Read "Spectacles" by Ellen Million

If you are a Torn World supporter, you can now read "Spectacles" by ellenmillion.
Rai and Bai visit a medic with their mother to get glasses.

Read "Spectacles" by Ellen Million

If you are a Torn World supporter, you can now read "Spectacles" by ellenmillion.
Rai and Bai visit a medic with their mother to get glasses.

Read "Spectacles" by Ellen Million

If you are a Torn World supporter, you can now read "Spectacles" by ellenmillion.
Rai and Bai visit a medic with their mother to get glasses.

Read "Spectacles" by Ellen Million

If you are a Torn World supporter, you can now read "Spectacles" by ellenmillion.
Rai and Bai visit a medic with their mother to get glasses.

Virtual Bubblewrap

In case you run out of the real kind.

Virtual Bubblewrap

In case you run out of the real kind.

Virtual Bubblewrap

In case you run out of the real kind.

Virtual Bubblewrap

In case you run out of the real kind.

Icons

 Awesome selection of animals.

Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, October 4

 This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "ghosts." I'll be soliciting ideas for spirits of the dead, famous ghosts, other types of phantasm, ghostly things, equipment for finding ghosts, spectral objects, hauntings, encounters with spectres, weirdnesses that occur when ghosts are around, reasons why someone becomes a ghost, haunted places, unexpected locations to meet a ghost, legends or superstitions about ghosts, the nature of ghosts, moods that a ghost might be in, and poetic forms in particular. You can be creative about different conceptualizations of "ghost" and while the topic is horror-themed, you're free to aim for any tone you want.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog.

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 4. I'll be soliciting ideas for thematic characters, objects, plots, settings, and poetic forms in particular. Chances are I'll spend a good chunk of the day, from afternoon to evening or more, 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 go into my archive for magazine submission.

If donations total $150+ then you get an extra series poem for free. Everyone will get to vote which series gets a new poem. (If the chosen series has unpublished poetry, you get to pick from that; if not, I'll write something new based on donor prompts.) If donations reach $200, you get a whole extra fishbowl for a poetic series, including a free poem. Everyone will get to vote on which series, and give prompts during the extra fishbowl, although it's likely to be a half-day rather than a whole day. There will be a progress meter to display donations so that you can see how close you are to the $150 goal (free series poem) and the $200 goal (extra fishbowl). Swim, fishie, swim!

I want to promote linkbacks pointing people to the "Fishbowl Open" post on Tuesday. This month's perk poem is "Salt and Pepper" (Path of the Paladins) with 17 verses, and each linkback will reveal a verse of the poem. One person can do multiple links if they're on different services, like Dreamwidth or Twitter, rather than all on LiveJournal. aldersprig  has volunteered to handle the posting of verses, so that's who you'll need to notify when you link to the "Fishbowl Open" post.

If you enjoy my poetry -- or if you just love poetry in general, or want to promote interest in ghosts -- 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!

Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, October 4

This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "ghosts." I'll be soliciting ideas for spirits of the dead, famous ghosts, other types of phantasm, ghostly things, equipment for finding ghosts, spectral objects, hauntings, encounters with spectres, weirdnesses that occur when ghosts are around, reasons why someone becomes a ghost, haunted places, unexpected locations to meet a ghost, legends or superstitions about ghosts, the nature of ghosts, moods that a ghost might be in, and poetic forms in particular.  You can be creative about different conceptualizations of "ghost" and while the topic is horror-themed, you're free to aim for any tone you want.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog. 

( New to the fishbowl?  Read all about it! )

Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, October 4

This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "ghosts." I'll be soliciting ideas for spirits of the dead, famous ghosts, other types of phantasm, ghostly things, equipment for finding ghosts, spectral objects, hauntings, encounters with spectres, weirdnesses that occur when ghosts are around, reasons why someone becomes a ghost, haunted places, unexpected locations to meet a ghost, legends or superstitions about ghosts, the nature of ghosts, moods that a ghost might be in, and poetic forms in particular.  You can be creative about different conceptualizations of "ghost" and while the topic is horror-themed, you're free to aim for any tone you want.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog. 

( New to the fishbowl?  Read all about it! )

Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, October 4

This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "ghosts." I'll be soliciting ideas for spirits of the dead, famous ghosts, other types of phantasm, ghostly things, equipment for finding ghosts, spectral objects, hauntings, encounters with spectres, weirdnesses that occur when ghosts are around, reasons why someone becomes a ghost, haunted places, unexpected locations to meet a ghost, legends or superstitions about ghosts, the nature of ghosts, moods that a ghost might be in, and poetic forms in particular.  You can be creative about different conceptualizations of "ghost" and while the topic is horror-themed, you're free to aim for any tone you want.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog. 

