The Big Poetry Giveaway

Those of you who know me, know that I write poetry as well as fiction and creative non-fiction.  Recently, three of my poems were selected for Clover: A Literary Rag, Volume 5, Spring 2013.  There will be a reading, which I will announce on my website: www.nancycanyon.com 

Most of the poetry I write is about my dysfunctional family, divorce, and other losses.  Also I write about my spiritual quest.  I know, this sounds depressing, but in my experience, it's writing from that "white-hot place" that has the most power.  When we dig into where the hurt lingers, even if we don't write about the hurt, we get great writing. Given that, I like reading poetry and prose that takes emotional risk.

For the Big Poetry Giveaway I'm sharing the following books:
(1) In the Convent We Become Clouds by Annette Spaulding-Convy.  I love this book and I love its origins.  Annette was part of a Roman Catholic Religious order when she was a young woman.  These poems convey experiences and ponderings drawn from that time in her life.
(2) Want by Rick Barot is filled with imagery and detail.  I'm particularly excited by the forms Barot uses in crafting poetry.  As a fiction writer, I especially love the short-short form, playing with space on the page, the numbered collage, and the alphabetical essay.  Poetry and short fiction have this in common.  I appreciate Barot's eclectic style and exploration of desire.

If you want to read more about The Big Poetry Giveaway, go to the following link:
http://thealchemistskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/03/sign-up-now-to-participate-in-big.html

If you are interested in poetry readings in Bellingham during Poetry Month, check out Village Books.  There'll be a number of great readings this April.

If you are interested in writing Memoir with me at Whatcom Community College this April, check out the website: www.whatcom-communityed.com  The class starts 4/25 and runs for three weeks.We will be using the short-short form to write memoir.  Abigail Thomas's book Safe Keeping is our primary example...if you haven't read her book, it's a treat.

Keep writing and see you around town at poetry readings,
Nancy

Celia's Heaven: Chanticleer Review CYGNUS Finalist

I'm happy and feeling celebratory today because my manuscript, Celia's Heaven, is a finalist in the Sci-fi/paranormal division at www.chantireviews.com/   This novel has been complete for some time.  It's amazing how long it takes to write a book, and it's also amazing how long it has taken me to get serious about the story.  One of my teachers, Jack Remick, once said to me, "Nancy, when are you going to take yourself seriously?"  Really, I didn't know the answer to his question.  He proceeded to pat his briefcase, informing me he carries his book with him everywhere he goes.

Well, some of us artists and writers have perfectionist personalities and can take everything that's good and turn it into not-quite-good-enough quickly.  I seriously suggest, if you are a perfectionist, to learn to let your work be okay just as it is.  This is my lesson, for certain.

I sent in my manuscript after one more complete edit, mind you, to Chanticleer Reviews at the end of January.  Last night I ran into Kiffer Brown and she was thrilled with the story, even suggested I find a screen writer and get it out to the movies.  I've always had a movie in mind for this book, but like much of what I create, I shelved the project as okay, but not great.  Now I feel fired up and am happyily patting myself on the back...wow, this is terrific.  Wish I could have said this about the book anyway.

Recently I've been reading Wayne Dyer's book "Wishes Fullfilled,"  www.drwaynedyer.com/   He says we need to listen to our self talk...and when we say things like "I am....messy, tired, sick, etc.," to change these proclamations to "I am orderly, full of energy, and in perfect health."  His words are a good reminder for me to affirm the great writing and art work that I do.  He keeps a final version (mock-up) of his books on his desk, working as though his books are already published, even if he's only written 1/4 of the text. 

Here is a cover mock-up for "Celia's Heaven".  It may not be my final cover, as I just put this together a few minutes ago.  But I like it...and I think the artwork lends itself to the story.  

What is your new "I am..." statement going to be? Mine is "I am published!"

Conversations Across Borders Interview with Nancy Canyon, MFA

Last summer I was fortunate enough to participate in a fabulous writing workshop in Spokane, Washington.  Presented by Conversations Across Boarders, Jordan Hartt, one of the founders for this creative adventure, brought together unique viewpoints from writers for the class: Red State, Blue State  It was lead by articulate and intelligent Eastern professor, Sam Ligon.

