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The 2014 November PAD (Poem-A-Day) Chapbook Challenge results are in, and I can’t wait to share the winner. I always shoot for Groundhog Day to make the big announcement, but I don’t always hit that mark. The only reason I’m a day off this time around is that the competition was so fierce.
A little more than 100 chapbook manuscripts were entered, and many of them would’ve been in the running as a finalist in previous years. It made for great reading, but it also made for great anxiety in figuring out finalists–let alone a winner!
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2015 Poet’s Market
Publish your poetry!
Get the most trusted guide to publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market!
Edited by Robert Lee Brewer, this edition of Poet’s Market includes articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Plus, interviews with poets and original contemporary poems. Oh yeah, and hundreds of poetry publishing opportunities, including book publishers, chapbook publishers, magazines, journals, online publications, contests, and so much more!
Click to continue.
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It was tough to pick a winner, but pick a winner I did: A Good Passion, by Barbara Young.
Congratulations, Barbara!
Here are a few poems from A Good Passion:
“About the Language and Inevitable Death,” by Barbara Young
Once upon a time
and this is before you
or I or your mother or
the dry disappearing women
who live under bridges
were born, words –some
words– had different meanings
than today’s.
Night, for instance.
And Alone. Alone, alone
could fill all the space between all the yellow cities
on the map with
hollow, a hollow more empty than the echo
of the emptiest of moved from homes, dust
where the dresser was, a penny, half a toothpick.
But we use ancestors’ words
to name the things we know. And call the yellow
night sky black. And say he died
and went to hell.
“Jericho Road,” by Barbara Young
Blind Bartimaus, they called him
before the miracle.
What was he, to himself, after?
I lost weight once.
Never in my own mind, though.
Gained back more.
And never became that person,
revised, either. Tell me
Blind man, about the aftermath
of your miracle.
“XX,” by Barbara Young
A kiss
so sweet I
hit
repeat
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Again, congratulations, Barbara!
But wait! There’s more!
I have, of course, picked a few other chapbooks to recognize as well. While I could list more than a dozen that gave A Good Passion a run for its money, here are the Top 5 chapbooks, including the winner:
- A Good Passion, by Barbara Young
- A Nest of Shadormas, by William Preston
- The Staircase Before You, by Jess(i)e Marino
- Lives Other Than Our Own, by James Von Hendy
- 1991 Winter, by Marilyn Braendeholm
Congratulations to all the finalists! And to everyone who entered!
I often receive notes of success from poets who’ve entered these challenges and found success with their poems–both individually and as collections–elsewhere. I expect great things from the poems and collections submitted this year!
And remember: the 2015 April PAD Challenge is just around the corner!
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He enjoyed the 2014 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, and he is looking forward to the 2015 April PAD Challenge!
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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Find more poetic posts here:
Okay, here are the next steps for this challenge. Before you dive into them, click here to read the original guidelines for the challenge.
Step One: Write the Poems
We accomplished this step during the month of November. We have 30 prompts to prove it.
Step Two: Revise the Poems
This step is optional, though I highly encourage taking a look over your first drafts and playing around with them in December.
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Click to continue.
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Step Three: Collect the Poems
I’m looking for 10-20 pages of poems. Not more than one poem per page, though it’s okay to have more than one page per poem. If you wrote every day in the challenge, this means you’re going to have to make tough decisions about which poems to include.
A couple recommendations:
- Look for quality first. That’s what I’ll be looking for first.
- Search for a theme. It might be a storyline, common subjects, a voice, a mood, etc. Not necessary, but this can make a collection stronger.
Step Four: Format the Manuscript
I’m really not too picky here, but I do want all the poems in the same file. There are few things that irk me more than receiving 20 individual files.
Here are a few guidelines:
- 10- to 12-point font like Arial or Times New Roman (or something simple like that) is prefered. In other words, nothing too fancy.
- 1″ margins–give or take.
- .doc, .docx, .txt files are my favorites. But if you’re unable to do those, .pdf can work too.
- Please include your name and contact information.
- Please include a title for the manuscript.
- Table of Contents is not mandatory, but it’s a nice touch.
- Feel free to include a bio–but I’ve never used a bio to guide my judging.
