As I've mentioned now and then, I get Poem-A-Day e-mails from the Academy of American Poets. (sign up for them too at Poets.org) Every now and then, one captures my attention on the first read and begs to be read a few more times and shared. So... this seems like a pretty good place to share.
I don't know who this poet is or why her words hit me, but something in the writing rings true. I hope it does the same for you.
Song After Sadness
by Katie Ford
Despair is still servant
to the violet and wild ongoings
of bone. You, remember, are
that which must be made
servant only to salt, only
to the watery acre that is the body
of the beloved, only to the child
leaning forward into
the exhibit of birches
the forest has made of bronze light
and snow. Even as the day kneels
forward, the oceans and strung garnets, too,
kneel, they are all kneeling,
the city, the goat, the lime tree
and mother, the fearful doctor,
kneeling. Don't say it's the beautiful
I praise. I praise the human,
gutted and rising.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Back Again
Registration opened on March 1, this time with a week warning, and truthfully, I debated whether or not I'd go. Even before I got on the flight home last year, I wondered if it was meant to be again, if that sort of experience was better left as a once in a lifetime event, and if I needed to leave that precious spot open to someone else who missed out before. I already overflowed with the friendship, warmth, wisdom, and peace of the weekend. Do I dare go back for seconds?
But you know, it's funny how perspectives change. Over the past six months, the wonder of Facebook kept our little group alive in a virtual sense. Now with faces and voices attached to names, the conversations continued. I continue to find more and more surprising common ground. (For instance, I learned after the fact that the guy running the merch table grew up in Orlando with one of my co-workers. What?) In some odd way, I feel a little homesick.
So as the day came closer, and the discussions about "Hutchguilt" came up in our Facebook group (guilt over going back when space is so limited... clearly I'm not the only one who felt that way) something clicked inside. I had to at least try to register. Even with a hefty car repair bill during the week, I had to trust and try.
On registration night, we kept a "virtual camp out" thread going on the Facebook group as we waited for registration to open. The conversation exploded for a good 20 minutes, as we announced our getting in and cheered for friends that were joining. The whole thing sold out and beyond in seven minutes.
Seven minutes. Absurd.
As the confirmation email popped up on my own screen, I knew that things would be different this year. Last time, I had to shove down the feelings of awkward uncertainty as I climbed the steps of the church, had to ease my way into conversations with strangers and grow into the group day by day.
This year? I expect it will be more like a reunion. I can't wait to see my friends again, face to face, and sit around the table and talk about what the year since held. I'm hoping for more long walks for coffee, late-night conversation and board games, and laughter around the table. I hope that those experiencing it the first time will feel the same wonder and belonging I felt last year, and that those returning find it just where they left off.
Funny... last year it was a big scary leap to click register. This year, I had friends to virtually high five, and I know exactly what I'm getting into. It's a special place and time with special people, and I can't wait.
But I have to. Six months? Seems so far, and so close too.
Full Disclosure: Totally stole that awesome graphic from this Rabbit Room post. That kind of weirdness is the reason I want to go back.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Every Writer's Dream E-book Review
I hate marketing speak. Hate. It. In general, words like "platform," "branding," and "networking" make me squirm. Yet I know it's important. If there's anything I've learned being in the radio world for a few years, it's the importance of clear vision, a strong image, and a lot of hard work to survive and thrive, whether we're trying to gain listeners, blog readers, or writing gigs.
In my job, I don't have to worry about this, because it's not my role. Managers and promotions do a wonderful job because they are passionate about it. But for the self-sufficient writers' work, I'm all I've got, which means I have to care about these things at least a little. And that's why I was really happy to discover Jeff Goins' blog, newsletter, and new e-books Every Writer's Dream and Before Your First Book. Jeff kindly offered free copies of the e-books to bloggers willing to review them, so here are some thoughts on these wonderful, quick and dirty guides for DIY writers.