For seven days, ten of us told our stories (all coming from places on a continuum from liberal to conservative) and then we wrote fiction short stories using each other's personal stories as fodder.  Then we workshopped these pieces.  The stories were varied and energetic.  Bits of participants stories could be vaguely recognized in pieces.  It was a great idea and a success in bringing together our differences as well as our commonality.

During that week, Jordan and I talked about an interview for Conversations Across Boarders.  You can read it in its entirety at the following address: http://conversationsacrossborders.org/?p=152

What are you working on for 2013?  Do you have your intention set?  My intention is to Complete and Release. I have three projects to complete this year...two novels and one memoir.  And I have a completed novel, Celia's Heaven to get out in the world.  And another novel about to be launched as an eBook: Whispering, Idaho.

Cheers to the writing life!!!
Nancy

New Year's Day Collage

Collage for Writers

If you are writing a novel or a memoir, you probably get fatigued after long hours of work.  When I put in hours on my novel, my brain actually gets tired.  I find visual art refreshing.  In particular, collage.  Collage takes way less focus and fewer supplies than painting or drawing.  And when the editing has me seeing cross-eyed, a mindless activity like collage will clear my head.

When I say mindless...I really mean mindful.  Mindful in a meditative way.  As I flip through magazines looking for photos that I feel good about, I feel myself settling down.  Soon, pleasant stirrings energize me, the same happy feelings I get when I'm in the final stages of a painting.

I believe I'm giving voice to another part of myself, my inner artist, which some people say is also the inner child.  Once I've picked out a number of images, I lay them out on mat board.  This process is equally pleasant.  The composition comes together on its own as I fiddle with placement.  Usually it is surprising to me, how different the energy in the imagery is from my writing.

New Year's Day 2013 Collage

On New Year's Day, I made the above collage.  I was tired that morning, but not unhappy.  More thoughtful than anything.  Then this bright colored collage turns up.  The delightfully playful quality of the images surprised me, although maybe I shouldn't have been, since I've been working on letting go of old unhappiness.  I think my inner self is showing me the work I'm doing is paying off.  

If you want to join me for a collage project this Saturday at 2 PM at Village Books, please come.  We'll be collaging our intentions for 2013.  Of course, as this process demands, we'll be mindful...and mindless.  And we'll have some fun!  Cheers, Nancy

An Interview with Myself

Where do you write?  When I was first doing writing practice I wrote in Silverdale's Barnes and Noble coffee shop.  There was lots of noise and espresso distractions.  Writing this way taught me to follow my stream of thought despite the noise, occasionally weaving in a choice word or phrase I'd overhear in coversation.  Now I write in my studio at the Morgan Block Building, 1000 Harris, #6. 

How often do you write?  I used to write with my group three times a week.  Now I write with two different groups, meeting a total of twice a week.  This gives me enough raw material to work on a novel and a memoir.

Are your writing groups open?  My Monday writing group is open.  We meet at 1 PM every Monday.  It's $20/4 classes or $6/drop-in.  However I'm canceling class now until January 7th.  Then we'll get back into a regular practice, which I feel is essential for producing good writing and a significant amount of writing, too.

Do you critique in class?  This is a generative writing class--no judgment.  It is a safe space for experimentation.  And we write in my art sudio...so there is plenty of creativity in the air to waft into your creative muse.  And I always have the tea kettle on.

How do you know what to write?  We start with start lines.  You can wing it from there.  Your subconscious will know...you needn't worry about coming up with something.  As Natalie Goldberg says...Just keep your hand moving.

What do you write?  I'm revising a novel and getting another novel on-line as an eBook.  And I'm working on a memoir. My directive for myself this year is Complete & Release.  I'm very prolific.  Now I want to finish my projects and send them out into the world.

Where do you send your work? Locally there is Clover Literary Rag, Sue Boynton Contest, & Labyrinth. There are also local contests for completed work...Chanticleer Book Reviews being one. You can find places to submit by looking up on-line your genre + submissions. Also, getting out and reading your work at Village Book's Open Mic, Poetry Night at Amadeus, or Chuckanut Sandstone's Poetry Reading is a good way to practice reading and growing your confidence. And you will get to know other writers who will pass on submission ideas to you, too.