BOOK REVIEW

I first became interested in this book when I was in a Barnes and Noble. I read the story 'Johnny Panic' and my interest was piqued. I didn't know that Ms. Plath wrote so many short stories and prose. Her personality definitely rings through in them.

I see how conflicted Ms. Plath was. I see how she felt about her father. She saw the best of him and the worst of him toward the end of his life. Her brilliance rings through in the use of her words and description of scenes. Johnny Panic is not a quick read just as Ms. Plath was not easy to comprehend. She is a compelling character worth reading and studying about.   

POEMS

I'm rereading this book. The more I read Sylvia Plath's work the more I want to understand her as a person.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Good performance is about the capacity to focus and concentrate.


~Betty Buckley, Actress

NOT A CRITIC

I don't see myself as a critic because it may taint someone's opinion about another writer. Just because I don't like a particular author shouldn't keep someone else from enjoying that writer's work.

WILLIAM BURROUGHS

A part of the Beat generation, William Burroughs is a true bohemian who lived an unconventional life. He is the author of many books most notably 'Naked Lunch', 'Junkie' and 'Queer'.

Of all the Beats, Burroughs impresses me greatly with his intellect and creativity next to fellow beat Jack Kerouac.

REOPENING!

The Film Forum is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, August 1st.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.

~Rumi, Poet (1207-1273)

VULNERABILITY

For me, the big difference between poetry and story writing is that I reveal more of my innermost thoughts. Sharing my deepest emotions has never been easy for me. When I allow them to flow and take shape in a poem, it is liberating to my spirit.

In order to an effective writer one needs to be vulnerable. It demonstrates that I have a pulse. I have emotions, deep thoughts, and have something to share. I like to believe alife is being touched by what is expressed.

Being vulnerable isn't a sign of weakness; it it means that I'm willing to share parts of me that few would ever know. In the end I pray that we can continue the journey of discovery and adventure.

SAME NAME, DIFFERENT STATE

Pasadena- California, Texas
Abilene- Kansas, Texas
Paradise- Arizona, California

WORDS OF WISDOM

Look at Allen Ginsberg. In poems like 'Kaddish' and 'Howl', you can hear a cantor between the lines. It's fully alive, and I think that's what's missing in modern poetry. It's too dry and cerebral.




~Derek Walcott

HOT! FESTIVAL

The HOT! Festival is currently at Dixon Place now through July 28th. There's comedy, drama, poetry, cabaret, plays and other forms of art.  The queer culture really does it up and I'm so happy to be a part of this.




DIXON PLACE
161A CHRYSTIE STREET near Delancey Street
NEW YORK, NY 10002

WRITING ON BACK BURNER

I have been performing with a theater group so I haven't written or read much lately. I will be back at it shortly. The ideas still keep coming though. Have two titles for a series of short stories that will be written in the near future. Having a title before a written piece is a rarity for me. Usually I'll have written a poem or story and have no title. Go figure.   

SAME NAME, DIFFERENT STATES

AUBURN- Washington, Alabama

DALLAS- Texas, Oregon, Georgia

PHILADELPHIA- Pennsylvania, Mississippi

MERIDIAN- Mississippi, Idaho

WORDS OF WISDOM

Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that.


~Mary Oliver