PUBLIC SPEAKING

Have any of you done any public speaking? I find that it sharpens one's focus and thought process. Open mic is a wonderful way to cut the chops of speaking to the public.

I remember my first speech when I was a junior in high school. I was nervous and palms were sweating. A couple of years later someone suggested to me to have an outline of what I wanted to speak and to take it fom there. I still follow this today.

Knowing the subject and doing the groundwork is vital. When I read poems from a particular author, I also read his/her biography. It was an immense help to me when I read Sylvia Plath's life story. I then comprehended her poetry with much clarity.

The key to public speaking is to focus on what you want to say, not on the audience. You may have butterflies in your stomach, however, use them to your advantage.

WORDS OF WISDOM

CREATIVITY CANNOT BE STIFLED

Each learns differently but the education system stifles those students who are creative and non linear.
I am currently researching the life of Thomas Chatterton, the boy genius who wrote intelligent and beautiful poems as a child. Stifled by dull environments he struck out on his own as a writer. Chatterton committed suicide at seventeen.

How many people have gotten into trouble because the systems that stifle creativity and originality. Unfortunately I see rigid conformity throwing a cloud on society. Creative people will always be creative. They will find an outlet to express  themselves. Some of the most creative people who ever lived never went to college. Some may not have graduated high school. creative people will continue to shine in spite of the odds against them. I'm thankful for them because they have brought out the best in me.

SUCCESSFUL FAILURES?

 

I recently read short biographies of poet Delmore Schwartz (1913-1966) and Dorothy Parker (1893-1967), a writer and satirist. They produced much works which which remains with us. Yet, Schwartz and Parker were done in by depression, alcohol, and mental illness.

Delmore Schwartz was deeply affected by the divorce of his parents as a child and his writing expressed his thoughts about it. He was an angry and unhappy adult with two failed marriages. Schwartz's once promising career was sabotaged by mental illness and alcohol. He died alone of a heart attack in a cheap hotel in Times Square.

Dorothy Parker had an unhappy childhood. She used satire to share her feelings.  She also used alcohol to dull her pain. I've read very little of her work but she produced a copious amount of work, a lot of it under the influence of alcohol. Ms. Parker suffered from depression and alcoholism. She died alone of a heart attack at seventy-three.

I wonder what Schwartz and Parker might have produced had they had inner peace and contentment? They were certainly gifted in the use of words, Schwartz at one time being compared to writer A.W. Auden. They were successful as writers yet failed at life. What might have been. What. might. have. been.

WORDS OF WISDOM

Be brave and live life creatively.  The creative place where no one else has ever been.


~Alan Alda

CURRENT READ

I'm currently reading this book plus two books of poetry.

SAME CITY, DIFFERENT STATE

ATLANTA- Georgia, Louisiana

WRITING THOUGHT

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

I believe that I have completed my goal of writing three poems per day. Now I need to edit them. Goals sometimes run their course and may need to be altered or changed. There's no harm or shame in that. Goals are great but one shouldn't be made in a hard and fast rule that one is locked into them. Things change. 

I have other goals set for this year. Will need another writing goal. Currently reading poems of D. H. Lawrence and John Milton. Thought reading biographies would be my my reading this year and it still may be. However, not at the present time. 

WORDS OF WISDOM

Whatever you are feeling in the moment write about it.

~Genevieve

PLAY

WRITING ENCOURAGEMENT

SPRING AHEAD

Don't forget to move your clock ahead Saturday night before going to sleep.

WORDS OF WISDOM

A good book is the precious lifeblood of a master spirit.


~John Milton, Poet (1608-1674)

THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY

Located at 155 First Avenue in the East Village, this venerable theater is home to plays, art, dance, and festivals. I have been here several times for different events. TNC is involved with community, sponsoring festivals, arts programs for children, and music acts. This is one of my favorite venues and I hope it becomes one of yours. 

USING PROMPTS MORE

The sky's been the limit since I focused more on using prompts. Have written poems about everything from a bus stop to the VA to the joy of living. It's really been a lot of fun.

MARY OLIVER TRIBUTE

Last night at SAGE, I listened to the poetry of the late Mary Oliver read. I became a fan of hers a few years ago when I read her poems about dogs.

I was supposed to read but there were problems connecting on my email. I enjoyed listening and offered a couple of comments.