Also, I won’t accept/consider manuscripts that include more than 20 poems with instructions that I pick my favorites. That’s not how this challenge works. You’re the poet; you need to make the artistic decisions.
Step Five: Submit the Manuscript
Submit manuscripts to [email protected] with the subject line: 2014 November PAD Chapbook Challenge. I have a very busy inbox–so the e-mail subject line is very, very important. Very. Deadline: January 7, 2015.
Step Six: Wait for Judging
My goal is to make a decision by Groundhog Day. February 2, 2015. If I hit that goal, we may have an early spring.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He’s looking forward to the submissions this year.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write a same poem. I guess it could be the same old poem, but it could be a completely different poem that looks at a person or thing or system that is still the same. Or maybe a poem about how all people are the same. Or take the “same” concept and show how things are not the same. And that opens up a universe of possibilities.
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2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
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Here’s my attempt at a Same poem:
“popsicle”
a popsicle does not stay the same
if you remove it from the freezer
especially on a hot summer day
when it immediately starts to melt
either on your fingers or within
its packaging that will eventually
contain sugary water and a stick
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He is a fan of popsicles, especially orange.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, you have two options:
- Write a love poem.
- Write an anti-love poem.
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2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
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Here’s my attempt at a Love and/or Anti-Love poem:
“poem”
every word & image has a target
audience & every line break
is meant to entice & move you
to reach out for the next phrase
how i love you & ache for your
return that moment when you
lift me up & read yourself
into me what i beg you to do
when you find yourself
completely alone with me
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He began with love poems–so he always brings them along for every challenge.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “I’ll Be (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “I’ll Be Back,” “I’ll Be Late for Dinner,” and “I’ll Be a Monkey’s Uncle.”
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2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
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Here’s my attempt at an I’ll Be Blank poem:
“I’ll Be a Poet”
and pull the stars from the sky
before turning them into elephants
stampeding through the suburbs
or perhaps I’ll fall asleep & dream
of a house on fire covered in lightning
bugs that all ascend together
on cue & silently lift up through
the clouds that just as silently part
to reveal the fireflies as the stars
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He grew up chasing fireflies and watching sunsets turn into the night sky.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write an alone poem. Some people covet “alone time.” Others prefer not to be left alone. Many like a certain balance. But this doesn’t have to just be about people. Maybe a forest wishes to be left alone, or there is a product left alone on a store shelf (how the children’s story “Corduroy” begins).
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2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
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Here’s my attempt at an Alone poem:
“gadgets”
as long as I have my internet connection
& smart phone I have this feeling that I can’t
possibly be alone. I consider going into hiding
until I remember my faith & the fact that even
before the internet I was never alone & ditching
all my gadgets & connections won’t change that.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has moments when he feels alone–like anyone–but then he usually comes to his senses. He’s thankful for the community of poets here that help lift each other up throughout the month and year.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write a release poem. Maybe somebody’s being released from prison or a contract. Maybe a person is signing a release form. There’s emotional and physical release. Animals capturing and releasing other animals. Trees releasing leaves in autumn. And so on.
*****
2015 Poet’s Market
Get your poetry published!
Learn how to get your poetry published with the premiere book on publishing your poetry: the 2015 Poet’s Market, edited by Robert Lee Brewer.
This essential resource includes hundreds of listings for book publishers, magazines, journals, contests, grants, and so much more. Plus, there are articles on the craft of poetry, business of poetry, and promotion of poetry. Beyond that, there’s an hour-long webinar, a subscription to the poetry slice of WritersMarket.com, original poems, poet interviews, resources galore, and more-more-more!!!
Click to continue.
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Here’s my attempt at a Release poem:
“in words, no”
but I’m afraid your actions have
provided enough reasons that I
feel you could never truly ever
care for more than money. I sought
the city for small examples of your
charity, but I found no release.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
His golden shovel today was taken from a fairly popular Christmas story (and since I can’t find the book, it may be slightly paraphrased). If you can name the story, you get one point. Two points if you can pinpoint the exchange.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, pick a direction on the compass, make it the title of your poem, and write that poem. North, South, West, and East are easy directions. Then, there’s Southwest, Northeast, and so on. Then, there are the directions that are completely invented.
