Tag Archives: writing

Jun12

Performances and upcoming schedule (oh, and WHY CAN’T I WRITE?!?)

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It’s been a busy time of it these past couple of months. Many performances in the books, and I still have a couple of more coming up.

On May 29th, I had the privilege of performing in Cincinnati at Word of Mouth. Mark Flannigan puts on a heck of a show. The crowd was very welcoming and I felt really good on stage. I performed from I Speak Hick, and Fully Formed. 

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This past weekend, I was honored to perform at the Columbus Arts Festival at the Word is Art stage. I performed a couple of pieces from Fully Formed, and a lot of new work from 2018’s 30/30 in April. Besides the heat, it was a really great show. There were a lot of wonderful poets performing, and it was an all-women lineup. That doesn’t happen too often. I was proud to be a part of that.

 

And now I’m on break until later this month when I’ll be performing at Comfest (Community Festival) on June 23rd. That’s always a fun show, and the poetry is very good.  In July, I head to Akron to perform, and then I’m off for a few months. Maybe between now and some of these other performances I can actually get something written.

I haven’t written more than two poems since the end of National Poetry Month. I feel rather pathetic about that. I have not one ounce of imagination, right now. I know, I know… Write every day! you say. I get that. I even tried that, but all that came out was I dont’ know what to write, I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write.  Guess what? I don’t know what to write and it hurts. I’m reading, listening to music, fitting in my jogging and working out, and … nothing. That blinking cursor against the white field of possibility mocks me. I don’t know what is possible, right now. I hope I figure it out soon.

May7

Rejection… and an opened door

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I recieved a(nother) rejection email last night. No biggie, I’m used to it. They did open the door to discussing my work in further detail. Would I take them up on that offer?

Damn right, I would.

It’s so rare to find a publisher who is willing to give personalized feedback on your work. I’m absolutely going to avail myself to the opportunity to make my work better and possibly get published with them.

I’m getting downright serious with these publishers. If they want something changed, I’ll change it. If they open the door for giving feedback, I’ll take the feedback. I have worked my way into getting two submissions published by listening to what an editor wanted. I got published by asking whether I can submit again with edits. I got published because I communicated.

It never hurts to ask an editior for feedback if they open the door. You just might get the feedback you need to find that poem a home. 

May4

Alexis-Rueal is Up and Running!

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Book collection

Hello Poets and Poetry Lovers! After a couple of year hiatus, I have decided to bring the blog back up. Here, you will find out about work that is getting published as well as any performance or video information. There might be a photo or two of the goldendoodle interspersed throughout.

I’ll update my performance schedule monthly.  I’ll add any work accepted for publication as they are published.

I hope you enjoy the blog, and I’ll catch you later!

May11

Performance updates for the rest of May and early June… and an apology.

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Hot diggity, ladies and gents.  Had the BIGGEST surprise this week.  They finally posted the Columbus Arts Fest schedule and I found out that I placed SECOND in the overall competition. That means a 40 minute set on June 2nd at the Word is Art Stage. I go on right after one of my poetry idols, the great Rose Smith, who placed third and gets a 35 minute feature; and right before the winner of the Arts Fest competition, Joanna Schroeder, who will have a 50 minute feature.

Before that, though, I still have my 15 minute feature on Friday the 18th, for the Writer’s Block all -nighter; and it looks like I will be part of a haiku deathmatch on Saturday, the 19th. Gotta school me some folks. 😉

It’s amazing, this past year in Columbus. I remember talking to a friend (friend, teacher, slammaster, poet extraordinaire), and telling him that I had three main goals for my first couple years or so in Columbus: 1. Continue to get published. 2. Make Arts Fest. 3. Make a National Slam Event within two years.

What can I say? Two out of three in the first year isn’t too shabby. I still have work to do Slam-wise.

As to Slamming…

I pretty much had a mini-breakdown after the Grand Slam for the National Team in mid-April.  I came in last. Some outstanding poets (Vernell Bristow, Hanif Abdurraqib, Gina Blaurock and Rose Smith) made the team and will represent Writer’s Block very well in Charlotte this year.  But I admit, fully, that I did not handle coming in last well.

I was tired. I was grumpy. I was fed up with coming in last or near last A LOT.  And so I grumbled. I doubted myself. I wondered if poetry was my thing after all. I alienated people. I ended up weepy and whiny.

And I’m sorry for it.

I try to be the “noble” poet, doing it for the art, etc. You know, that old chestnut. But I admit, I’m human… and sometimes my humanity overwhelms my nobility.  I really wanted to make that team. I wanted to make top 4, EARN my way to the team– NOT beat other people… I don’t think of it that way. I love these people too much to think that way.  I just wanted to be a part of something big and remarkable. And it really stung to know I have to wait another year to try again.  I have spent a lot of time waiting in my life… especially during my marriage.  It just really sucked the life out of me for about a week after the slam, and I wasn’t a good human being. And I really didn’t love poetry for awhile.  I tell you,  I wish I could take it back.

But, I learned that I have to get better. I learned that Imma gonna have to work HARD–especially going up against these poets here in Columbus. I have to make my language rock hard and razor sharp. And I have to learn to enjoy it again. I have to write for me again.  And I have to please myself with my words first and foremost. I won’t please anyone else if I don’t do that.

So, I am set to write this weekend. Formed poetry, free verse, it doesn’t matter. I just want to write.  Create something new and (hopefully) eloquent. And I want to have fun. And I will.