I'm not generally an e-book person, but I downloaded these two to my phone and read them back to back in one sitting. They are short and to the point, and are written in a breezy, blog friendly style with plenty of space and momentum to make the reading quick. At the same time, the advice -- and sometimes "butt-kicking," as the title page describes it -- carries a weight of importance and urgency. If you've read Stephen Pressfield's The War of Art or Do the Work, then you could expect similar here: a brief, urgent pummeling of information, pep talks, and motivation that makes you feel like you must write something or die on the spot when it's done. Often, I need this.
In the case of these books though, it's less about the creative process and more about the elements of getting connected and published. Every Writer's Dream focuses on the three things every writer needs but doesn't always know how to find: a platform, a brand, and channels of connection. Sounds stuffy and marketing-like, doesn't it? Yet the way he approaches the topic is so practical, and he lays out ways to achieve these things without beating yourself up over it. Jeff gives practical advice about building your reputation as a writer (choosing a memorable name, finding your voice) and general principles for making your way through the publishing world (be generous, don't wait until you're "good enough.") Some of these steps are simple enough to begin today if you even have the slightest inkling of writing desire. Others help set long-term goals to meet that elusive dream of never having to pitch your writing again. It's an excellent motivational guide that I expect to return to.
Before Your First Book takes a similar approach, but is focused on 5 tips to getting published. Though there is crossover in the advice, it is a quick primer to beginning a writing career, from initially getting your foot in the door to advice on building long-term relationships in the field.
It all sounds quite self-helpish and perhaps a bit too confident at first glance. (you'll get published and never pitch again! Hooray!) The cynic in me was skeptical to see such bravado in these claims, but then again, courage is what every writer needs to even get started. These e-books are a handy little dose of just that if you're not sure where to start.
To read a sample of Every Writer's Dream and purchase the e-books, click here. And whether you go for the books or not, I recommend reading Jeff Goins' blog and subscribing to the e-mail newsletter. (You get a copy of his other e-book The Writer's Manifesto free for signing up!)
In my job, I don't have to worry about this, because it's not my role. Managers and promotions do a wonderful job because they are passionate about it. But for the self-sufficient writers' work, I'm all I've got, which means I have to care about these things at least a little. And that's why I was really happy to discover Jeff Goins' blog, newsletter, and new e-books Every Writer's Dream and Before Your First Book. Jeff kindly offered free copies of the e-books to bloggers willing to review them, so here are some thoughts on these wonderful, quick and dirty guides for DIY writers.
In the case of these books though, it's less about the creative process and more about the elements of getting connected and published. Every Writer's Dream focuses on the three things every writer needs but doesn't always know how to find: a platform, a brand, and channels of connection. Sounds stuffy and marketing-like, doesn't it? Yet the way he approaches the topic is so practical, and he lays out ways to achieve these things without beating yourself up over it. Jeff gives practical advice about building your reputation as a writer (choosing a memorable name, finding your voice) and general principles for making your way through the publishing world (be generous, don't wait until you're "good enough.") Some of these steps are simple enough to begin today if you even have the slightest inkling of writing desire. Others help set long-term goals to meet that elusive dream of never having to pitch your writing again. It's an excellent motivational guide that I expect to return to.
Before Your First Book takes a similar approach, but is focused on 5 tips to getting published. Though there is crossover in the advice, it is a quick primer to beginning a writing career, from initially getting your foot in the door to advice on building long-term relationships in the field.
It all sounds quite self-helpish and perhaps a bit too confident at first glance. (you'll get published and never pitch again! Hooray!) The cynic in me was skeptical to see such bravado in these claims, but then again, courage is what every writer needs to even get started. These e-books are a handy little dose of just that if you're not sure where to start.