( New to the fishbowl?  Read all about it! )

Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, October 4

This is an advance announcement for the Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "ghosts." I'll be soliciting ideas for spirits of the dead, famous ghosts, other types of phantasm, ghostly things, equipment for finding ghosts, spectral objects, hauntings, encounters with spectres, weirdnesses that occur when ghosts are around, reasons why someone becomes a ghost, haunted places, unexpected locations to meet a ghost, legends or superstitions about ghosts, the nature of ghosts, moods that a ghost might be in, and poetic forms in particular.  You can be creative about different conceptualizations of "ghost" and while the topic is horror-themed, you're free to aim for any tone you want.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog. 

( New to the fishbowl?  Read all about it! )

Podcast Opportunity

 Here's a call for content and readers for a podcast project.  If you're interested in exploring audio, check it out.

A Two-Faced Cat

 This cat, who has two faces, just turned 12.  Cool.

Let's Make Some Bookstores

I posted "Let's Make Some Bookstores" over on crowdfunding to encourage folks to celebrate bookstores in literature and art.  You're all invited to join the fun.

Let's Make Some Bookstores

I posted "Let's Make Some Bookstores" over on crowdfunding to encourage folks to celebrate bookstores in literature and art.  You're all invited to join the fun.

Let's Make Some Bookstores

I posted "Let's Make Some Bookstores" over on crowdfunding to encourage folks to celebrate bookstores in literature and art.  You're all invited to join the fun.

Let's Make Some Bookstores

I posted "Let's Make Some Bookstores" over on crowdfunding to encourage folks to celebrate bookstores in literature and art.  You're all invited to join the fun.

Why the Starfire Reboot Is a Fizzle

Previously we discussed "The Comics Women Don't Buy."  There's another aspect to this debate, concerning DC's reboot.  The first couple of essays I read about the reboot of the Starfire character were ... accurate, but not fun to read, and couched in whiny feminist terms.  (I'm a feminist, but I'm not keen on all flavors of feminist writing.)  I prefer to point to things that people may actually read all the way through. 

Here, in much clearer and more charming terms, are the same arguments made by a seven-year-old girl who loves comics.  She explains that being a hero means fighting things, being strong, and helping people -- not wearing a tiny bikini to get attention.  This spans a thoughtful comparison of the Starfire character across several incarnations.

Now, if a little girl can figure that out, you'd think grown men would be able to, but they seem to have confused "hero" with another word that's missing the "er" in the middle.  That's not the kind of thing likely to attract more female readers to comics, and the men who like it are probably buying a different kind of periodical that's mostly pictures.

If you're a writer or an artist, I highly recommend reading this perspective on plot and characterization.  It really cuts to the heart of storytelling.

Why the Starfire Reboot Is a Fizzle

Previously we discussed "The Comics Women Don't Buy."  There's another aspect to this debate, concerning DC's reboot.  The first couple of essays I read about the reboot of the Starfire character were ... accurate, but not fun to read, and couched in whiny feminist terms.  (I'm a feminist, but I'm not keen on all flavors of feminist writing.)  I prefer to point to things that people may actually read all the way through. 

Here, in much clearer and more charming terms, are the same arguments made by a seven-year-old girl who loves comics.  She explains that being a hero means fighting things, being strong, and helping people -- not wearing a tiny bikini to get attention.  This spans a thoughtful comparison of the Starfire character across several incarnations.

Now, if a little girl can figure that out, you'd think grown men would be able to, but they seem to have confused "hero" with another word that's missing the "er" in the middle.  That's not the kind of thing likely to attract more female readers to comics, and the men who like it are probably buying a different kind of periodical that's mostly pictures.

If you're a writer or an artist, I highly recommend reading this perspective on plot and characterization.  It really cuts to the heart of storytelling.

Why the Starfire Reboot Is a Fizzle

Previously we discussed "The Comics Women Don't Buy."  There's another aspect to this debate, concerning DC's reboot.  The first couple of essays I read about the reboot of the Starfire character were ... accurate, but not fun to read, and couched in whiny feminist terms.  (I'm a feminist, but I'm not keen on all flavors of feminist writing.)  I prefer to point to things that people may actually read all the way through. 

Here, in much clearer and more charming terms, are the same arguments made by a seven-year-old girl who loves comics.  She explains that being a hero means fighting things, being strong, and helping people -- not wearing a tiny bikini to get attention.  This spans a thoughtful comparison of the Starfire character across several incarnations.

Now, if a little girl can figure that out, you'd think grown men would be able to, but they seem to have confused "hero" with another word that's missing the "er" in the middle.  That's not the kind of thing likely to attract more female readers to comics, and the men who like it are probably buying a different kind of periodical that's mostly pictures.

If you're a writer or an artist, I highly recommend reading this perspective on plot and characterization.  It really cuts to the heart of storytelling.

Why the Starfire Reboot Is a Fizzle

Previously we discussed "The Comics Women Don't Buy."  There's another aspect to this debate, concerning DC's reboot.  The first couple of essays I read about the reboot of the Starfire character were ... accurate, but not fun to read, and couched in whiny feminist terms.  (I'm a feminist, but I'm not keen on all flavors of feminist writing.)  I prefer to point to things that people may actually read all the way through. 

