How to use this Page

Whew! Sorry for the late start, but it was nice to finally sleep in a little. Now that we’ve poemed, I’m looking forward to the next step, which is where poets pick five of their poems and send them in to me to read. I love this part, because I get to see all the different places poets have been with their words in April.

Click here to check out the original guidelines. Not much has changed.

If you just want the basics, here they are:

1. Pick your 5 favorite poems from April’s poeming.
2. Send those poems in the body of one e-mail message with the subject line: My April PAD Submission.
3. Be sure to include your name. You’d be surprised how many don’t each year.
4. Send e-mail to [email protected].
5. Get back to poeming or revising until I announce my top choices (shooting for the beginning of August).

By the way, we do prompt and poem here on Wednesdays during non-challenge months, and everyone is welcome. So if you’re new to Poetic Asides, feel free to drop in on Wednesdays.

Besides that, just have fun picking out your poems. I can’t wait to read them.

*****

Learn the 10 Essentials for Writing a Kick-Ass Novel…

…with the 10 Essentials for Writing a Kick-Ass Novel Premium Collection. This new bundle (available just for the month of May) combines 6 books, 3 webinars, and an independent study course into one kick-ass package that will definitely improve any novelist’s fiction writing arsenal–at any amazing discount!

Click to continue.

Well, this is it. Crazy as it seems to me, we’ve somehow reached the finish line on yet another poem-a-day challenge. Please tune in tomorrow for a list of instructions on turning in poems to be selected as the Poet Laureate or have a top poem for the month.

For today’s prompt, write a fade away poem. I’ll let you decide how to interpret what a fade away poem might cover.

Here’s my attempt:

“A Last Word”

Is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear
is what you want to hear…

*****

You’ve written the poems, now get them published…

…with the assistance of the 2012 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer (yes, the Poetic Asides guy).

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, take a favorite line or image from an earlier poem this month and re-work it into a new poem. This is a fun exercise that I’ve used to successfully write new poems in the past.

Here’s my attempt:

“Cloudy with a chance of line breaks”

We have a poem to write slash
poem, as if we could avoid
the way our pens hash and re-hash.
We have a poem to write slash
read, buying books with extra cash–
new words shining like brilliant toys.
We have a poem to write slash
poem, as if to cloud a void.

*****

Get social…

…with the Author Social Media Kit bundle for writers.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write a problem poem. The poem could be about a problem the narrator is suffering through, or someone else’s problem. Or a math problem.

Here’s my attempt:

“Still Burning”

And that’s a problem
because I don’t have any water
to put out the flames
or a flue
for the smoke
shooting out my mouth
without a way
to take it back.

*****

It’s your last chance…

…to get the Write Science Fiction & Fantasy premium collection. This is the heavily discounted bundle of science fiction & fantasy related writing instruction–books, webinars, and an independent study workshop.

Click to continue.

Before today’s prompt, I just wanted to say thank you to Poetic Asides regular Cara Holman for featuring me on her Poet Showcase series. It’s really an honor, and I always feel so lucky to be associated with so many talented poets. Click here to read the post.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “The Trouble Is (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of the poem, and then, write the poem. Example titles may include: “The Trouble Is You,” “The Trouble Is Figuring Out How to End This Poem,” or “The Trouble Is What I’m Always Finding.”

Here’s my attempt:

“The Trouble Is Fire”

It strikes and burns
everything
that gets in its
way before it
finally stops
leaving nothing
but ash and some
burnt memories.

*****

Learn when and how to self-publish…

…with this OnDemand webinar led by Meredith Barnes. It covers everything from how and when to do it to where and why to do it. Also, Barnes shares what to expect from your efforts.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write an animal poem. The poem can be about an animal, just reference an animal, or well, however you’d like to handle writing an animal poem.

Here’s my attempt:

“Horse”

What they called me in track,
I suppose, because of my speed
but also my long hair and steady
approach. Many people commented
how I never seemed to even try
as if I were born to run after
the smoke of a gun–and maybe
they were right–but you don’t get
to make anything look that easy
until you’ve killed yourself with practice.

*****

For today’s prompt, write a poem about a sport. Pick any sport you want. And yes, feel free to bend and stretch the rules as far as you wish.

