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This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Poetry Fishbowl.  The extra fishbowl comes as a perk from recent fishbowls reaching the $250 goal.  I have a chapbook in progress, The 50 Poetic States, so I'm seeking prompts for states that I haven't written yet.

I already have poems for these states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington

I need prompts for these states: Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

I'll be soliciting ideas for landmarks, historic events, politics, nature, cultural tidbits, other things that make you think of the state, and poetic forms in particular.  Ideally, I'd like to get input from people who have lived in or visited the remaining states.  If you can include a reference link, that's very helpful.  These are intended to be stand-alone poems, NOT series installments, so I expect them to be sub-epics.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week.  This fishbowl is open to everyone, and you may share the announcement with anyone interested in the American landscape.


Writing is usually considered a solitary pursuit. One exception to this is a fascinating exercise called a "fishbowl." This has various forms, but all of them basically involve some kind of writing in public, usually with interaction between author and audience. A famous example is Harlan Ellison's series of "stories under glass" in which he sits in a bookstore window and writes a new story based on an idea that someone gives him. Writing classes sometimes include a version where students watch each other write, often with students calling out suggestions which are chalked up on the blackboard for those writing to use as inspiration.

I'm going to host a Poetry Fishbowl on my blog on Tuesday, October 18. I'll be soliciting ideas for thematic characters, objects, plots, settings, and poetic forms in particular. Chances are I'll spend about half the day, from early afternoon to evening, alternating between this site and doing stuff offline so my back doesn't weld itself to the chair.

Perks: I will post at least one of the resulting fishbowl poems on the blog for everyone to enjoy, and an extra one if there's at least one new prompter or donor. The rest will be available for audience members to buy, and whatever's left over will get listed on the Serial Poetry page.  I'm not running the whole perk stack since this fishbowl is itself a perk, but you still get those two.

If you enjoy my poetry -- or if you just love poetry in general, or want to promote interest in America -- please mark the fishbowl date on your calendar. Drop by and give me some ideas, comment on the posted poetry, encourage people to come look, whatever tickles your fancy. I hope to see you then!

Re: Poem

Date: 2016-10-19 07:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cat-sanctuary.livejournal.com
Very cool! Calling all local Twits, @bluedevilslive @delterrykilgore @VAStateParks @VisitVirginia ...

Re: Poem

Date: 2016-10-19 07:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com
If I can ever get this book into actual print, rather than just making a few copies for dedicated fans, or even get it into ebook format, then it would make a splendid piece to stock in any gift shop or travel stop for every state. By all means, pass the word. :D

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