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Today Is Seriously Your Last Chance to Enter!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. And the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well, though only if you enter.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at a Direction on the Compass poem:
“North”
i was born in an ice fort
guarded by snow men
without the luxury of
a princess to let it go
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves all the directions on his compass, but one his all-time favorite moments was when one of his boys said, “Daddy is my compass.” That thought guides him to this day.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “I’ll Never (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write the new poem. Possible titles include: “I’ll Never Write an Excuse Poem,” “I’ll Never Go to Disney World,” “I’ll Never Tell a Lie,” or “I’ll Never Understand People Who Like Rush.”
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I’ll Never Be Able to Pick Your Poem If You Don’t Enter!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. And the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well, though only if you enter.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an I’ll Never Blank poem:
“I’ll Never Remember”
the combination to the lock on my high school locker
but I still know my first phone number from kindergarten
and maybe many of the kisses I’ve had over the years
though nice on their own have blended into one long
French kiss ether but that first time I kissed my wife
in the parking lot our hands holding our unbuckled
seat belts as planes arrived and departed from Dayton’s
International airport is something that will always stick
or if I reach a point at which it does not then may I
lose touch completely with the ground and reality
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He remembers the moment like it was yesterday, the moment his life twisted down a new and wonderful path.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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Thank you to everyone who submitted a terzanelle! This form was a fun read and tricky to decide upon a winner.
My initial short list included 30 poems, but I cut it down to one winner and 10 finalists. This time around, that winner is Jane Shlensky for her poem “Food Chain,” which won me over with its images, its lyricism, and the thought of connection and observation.
Here’s the winning Terzanelle:
Food Chain, by Jane Shlensky
An ibis settles on the shoal–
white plumes in shallows, standing still
until the fish forget his goal
to make of them his morning meal.
He’s in the moment, focused, clear,
white plumes in shallows, standing still.
He does not see me watching, near;
he stares beneath blue mirrored sky.
He’s in the moment, focused, clear,
reflected in the water’s eye
where languid fish seek smaller prey.
He stares beneath blue mirrored sky,
then strikes and pulls a fish away,
joining a chain that holds us all
where languid fish seek smaller prey,
in answer to a primal call.
An ibis settles on the shoal
joining a chain that holds us all,
until the fish forget his goal.
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Win $1,000 for Your Poetry!
Writer’s Digest is offering a contest strictly for poets with a top prize of $1,000, publication in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market. There are cash prizes for Second ($250) and Third ($100) Prizes, as well as prizes for the Top 25.
The extended deadline is November 21, so enter today.
Click here to learn more.
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Here is the Top 10 list:
- “Food Chain,” by Jane Shlensky
- “Before the Fire Burns,” by Susan Schoeffield
- “Motel, You in the Window,” by Barbara E. Young
- “Enchanted Exile,” by Daniel Ari
- “Under the Milky Way,” by William Preston
- “Untitled,” by Joshua
- “Ringside,” by Taylor Graham
- “Repaired,” by Bruce Niedt
- “Fractured,” by Tracy Davidson
- “Calling Orion,” by Laurie Kolp
Congratulations to Jane and everyone in the Top 10! And thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and comment on each others’ poems.
I’ve been working through the gogyohkas and hope to announce the winners of that challenge soon. In the meantime, watch for the next poetic form and poetic form challenge.
Also, be sure to read through the 200+ comments from the terzanelle challenge. Click to continue.
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves hosting, reading, and judging these challenges.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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I’m not sure how November always gets away from me so fast. Maybe it’s the beginning of the Market Book cycle; maybe it’s this challenge; but November often seems to be nearly over before I get my bearings on the month.
For today’s prompt, write an excuse poem. People are full of excuses–I’m no different–and sometimes they’re valid; other times, not so much. Write a poem about making excuses, listening to excuses, or hey, maybe excuse someone for making them.
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Quit Making Excuses! Enter for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Excuse poem:
“out”
i used the last one an hour ago
on my homework that did not
materialize when i had hoped
it would and now here you are
asking me where i was when
you waited all night & avoided
dancing with the guys who
asked & there were many
because you were saving
your dancing feet for me &
me alone & i know i’ve used
them so often in the past
but i’ve completely run dry
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Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He knows all about excuses from first-hand experience and realizes they’re often lacking. His five little poets often remind him that excuses are not the same as making good choices and performing the right actions.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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It’s a Tuesday, which means we’ve got two prompts today:
- Write a sweet poem.