Here’s my attempt:

“Cross”

In horse racing, there are horses
that prefer a sloppy track–one
covered in mud. My blood always
raced faster when we had a creek
to cross or rain. Something about
the rhythm of my hair against
my face, the heaviness of my
wet shoes and socks–drove me harder.

*****

For today’s prompt, we’re faced with the final Two-for-Tuesday prompt of the month, which means we’re faced with these two options:

1. Write a love poem.
2. Write an anti-love poem.

Here’s my attempt:

“Feelings”

In the morning, when we’re stumbling
like zombies through taking showers
or making lunches, I sometimes
vent about how tired I’m feeling,

even though we both know why our
young children slept more than us, but
our lack of sleep is always worth
understanding how we’re feeling.

*****

Publish Your Poetry…

…with the Publish Your Poetry bundle that is discounted at less than $30!

Click to learn more.

Somehow, we’ve only got a week left of poeming. So let it begin.

For today’s prompt, write a morning poem. The poem can be about the morning, take place during the morning, or however you want to work the morning in.

Here’s my attempt:

“I Never Hear the Alarm”

Always a hand on my shoulder
and a whisper, my dreams dissolve
as I search for the voice calling
me into the world, a voice
softer than feathers moved by breath
released from a sleeping baby,
so I might find it on her lips
and bury it with my kisses.

*****

Publish Your Poetry…

…with the Publish Your Poetry bundle that is discounted at less than $30!

Click to learn more.

For today’s prompt, write a judging poem. This is a poem that could be judging others, or it is a poem being judged. I realize there is the opportunity for feelings to get hurt with this poem–so please be mindful of language, subject matter, and personal attacks. (If any lines are crossed, please send me an e-mail at [email protected], but I’m hoping everyone can be respectful and still handle this prompt creatively.)

Here’s my attempt:

“what say you”

yes or no,
maybe maybe so–
a circle
and a kiss
dreaming you will select this
anything but no.

*****

Publish Your Poetry…

…with the Publish Your Poetry bundle that is discounted at less than $30!

Click to learn more.

For today’s prompt, write an under the microscope poem. By that, the poem could be about something actually under the microscope–like single-cell organisms or leaves–or it could be more like “being under the microscope” in other people’s eyes.

Here’s my attempt:

“Blood Work”

Every vein, every blood vessel,
every electron orbiting its
nucleus–I was never the white blood
cell you expected. When all the data
flooded back from the laboratory,
what was I but an injured molecule
passing into your heart and out again.

*****

Exclusive Publish Your Poetry Bundle!

The Publish Your Poetry bundled kit includes excerpts from Beginning Writer’s Answer Book and Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, along with the 2012 Poet’s Market, edited by yours truly. But the really cool thing is that the complete package actually costs less than the retail price on the Poet’s Market alone. So great savings!

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Let’s (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write your poem. Example titles might include: “Let’s Fly a Kite,” “Let’s Party,” “Let’s Forget About That Last Poem I Wrote That Was a  Little Too Personal,” etc.

Here’s my attempt:

“Let’s Poem”

We’ll meet in the twilight
our nets propped on shoulders
to catch lines like fireflies
working into the night.

*****

Author Social Media Kit

Check out this amazing bundle that includes four OnDemand webinars and the ultimate social media guide for writers, Get Known Before the Book Deal.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write a life event poem. By life event poem, I mean a poem that takes place at or describes a life event, such as a wedding, birth, death, graduation, etc. There are so many possibilities.

Here’s my attempt:

“Birthday”

Every year, you come;
every year, I go
and do something stupid
to myself. Maybe I’ll
think twice before getting
out of bed when you come
visiting me this year.

*****

Today is a Two for Tuesday prompt day. Here they are:

1. Write a science fiction poem.
2. Write a fantasy poem.

Here’s my attempt:

“Invasions”

First, robots,
then came aliens
with ray guns,
more robots,
and “coming in peace,” though we
couldn’t believe them.

*****

For today’s prompt, use the following five words in your poem: slash, button, mask, strap, and balloon. Use them in any order.

Here’s my attempt:

“Write/Poem”

Clear the balconies and strap your masks on:
we have a poem to write slash poem–
to carry like a balloon or to wear
like a button for all others to see.

*****

Before you jump into today’s prompt, please check out this WD Poetic Form Challenge: Tanka post. Every month or so, I offer a poetic form challenge that usually has a quick turnaround time, but the winning poem and poet is featured in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And it’s completely free to participate! Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write an unlucky poem. Today is Friday the 13th, and I think it’s the perfect opportunity to wax poetic about anything and everything unlucky.

