What Is Happening Today On Gather ~ Wednesday April 11, 2012

 Q.   When and how did you get inspired to write poetry?

I was pretty young about 8 or 9 when I started writing. Beverly Cleary's book, Dear Mr. Henshaw, inspired me to write. We celebrate DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) day April 12th in honor of Ms. Cleary's birthday. A good day to read some poetry.

 Q.   I am learning there are many kinds of poetry. Do you write a variety of kinds or stick to one type?

I do write a variety of poems. My favorite form is acrostic. My first poem for NaPoWriMo this year was acrostic.

 
Q.  Have you ever thought of teaching others how to write poetry?


Yes, I have taught poetry. Last year I went to my Little One's 4th grade classroom to teach poetry in April. I read them my acrostic, "Seven Years". Every student created an animal/object poem after reading, Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant by Jack Prelutsky. At the end of the month, I taught them haiku in celebration of Earth Day.

 

Q.   How do you come up with the poems you write? Are they inspired from emotions or scenery or some other reason?

My family is a big inspiration in my poetry. "Seven Years" was inspired by watching my little one growing up. I got the idea for the cookie booth limerick from my oldest being a girl scout. My husband has received several poems over the years, including "Twenty Years". Both girls inspired the poem, "I Need an Aspirin". My mother was the inspiration behind "Tea Time".

 

Q  What are the links to 5 of your own poems (posted on gather) that you feel is your best work?


5 of my best here on gather. Ugh... ask a poet, someone who is her worst critic, what she thinks is her best work.

Twenty Years

A Portrait of Motherhood


I Need an Aspirin


Tea Time


Cookie Booth Limerick

 


Q. How long have you been writing poetry?

I've been writing poetry since I was in the 7th grade. When I first started writing it was short stories. But by the 7th grade I was introduced to Robert Frost, the first poet I enjoyed reading. You can actually understand his poems. Then I learned Frost was a distant cousin. Well if a family member can write poetry and get published, why can't I?

Q.  Have you ever had your poetry published in book or ebook form? If so where can we find them?

Yes my poems have been published. Last year "A Portrait of Motherhood" appeared in MaMaZina magazine. I also had several poems in The Frog Croon journal. "Seven Years" appears in the anthology From the Heart (no longer in print). "In a Tree" was published in Cosmic Brownies back in 2005 (also out of print)

Where To Find Things On Gather

 

Do you often get confused when you are looking for something in particular? You are not alone, it seems that we all forget where things are when we don't access them on a daily basis.

There is a wonderful post written by Gather support Chuck McGuire. It has just about everything you need to know in a simple to read format

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