The End

I recently published my first edited book,  Labor of Love: A Literary Mama Staff Anthology ,  with  Small Harbor Publishing . It's an anthology of writing from  Literary Mama  staff over the past 20 years. It's a beautiful collection and I am proud of the writers and proud to share the book.  It seems a fitting moment, as I pondered sharing about the book here on the blog, to reflect on my life as a blogger, and acknowledge that it is time to officially end this blog.   I started blogging in about 2007, when my baby was learning to toddle, when I was learning how to be a mother and stepmother, when I was just starting to see my way as a writer. I needed it back then. I craved it. I had a variety of blog iterations--family, art, creativity, writing things I delved into. There's a freedom in blogging, a casualness, an easy familiarity that's lacking (for me anyway) in other kinds of writing. I loved blogging and the words came pouring out.  Over the years since then, some
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Haiku

In my recent Haiku phase, I found this awesome book at the library.  Haiku by Patricia Donegan. It's an arts and crafts book for kids, sort of.  It describe the basics of Haiku, how to write one, techniques for getting started, and then several activities for making more.  There are loads of examples from masters, and from kids around the world.  It also goes into haibun (haiku with story), haiga (drawing and haiku), and renga (linked poetry) and offers exercises for practicing all of them. 

This book is the epitome of why I like kid's books.  They lay it all out there plain and simple and even adults can figure it out.  You don't have to read a massive tome of information before getting out your pen and paper and trying out your new favorite form of expression.  You read a few pages, and then whether you are good or bad at it, you just do it. And, as they say, practice makes perfect.

Comments

Sue Heavenrich said…
I love this book - and recommend it for folks who are "kids at heart" who want to learn about writing haiku. Not only does it lay it out, but it gets you on your way. all you need to bring is a pencil.
May 19, 2012 at 7:47 AM
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