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What You Missed

Pre-Holiday Sale: Get it While it Lasts!

10/31/2022

 
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Why I Write: Revision is Writing

10/18/2022

 
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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
Poetry needs as much revision and editing as novels, short stories, and articles. 
There’s always something in the writing that could be better. That’s why you could find yourself rewriting many drafts before coming to a conclusion that it’s the best it could get before an agent or editor gets their hands on it. 
Sometimes, we have to settle for the best instead of the greatest. And you know what? It’s okay. The important thing is to get through the process of polishing the manuscript. It helps make you a better writer, and that’s what readers want: better writing.
A poem I wrote titled “Seasons” is an example of a poem I would go back and revise. There are a lot of good images, but I feel it needs tightening in the Autumn section.
I’ve gotten a lot of good responses from a poem I wrote for Valentine’s Day called “Veteran’s Wish.” I hope you enjoy it.
                       
You can check out “Seasons” in the Fall 2013, Issue 60  
You can also see “Veteran’s Wish” in the Free Love, Issue 2 on 


Ready for publishing?

Night Prompt Attempt

10/4/2022

 
Here's my attempt at: In the middle of the night, I heard ___________ outside.
My first thought was to do something paranormal, but I stared at a children’s book, and got another fun idea. Here’s my attempt:
 
In the middle of the night, I heard a rasping sound outside. I immediately pulled my covers over my head to block it, but it didn’t work. My heart pounded with each terrible rhythm against the wall; there was no controlling it. The shadows from the moonlight didn't help, either. Gulping, I mustered enough courage to check the origin of the rasp.
I threw my covers on the floor and slipped on my shoes. When I had them on, the sound got louder. I was amazed that no member of my family had woken from its clobbering, but there was no time to find out whether they had.
I slid the window up and crawled out. I stubbed my finger with the rocks beneath and came face to face with IT! 
Its eyes were large, brown bottle caps. 
Its nose, wet with goo protruding out one nostril. 
Its sharp, long teeth were white like a crescent moon. 
Its wooly fur was messy. 
Its breath was grueling, like onions mixed with ice cream. 
I almost fainted. 
And you know what that thing did? 
It licked my cheek and jumped on me!
 

    Maria A. Arana, Editor & Author

    Hi! Welcome to my blog where you'll find tidbits of interest to me, tips on writing, and publications. 

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