much as I’d like. Not as much at all.
I knew this was coming. From my last entry, “But I feel myself stretching thin and I know that I need to give myself some grace. I know that sometimes I have to back burner my own poetry to get other things done, especially this time of year.”
So, here I am giving myself grace.
I did however want to pop in and recommend some very good poetry adjacent books.
First one is Carl Phillips’s My Trade Is Mystery: Seven Meditations from a Life in Writing. So good. This book is not just full of excellent writing advice; it’s full of good living advice as well. And Carl is the master at writing in a personable and yet exacting style. I’ve been savoring these beautiful essays each night when the work of the day is accomplished.
Second book I haven’t read yet, but if you’re like me, you read everything that Dan Beachy-Quick writes. So, don’t miss How to Draw a Circle: On Reading and Writing (part of the Poets On Poetry series). I hadn’t know this gem was out there, but the lovely Annie Wenstrup learned about during her time at the Bread Loaf Conference last week and shared. Dan’s essays and poetry always push me out of what comes easily into what is authentically transcending the ordinary.
Finally, a giant book that I’m slowly working my way through, The Work of Art by Adam Moss. This book isn’t solely about writing, but I feel like these meanders through artists’, musicians’, writers’, and creators of all stripes’ work process has really helped me envision different ways of writing poems. Not only that, it’s a beautifully designed book whose very layout and structure has made me think about how text works on a page.
So there you go. Three books to make you think differently about your writing process.
And an admonition to be kind to yourself. Offer yourself the kind of grace you’d give to your best friend. And remember, especially if you’re an Alaskan, summer is full of frenetic activity but we’re heading into that delicious time of introspection and creativity called autumn and winter.
Wendy Mannis Scher
Welcome back. Thank you for the lovely insights and terrific book recommendations.
Enjoy the approaching seasons. I truly miss Alaska.
Cheers, Wendy
Debra Earling
Thanks for the book recommendations and the beautiful newsletter.
Mary Gilliland
Your rhythms are much like mine. Go some days without attending to my own poetry & I’m cranky as all get-out. And poems would stall without the green of creating a garden sanctuary. Thank you for highlighting these writing & living books.