Films, Shakespeare, poetry and music

“If music be the food of love, play on…” Duke’s speech in Act 1 of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Last Saturday night, I was volunteering at FLIFF and while speaking to some of the cast of “The Last Hit,” I recalled those lines from Shakespeare. Coincidentally, those lines appeared in a scene the next day in a film called “Chasing Shakespeare” when the father made a music room for his son. I had cold chills when I saw the words on a plaque above the converted barn. For me, William Shakespeare, although a playwright,  this soliloquy by the Duke is an indication of early poetry and music interplay. 

More recently, Rolling Stones magazine highlighted Bob Dylan as poet and songwriter. How many other songwriters are also considered poets? Bob Marley, Jim Morrison, Lou Reed and Janis Joplin comes to mind but surprisingly, not many. Bon Jovi, Heart, Lauryn Hill and Jewel are excellent  examples of lyrics that may be poetry. When is a song so poetic? When is a poem so lyrical that it is a song?

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my poem for the week

I was told this poem is more of a song. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments.

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poetry contest

Like2Love Miami Beach Poetry Contest. Details at http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/news/scroll.aspx?id=71222

The last day to send an entry is December 2, 2013.

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POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.

Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.

Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

In Full Swing Mode

It’s that time of year when conferences, festivals and other parties are bountiful. Last weekend, I attended the FWA Conference and took some interesting workshops. The workshops which were the most helpful (to me):

• Let’s Write Prose! I found out how writing to a prompt can help. Mary K Swanson also gave some good feedback.
• How to Structure Your Fiction – learnt a lot about character development from Janice Decker. I had to tweet afterwards an expression she used “Control is an illusion.” (If I wrote that preceding sentence awkwardly, I do apologize…maybe next workshop, I’ll get some tips on sentence construction).
• The Fiction Con – Michael Wiley gave me a lot of ideas on book structure. I’m going for a hybrid approach: I’m laying out my chapters and thinking what the chapter should be about. I’m not exactly writing an outline but wants to follow that chart 1^st plot, introduce 2^nd plot etc.
• Mincing, Chopping and Otherwise Processing Words – well I did buy some new software to help organize my writing. More importantly, Michael Carlson gave some great formatting tips which I can even use in my day job.

Therefore, my plan is to implement as much as possible to complete my novel for #ThreeBooksInThreeMonths.  My goal is only one novel and 5,000 words per week. I haven’t been meeting my word count yet but as mentioned above I’ve bought new software called Manuscript to assist me with organizing my flow.  Why such a low a goal, you may ask? I wanted an attainable goal (so I can have a sense of accomplishment) plus the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is here. I frequently volunteer and also attend some shows. I’ve attended one so far, a delightful French comedy called Josephine Single & Fabulous. Some of my other picks are:

• Italian Movies
• The Last Hit
• Broche Del Oro
• Krissy Belle
• BreakThrough

 I picked these based on the synopsis and may add in some more. It's just that time of year and I want a piece of it all so I'm diving right in or as my titled aptly stated going in full swing mode.

my poem for the week

A poem that reads like a movie:

POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.

Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.

Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.

Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

October Already?

Time's a flying! It's October already. My writing this year has been blaise. I know that I spent time trying to be social (promote), go to poetry readings (promote) but haven't been writing much. I've missed some contest deadlines (and I keep telling myself "there's always next year"). Then there are upcoming conferences and events which has my interest. I heard Jamie talking about #ThreeBooksInThreeMonths and I decided then "I'm in" as this would inspire me to write. I set a goal of 5000 words per week and have some ideas in mind what I want to write (and finish):
A collection of short stories (this is the main focus for the 3 months) - started Tuesday by handwriting and typed last night - 347 words
Some essay - started last night because needed to write some stuff off my chest blocking main focus - 1966 words
current poetry project - I hope to finish by February next year (and then I will enter all the contests); I don't my verse being rushed, it can be terse but must develop to my liking like an inkling of me on paper so I take my time, I keep my eye on next year while remembering the deadlines past in this year.
So, thanks Angelique for letting me join in this journey!

