Carolee Bennett –> poet. artist. crankypants.
Now in my 50s, I am (both IRL and in writing life) thinking about comfort over appearance. What would it mean to let go of the idea of pretty or sexy or cute? What would it look like to write what I like — “acceptance” be damned?
If you want to be a writer, absolutely surround yourself with people who admire and support what you’re doing. But understand it starts with you. You have to care. You have to take care. You have to be there for the work and for yourself.
POETRY PROMPTS / Simple, straightforward prompts to use as inspiration for this year’s poem-a-day extravaganza!
In which I learn what I already knew: Being a writer and artist means practicing. It also helps to play — and celebrate small wins along the way!
The new approach is like sensible shoes: not quite as sexy but less pain, more mileage. At least that’s the idea. And so far, so good! I’ve been keeping up with art and writing by doing at least one small thing each day, and it’s helping me reconstruct the idea of myself as a poet and artist.
I started publishing on TikTok to create and support literary community and have a little fun along the way. In that same spirit, I want to share some intel with you — what I’ve found there (so far) in terms of poetry community and how I personally use the platform.
POETRY PROMPT / I introduce three poems by Ruth Madievsky — “Electron,” “Wormhole” and “Tuning Fork” — and invite you to use them as inspiration for your own drafts.