- Write a sour poem.
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Running out of Time for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at a Sweet and/or Sour poem:
“Thai”
I love to eat Thai food,
because it tastes so good.
I love the sweet and sour
chicken with the sauce poured
over veggies and rice.
Mmmm. Thai for lunch sounds nice.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He really does love eating sweet and sour chicken at Thai restaurants. He also favors writing rhyming poems when he’s not sure what to write. The rhymes get his brain turning, especially on cold November mornings.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write an afflicted poem. Someone or something that is afflicted is someone or something that is in a troubled, injured, or humbled state. Or distressed to the point of constant suffering and anguish. In other words, the perfect poem for a Monday, right?
*****
Running out of Time for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Afflicted poem:
“Ultra-Ham”
I have a bad habit of singing random songs
and making up new lyrics–partly because
it’s fun to do and partly because I have a bad
memory–like the Ultraman theme song might
turn into the Ultraham theme song and “Singing
in the Rain” might turn into “Singing in the Pain,”
and it’s really cool at times, but not so cool at others,
especially when I’m trying to focus or be serious
or care about the feelings of others, but then,
I’m afflicted by the smooth voice of Barry White
singing “I Can’t Get Enough of Your Blood, Baby,”
because he’s a vampire, right? And well, it’s sort
of a pain to have to explain the joke when it’s not
even the day for the explanatory poem prompt.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He doesn’t always know what to put in this paragraph, but he still likes trying to change it up from post to post, because, well, why not? He has a sense of humor that only some get, and he’s fine with that.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, write an explanatory poem. Back when I took dozens of creative writing courses in college, the mantra was, “Show, don’t tell.” Well, today’s prompt is sort of different–in a way–in that it’s a tell poem, or explaining poem, though how and what you explain may vary a great deal.
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Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
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Here’s my attempt at an Explanatory poem:
“I’m not sure how I got here”
I mean, it started with an arcade game over
before picking up Tetris on my Game Boy,
which I played under cover of my blanket fort
wondering about Thor (new and old versions)
and numbers. Now or later, I will dream about
being blinded by the moon and bomb cyclones.
Ultraman doesn’t have these kind of troubles,
or maybe he does–I don’t know. The point is
that I think I’ve been here before in this car–
the back seat–fighting with my siblings, even
though we had the “no fighting” option at our
disposal, and we’d fight over everything,
especially who would be the leader, though
we were always followers–in the back seat–
with our “holey” pants, and speaking of who
set the house on fire, you sure look nice today.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He often has no idea what he’s going to write for these prompts before he writes it. And it often shows. And that’s all right. And it’s fun.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Holy (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. I like to think of this as the “Robin prompt” from the old Adam West Batman shows, because Robin would always make exclamations that began with “Holy,” including “Holy Barracuda,” “Holy Happenstance,” “Holy Rats in a Trap,” “Holy Homicide.”
*****
Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a “Holy (blank)” poem:
“Holy Poetry Prompt”
Some come easier than others, and then,
there’s still the poem to write. Holy get
started! There is that moment when the mind
searches itself for an idea or some
hot potato memory that bounces
in and out of focus. Holy lack of
tunnel vision! There are times I want to
capture the entire world and every deep
emotion I’ve ever had. But holy
abstraction! I don’t know how, don’t know how.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He loves older television shows (and movies), especially ones that don’t take themselves too seriously. Favorites include the Adam West Batman, Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Munsters.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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I know many have been able to post with no problems, but if you are having issues–because I’ve received a few reports–please send me an e-mail at [email protected], and we’ll work to get it resolved.
For today’s prompt, write a follow poem. In middle school, I remember running for student council and my campaign manager said something to the effect of, “Vote for Robby, because he’s a follower, not a leader.” First thing, yes, they called me Robby in middle school. Second thing, yes, I did not get elected. Third thing, yes, this story is completely personal and pointless. Don’t follow my example.