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MY POEM FOR THE WEEK

Time flies. Yes. It's a favorite topic of mine as I explored it in so many different ways. Leave me a comment and tell me which you resonates with you:

I am so tempted to explain what inspired me to write those poems but I'll let you figure it out. Let me know which resonates with you.

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POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Reading with the Magician’s Daughter, Meryl Stratford, October 14 at 7:30 pm

Broward College, South Campus

7200 Pines Boulevard

Southern Breezeway, Building 68

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.
Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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POETRY CONTESTS

IT’S SO MARGATE! Poetry contest: create apoem about Margate that starts or ends with the line “IT’S SO MARGATE!” Maximum word count is 100 words. Submit entries October 1-31, 2013 to Margate Library, 5810 Park Drive, Margate, FL 33063 Attention: Maribel Pelayo. For more information, call 954-357-7500.

YellowJacket Press Eighth Annual Chapbook Contest for Florida Poets
October 1-December 1, 2013
For details, go to http://www.yellowjacketpress.org

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

Let's make it a date!

To FLIFF or not to FLIFF? That is the question? Well it shouldn’t be as this year’s FLIFF (Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival October 18 – November 11, 2013) boasts some of the poetry around town. Not just the prose that burns from the lips of men and women (actors on screen) but spoken word performers on film. Premiering at FLIFF is “Breakthrough” with spoken word poetry by Eden Wetherell. So poets, let catch this film on Saturday, November 9 at 7 pm at Cinema Paradiso (Fort Lauderdale). Let’s make it a date!

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my poem for the week

Here is a poem that was inspired by events at Cinema Paradiso:

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POETRY AROUND TOWN

Poetry Reading with the Magician’s Daughter, Meryl Stratford, October 14 at 7:30 pm

Broward College, South Campus

7200 Pines Boulevard

Southern Breezeway, Building 68

Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room. Monthly, every 3^rd Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.
Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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POETRY CONTESTS

IT’S SO MARGATE! Poetry contest: create apoem about Margate that starts or ends with the line “IT’S SO MARGATE!” Maximum word count is 100 words. Submit entries October 1-31, 2013 to Margate Library, 5810 Park Drive, Margate, FL 33063 Attention: Maribel Pelayo. For more information, call 954-357-7500.

Hannah Kahn Poetry Foundation poetry chapbook contest: send a manuscript of 18-24 pages of original poetry, $15 entry fee (check payable to HKPF), 2 cover pages (one with name, title, and email address), and one with just the title)

To:

Barbra Nightingale, President

HKPF

2231 N. 52^ND Ave

Hollywood, FL 33021

Deadline extended to December 15^th or when 20 manuscripts received. Open to Florida poets. Notifications by email.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

Back to Work

Have you ever just got back from vacation and wishing that you could go on another vacation? Well, I do! I also dream of winning the lottery...if only I would buy a ticket. So I start looking at the pictures and tell stories (some mine but most from the various tour guides from the excursions).

One last look of vacation past: sigh....

A Treat for the Senses

I just came back from vacation and wished it wouldn't end and by the amount I spent, I may never take another vacation again. All my senses got a treat: the scenery was a delight for the eyes, the sounds were a delight to the ear, unforgettable scents for the nose and savoring food for the mouth.

As for touch, I am glad that the bears were gathering berries in the mountains and we were not touched by bears. Considering the number of birds flying overhead, I was grateful none touched me with their poop. Also grateful to the porcupine that we saw some distance away for not coming over and touching us. So the lack of touch by any animal was the best treat for my sense of touch.

