AND THE WINNER IS . . .

Okay, April is National Poetry Month and I had to celebrate with a poetry contest.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved so many of them I had my husband and daughter read them and vote for their first, second and third place winners. They both had the Grand Prize winner in their top three. Then, the first runner up was my daughter's second place choice, and the 2nd runner up was my husband's second place choice.

Honorable mentions for making the top three are: Barry Napier's AS THE DOCTOR WRITES(my daughter voted this as third place) and Ben Clanton's IN THE NIGHT THEY COME, was in my husband's list.

Before I announce the Prize winners. . .

I feel like we need a commercial break or . . . some sort of pause, so here it is:

I've always loved poetry. Poe was one of my favorites when I was growing up. And, I even wrote my first manuscript (of poems) when I was in grade school. I sent it in to an editor at Random House.

He wrote me back a full page letter, returning my poems with the rejection. I had no idea how special that letter was. I wish I knew where it was now. I'd love to look back and read it.

So, all you writers out there, I've been being rejected for decades but I still love to write.

And to be fair, since I know some of you cyber-friends out there, I asked my husband to pick the winners.

There are:

Grand Prize Winner (which means he/she gets to pick the first prize):

Jean Hall's LISTENING

1st Runner Up: Kathryn Fitzmaurice's GOODBYE SWEET SWALLOW

2nd Runner Up: Bob Schechter's QUESTION

Please pick the prize package you would like, make three choices so that I can get you each one of your top three. I will give Jean her first choice, since she was the Grand Prize Winner - look at the list of books and make your pick. Email your choice to me at kasch5 at comcast dot net

THANKS AGAIN FOR PLAYING!!! And Happy Poetry Month!

Carmen Bernier-Grand - Frida Kahlo

Variety is the Spice of Life

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) sponsored Award winning Carmen Bernier-Grand to come and speak to a group of writers about how to bring diversity to life in writing on Saturday, April 4th at 11:30 a.m. at the Village Gateway Apartments.

Carmen has traveled all over the world and she didn’t just speak about ethnic differences, she spoke about writing in different formats, genres and styles to flavor your writing with a variety of emotions.

She spoke about the people who gave her opportunities in the publishing world and networking. She said one of the best ways to network is to join the SCBWI and attend as many conferences, functions and get-togethers as you can.

These SCBWI events provide perfect opportunities to meet editors, agents and other writers. People you meet at conferences may not have an immediate impact on your life—but you never know.

Ellen Dodson facilitated a group critique meeting of first page manuscripts.

This was a free presentation, with snacks and drinks that were also free, and FREE is a very good price.



At the end, Carmen had all the writers play a little game and she gave away books to the winners.

It was a great way to spend a morning--even if we were indoors when the sun was out - which is a rare thing to see that giant orange and yellow orb in the sky around Portland at this time of year.

COME BACK AROUND 3:00 P.M. TO SEE WHO THE WINNERS OF THE POETRY CONTEST ARE

EXTREME . . . sheep?...

This is a fun little thing:



And it's the last day to post a poem to my contest. So, come on post a rhyme - there isn't much time. You have nothing to fear - just post it here

A NEW MEANING TO "GOING GREEN" - EARTH FRIENDLY FRIDAY

Okay, I want to be green, green as a tree

But this gives new meaning to "Going Green"
check it out here.

Hope that gave you a Friday Smile :)

And, on to more Earth-Friendly Friday tidbits:

There are so many nontoxic things you can use to keep your house clean, your children safe and your pets happy. Check here for EarthEasy ways.

Did you know vinegar can clean windows, is a great shampoo rinse, and can cool sunburns? Well it can do all that and more.

Plus, if you want to clean-up some prizes and take them home,
post your own little poem,

right here.

ANSWER TO THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY- POE'S POEMS

Answer to Thought for Thursday: 1120 poems. If you want to read more, check it out here.

THOUGHT FOR THURSDAY - POE

This is one of those things that makes you say, "Hummm"

POE(M) - they obviously are linked together?

QUESTION: How many poems did Edgar Allen Poe Have Published?

Take a guess and then come back around 3:00 p.m. to see if you're right.

And remember, there's still time to post your own poem HERE - prizes are to be given away.

Writer's Market Challenge - April is National Poetry Month

APRIL POEM-A-DAY CHALLENGE

In April, Writer's Market will be leading a poem-a-day challenge at the Poetic Asides blog. Last year, more than 400 poets posted more than 4,000 poems during the month of April. This year, the participation may be even greater for two reasons: possible publication and well-known poet guest judges.

Anyone who completes the poem-a-day challenge for the month of April will receive a certificate and an online badge (for display on your blog or website) like last year. But this year, we'll also be publishing the top 50 poems from the month in a free eBook designed by F+W Media's own wonderful designers.

That's sweet enough, but 30 of those top 50 poems will be selected by 30 well-published poets, including Mark Doty, Marilyn Nelson, Patricia Smith, S.A. Griffin, Alex Lemon, Dorianne Laux, and 24 others.

Participation is free. All you have to do is show up to the Poetic Asides blog on April 1, write a poem a day, and have a great time. Go to http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides to learn more.