To read a sample of Every Writer's Dream and purchase the e-books, click here. And whether you go for the books or not, I recommend reading Jeff Goins' blog and subscribing to the e-mail newsletter. (You get a copy of his other e-book The Writer's Manifesto free for signing up!)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Some Writing Advice
"Poetry, like sleep, is best done at night. And that is all the writing advice I feel confident in giving about attempting to write in verse. That and don't be afraid to revise. Heavily. You may even want to use a pencil --with a good eraser. It can be a lot like math."
***
That writing tip is good enough for me. Composing poems is a funny thing... like a dance between logic and inspiration, numbers and bold paint strokes. Maybe that's why I love writing it so much... and why it's so crazy hard.
This sweet little dose of advice was lifted from Janna Barber's blog. Her Writing Pep Talks have super motivational to me on several occasions. Check out Pep Talks Part 1 and Part 2, and then peruse her blog a while.
Then go forth motivated, and write something.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Opening Notes - February
Once again, here we go on the first Monday of a new month, digging through my 2012 music journal for a sampler of some of my favorite new albums. February wasn't quite as intense as the first month. I think I got in one of my modes where I want to revisit things I already love instead of go seeking out new stuff.
Two things that most informed my listening this month were The Grammys and a semi-related renewed interest in rock. There was good, bad, and mediocre, but lets just talk about the good, shall we? Here were a few records I found worth getting to know in February.
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Genre: Garage rock n roll! Little grungy, alternative with a 90s feel
First Impressions: My friend Lindsay is borderline obsessed with them and they got quite a few Grammy nods. My goal was to listen to all the major nominees before the show, and this one caught and held my attention more than any other Album of the Year contender. (well, besides Adele, but everybody loves Adele, right?) Organic, passionate, and straight up fun rock with melodic tendencies. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun listening to a rock album. It was also the final push I needed to finally give Nirvana a listen.
Source: Spotify, then bought it on iTunes
Sleigh Bells - Reign of Terror
Genre: Like a bunch of cheerleaders started a thrash metal dance punk band. But it's only two people.
First Impressions: It doesn't give me a headache like their last record does (every time.) I don't know if that's a good thing or not. While big loud distortion noise was the norm on Treats, this one turns down the fuzz for something more accessible and even melodic. Huge shredding guitars and thundering drums juxtaposed with sweet, girly vocals are still the defining mark of Sleigh Bells, but this time around things seem darker, more serious. They even dare to work in a couple of introspective almost-ballads. In spite of/because of the differences, I'm really liking it. Nice to see this New York duo stretching their sound and proving they're not a fluke.
Source: iTunes
Dave Barnes - Stories to Tell
Genre: Songwriter pop with a soulful twist
First Impressions: It's not rock at all in my month of rock, but I do love me some Dave Barnes. His music just makes me happy. It's understated and not too flashy, but his musicality and blending of R&B-ish grooves with heartfelt acoustic-based songwriting is always an interesting and fun listen. At the same time, I had it on background repeat all day, so I may have missed something. But then again, music that always leaves something to discover is the best kind, isn't it? It's a fine, smart melodic pop record, and one to check out when it releases next week.
Source: Pre-release (Releases March 13th. Pre-order on iTunes or Dave's website)
Total new albums for February: 9, plus maybe 2 I didn't finish. Mostly on Spotify as Grammy studying, therefore a few were kind of "meh" or not my style.
What have you been listening to this month? Drop a comment and share!
Two things that most informed my listening this month were The Grammys and a semi-related renewed interest in rock. There was good, bad, and mediocre, but lets just talk about the good, shall we? Here were a few records I found worth getting to know in February.
Foo Fighters - Wasting LightGenre: Garage rock n roll! Little grungy, alternative with a 90s feel
First Impressions: My friend Lindsay is borderline obsessed with them and they got quite a few Grammy nods. My goal was to listen to all the major nominees before the show, and this one caught and held my attention more than any other Album of the Year contender. (well, besides Adele, but everybody loves Adele, right?) Organic, passionate, and straight up fun rock with melodic tendencies. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun listening to a rock album. It was also the final push I needed to finally give Nirvana a listen.
