Get Back

I’ve been away awhile, mostly researching and doing everything possible NOT to go out and be distracted from the book. But I’ve found that returning to a weekly poetry reading keeps me focused and offers the structure and routine I thrive on.  Ironic, because the way I’ve always conceived my material is following whatever unpaved gravel path my mind takes me. 

I’ve also learned far too late the benefits of networking with writers and other sympatico people. When I was offered a small tuition fellowship to Summer Literary Seminars in St. Petersburg, Russia, I planned my journey down to the number of toilet paper rolls in my backpack. This was an investment; it was an oppportunity. It was the furthest from home I’d ever been and another chance at travel would be a long time in coming. I hit the Hermitage; I hit the Russian Museum, I went to every class and reading and event offered. The last thing on my list of priorities was socializing with people I’d never see again after the two weeks were up.  Yet some of us correspond occasionally by e-mail, and I’ve resorted to looking them up on Facebook and MySpace.

What I think I’m saying is that I want to make communication with other writers and artists part of my routine.