sometimes you just gotta DIY...

I see nothing wrong with tooting your own horn once in awhile. pat yourself on the back. high-five yourself. give yourself kudos.

Because we all need a cheerleader now and then, and we shouldn't always have to rely on others to BE that cheerleader - though I will admit that there is a rather giddy feeling that explodes out of my skin when someone I love tells me I'm awesome!

So, why am I feeling particularly awesome today?

Because, dear friends and readers, I have almost COMPLETELY completed the November PAD (Poem a Day) challenge with Robert Lee Brewer!

I have participated in this challenge (and the April PAD challenge) for the past several years, and though I usually come out at the end of the month with about 15-20 new poems, I've never completed a challenge where I've written a piece for every prompt.

and I am VERY close to doing just that!

I currently have 26 new poems written - plus a few non-prompt poems I've written this month - and let me tell you, this feels great!

So, I'm going to start compiling a second collection and start looking to publish. I mean, why not? Three Thousand Doors needs a follow-up, right? (my Mama likes to joke and tell me my next collection should carry the title "Three Thousand MORE doors." ~shakes head~)

Prompt #83: I'm going to work on compiling another poetry collection. What are you gonna do?

Reading, Writing and...

...not 'rithmetic.

I don't math. not if I can help it.

But I have been reading a lot lately. Fall is a cuddle up with a soft blanket, a fluffy pillow and a fantastic book kind of time for me.

I've also been writing a bunch. Following Robert Lee Brewer's prompts over at Poetic Asides. I'm a couple days behind at the moment, but I currently have 20 new poems to work with, and a writing contest I'm planning to enter in the next two weeks before the deadline.

So I'm feeling pretty artistic, which totally beats that "ugh! I've got nothing creative in me!" feeling that we all get when we hit that brick wall called writer's block.


Prompt #82: Today...head on over to Poetic Asides and pick on of the 21 prompts and write. No matter if it's a poem, a story, a song, a play...just pick a prompt and write on it!

Impossible vs. possible

That thing you think you can't do because it's impossible? Maybe it isn't. ~ unknown

I saw this quote on a friend's facebook page a few months back. It's totally managed to stick with me. I printed it up and taped it to my wall. I read it several times a day, think on it...it's pretty much become my mantra; my chant.

Because...how true! There are so many things that we want...to do, to say, to be...and how many of us just don't do them, say them, be them, because we think they're impossible? for one reason or another - no money, no time, fear.

The thing is...people have proven, over and over again, that they can accomplish amazing things...and so many have great odds to contend with.

So, really, what is it that's holding you back? what holds me back? If nothing is impossible, then it really just comes down to that final decision...

Prompt #81: What do you REALLY want to do...that you just haven't done?

National every kind of writing month...

So it's November.

That means there is A LOT of writing going on!

NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month

Robert Lee Brewer's PAD (Poem A Day) Challenge

and...a new one I just learned of a few days ago...NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month (My friend Lori is doing this one - check out her blog: Funny Strange)

So what are you writing this month? I'm working diligently on the PAD challenge, and I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the pieces I've written thus far!

So hop to it, kids! Get to writing! and if you haven't started...

Prompt #80: start now!

The art of writing letters...

What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters.  You can't reread a phone call.  
~ Liz Carpenter

I've been writing a letter to the Universe.

In it, I have written how thankful I am for everything I've ever encountered. All the things, all the people, all the gifts, all the tough times, all the trials.

And I am writing about the things I want. The things I haven't done. The things I've not yet accomplished. The places I've not yet been.

It is an affirmation of love for the wonders of this world, and a petition for guidance toward my unrealised goals and ambitions.

and I expect a prompt answer to my letter. Because the Universe is like that. 

Prompt #79: Write YOUR letter to the Universe.

Dusting off...

I pick myself up. dust myself off. and start all over again. ~ Frank Sinatra

As one quite accustomed to doing just that, I will say that at times, starting all over again has been incredibly easy. and other times...there's a bit more challenge to it.

But, I love the rush! I'm addicted to it. It's why I move so often. something new. something fresh.

I don't mind starting over. It's terrifying to some folks, I know, but to me, it is refreshing. What frightens me, is staying in one place too long. overstaying my welcome. becoming hollow. becoming too comfortable. being confined.

It's that whole caged bird thing.

I'd rather fly.

Prompt #78: What do you do when your wings feel too wet to fly?

Waiting to be...

"I know you're a good piano and your song will always play...you're waiting to be what you already are, you're the only one left in your way..."

Josh Clayton-Felt

We do what we can...to get by...to make ends meet

but if we all had our druthers...what would we do?

Prompt #77: What would you do? if nothing held you back?