Source: Spotify, then bought it on iTunes
Sleigh Bells - Reign of TerrorGenre: Like a bunch of cheerleaders started a thrash metal dance punk band. But it's only two people.
First Impressions: It doesn't give me a headache like their last record does (every time.) I don't know if that's a good thing or not. While big loud distortion noise was the norm on Treats, this one turns down the fuzz for something more accessible and even melodic. Huge shredding guitars and thundering drums juxtaposed with sweet, girly vocals are still the defining mark of Sleigh Bells, but this time around things seem darker, more serious. They even dare to work in a couple of introspective almost-ballads. In spite of/because of the differences, I'm really liking it. Nice to see this New York duo stretching their sound and proving they're not a fluke.
Source: iTunes
Dave Barnes - Stories to TellGenre: Songwriter pop with a soulful twist
First Impressions: It's not rock at all in my month of rock, but I do love me some Dave Barnes. His music just makes me happy. It's understated and not too flashy, but his musicality and blending of R&B-ish grooves with heartfelt acoustic-based songwriting is always an interesting and fun listen. At the same time, I had it on background repeat all day, so I may have missed something. But then again, music that always leaves something to discover is the best kind, isn't it? It's a fine, smart melodic pop record, and one to check out when it releases next week.
Source: Pre-release (Releases March 13th. Pre-order on iTunes or Dave's website)
Total new albums for February: 9, plus maybe 2 I didn't finish. Mostly on Spotify as Grammy studying, therefore a few were kind of "meh" or not my style.
What have you been listening to this month? Drop a comment and share!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
The Saturday Evening Blog Post: February 2012
With a new month comes a new edition of The Saturday Evening Blog Post, hosted by Elizabeth Esther. Though it's just over a week old, I chose to link up my Ash Wednesday post The Pursuit of Stillness as a personal favorite of mine. If you missed it, please go give it a read.
Check out this month's edition of The Saturday Evening Blog Post for more great writing from February! And to those visiting from there.... welcome! :)
Thursday, March 1, 2012
{Guest Post} A New Pair of Eyes
Deeper returns with another guest post! My dear friend and concert buddy Kaitlyn Luce is reinstating Deeper with her story about Jason Gray, a mutual favorite of ours (who is at least partially responsible for our friendship). If you want to share your own story, check out the guidelines and let me know!
Where to start? Well, I suppose the beginning is the perfect place to start. It was December 2006 the first time I ever heard the first words of Jason Gray’s “Blessed Be,” but it wasn’t until December 2007 that I became a true fan. I have a couple of friends who were Jason Gray fans and they always told me about the adventures they had together whenever they saw him in concert. I lived vicariously through them and their fun stories.
I kept my eyes on Jason’s tour schedule on a pretty regular basis, and it wasn’t until October of 2007 that a Florida date finally popped up on his MySpace page for a couple of church services in Clermont in December. It was within reasonable driving distance for my Step-Dad to take me (I only had my driver’s permit), and got up the courage to ask. My Mom and Step-Dad agreed that it would be a Christmas gift for my step-sister and I. I was elated to say the least. The closer and closer we got to the date of the concert, the more excited I became. I studied up on my Jason Gray music, making sure that I knew the songs well enough to sing along a little bit. Just as I was getting really excited the unthinkable happened…
Remember my friends? They went and saw him play a few weeks before I did, and my good friend Monika delivered a message to Jason that I didn’t know she would be delivering. She told Jason “My friend Kaitlyn is supposed to see you in Florida in a few weeks, so keep an eye out for her.” What does Jason say? “Oh, Kaitlyn! I can’t wait to meet her!” How did he know who I was? Well, we were Facebook friends and I had commented on quite a few of the photos he was tagged in by my friends, so that’s how he knew. That was the day I became a true fan of this Jason Gray guy.