*****
Submit a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Follow poem:
“Follow the Leader”
He talked the loudest and knew how
to snap his fingers, so of course
he was their leader, and they would
follow him everywhere, which was
usually nowhere, but it
didn’t matter: He said, “C’mere,”
and they’d come. He’d say, “Jump,” and they’d
ask, “How high?” Which was their downfall,
because when he stomped to the top
of the highest building in town
and tried to see if he could fly
all the others tumbled after.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He believes in following your dreams, following your gut, and following one good line with another. And, then there’s Twitter. Speaking of which…
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write an optional poem. And no, that does not mean that writing a poem is optional today–I know a few of you were thinking it. No, no, no. No, I’m thinking of how some things in life are completely optional; in fact, most things are. So you have options for today’s poem–maybe too many–but can one ever have too many options?
*****
Write a Poem That Wins $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at an Optional poem:
“Options”
He asks, What are my options? I say, You don’t want
to know. Give it to me straight, he says. I can take
whatever you got. I ain’t got anything you
can take, I say. He says, Level with me, brother.
I’m not your brother, I say. But here you go. Yeah,
he says. You’re going to die, I say. He staggers
back and asks, When? Someday, I say. It will happen.
And probably when I least expect it, he says.
The circumstances are not so clear, I say, but
they never are, are they? No, never, he mumbles.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has plenty of options, and he prefers spending his mornings writing poems. And eating breakfast, because it’s the most important meal of the day.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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This week, cold has been sweeping across parts of North America. While the effects of the cold can be seen (whether it’s snow, frost, or puffs of breath), the cold itself is something that cannot be seen–only felt. Cue today’s prompt.
For today’s prompt, write a poem for and/or about something that cannot be seen. I mentioned cold, but there are so many more possibilities, including love, gravity, the future, thoughts, and sound waves. Our lives are filled with things we know exist but which we can’t see.
*****
Write the Poem That Wins $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Something That Cannot Be Seen poem:
“Daddy”
Reese hit me. Only because Will
was annoying me. Hahaha.
Shut up. Reese said shut up. Because
Hannah is being annoying.
Ouch. Ouch! Aaaaa!!! Now what? Ow, ouch, ow.
Will hit me–a bunch. Reese hurt me.
Everybody quit it, just quit,
or I’m turning this car around.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has no idea what his kids are always doing in the backseat, but it often sounds very horrible. All he can do is keep his eyes on the road and hope everyone makes to their destination safely.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Today is a Tuesday–so “2 for Tuesday” prompt time. Here they are:
- Write a timely poem.
- Write a timeless poem.
*****
Write the Poem That Wins $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Timely and/or Timeless poem:
“Deja Vu”
Feels like I’ve been here before,
written here before, seen you
before, and it’s awkward being
here again, writing here again,
seeing you again, and not knowing
if I’ve been here before, written
here before, seen you before,
and well, you know, or you don’t.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has no idea what he’s going to write each day, but he writes anyway, because that’s how he rolls.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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I don’t know why, but November always seems to move faster than every other month. Here we are on the 10th day of this challenge, and it feels like we just started.
For today’s prompt, take the phrase “(blank) Trouble,” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and write the poem. Possible titles include: “Big Trouble,” “Double Trouble,” and “That Guy Is Trouble.” I hope you don’t have too much trouble getting started.
*****
One Poem Will Win $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Blank Trouble poem:
“Ultraman Trouble”
The problem is not Ultraman
or his various adversaries
or even the gratuitous destruction they create
rather
it’s the catchy theme song
that crashes around my brain
knocking loose the rhythms of my mind.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has listened to the Ultraman theme song more than a few times too many over the past year. He doesn’t advise it, but if you’re curious, you can listen to the theme song too–by clicking here.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, look to the news and write about something recently reported. It doesn’t have to be something today, but something in the past week or month would be ideal. There’s always good and bad things happening in the world, and poetry is a powerful way to document events.
*****
Write a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a News poem:
“Bomb Cyclone”
When my boy started talking about a typhoon
in the Pacific, I thought what’s that got to do
with anything over here. I mean, we got autumn
myth season in full effect and a Southern sun
to keep us warm. But darn it, that super storm
flew straight at the arctic making winter born
of circumstance and soon we’ll claim back our
love of heaters, blankets, and hot cocoa to pour.
*****
Like writing newsy poems?