Here, in much clearer and more charming terms, are the same arguments made by a seven-year-old girl who loves comics.  She explains that being a hero means fighting things, being strong, and helping people -- not wearing a tiny bikini to get attention.  This spans a thoughtful comparison of the Starfire character across several incarnations.

Now, if a little girl can figure that out, you'd think grown men would be able to, but they seem to have confused "hero" with another word that's missing the "er" in the middle.  That's not the kind of thing likely to attract more female readers to comics, and the men who like it are probably buying a different kind of periodical that's mostly pictures.

If you're a writer or an artist, I highly recommend reading this perspective on plot and characterization.  It really cuts to the heart of storytelling.

Saudi Women, Voting, and Driving

Change.Org sent out a note today.  Saudi Arabia has granted women the right to vote.  They still aren't allowed to drive cars, though.  Here's a petition you can sign in favor of women's mobility.

There was huge news in Saudi Arabia this weekend: Women there have finally
won the right to vote and run for many elected offices.

This is a massive moment for women in the kingdom -- and the over 150,000
Change.org members like you who’ve mobilized alongside them this year --
but one of the groups leading for change, Saudi Women for Driving,
believes you can help bring about an even more fundamental reform needed
to ensure that women can actually live out their new found political
rights: Women's right to drive.
( Read more... )

Saudi Women, Voting, and Driving

Change.Org sent out a note today.  Saudi Arabia has granted women the right to vote.  They still aren't allowed to drive cars, though.  Here's a petition you can sign in favor of women's mobility.

There was huge news in Saudi Arabia this weekend: Women there have finally
won the right to vote and run for many elected offices.

This is a massive moment for women in the kingdom -- and the over 150,000
Change.org members like you who’ve mobilized alongside them this year --
but one of the groups leading for change, Saudi Women for Driving,
believes you can help bring about an even more fundamental reform needed
to ensure that women can actually live out their new found political
rights: Women's right to drive.
( Read more... )

Saudi Women, Voting, and Driving

Change.Org sent out a note today.  Saudi Arabia has granted women the right to vote.  They still aren't allowed to drive cars, though.  Here's a petition you can sign in favor of women's mobility.

There was huge news in Saudi Arabia this weekend: Women there have finally
won the right to vote and run for many elected offices.

This is a massive moment for women in the kingdom -- and the over 150,000
Change.org members like you who’ve mobilized alongside them this year --
but one of the groups leading for change, Saudi Women for Driving,
believes you can help bring about an even more fundamental reform needed
to ensure that women can actually live out their new found political
rights: Women's right to drive.
( Read more... )

Saudi Women, Voting, and Driving

Change.Org sent out a note today.  Saudi Arabia has granted women the right to vote.  They still aren't allowed to drive cars, though.  Here's a petition you can sign in favor of women's mobility.

There was huge news in Saudi Arabia this weekend: Women there have finally
won the right to vote and run for many elected offices.

This is a massive moment for women in the kingdom -- and the over 150,000
Change.org members like you who’ve mobilized alongside them this year --
but one of the groups leading for change, Saudi Women for Driving,
believes you can help bring about an even more fundamental reform needed
to ensure that women can actually live out their new found political
rights: Women's right to drive.
( Read more... )

Read "Another first encounter" by Siege

Read the speculative poem "Another first encounter" by siege.  It shows the importance of diversity in dealing with first contact.

Read "Another first encounter" by Siege

Read the speculative poem "Another first encounter" by siege.  It shows the importance of diversity in dealing with first contact.

Read "Another first encounter" by Siege

Read the speculative poem "Another first encounter" by siege.  It shows the importance of diversity in dealing with first contact.

Read "Another first encounter" by Siege

Read the speculative poem "Another first encounter" by siege.  It shows the importance of diversity in dealing with first contact.

Baby Pandas

These panda cubs are part of a program to save the species.  So very cute!  Link courtesy of my_partner_doug.

Baby Pandas

These panda cubs are part of a program to save the species.  So very cute!  Link courtesy of my_partner_doug.

Baby Pandas

These panda cubs are part of a program to save the species.  So very cute!  Link courtesy of my_partner_doug.

Baby Pandas

These panda cubs are part of a program to save the species.  So very cute!  Link courtesy of my_partner_doug.

Remembering Dr. Seuss

my_partner_doug tipped me to this article about 10 Dr. Seuss books and the stories behind them.  If you like my poetry, by the way, this is one of my literary role models.  His skill with linguistics was impressive.

Remembering Dr. Seuss

my_partner_doug tipped me to this article about 10 Dr. Seuss books and the stories behind them.  If you like my poetry, by the way, this is one of my literary role models.  His skill with linguistics was impressive.

Remembering Dr. Seuss

my_partner_doug tipped me to this article about 10 Dr. Seuss books and the stories behind them.  If you like my poetry, by the way, this is one of my literary role models.  His skill with linguistics was impressive.

Remembering Dr. Seuss

my_partner_doug tipped me to this article about 10 Dr. Seuss books and the stories behind them.  If you like my poetry, by the way, this is one of my literary role models.  His skill with linguistics was impressive.