Here’s my attempt:

“Lovesick B.”

My baby said yes
when I was saying no;
she said speed up
when I was going slow;
my girl wanted space
when I finally had room;
she swept me away
and handed me the broom.

*****

Start making real money as a freelance writer!

Learn how with The Writer’s Guide to Freelancing Kit, which goes beyond the normal ways of getting published and uncovers the keys to earning a freelance income as a ghostwriter, business writer, and more.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, pick a season (any season) and make it the title of your poem; then, write your poem. For instance, your poem might be titled “Winter” or “Spring” or “Rabbit Season” (if you have a sense of humor and like Looney Tunes cartoons).

Here’s my attempt:

“Autumn”

even leaves
pretend they don’t care
releasing
from their trees
and letting the wind take them
wherever it will

*****

What’s the secret to getting published?

Learn the answer with the Secrets to Getting Published Kit from Writer’s Digest, which includes webinars, books, and more.

Click to continue.

Okay; we’re somehow already a third of the way through April. How did that happen?

Today’s “Two-for-Tuesday” prompts are:

1. Write a Forest poem.
2. Write a Tree poem.

You can literally write about a forest. Or you can literally write about a tree. Or you can dive right into the metaphor separating the two. Your choice. Get creative with it.

Here’s my attempt:

“Trees”

They often blend together
when they’re packed together
like that. I mean, one branch
bends around another and
another but not touching,
save when the wind blows hard.
I mean, it’s hard to pick
a favorite–until I find
one so twisted and unique
that I want to live inside
it or build a house beside
the tree beside the stream
that carries my thoughts to you.
I mean, you’re always on my mind.

*****

Want feedback on your picture book?

Do you write children’s picture books? Would you like feedback on your manuscript? Then, you should check out Writer’s Digest’s 2nd Draft critique service for picture book writers.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write a shady poem. I’ll leave the interpretation of this prompt up to you. It could be a poem that includes shadows and/or shading. It could be about a shady part of town or a shady person. Or well, something else.

Here’s my attempt:

“Shady spot”

Beneath every tree
is a shadow ready
to keep a reader and
book safe from the bright sun
on a lazy summer
day when the whole world
just wants a gentle breeze
to chase the heat away.

******

Write Your Query Letter & Novel Proposal…

…with the assistance of this independent study program, which covers how the publishing process works, what literary agents do, how to format manuscripts for submission, how to find the right markets for your work, and so much more.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, write a rejected poem. Despite some acceptances, many of my poems have been rejected for submission over the years–but that’s not quite what I mean by rejected poem. I’m more interested in poems that work the idea of rejection into the poem somehow. This could take the form of a poet lamenting rejection, though also a rejected friend or student or whatever.

Here’s my attempt:

“When”

the seasons gather & twist me
& murder me & betray me when
you say, “no. please no,” even as
the sun says, “yes,” & the moon says,
“yes,” & the stars & the snow &
rain & puddles & birds & leaves
falling from trees or falling from me
as you say, “no. not now. never.”

*****

Write a Mystery or Thriller…

…with the assistance of the Writing Mysteries and Thrillers Kit, which includes webinars, books, and more.

Click to continue.

Wow! Somehow, we’re already a week into this year’s challenge. That seems impossible, but we’re there.

For today’s prompt, write a poem describing a scene in which two or more people interact without speaking. Such moments happen every day. Some are happy; some are sad; and some are angry.

Here’s my attempt:

“Where It Counts”

As the editor makes more copies
without counting them, the office
manager huffs into the supply room
and yanks open a cabinet before
slamming it back closed. Then, she sighs
as if the world has mounted her back
and pushed all the air from her lungs,
but the editor rolls his eyes and keeps
running out copies. He knows only
too well that paper does grow on trees.

*****

Write an amazing story!

Many stories live and die by one simple storytelling element: Structure (or lack of it). Power Structure – Boxed Edition is the ultimate story structure software available to screenwriters, novelists, and other storytellers.

Click to continue.

I hope the challenge has been giving you plenty to write so far. I can’t believe I’m already 6 poems deep into April (and today’s poem is probably my favorite up to this point).

