Travelling Adventures of the Mind

-

There are no travelling adventures in my future. But while I stick at home – friends are preparing to go to India and beyond – and one is already on a year long trip around the world. This is when the imagination must kick in, so that I too can have a taste of other worlds.

I was editing an art book this weekend, and many of the photos that will be included in the book are thought to be some of the most sacred works of art in the world – they are said to contain hidden knowledge for anyone who is open and ready to receive it.

The Sphinx is one such work of art. Staring at a photo on a computer is not going to cut it. You have to be there in person to feel the impact of the Sphinx – or so I've been told.

People have been known to weep in front of great art – like Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night. The Chartres Cathedral is another work of art that I've been told I have to see before I die.

Exactly when do my travel adventures begin? Perhaps a poetry book inspired by great works of art might be my next project. There's even a name for such poems: ekphrasis. I would of course need funding to go and see these works of art for myself. One can dream.

For now, I have web images to inspire me. So far my attempts at ekphrasis poems haven't been fruitful – but have proven to be enjoyable writing exercises all the same.

I've been interested lately in getting together with various poets and fiction writers to exchange about our process and generally support each other in our endeavours – a very gratifying undertaking. You’re exposed to new ideas, new work and it’s inspiring, not to mention fun. You stumble upon poets from the past too...as each writer has their favourites and is bound to tell you about them.

Here’s a lovely find: W.H. Auden reads “The More Loving One”…




Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blogger Mike Lummis Reviews Heart Strings, a New Canadian Musical

-
Image
Heart Strings , written by Reynold Nathaniel, is essentially a love story. Love is the prevailing emotion. Love of family, love of friends, romantic love and love of music. Set in Ireland in the summer of 1908, the majority of the cast are called upon to perform with an Irish brogue. The actors do well with the accents and there are plenty of Irish references from whiskey to stew. The costumes create a sense of the period. It is inspiring to see a cast give their all to a new piece of Canadian theatre. The play is directed by David Ludwig, a seasoned actor who has appeared at Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Heart Strings is Ludwig’s first directing job and he directs with skill and ease. The play flows smoothly, the blocking is crisp and the actors are clearly guided by a sure hand. Lead actor Garth Wigle re-located all the way from Cornwall to perform in the show. He did so out of his love for the theatre. Wigle plays Sir William, who orders the prized Phonolistz Vi
Read more

Q&A with poet Robin Richardson

-
Image
“ The truth, and the vulnerability of sharing it, is liberation. ” Robin Richardson is the author of two full-length collections of poetry, and is Editor-in-Chief at   Minola Review, a Journal of Women’s Arts & Letters .    Her work has been shortlisted for the Walrus Poetry Prize, CBC Poetry Award, Lemon Hound Poetry Prize, and ReLit Award and has won the John B. Santorini Award and the Joan T. Baldwin Award. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in many journals including POETRY , Tin House , Arc , The North American Review , and Hazlitt of Random House. She holds an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College and BA in Design from OCAD University. Richardson’s latest collection, Sit How You Want , is forthcoming with V é hicule Press. She is represented by Samantha Haywood at Transatlantic Agency, who is working with her debut memoir this year.  A couple of weeks ago, Robin Richardson featured at the Art B
Read more

The Ins and Outs of Submitting to Literary Magazines

-
Image
Ten questions to keep in mind Choosing which Magazines to Submit to There are so many journals that it can be hard to choose. Here are some key questions to ask yourself to narrow them down: 1. What literary magazines do you like that match your writing style? It’s important to get a sense of the publications you’re going to submit to. Read a recent issue. You’ll have a better idea of what pieces you have that match the editorial aesthetic of the magazine and vice versa, not to mention that it’s worthwhile to read as much as you can in your genre.  2. Are you looking for a print magazine? An online magazine? Both? These days, writers are seeing the value of online magazines, which are readily accessible to readers. However, print magazines are still coveted by many writers, especially if they’re available in bookstores and newsstands. Some publications have their issues both online and in print—a decided advantage. Where would you ideally like to see your wo
Read more