There’s a unique publishing opportunity available with Rattle to write to the news for a chance at publication on their website every single week. It’s called Poets Respond and is dedicated to poeming up the news each week.
Learn more here.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has a baby brother who chases storms (tornadoes, ice storms, and hurricanes–o my!), but Robert’s perfectly happy staying indoors during inclement weather. Today’s prompt was inspired by the cold air mass headed toward the U.S. caused by Typhoon Nuri.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Sorry, early risers! I slept in a little this morning.
For today’s prompt, write a blind poem. Three blind mice, blindfolded, “she blinded me with science,” “houston in the blind,” and so on. Maybe this is the one poem you try to write with your eyes closed.
*****
Write a Poem for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Blind poem:
“Blinded”
by the light of the moon
reflecting off your eyes
in the heart of my swoon
that releases the sighs
of a thousand balloons
in the dead of the night
enveloped in your gloom
but still feeling all right
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
When he has nothing better to say, he turns to rhymes and romance–and usually a touch of abstraction.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, write a compulsion poem. On Sundays in autumn, I often feel a compulsion to check how my fantasy football team is doing over and over again. When I was younger, I often felt a compulsion to play Tetris–something about stacking up all those lines. I still often feel compelled to break into song while I make the kids’ lunches each morning before sending them off to school. Maybe your compulsion is writing poems!
*****
32 Lines Could Net You $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Compulsion poem:
“dream”
I wake up and dream about you,
fall asleep and see about you–
it’s the least that I could do
when it seems everything I view
is through a filter of you,
thoughts of you, moments of you
telling me you think about me too,
unsure if it’s a dream or somehow true.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has a compulsion for writing little love ditties from time to time–just trying to stay true to his roots.
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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Yesterday, I learned the theme was changing on the WritersDigest.com website. It’s not supposed to create any technical difficulties with posting or anything. However, if you run into problems, just send me an e-mail at [email protected]. Happy poeming!
For today’s prompt, write a happy now poem. There are a few ways to come at this prompt. For instance, I could think something along the lines of, “I am happy now.” Or I could spin it another way with, “Am I happy now?” Or project outwards, “Are you happy now?” Of course, the emphasis could be on the word “happy” or the word “now.” I hope everyone finds happiness with their poeming now.
*****
$1,000 Could Be Yours!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Happy Now poem:
“Now or Later”
I’ll be a happy tater
because I’ve been through enough
to know that low can always
be lower, that slow can be
slower, and no one owes you
anything. So I’ll take now
or later, alligator,
and I will smile for awhile,
crocodile, because I’ll live
longer that way, and if not
longer, at least happier,
because the worst kind of pain
is always self-inflicted.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has a few lucky numbers, though none have ever helped him win the lottery. So they’re lucky numbers, sure, but also kinda worthless in a monetary sense (or cents).
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Keep This (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Keep This a Secret,” “Keep This Letter,” “Keep This Moment,” or “Keep This Poem.”
*****
Enter Your Poems for a Chance at $1,000!
Writer’s Digest has extended the deadline to their Writer’s Digest Poetry Awards competition to November 21. As you may have guessed from the bold statement above, the winner will receive $1,000 cash!
The winning poem will also be published in a future issue of Writer’s Digest magazine. And the winning poet will receive a copy of the 2015 Poet’s Market.
Even poets who don’t win can win, because there are prizes for 2nd through 25th place as well.
Click to learn more.
*****
Here’s my attempt at a Keep This Blank poem:
“Keep This Number”
And pull it out when you’re lonely
memorize it if you’re good
at losing things
like numbers
and slips of paper
so that you can pull it out
of the bank of your memory deposits
when the time is most opportune
which may be tomorrow
or the next day
or the next day
or the day after that
or some day in the far off future
a date perhaps that even matches
this number I’ve provided you with.
*****
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Content Editor of the Writer’s Digest Writing Community and author of the poetry collection, Solving the World’s Problems (Press 53). He edits Poet’s Market, Writer’s Market, and Guide to Self-Publishing, in addition to writing a free weekly WritersMarket.com newsletter and poetry column for Writer’s Digest magazine.
He has a few lucky numbers, though none have ever helped him win the lottery. So they’re lucky numbers, sure, but also kinda worthless in a monetary sense (or cents).
Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
*****
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