For today’s prompt, write a hiding poem. You could be hiding. Someone else could be hiding. Something could be hidden. Or maybe there could even be a hidden meaning. I’m flexible with any interpretations poets want to put on the prompt. Have at it.

Here’s my attempt:

“Too Quiet”

There are times
the silence

pulls my pulse
out of me

and fills my
heart with blood

so that it
feels likely

to explode
in my chest

but then I
find little

Will hiding
and laughing

it up in
a corner

and I feel
glad to be

alive and
have a boy

who knows how
properly

to mess with
his old man.

*****

Book Publishing Options Today: What’s Right for You?
by Kelly James-Enger

Full-time freelancer Kelly James-Enger covers topics such as what the various publishing options are for writers, which ones are best in which circumstances, the fastest way to publish your book, and more.

Click to continue.

For today’s prompt, take the phrase, “100% (blank);” replace the blank with a new word or phrase; make the new phrase the title of your poem; and then, write your poem. Example titles might include: “100% Beef,” “100% Cotton,” “100% Awesome,” “100% Etc.”

Here’s my attempt:

“100% Poem”

Start with an incredible metaphor
that takes the breath from angels
and break your lines at random
angles to keep your readers off-balance,
if not interested at least confused

(possibly amused), and then,
drop an obscure reference to a line
in a poem by a poet that most
readers have never heard of
because that is how you roll

through your poetics and spin politics
as a web that holds together in one
age to the next, which basically means
it’s human–because while
everything around us

changes in dramatic ways
we–the humans–struggle the same, and it
helps to hear that voice who knows
we want to always do better than this.

*****

12 Weeks to a First Draft!

Yes, in just 12 weeks, you can have a solid first draft of a novel with this independent study course. Unlike just throwing a bunch of words together and calling it a draft, this course will help writers have a very strong base from which to make revisions.

Click to continue.

We got off to a fast start yesterday, which is great! Now, let’s jump into Day 2. (Also, if you left any comments that needed moderated yesterday, they should now be approved.)

For today’s prompt, write a visitor poem. The poem can be from the point of view of a visitor–or the people receiving the visitor. The visitor could be expected or unexpected. The visitor could be welcome or unwelcome. The visitor doesn’t even have to be human.

Here’s my attempt:

“Vile Villains of Villainy”

I balanced on the balcony
barely able to breathe for fear
of the freakish ghosts and goblins
gathering as a symphony
of ghastly and ghoulish groaning
gained momentum in the foyer–
the freaky, frightening foyer–
from whence I heard cackles and cat
calls clambering up stairways with
hideous hoots and howls of, “trick
or treat, smell my feet, give me–give
me, give me–something good to eat.”

*****

 Get Started in Writing…

…with the Getting Started in Writing Independent Study Course. This course will lead beginning writers through the process of learning their writing interests, discovering new genres, learning basic techniques to improve general writing ability, and plenty more.

Click to continue.

And so it begins! Today is the first day of the 5th annual April PAD (Poem-A-Day) Challenge on Poetic Asides. I can’t believe we’re turning five!

For today’s prompt, write a communication poem. The communication could be dialogue between two (or more people); a postcard correspondence; a letter; a voicemail; a text message; a series of tweets; or whatever. Heck, I guess a poem is a form of communication–so there’s really no way to screw up today’s prompt (outside of writing nothing at all). Let’s get this party started!

Here’s my attempt:

“An Urgent Message”

Respond now or we’ll send murderous
marauders to your house at midnight
who will kill you–leaving your children
and parents with nothing. All will be
lost. Cunning cats will prowl alleyways
as your grieving (and groveling) leftovers
wander the earth wondering why you could
do so little to protect them. You, who
received urgent messages and important
notices and special offers, threw
every correspondence into the garbage
can as if all we tried to offer were junk.

*****

Create an Author Website in 24 Hours or Less
OnDemand Webinar by Jane Friedman

In today’s publishing environment, there’s no way around the fact that an author must have their own website. Luckily, there are experts in the field, such as e-media guru Jane Friedman, who are ready to help writers understand the ins and outs of creating a successful author website–as opposed to one that just collects cyber dust. This webinar includes 5 design tools that will enable writers to create amazing websites for free with no coding required, absolute must-haves for author sites, the difference between a blog and website, how to add multimedia to sites, and more!

Click here to learn more.