for original writing of self and others
When I was job hunting in the Bay Area in California in the late 1980s, I found that I had to offer something compelling to persuade people to meet me for an information interview. For example, on the phone with an image and communication consultant I was put on the spot. Why should she meet…
Ernest Dempsey and I met in 2007 when he reviewed my book “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” on TCM Reviews–Tami Brady’s review site. Since then we’ve become writing friends across the waves. On Riehlife I’ve often referred to him as “Our Man in Pakistan.” Have some fun reviewing the Riehlife archives that feature Ernest Dempsey’s wit…
Take a thread from these thoughts and write for at least 10 minutes…and then 10 minutes more…to tap into your mind on the topic of connection and barriers to connection. Connection and the possibility for connection surrounds us. The oxygen we breathe together connects us. What do we share? What brings people together? What separates…
This message speaks to the inherent power of poetry, how we reach for necessary words at times when any words are difficult to find. The recent memorial service in Tucson concluded with a reading of W.S. Merwin’s poem “To the New Year.” We share this poem with you and wish you peace in the New…
Algebra has a poetry of its own. Poetry has an algebra of its own. 1) How is poetry like an algebra equation? 2) What is the ration and proportion of poetry? 3) What is your definition of “earned abstraction”? How does a poem earn the use of abstract concepts and words?
When/if we witness one another? Really were present and listened to each other? Affirmed what takes place? What does it look like? What happens within both people and in the relationship?
If there were centers just for Baby Boomers, what would they look like? What would happen there?
After a writer’s meeting where would you want to go? A fancy restaurant with “bistro” in it’s name? A malt shop reminding you of high school? The Woolworth counter? Or…McDonald’s? For the four of us, it was definitely McDonald’s only a few blocks down the street in Alton, Illinois darkness. Safety in numbers with more…
Dear Riehlife Villagers, You know how you work forever just because, and then all of a sudden the world knows you and and your work are really cooking? That’s what’s happened to me. Here’s a sampling.–Janet ________________ * Hey! SF Book Festival just awarded an honorable mention to our audio book “Sightlines: A Family Love…
Hey! SF Book Festival just awarded an honorable mention to “Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry & Music” in the audio/spoken word category!