My weekend photo collages are some of the most popular posts here, but this is the first time I’m showcasing an entire week. Why? I just finished one of my busiest weeks of the year. Yes, a regular day-in-the-life of a writer is bursting at the seams, so you can imagine how one day after another quickly unravels into…this:
Knowing how busy I was going to be during the week, last Sunday I took off to Raven Rock State Park, which is about an hour south of Raleigh. The drive is just as enjoyable as the hike, and I had to stop to get a picture of pony that kept trying to kiss me.
Monday I went to a SPARKcon meeting. It’s a fantastic four-day festival every September in downtown Raleigh where the streets are literally painted. I’m helping to organize poetrySPARK 2012. (Remember last year one of my poems inspired a marriage proposal?)
…so on Tuesday we had our poetrySPARK planning meeting. If you’re in the Raleigh area we have a Call For Poems! This year we’ll have an open mic contest, erotic poetry reading with burlesque dancers courtesy of circusSPARK, poetry on demand, youth poetry readings, and lots of fun!
I met with a local artist-turned-children’s-book-author Wednesday morning to discuss her manuscript targeted at autistic tween girls. On Wednesday night, after a summer hiatus, I returned to my writing critique group. I’ve been busy organizing a new writer’s group in Western North Carolina, so if you know writers in Asheville, you can direct them here. (I’m hosting a free writing seminar in the morning and a class in the afternoon on SEO Writing on Saturday, August 4.) Also, I’m about to reserve space in Savannah for a writing class this fall!

Glenn Cassidy reading poetry at the Lazy Lion in Fuquay-Varina.
Thursday I trekked out with fellow Living Poetry member Bart Barker to hear our buddy (and also LP member) Glenn Cassidy read at Lazy Lion Books in Fuquay-Varina. Glenn attracted a big crowd–it was standing room only!
Friday I breakfasted at La Farm with editor and Triangle Writers member Belea Keeney. She is planning a series of author events at Eva Perry Library in Apex. Okay, Friday night I had the best intentions to make it to downtown Raleigh for a free comedy show, but instead I finished the final prep for Saturday’s writing workshop. (And played guitar.)
So, yes, Saturday’s writing workshop! It was the inaugural Write Now: Sensory Prompts workshop, which had prompts that appealed to every sense. I organized taste prompts ranging from 100% dark chocolate to coconut water, and offered musical prompts that focused on specific music notes. Throughout music history there is a consistent record that the majority of popular/successful love songs are written in the key of B flat. It’s known as the “magical key” of music.
To cap off the full week of writerly goodness I spent today at the grand opening of the NC Art Museum’s new exhibit “Word Up: The Intersection of Text and Image.”
I would love to know what 100% dark chocolate inspired! I went to a chocolate tasting a few weeks ago. The most intense dark chocolate was “only” 80%–and after eating a few squares I was ready to spray paint the sidewalks with gibberish. Luckily no paint cans were handy.The kissing pony is priceless.
Actually 100% dark chocolate tastes awful! I think 70-80% is the edible barrier. There is absolutely no sugar in the fully potent version. I don’t know any other food that’s as bitter. Glad you enjoyed the kissing pony! 🙂
Your schedule dazzles me; I don’t know how you keep up with it all! It was great having breakfast with you. Good luck with the Savannah class.
Aw, thanks, Belea! Breakfast was grand. Thanks for recommending Linda–she’s been very helpful. 🙂