Today's Word

OBSTREPEROUS,adj.


Noisy and difficult to control

Words Of Wisdom

Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you.


~Aldous Huxley, Novelist (1894-1963)

New Year's Day Poetry Marathon

Don't forget the 42nd New Year's Day Poetry Marathon at St. Mark's Church.



St. Mark's Church 
131 East 10th Street     2 PM-2 AM
New York, NY
www.poetryproject.org

Summary Of 2015

There were some new activities I tried this year. I became involved in the theater project at church. I became more involved with writing plays, doing improv, and acted in a play. I also looked over some poetry I've written and did some more editing and revising.

As 2016 is just a few days away i'm formulating my goals for the coming year. I do know it will involve play writing. Have you achieved some of the goals that you set? What do want to accomplish in 2016? It's important to have some goals and work on them. May you have Happy New Year writing, acting, or performing.

Merry Christmas

Words Of Wisdom

Correction does much, but encouragement does more.


~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Poet (1749-1832) 

Reflections

I have said many times that holiday season is a time of reflection for me. It's also a good to reflect on how my writing is coming along. I'm still learning how to write plays. Improv is a different genre I still have a ways to go. I wrote a commentary the other night. and am currently working on an essay. I try to write every day no matter how much or how little.

When I do take a break, I defuse a little bit because information overload can burn one out. I'm currently reading a book called The Beat Hotel and what I see is writers and artists expanding their range of communication. Poetry, essays, art, the spoken word, and short stories. I was impressed with Brion Gysin and his Cut-Up invention; the Dream Machine. At times I have thought about adding art to my writings.   

Just by pulling away a little bit, I see where I am and where I need to go. It's a ever evolving craft and I'm enjoying the journey.

Acting and Improv

Tonight at theater project we read some plays. I saw the importance of using the right emotions when doing a particular piece. It can be excitement, fear, resignation, anticipation. I see what actors do to prepare for what they do. I would have become a stage actor if I had my druthers.

You have to study line by line. There's lots of practice involved. Acting is a craft not easily mastered. Improv has helped me understand what it is to let myself go; something that is not always easy for me personally. I'm getting better at it though.  

Words Of Wisdom

This world is but a canvas to our imagination.

~Henry David Thoreau

Wrote Two Stories

I have written one story and a horror story in recent days. The former is about a woman who traverses through a neighborhood she once hung out in years earlier now changed by gentrification. It kind of mirrors some of my experiences. 

I see myself as a reflective writer because I can remember many things that happened twenty, thirty and even 40 years so if they happened yesterday. Horror writing puts me in a different frame of mind. I love the psychological horror where people are forced to confront and face their fears. Horror is more challenging but I like challenges.

Poetry Reading Marathon

                               42nd ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S DAY READING                                                     MARATHON

January 1st is just a couple of weeks away. Why not begin the year with some fine poetry. It will be held at historic St Mark's Church in the East Village from 2 PM to 2 AM. There will be refreshments and books for sale.

St. Mark's Church

131 East 10th Street

New York, NY
Tel.: (212) 674-0910

http:/poetryproject.org

Jazz Is My Religion

Words Of Wisdom

Always desire to learn something useful.

~Sophocles, Greek Poet (496BC-406BC)

Meeting Other Writers

The current book I'm reading, The Beat Hotel, has brought me in contact with other writers who were interested in the Beat Movement and the beat writers in particular. Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, and Gregory Corso met a wide variety of writers and artists. Andre Breton, David Gascoyne,  Alain Bosquet, Gunter Grass, and Herbert Gold were a few of the writers they met or sought out.

Upon reading this I guess it's in the blood for writers to seek out other writers. There are so many writers that have influenced me. Edgar Allan Poe, Jack Kerouac, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Herman Melville are some that have influenced me. I have been doing some playwriting and so I'm boning up on some playwrights.

I need to become more acquainted with modern writers. I enjoy Mary Oliver's work. I need to find out where they are and get acquainted with them.     

Ancient Greek Writers

As some of you might know, I've always had a strong interest in the ancient Greek writers and poets. Authors such as Sophocles, Homer, Sappho, and Euripides have gripped in their content and their intent to incite a response, especially from their critics.

I have been experimenting on writing a play in the same format. It isn't easy but I'm trying. I also find the Greek plays reflective of the times. I suppose all plays are. I have settled on some periods of time that I need to fashion on.

Words Of Wisdom

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.


~Desmond Tutu