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Happy Second Birthday, Blog!

2/25/2015

Two years ago, I began writing this blog by announcing that I was beginning a blog. Tentative at first, I drew from a quote by Winston Churchill, who said, "The first quality that is needed is audacity."

Lady Lavery happened upon Winston Churchill one day as he stared, paint-dipped brush in his hand, at a blank canvas. Noticing his apprehension, she took a large brush and flung paint at the canvas.

He was never again intimidated about beginning a painting. So, I opened a page here in Weebly and began with the obvious: "Today, I embark on a journey; I am starting my first blog." Simple enough.

The paint had been flung, and I was off … with no idea how long I would be able to continue my blog, and wondering, “What in the world could I possibly have to say, week after week, over time?”

My initial concept for this blog was to, hopefully, reach other rhymers, and as a place to showcase my poems and my books online. Two years later, I am still, “putting one foot in front of the other.”

Now, as I begin to contemplate my approach for a panel about blogging at the Clockwork Alchemy Convention in May, I am wondering, "What can I possibly have to say to those in the room?"

Unlike Linda Lee, who is very knowledgeable about blogging, I am no expert. However, I can speak from my own experiences of trial and error, of overcoming, and of discovering the path along the way.

After all, that is what I've been doing for the past two years.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Happy Birthday, Blog!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Linda Lee: http://askmepc-webdesign.com
Image: http://www.kidstylejunkie.com

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The gate keepers of my craft.

2/19/2015

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When I was in my teens, my friends and I would frequent upscale hotels in downtown San Francisco. It was pretty obvious that we didn't belong there, but no one hassled us. Those were good times.

Then, one evening, we happened upon a famous singer who was just about to go on stage. She saw us coming around a corner and, mistaking us for autograph seekers, announced, "Look at my fans!"

I have never forgotten her and the exhilarating gratitude that she exuded. We knew who she was, of course, but we hadn't gone there to meet her. It was serendipitous, and we happily played along.

Ever since that chance meeting, I have pondered the concept of "the fan." The etymology of this word apparently begins in America in 1889, when it originally referred to baseball enthusiasts, or fanatics.

So, in my thinking, it's one thing to appreciate and support someone or something, and quite another to presume to say , "Look at my fans!" Am I wrong to consider the latter as rather presumptuous.

Now, I am very pleased whenever someone says that they like one of my poems, but aren't the reader and the writer participants in a remarkable, shared experience, especially when they connect well?

Accolades can feel pretty heady, but shouldn't they be a sign that one has stayed the course, that one is moving in the right direction, and no more? But, being human, it can be too easy to feed on approval.

I have been there, and I am well aware of just how vulnerable I am to this. To help me guard against being carried away by my egocentric side, I must keep in mind that you are gatekeepers to my craft.

Image: forums.sharecash.org

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To go, or not to go, out of my depth ...

2/12/2015

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As a published poet, I am sometimes obliged to occupy an author table at a convention, embellish it with my books and swag, and to interact with those who read my work. I absolutely love all of that.

But there is one convention which requires authors to conduct a few un-moderated panels as payment for their tables. Otherwise, one can rent a table in the dealers room ... and be buried in maker's wares.

I know many authors who, for various reasons, disdain of being on panels at conventions, me included. For one thing, one doesn't dare approaching the podium without having done loads of preparation.

I've been on several panels, and I can tell you that they do not play to my strengths. I am not usually shy, but standing there, alone, at the front of the room and acting like an authority on ... something ...?

I would be so much more at ease if I were doing a reading of my poetry, and answering questions about my work and my process. I am well versed there, but that's not what is required in this case.

There is a huge difference between doing a presentation on blogs, and reciting poetry. I've been writing this blog for a couple of years now, but does that qualify me to give a dissertation on blogging?

I recently read a quote by John C. Maxwell, an American author who focuses primarily on issues of leadership. He said, "People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." Uh oh. Indeed, they do.

Well, I decided to place the "effort and emotional toll" of doing panels on one dish of the balance scale, and weighed that against "an opportunity to reach out to readers and would be readers of verse."

It was soon apparent that those dreaded panels are, alas, a necessary evil. I have had enough of all this fretting and pondering, and of listening to various bits of advice. I've decided to do a few panels...

... at least, for the time being.

Image: www.veniceclayartists.com

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Seeking out advice along the path ...

2/5/2015

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There are so many conventions and conferences out there that might well further my reach into "author world," and increase the sales of my books, and I have to come to terms with "which, if any, do I do?"

I worked six very different author-related events in 2013. In 2014, I narrowed it down one event: Clockwork Alchemy, where I shared an author table, conducted my panels, and met some awesome people.

This year, I've been mulling over whether do to Clockwork Alchemy again or not. I'm not a fan of doing panels, (many writers aren't), but it's a requirement there. So, I have been seeking out other opinions.

Charles de Gaulle, by all accounts a most decisive and commanding individual, once famously said, "I have heard your views. They do not harmonize with mine. The decision is taken unanimously."

Whenever I receive well-intended advice, I tend to place it on a shelf in my mind where I can access and evaluate it. If I find, at some point, that the idea seems valid or helpful, I generally follow it.

If, however, that advice proves otherwise, I'll just keep it on that shelf. Within the undulating morass of recommendations and proffered guidance, its just too easy to toss a good idea away.

This technique also comes in handy when I'm talking with someone who is adamant about and idea and etc. When I tell them that "I'll keep it in mind," or say, "Let me think that over awhile," I mean it.

Sometime later I'll find myself in a situation, or maybe someone will make an off handed comment, and suddenly my mind will begin to resonate with, "Ah ha! That's what so and so was talking about!"

That bit of advice has just jumped down off the shelf, eager to validate itself, and sometimes there's a definite "ka ching," of approval to run with. Otherwise, it will be sent back to the shelf.

Charles de Gaulle listened to his advisers. He didn't always agree with, or take, their advice, but he listened. Since I have an important decision to make, I'm asking for advice and entertaining all opinions.

It comes down to this: Is it worth it? Financially, no. In terms of outreach, yes. And then there is the question: Is it necessary? These are the balance scales I'm using, and I'm still undecided at this point.

Image: newsroom.ucla.edu

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Happy Second Birthday, Blog!

The gate keepers of my craft.

To go, or not to go, out of my depth ...

Seeking out advice along the path ...

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