The 29th of December had finally arrived, and we set out on an adventure of our own. After a two and a half hour drive northwest, we made it to the church that Jason was playing at. We got there super early, but we decided to go into the sanctuary anyway. When we walked in I could hear Jason sound checking, and I could barely get two feet into the sanctuary before he looked over in our direction and said over the microphone, “Hey…you’re Kaitlyn!” We walked up to the stage and took a seat, and he did his thing while he made conversation with us. That was the way the weekend continued to go, and he always greeted me before I had the opportunity to greet him.
Four years and ten shows later, I’m still just as big a fan as I was the day I met him. Jason’s music has provided me with hope in my darkest and saddest days, and has really become my anthem. I’ve heard people say over and over that his music touches them at their deepest point of need, and I believe that to be true. His music is God-breathed, and only something that is God-breathed can meet someone in that way.
This past summer I was working at a summer camp in Minnesota and I was in the middle of an extremely difficult week of counseling when I opened up my e-mail and saw one from Jason. It was just a simple note saying hello, with his new single “Remind Me Who I Am” attached. I downloaded the song right away, and carried it with me through what turned out to be the most challenging thing I’ve had to endure in my 21 years of life. My counseling duties ended the day after I received the e-mail and song. I was dealing with some really challenging things with a couple of campers and was relinquished my title as ‘counselor’. I was put on maintenance, dish, host, night watch, and lifeguard duty for the rest of the summer. It wasn’t what I had pictured for the summer at all, and I was pretty miserable for the majority of my time in Minnesota. Plus, most of the jobs I was assigned were all one person jobs, so that left me with my thoughts all the time. I thought a lot about what could have been, what would have been, what I could have done differently. It was an experience that made me question who I was down to my deepest core. I kept asking myself “Who am I?” I was desperate for an answer.
As I was mopping the floor of the dining hall at midnight for the second straight week cursing everything under my breath, I got my answer. The words of “Remind Me Who I Am” rang through my mind. “Tell me once again who I am to You/Tell me lest I forget who I am to You…” Those words were exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. I started to see my time in Minnesota differently. My dish duty was no longer a death sentence, but rather an opportunity for God to teach me more about myself. I was taught things that I wouldn’t have learned had I been surrounded by children twenty three hours a day. I saw things through a new pair of eyes, and was filled with gratefulness and happiness. All thanks to the chorus of one little song running through my head consistently.
Jason’s music has, by God’s grace and wisdom, grown me in innumerable ways. Jason is one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He’s not just my favorite artist, but has become a good friend too. He genuinely cares about what is going on in people’s lives, and he listens. He’s one of a kind, and that is what brings me back over and over again.
(Editor Note: As of this posting, "Remind Me Who I Am" is a free download at Air1's website! Click here to go get it.)
Where to start? Well, I suppose the beginning is the perfect place to start. It was December 2006 the first time I ever heard the first words of Jason Gray’s “Blessed Be,” but it wasn’t until December 2007 that I became a true fan. I have a couple of friends who were Jason Gray fans and they always told me about the adventures they had together whenever they saw him in concert. I lived vicariously through them and their fun stories.
I kept my eyes on Jason’s tour schedule on a pretty regular basis, and it wasn’t until October of 2007 that a Florida date finally popped up on his MySpace page for a couple of church services in Clermont in December. It was within reasonable driving distance for my Step-Dad to take me (I only had my driver’s permit), and got up the courage to ask. My Mom and Step-Dad agreed that it would be a Christmas gift for my step-sister and I. I was elated to say the least. The closer and closer we got to the date of the concert, the more excited I became. I studied up on my Jason Gray music, making sure that I knew the songs well enough to sing along a little bit. Just as I was getting really excited the unthinkable happened…
Remember my friends? They went and saw him play a few weeks before I did, and my good friend Monika delivered a message to Jason that I didn’t know she would be delivering. She told Jason “My friend Kaitlyn is supposed to see you in Florida in a few weeks, so keep an eye out for her.” What does Jason say? “Oh, Kaitlyn! I can’t wait to meet her!” How did he know who I was? Well, we were Facebook friends and I had commented on quite a few of the photos he was tagged in by my friends, so that’s how he knew. That was the day I became a true fan of this Jason Gray guy.
