A Poet in the Family

DH (my darling husband) participated in a poetry reading in East Nashville last Friday. He read five of his poems, which were called “slice of life” poems by the head poetry guru. This means that the topic of life in the Parker household makes an occasional appearance, overtly or thinly-veiled. Some of this is flattering and some just plain truth, but since everyone gets a turn to make an appearance on occasion, it’s all good.

I had never attended a poetry reading before, so my first thought was I hope they like DH’s poetry and secondly, I wonder if poets are different from romance writers and children’s book writers. I consider most romance writers to be hard-core networkers, so when we gather at an RWA function, we usually start to work the room to greet our friends and meet new writers. At a gathering of children’s book writers, we talk about what we’re writing and the latest children’s books we have read. The poets were much more laid back, but maybe that’s because they were getting ready to perform.

The poetry reading was accompanied by instrumental guitarist, Charlie Rauh. Check out Charlie’s music here. I’m not sure if musical accompaniment is common at poetry readings, but we are in Music City, where great musicians are everywhere and it was a very nice addition to the evening.

Elements of RWA

I am a member of the Elements chapter of Romance Writers of America. Elements writers craft stories of all sorts: mainstream novels, fantasy, women’s fiction (like me) and mysteries. The one thing all of our books have in common is a dash or maybe even a heavy sprinkling of romance.

If you are a writer writing stories with romantic elements or a reader looking for some new authors to try out, check out the Elements of RWA website. Click here for an interview with the president of Elements, Barbara Burnham, on the Five Scribes blog this week.

History of the Valentine Card

The first written Valentines were shared in the 1400s.

In 19th century Britain, sending Valentines was popular.

In the 1840s, Esther Howland of Massachusetts (the Mother of the Valentine) sold the first hand-made Valentine cards in the United States. She based hers on British Valentines.

Today approximately 1 billion Valentines are sent each year. This includes cards exchanged in classroom parties.

To read more about the history of greeting cards, click here to view the site of the Greeting Card Association.

Writing Contests: Entering & Judging

For the first time in several years, I am entering my latest manuscript in several RWA contests. Why? For the feedback of course, but I’m also hoping to final and get a read from the final round judges, editors and agents. Contests seem like a good way for unagented writers to get manuscripts in the hands of editors. Then it is up to the story to sell itself.

I spent most of my writing day Wednesday judging entries for this year’s Golden Heart contest, Romance Writers of America’s annual contest for unpublished writers. I also judge contests for my local chapters. Reading the entries and seeing the different styles and stages of writing is a learning experience for me.

For unpublished writers of middle grade and young adult novels, Random House sponsors an annual contest for both groups. Click here for information.

For all the writers out there, do you find contests helpful, hurtful, a waste of time?