As the year winds down, we want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at borrowed solace!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas…
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S4 Episode 6: Resources
In season four, episode six of the podcast, Addey and Nicole talked all about writing online with Medium and HubPages.
If you’re interested in reading what Addey and Nicole have written online, here is where you can find their articles:
Now, imagine we are driving home for Christmas (or flying–whatever strikes your fancy) and discussing everything going on this week. Suddenly, the conversation turns to this episode of the podcast. What did you think about what Addey and Nicole had to share about writing online? Have you ever written for any of the websites they mentioned or others that haven’t been mentioned yet? Let us know your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments below!
S4 Episode 6: Writing Online
This week, Addey and executive editor Nicole discuss all things writing online! Both Addey and Nicole have written for a few online blogging websites, and share their experiences writing, earning money, and sharing their thoughts on the world wide web.
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Literature and the Holidays
When the holidays roll around, I’m always struck by how much literature plays a part in this festive season. Not only are books a common gift to exchange (my family members all usually have at least one book on their Christmas wishlist), but so many of the beloved stories and entertainment we consume each year are based on written stories–short or long.
I’m sure for many reading this Charles’ Dicken’s A Christmas Carol pops into the front of the mind. For those with children, or those who are partial to poetry, perhaps lines from A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore start dancing around in your head like visions of sugar plums in the famed poem.
But there’s even more when it comes to literature and the holidays. My favorite genre–romance–is famous for the copious amounts of Christmas books released every year around this time. In fact, many of the Hallmark Christmas movies that many of us binge religiously (me–I’m guilty of doing just that!) are based on books.
Then there are Netflix shows like Dash and Lily based on a book series featuring the same main characters by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Or the movie Let it Snow based on a short story anthology by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle.
And, of course, who can forget the oldest holiday story in the Bible–that of the first Christmas.
Literature is a big part of the holiday season, and not just for us writers! Even those who don’t write and may not even enjoy reading often find themselves curling up with a classic Christmas story this time of year, surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights, warm blankets, and a mug of hot chocolate. Literature is an intrinsic part of the holiday season, and I’m glad for it. The written word is a miraculous tool through which we can learn lessons, feel comforted, and explore new ideas. And what better time of year to do just those things than during the holiday season?
S4 Episode 5: Resources
On season four, episode five of the podcast, Addey chatted with Barrett Laurie all about building a writing community and author platform.
If you’d like to learn more about Barrett, here is all of his information:
Barrett Laurie is an aspiring author, YouTuber, and LGBTQI+ activist. He is currently in the process of drafting his latest story and plans to return to the query trenches in the spring of 2022 in hopes of being traditionally published. Barrett’s YouTube channel features videos geared towards new writers seeking the traditional path to publishing and also features interviews, panels, and discussions with all sorts of writers in various stages of their writing journeys.
You can connect with Barrett on his website, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.
…Imagine we are on a drive to check out Christmas lights around town when the conversation turns to this week’s podcast. What stood out to you about this episode? What is your biggest takeaway when it comes to building an author platform and writing community? We’d love to hear what you have to say, so leave us a comment below with your thoughts!
S4 Episode 5: Building an Author Brand with Barrett Laurie
This week, Addey is joined by Barrett Laurie, a YouTuber and young adult & middle-grade author pursuing traditional publishing. Barrett has created an amazing online community with his authortube channel and chats about that process as well as his current writing project in this episode.
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Experiencing Poetry
In one of my poetry circles, one of the members who has been writing poetry for years decided that she couldn’t read, or more importantly “understand” poetry. This, I felt, was a crime of nature and a direct result of how poetry is taught.
I believe that poetry is meant to be felt like A.S.M.R. (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) and create tingles and taps of syllables that cascade from the scalp to the shoulder, and then tickle the hip. I know a good line when I feel a “click,” both with my mind and with my body’s response.
Consider how you feel or understand poetry. We are taught to analyze this piece of metaphor or to declare this poem uses assonance, and then… if you fit them together it really becomes a formula. Does that make poetry fun? Vibrant? Do you feel it in your bones and chest? I argue that writing and reading poetry doesn’t have to be a formula.
I write and read poetry as if I am listening to music or hearing a book read aloud. I experience poetry—that’s the key difference. Experiencing versus analyzing. If you write to experience a poem or to have your reader experience your poem, there are all sorts of accidental blessings. That assonance comes out and so does that metaphor—but there is love and pleasure. Your reader will be able to tell the difference. And when you read, you will be able to tell the difference.
My friend in the poetry circle decided to give up on meaning. She has decided to let poetry flow from her and into her. Poetry is in her body and her sound in her marrow. She felt the syllables with her heartbeat. She is much happier, wiser, and her poetry does not seem forced. Instead, her poetry feels authentic. I can experience the voices and feel both the movement and the meaning. I can feel those ASMR lines and let the rhythm carry me away.
S4 Episode 4: Resources
On season four, episode three of the podcast, Addey was joined by Emily Paige Wilson to discuss all things poetry and online writing life!
If you’d like to learn more about Emily, here is all of her information:
Emily Paige Wilson is the author of the forthcoming full-length collection Jalubí (Unsolicited Press, 2022) and two chapbooks: Hypochondria, Least Powerful of the Greek Gods (Glass Poetry Press, 2020) and I’ll Build Us a Home (Finishing Line Press, 2018). Her work has been nominated for Best New Poets, Best of the Net, and the Pushcart Prize. She is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency and is currently on submission with her first YA novel-in-verse.
You can connect with Emily online on her website, Twitter, or YouTube.
Now, pretend we are out Christmas shopping and the conversation turns to this week’s episode of the podcast. What are your thoughts, comments, and questions? Leave them in the comments below!
S4 Episode 4: Writing & Publishing Poetry with Emily Paige Wilson
This week we are so excited to have poet and AuthorTuber Emily Paige Wilson on the podcast! Emily is a poet who has published two chapbooks, has a forthcoming full-length poetry collection, and is on submission with her first YA novel-in-verse. She joined Addey to talk about all things writing poetry in this episode.
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