This week's poem is dedicated to my sense of  taste:

We were two traveling and touring Seattle was definitely not boring PAX convention and dressed up participants Crowded the streets and restaurants We trekked our way to The Metropole We even saw the Borg through our window While sipping on apple-tini and the Metropole's own martini The Pike Street Salad was refreshingly tasty  with its zesty lemon vinaigrette The tomato florentine soup had my cousin wishing For their well executed recipe Creole Prawns - we both ordered In different but delicious dishes The Polenta was so smooth and creamy It topped the evening and we sent kudos to the chef And toasted our evening at The Metropole.

Poetry around town

9/17/13 – 6:30 pm Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room
Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 6 pm.
Open mike (music, comedy, poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

Autumn Reads

"Poetry soothes the soul..." - The Collection, copyrighted 2013 Suzzette Dawes

I was reading and came across an opinion piece about best summer reads. I only read one of the books of the list. We are fast approaching Autumn, one of the most poetic seasons (at least in my mind) and I want to share some good poetry reads:

Throughout this winning chapbook, Meryl tells a story with her poems. In "Black and White," she not only tells the story of a photograph of a ballerina's slipper, she weaves in her memories of being a ballerina (lines 11-13), gives us a history lesson on Russian noblemen (lines 14-15) and protests the notion of women being the weaker sex (lines 38-41). Another one of my favorites is "Elegy with Backwards Clocks" as she finds Daylight Savings Time as fiction (I also share that belief). Short, leaving you wanting more poetry. Meryl Stratford. Magician's Daughter. Ed. Gianna Russo. Yellow Jacket Press, 2013.

I had the pleasure of attending a workshop at Kerouac House in Orlando where Monica led the workshop. I recall her quiet demeanor then I read her poetry - the emotions she displays! "Howlish" the very title reminded me of beat poetry. I don't understand reviewer using "charming" to describe her work. It had a gritty, raw feel to me with remnants of beat poetry - prose poetry and some explicit language. The poems are arranged (into political, dreams, animal & cities and money & ghost) divisions. A jarring but good read. Monica Wendel. No Apocalypse. Georgetown Review Press, 2013.

I like the way Linda create pictures with her words such as in "Janie's Life" (in the shape of a woman) and "An Engaging Proposal"(in the shape of a ring). Her artwork throughout adds to the words such as in "Sparkling Crystal." Then her other poems are crafts of words. I heard her read "The Ordinary Life of Amazing" and reading the print, I was amazed at the internal rhyme scheme. I found a favorite read in "Monday Mourning" which captures the pain of cubicle worklife. A witty, play on words. Linda Eve Diamond. The Beauty of Listening. Aventine Press, 2013.

Anastasia gives you imagery with her poems such as in "Jilted and Chardonnay" you can picture the people in the cocktail especially the people in the corner "love/slowly siphoned from/The pink skirts."  I have heard her read, been in her workshops and I am always enthralled on her wordmanship (spellcheck states not a word but that is how I would describe Anastasia.) Anastasia Clark. Confetti Stampede. Ed. Christen Kincaid. Finishing Line Press, 2013.

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POETRY AROUND TOWN 

1. 9/14/13 - Free Poetry Reading at 5 pm at Cinema Paradiso. 503 SE 6th St, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301. Contact Suzzettethepoet@gmail.com for details.
2. 9/17/13 – 6:30 pm Poetry Club. South Regional/BC Library Multi-Purpose Room
3. Poetry & Spoken Word. Goddess Store n Studio. 2017 Harrison St, Hollywood, FL. Monthly, every 3rd Sunday. 9/22 at 6 pm.
4. Open mike (music, comedy & poetry). Gigi’s Music Café. 4385 NW 88 Ave. Sunrise, FL. Weekly on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
5. Some resources for poetry events include poetry.openmikes.org and meetup.com.

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES

2013 FWA Conference
When: October 18-20, 2013
Where: Orlando Marriott 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
http://floridawriters.net/2013_FWA_Conferences.html

30th Miami Book Fare International
When: November 17-24, 2013
http://www.miamibookfair.com/

10th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival
When: January 20-25, 2014
http://www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org/

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