There’s a story I want to tell you about double red doors, but I can’t. Not yet. You see, the problem is that the story awaits an editor’s approval to publish. I can’t tell you which editor. I can’t tell you which publication. And I can’t post anything online without jeopardizing the publication of that story about her and an empty cup of liquid truffle and a vacant building with double red doors above a flight of steps and I may have said too much.
Category: writing
What is your creative space?
The window is open on a warm late May day and a cool mountain breeze moves the curtains like papery fingers. Occasionally, I glance at the Japanese maple outside or the grape vine wildly clinging to a handmade, crude trellis of found pine limbs….
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UPDATE: This blog post is available as part of an audio podcast.
Listen now:
Or listen on:
PodOmatic: coffeehousejunkie.podomatic.com
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/coffeehousejunkie
E-book: This blog post will be featured in a forthcoming e-book. More details coming soon.
Write 30 poems in 30 days: a challenge
During the summer of 2010, I took up the challenge to write 30 poems in 30 days with two goals in mind:
- generate new material and
- unclutter my mind.
Yesterday I began a new cycle of poems with the goal of writing 30 poems and 30 days during National Poetry Month (if your following National Poetry Month on twitter, the hashtag is #NPM12).
Combatting Writer’s Block like A Master
Quote: Italo Calvino
Every morning I tell myself, Today has to be productive—and then something happens that prevents me from writing.
Italo Calvino (via theparisreview)
Quote: Ann Beattie
Writing a story is like crossing a stream, now I’m on this rock, now I’m on this rock, now I’m on this rock.
Ann Beattie (via theparisreview)
Poetry writing workshop classes begin this week at Montford Books & More
Classes will meet in the lovely sun room on the second floor of the bookstore.
Bring poems you are currently working on or poems you would like to have published in the workshop’s poetry book (to be published at the end of class).
This poetry writing workshop is open to students of all writing levels from high school students on up. Not only will your poems be workshopped, but will be prepared for publication in the workshop’s poetry book anthology. If you don’t feel like your poetry is ready for publication, there will be writing exercises and to help generate new content and editorial assistance in crafting them into the poems that best represent you, the poet.
Classes meet Wednesday afternoons (May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) 3 – 5 p.m. at Montford Books & More, 31 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.
Matthew Mulder has published poetry and prose in national and international journals and magazines including Crab Creek Review, H_NGM_N, The Indie, ISM Quarterly, Southern Cross Review and others. He teaches poetry writing classes at Asheville bookstores and fine arts centers and is presently translating selected works of German poet Rolf Dieter Brinkmann. He is the author of LATE NIGHT WRITING (2004) and editor of TOMORROW WE SWEAT POETRY (2009) and A BODY TURNING (2010). His new poems are anthologized in ROOFTOP POETS (2010).
Writing a poem a day until the end of the world
Since the middle of March I’ve been writing a poem a day. Or to be honest, almost every day. There were a few days I didn’t write a thing. While other days I composed three or four poems. Now I have a stack of near a hundred pages.
While discussing with another poet the routine of writing daily, the other poet lamented of a creative dry spell, lack of inspiration, or nothing to write about. There are a lot of people in that place and they seek to get out of that rut. My upcoming poetry writing workshop assists in that creative crisis by offering a new routine — something to encourage poets to write boldly.
One of the last poems I wrote in April begins: ‘Would you still write / poetry if it meant a death sentence?’ It’s a bold question. Will you have a bold answer?
Imagination & Heart: a poetry writing workshop
Jean-Michel Renaitour wrote that poetry is “an instinct that one divines, it is a scenery one discovers, it is a cry which reveals heart.” These thoughts inspired me to title this poetry writing workshop “Imagination & Heart.”
Open to students of all writing levels, this is a generative workshop with the goal of publishing students’ work in a poetry book. Additionally, this workshop features writing exercises to assist in developing poetic instinct, discovery and heart.
Classes meet Wednesday afternoons (May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) 3 – 5 p.m. at Montford Books & More, 31 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.
Matthew Mulder has published poetry and prose in national and international journals and magazines including Crab Creek Review, H_NGM_N, The Indie, ISM Quarterly, Southern Cross Review and others. He teaches poetry writing classes at Asheville bookstores and fine arts centers and is presently translating selected works of German poet Rolf Dieter Brinkmann. He is the author of LATE NIGHT WRITING (2004) and editor of TOMORROW WE SWEAT POETRY (2009) and A BODY TURNING (2010). His new poems are anthologized in ROOFTOP POETS (2010).
