I am a writer whose muse is language.

My indulgence is journalism and poetry, both of which I utilize as a neo-duo I’ve coined,
“curious creativity.”

Information need not be reportage-rote and stagnant to intrigue, nor must poetry “end rhyme”  to narrative emotion that transcends human condition. Creative lyrics, when written well, should invite language to long-leap.

I enjoy writing about people of intrigue and subjects often overlooked or underrepresented. Likewise, I enjoying penning poems that defy form in verse, employ literary devices including meter, slant/off rhyme, assonance, metaphor, or anything I may choose to gently encourage a poem to “do.” A poet I know would read the latter and respond: poems don’t do, poems be. People do.

I am a people who “poetic do-be.”

I currently reside in Jacksonville, Florida, but miss the northeast a great deal. I am in constant, internal debate over my love for the sun and beach versus the varied cultural outlets, infectious pace, and good cheese the northeast offers. I’m specifically talking about the Italian Market in Philadelphia (PA) where I earned a B.A. degree in Journalism and furthered studies at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Upon completing two years of writing residencies with some fine, fine, fine writing instructors, attending oft boring and hip faculty readings, perusing Harvard Square, and ultimately learning that I didn’t know “JACK” about line breaks, they awarded me a M.F.A. in Creative Writing.  Funny how that worked out!

In defense of the M.F.A. degree, it was much more intense and required interdisciplinary study of fiction, non-fiction, Children’s literature, and more. One of my most memorable experiences was a course titled, “Interviewing the Author,” and a hellacious stint at Andrew Jackson Elementary School where I served as Poet-In-Residence to fulfill a interdisciplinary project. The M.F.A. pursuit is not for the meek, but rather for those driven by creative instinct who are willing to learn more, hear more about what they need to learn more, and absolutely for those who are willing to write more and write “mo’ betta.”

I’ve decided that surviving cancer requires one to seek new and innovative ways to pursue passion.  As a result, I have launched out into the deep and now write full-time because after all, I am a writer.

This 2011 year, I participated in a Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop. It was instrumental in helping me develop a strategic plan for my writing. I am focused, goal oriented, special project directed and more determined then I ever have been. Colleagues give me alot of sarcastic flack about the latter: “One workshop did all of that?”

Here’s the thing, nothing or no one can put the fire under your butt and inspire you to just, “do the doggone thing.” It wasn’t just the workshop, it was spending three, intense days with like-minded artists, writing down long and short-term goals, participating in positive discourse, and being inspired by accomplished artists who have proven that there is “capital” out there to allow one to seriously pursue art. One must simply be creative, eager, and above all, willing. There is no magic wand (or workshop).

Additionally, I was a journalist selected to attend the Minority Writer’s Seminar sponsored by the National Board of Editorial Writers in April. Again, it was another action-packed weekend of growth and learning and debate and fun. I believe you HAVE to fun to keep your passion from flat-lining. Show me an artist with a dream who never laughs and I’ll show you a politician (rim shot).

The latter writer’s seminar taught me so much about how to temper and express opinion and further develop “voice.” I am a loud woman with a whole lot to say, and I am constantly looking for new areas to diversify my writing. Actually,

I just look forward to writing.

P