The 29th of December had finally arrived, and we set out on an adventure of our own. After a two and a half hour drive northwest, we made it to the church that Jason was playing at. We got there super early, but we decided to go into the sanctuary anyway. When we walked in I could hear Jason sound checking, and I could barely get two feet into the sanctuary before he looked over in our direction and said over the microphone, “Hey…you’re Kaitlyn!” We walked up to the stage and took a seat, and he did his thing while he made conversation with us. That was the way the weekend continued to go, and he always greeted me before I had the opportunity to greet him.
Four years and ten shows later, I’m still just as big a fan as I was the day I met him. Jason’s music has provided me with hope in my darkest and saddest days, and has really become my anthem. I’ve heard people say over and over that his music touches them at their deepest point of need, and I believe that to be true. His music is God-breathed, and only something that is God-breathed can meet someone in that way.
This past summer I was working at a summer camp in Minnesota and I was in the middle of an extremely difficult week of counseling when I opened up my e-mail and saw one from Jason. It was just a simple note saying hello, with his new single “Remind Me Who I Am” attached. I downloaded the song right away, and carried it with me through what turned out to be the most challenging thing I’ve had to endure in my 21 years of life. My counseling duties ended the day after I received the e-mail and song. I was dealing with some really challenging things with a couple of campers and was relinquished my title as ‘counselor’. I was put on maintenance, dish, host, night watch, and lifeguard duty for the rest of the summer. It wasn’t what I had pictured for the summer at all, and I was pretty miserable for the majority of my time in Minnesota. Plus, most of the jobs I was assigned were all one person jobs, so that left me with my thoughts all the time. I thought a lot about what could have been, what would have been, what I could have done differently. It was an experience that made me question who I was down to my deepest core. I kept asking myself “Who am I?” I was desperate for an answer.
As I was mopping the floor of the dining hall at midnight for the second straight week cursing everything under my breath, I got my answer. The words of “Remind Me Who I Am” rang through my mind. “Tell me once again who I am to You/Tell me lest I forget who I am to You…” Those words were exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. I started to see my time in Minnesota differently. My dish duty was no longer a death sentence, but rather an opportunity for God to teach me more about myself. I was taught things that I wouldn’t have learned had I been surrounded by children twenty three hours a day. I saw things through a new pair of eyes, and was filled with gratefulness and happiness. All thanks to the chorus of one little song running through my head consistently.
Jason’s music has, by God’s grace and wisdom, grown me in innumerable ways. Jason is one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He’s not just my favorite artist, but has become a good friend too. He genuinely cares about what is going on in people’s lives, and he listens. He’s one of a kind, and that is what brings me back over and over again.
(Editor Note: As of this posting, "Remind Me Who I Am" is a free download at Air1's website! Click here to go get it.)
About Kaitlyn:
Kaitlyn Luce is a Music Business student in college. Her dream is to travel as a road manager for a band in the Christian music industry, and later work for a record label. Kaitlyn blogs about her journey and passions at Joy in Simplicity.
How did we meet? It's kind of a funny story..."Jen is a dear friend of mine who has unexpectedly turned into an amazing concert buddy. We’ve had many an adventure together, but the greatest adventure of all was when we ventured off with Jason Gray after we had just met each other to find a Starbucks in downtown Orlando. We got lost due to wonky downtown construction projects, and a very confused GPS. We did make it back to the I-4 overpass (where the show was taking place) in one piece, with Starbucks in hand, and maybe a few frazzled nerves. We go big or go home."
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