‘5 Quick Songwriting Tips’
I was asked recently to write ‘5 Quick Songwriting Tips’ for an American Airlines promotion that is using my music. The tips didn’t end up getting used, but I had fun writing them, so I thought I’d post (a slightly extended version of) them here! I hope you enjoy. 1. Immerse yourself in the…
This week: Poets on the Roof: A Literary Salon
You are invited to a literary salon at the Roof Garden of the historic Battery Park Hotel. Whether you dabble in poetry or prose or you’re a published poet or writer or maybe you just love art and books; join the Rooftop Poets for a stimulating evening of literature, music and conversation.
Come prepared to participate in engaging dialogue about art, books, literature and life. Discussions will be lead by Barbara Gravelle, Matt Mulder and Brian Sneeden. Please bring work by someone you admire or something you’ve written to share at the salon.
Snacks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided, along with music by Mattick Frick and the Bloodroot Orkaestarr.
$10.00 admission includes all food and beverages.
Join us Friday, February 18, 8:00pm – 11:00pm at the historic Battery Park Hotel, 1 Battle Square, Asheville, NC (located north of the Grove Arcade building).
Next week: Poets on the Roof: A Literary Salon
If you’re using Facebook or Twitter, you may have heard that the Rooftop Poets are gearing up for some big gigs in Asheville.
Tomorrow’s reading at Accent on Books is just the beginning.
Friday, February 18th, the Rooftop Poets host a literary salon at the Roof Garden of the historic Battery Park Hotel.
Whether you dabble in poetry or prose or you’re are a published poet or writer or maybe you just love art and books prepare for a stimulating evening of literature, music and conversation.
More details will be provided soon.
Quote: John Steinbeck
One must withdraw for a time from life in order to set down that picture.
John Steinbeck (via theparisreview)
Tonight, 8:15PM, free public reading at Warren Wilson College
This morning Kevin McIlvoy and Alan Shapiro presented lectures as part of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. [1] Tonight, Dean Bakopoulos, Martha Rhodes, Alix Ohlin, and Ellen Bryant Voigt read their work at 8:15 PM at the Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel. [2]
[1] The complete Public Lecture Schedule for The MFA for Writers at Warren Wilson College – Winter 2011 [2] The Public Reading Schedule – Winter 2011
Free public readings at Warren Wilson College
The last few years I’ve taken advantage of the free public readings by guest poets and writers at the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. It’s free and open to the general public.
A few years ago I heard Marianne Boruch present a lecture discussing ars poetica in contemporary and American poetry. It opened my eyes to the poetic process. Another year I heard a poet deliver a lecture for the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College and then, months later, discovered an essay based on that lecture printed in a notable literary journal. I thought to myself, I heard it first before it made print!
One evening [1] I heard Mark Jarman, Stephen Dobyns and Percival Everett read new and or forthcoming work. And yet another time, I heard a lecture by Maurice Manning [2] that continues to haunt me. I think back to some of the other notable readings, [3] notable to me at least, and chart the influence [4] of some poets in my work.
One poet who was a regular guest of the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College was Steve Orlen. He passed away recently [5] [6] [7] and I’ll miss hearing him read “I Love You. Who Are You?”? [8]
What I find amusing is that the public readings don’t attract larger crowds. Maybe this is one of Asheville’s best kept secrets.
[1] The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College public readings — Winter 2007 [2] The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College public readings — Winter 2008 [3] The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College public readings — Winter 2008 [4] The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College public readings — Summer 2010 [5] Arizona Daily Star [6] Best American Poetry Blog [7] Laura Hope-Gill’s Tweet [8] Anthologized in Best American Poetry 2005
The MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College Public Reading Schedule – Winter 2011
Twice a year, the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College offers public readings by guest lecturers and graduating students. Here’s the schedule for this year (as posted on their web site):
Monday, January 3, 8:00pm – in Gladfelter, Canon Lounge
Antonya Nelson, Dana Levin, Patrick Somerville, Maurice ManningTuesday, January 4, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Rick Barot, Michael Parker, Eleanor Wilner, Megan StaffelWednesday, January 5, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Dean Bakopoulos, Martha Rhodes, Alix Ohlin, Ellen Bryant VoigtThursday, January 6, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Brooks Haxton, Karen Brennan, Alan Shapiro, Stacey D’ErasmoFriday, January 7, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Debra Allbery, Liam Callanan, Jennifer Grotz, C.J. HribalSaturday, January 8, 6:00pm – “Fastest Readings in the World” with MFA Faculty at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood Street, Asheville.
