Confession Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Time to 'fess up! Share your confessions here, and don't forget to check in on the sinners doin' time in The Confessional.


 

True confession: I never thought confessions would be a long-running prompt, for lack of a better word. But I enjoy the chance to be a little more real than I do on most days, and I appreciate all of you who come by to chat. Thank you!

****

I'm working a flexible summer schedule at my college, which means my hours are 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with Fridays off. So that means I'm up at 5, out of the house by 6:15, home by 6 p.m.—if traffic flows in my favor. Last night, I was so tired I conked out at 9:30 with my clothes still on. Ugh. By the end of the week, I'll appreciate the extra day. But for now, it's draining.

****

Because of my summer schedule, I haven't found my writing rhythm. I like writing in the evenings, but I go, go, go with the kids until 8. We did manage to make tacos and roast marshmallows in our backyard, so I can't complain too much.

****

Whenever I complain about how I can't find the time to write, I think of poet Lucille Clifton putting together her first book with six young children to raise. Then this little voice inside of me says, "Suck it up. Get to it." And, I do. (Maybe I'm channeling Miss Lucille!)

****

Last Saturday at the Salem Arts Festival's open mike, I gave a lousy performance. I only read two poems, yet flubbed lines in both poems. Admittedly, I changed my selection when I arrived based on the crowd—which I think all poets should change their selections to meet the mood of the crowd.

I tend to talk about the good readings I give, but occasionally, I give one I wish I could take back. And while my friend and fellow poets said they hardly noticed, I did. My focus wasn't there. All of this I'll take in and use at my next reading in two weeks, which happens to be at Bryant Park in NYC. *Gulp* I have 20 minutes to read, so you better believe I'll practice before the event.

****

The Bryant Park reading is the start of a few magical things happening for me ahead of my book's release in the fall. Reminds me that there is a silver lining in everything.

Comments

susan said…
Ah, but you're out there. Readers want to hear you and you have a fall release!

My confession is up.
Writer Bug said…
Congrats January! Reading in Bryant Park is amazing! When will you be there? I'll be in NY one weekend in July, and I'd love it to coincide with your reading! And I know just what you mean about letting yourself get to be more real. It's so refreshing. I would love to figure out a way to make that my norm.
Catherine said…
Twenty minutes is a lot of poems! Wish I could be there to hear you.
Anonymous said…
oooh! magical happenings. of course, of course. it's from all the positive energy you've cultivated for years and years and all the work you've done: the harvesting, the magical magical happenings. congrats!
January said…
Thanks Carolee! I need all the magic I can master these days.
January said…
Catherine, whatever the time is, I read half as many poems. So I'll read 10-12 poems in 20 minutes. Works for me every time, and it's easier for the to wrap my head around rather than trying to fill the time.
January said…
Thanks Bug. The reading is June 23. Don't suppose you can make two trips to NYC?
January said…
Thanks for the kind words, Susan. Good thing poetry crowds are forgiving.
Thinking Aloud said…
These are my confessions...
And I will be back to comment.
Thinking Aloud said…
I wish that I were in NY for the Bryant Park reading, but I will miss it. Despite what they say, New Yorkers can be a friendly lot, especially when they are listening to poetry:)

I am sure that you will be great.

Popular Posts