Sunday, January 9, 8:15pm – in Gladfelter, Canon Lounge
Marianne Boruch, David Haynes, C. Dale Young, Kevin McIlvoyMonday, January 10, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Graduating fiction student readings: Zoe Lasden-Lyman, Scott Nadelson, Brian TaiTuesday, January 11, 8:15pm – Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel
Graduating poetry student readings: Leslie Contreras Schwartz, RJ Gibson, Jenny Johnson, Glenis RedmondWednesday, January 12 – 4:30pm, followed by Graduation Ceremony
Graduating student readings: Diana Lueptow, Nathan Poole, Andy Young
Public Lecture Schedule for The MFA for Writers at Warren Wilson College – Winter 2011
In the past, I’ve enjoyed lectures from notable poets like Marianne Boruch and Maurice Manning. This year the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College offers public readings by the following guest lecturers:
All lectures will be held in the Fellowship Hall behind the Chapel unless indicated otherwise.
Tuesday, January 4
MARIANNE BORUCH: The End Inside It
11:15amWednesday, January 5
KEVIN McILVOY: Sentencing & Summoning: Reflections on the Sentence and the Poetic Line
9:30amWednesday, January 5
ALAN SHAPIRO: Technique of Empathy: Free Indirect Style in Poetry
10:45amFriday, January 7
MICHAEL PARKER: Transvestite Hermaphrobite: All Hail the Semi-Colon
9:30amTuesday, January 11
STACEY D’ERASMO: On the Unsayable
9:30amTuesday, January 11
RICK BAROT: The Sea and the Zebra: Visual Effects in Poems
10:45amWednesday, January 12
DEAN BAKOPOULOS: Hot Dog Station! Show Show Show!: Expressionism, Exclamations, and the Lyricism of Upheaval
10:00amWednesday, January 12
MAURICE MANNING: Place and the Composition of Poetic Self
11:15am
Essay: When the lights go out
Many aspects about web ‘zines and journals I enjoy. However, publications that still do things the old way (i.e. print only, no web version) really resonate with me and maybe you as well….
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UPDATE: This blog post is available as part of an audio podcast.
Listen now:
Or listen on:
PodOmatic: coffeehousejunkie.podomatic.com
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/coffeehousejunkie
E-book: This blog post will be featured in a forthcoming e-book. More details coming soon.
Advice for writers
In the September issue of Writer’s Digest, Sherman Alexie says:
Every word on your blog is a word not in your book.
As someone who has been blogging for a few years, that’s conflicting advice. I was encouraged by a friend to start a blog as a way to work on my writing skills. So, I started blogging as a way to discipline myself to write every day. Six years later I have several working or completed manuscripts and no books. Mr. Alexie may have a point. He also offers this:
Don’t Google search yourself.
Two online helps for writers
If you’re a writer who has lost a manuscript due to your computer crashing, here are two online options to protect your work.
For a few years, I’ve been using Google docs to organize manuscript drafts and as an online storage, back-up option. The nice thing about Google Docs is that is works almost seamlessly with Word Docs. Google Docs offers the following online apps: text, spreadsheet, form and presentation. Truth be told, I haven’t used a Microsoft product since I began using Google docs.
Recently I began using Dropbox to store audio files, images and other documents and really enjoy it.
30 poems in 30 days: update five
The 30 poems in 30 days challenge is complete. Since the last update the poems have veered all over the place in regards to theme, subject and tone. The main reason for the challenge was to:
- generate new material and
- unclutter my mind.
A lot of new material was produced but I cannot say my mind is more or less cluttered than before the challenge. I’m still trying to make heads or tails of what I wrote.
Are your paint chips calling you?
Okay, the 30 poems in 30 days challenged hasn’t been completed yet and I found my next assignment (if I chose to accept it). Rachel Berger, a graphic designer in San Francisco, wrote short writings inspired by paint chips. Read some of her samples.
30 poems in 30 days: update four: targeted venom
Somewhere around day ten or eleven I fell off schedule. A lot of distractions and stress hit me like one tsunami wave after another. Last night I caught up with a binge writing session at a local bookstore. While having lunch (if a bagel and coffee qualify as a lunch) this afternoon at a cafe, I read through what I wrote last night and discovered some emotionally raw lyrics. Some of it is so personal it is not accessible to a casual reader. A closer investigation of the poem sketches reveal a controlled form providing a vehicle for anger. Whereas a poetic rant is the literary equivalent to vomit or oil gushing from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico, an angry poem attempts a focused avenue for venom much like a fire hose targets the base of a fire. Not all the poems composed last night are angry poems; only a couple. However, the angry poem sketches I composed shift from formal to informal dimeter (an example of dimeter is “The Robin” by Thomas Hardy or the use of dactylic dimeter in Tennyson’s “Charge of the Light Brigade”). I wonder if editing the poems with longer lines, maybe like Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” or Ginsberg’s “Howl,” would change the tone dramatically.
Coffeehouse Junkie 