Dear Readers:

Have you ever wondered if you are a "real" writer?  Well, here is a quiz for you to take to judge.

Yes No 1)  You keep a journal.

Yes No 2)  You love everything about words...definitions, origins, new words...

Yes No 3)  You own at least one book on the art of writing.

Yes No 4)  You've entered a writing contest (3rd grade counts!).

Yes No 5)  You love word games (and hate Sudoku).

Yes No 6)  When you start writing Haiku, you can't stop.

Yes No 7)  You have The Writer's Almanac in your bookmarks/favorites.

Yes No 8)  Your friends have accused you of using big words to confuse them.

Yes No   9)  You keep a notebook by your bed in case something comes to you.

Yes No  10)  You have written a poem (even a bad one).

7-10 Yesses -- Oh Boy, are YOU a real writer!

4-6   Yesses -- You are a real writer!

1-3   Yesses -- You may be a writer who is just getting started, keep it up!

0      Yesses -- You might want to stick to math or sports!

Blessings,

Anni Macht Gibson

Creative Writing Tips - How to Develop a Discipline

Hello Fellow Creative Writers:

I'm often asked how best to go about developing a creative writing discipline.  Sad to say, there is no "one size fits all" in this realm. But I do have some tips for those of you who want to write more.

1 - Write when you are at your best.  Don't try to be creative when you've spent the day ferrying kids to activities, doing housework or have put in a full day at the office and are exhausted.  Write when you are fresh.

2 - Prepare your writing space.  Write someplace where you feel good. It could be a window seat, in the kitchen, in your bedroom.  Surround yourself with pretty things. Light a candle. Put yourself in a good mood and the ideas will flow.

3 - Make Writer's Appointments. Use your calendar to carve out time for writing. Make this time sacred.

4 - Start Small.  Don't take on the great American novel until you have some experience.  Many women begin simply by journaling every day.  Afterwards, scour your journal for phrases that can jump start a writing piece.  The will be there.

And, of course, if you are in N. Michigan, join a Women Writing for (a) Change Up North class.  Classes start on Aug. 30th, 2008. For more information on classes and free samplers classes on Aug. 2, 9, 16, and 23, see the website pages.

As usual, I'll leave you with a poem:

How to Change the World

First, do no harm.

See what others cannot.

Persist in the face of obstacles.

Be self-reliant -- it's up to you.

Battle bureaucracies like a fire-breathing dragon.

Let your idea posses you.

Do it backwards, upside down and inside out.

Start small and learn, then spread out.

Be child like in your desire to change the world.

Never take no for an answer.

Blessings,

Anni

Improved Website

Dear Readers:

You may have noticed some changes to our website!  I've been busy writing about Women Writing for (a) Change -- our values, our practices, our retreats -- to help you learn more about us before you give us a try.  

Check out the new articles on confidentiality, values and practices in creative writing classes and retreats, diversity of writing, why I (personally) love creative writing, what the "change" in Women Writing for (a) Change is all about.  I invite you to read about us, confident that you will be intrigued by what we have to offer.

I am still on a natural high after our wonderful retreat.  In the next few days, you'll be able to check out writing from the retreat on the site.  I hope this writing will inspire you to try your hand at some poetry, creative non-fiction, fiction, memoir or journaling.

Right now, I am preparing for the FREE sampler classes I will be holding in Traverse City at Just Imagine Creative Arts Center at 225 W. 14th St. each Saturday in August.  Our weekly classes begin on Saturday, August 30th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., also at Just Imagine.  

If you have any questions about Women Writing for (a) Change after browsing the site, contact us via email (anni@womenwriting.com) or call me at the phone number on the website.

As usual, I'll leave you with a poem, this time a short poem inspired by the  Vietnamese Monk Thich Nhat Hanh:

compassion

cleansing open wounds,

tendrils of the heart unfurl

mindful of the pain

Blessings,

Anni Macht Gibson

Great Retreat!

Hi, Fellow Writers:

We had a terrific retreat this past weekend at the Augustine Center in Petoskey, Michigan.  Six women writers got together to inspire and encourage one another, to write and to share writing with each other.  We had a terrific time....there were serious moments of sharing and lots of laughter, too.  I drafted several new poems and some of the women were inspired to write late into the night.

The Augustine Center could not have been more hospitable and we offer our thanks to Sister Barbara who is the retreat center Director and Megan who ably prepared our meals and served them.

I always come away from retreats on a natural high from the terrific writing and the camaraderie of being with other creative writers.

Meanwhile, back in Cincinnati we have moved to our condo. Boxes await me down there as we finish moving in and making it homey.

But before I leave for Cincinnati, I am enjoying another beautiful, cool Michigan summer day with the sky a cerulean blue and the brilliant green of the leaves on the trees and bushes.  I'll eat some fresh cherries for each of you and wish you happy creative writing.

Blessings,

Anni  

Getting Ready for Retreat

Hello, Readers!

Right now, I am busily preparing for our Summer Retreat at the Augustine Centerjsut North of  Petoskey, MI  on July 11-13.  That means writing agendas, making up notebooks for each participant, thinking of writing prompts and exercises, nailing down details with the retreat center and the like.  I also like to take some time for myself to meditate and center myself before leading a retreat so that I can be fully present to the retreatants and focused on holding the space for them.

My husband and I are in Cincinnati getting ready to move here from a house to a condo, so we can shut the door and spend more time in Michigan, without worrying about taking care of a lawn and flowers and bushes...you get the picture.  We are happy to be moving somewhere where the outside responsibilities are taken care of for us.  Move day is the 2nd of July, so just a few more days to organize before the move!  We have de-cluttered and downsized and are storing some things for the kids in the future and getting rid of others.  It feels good to "deaccession" things...clothes I haven't worn in years and will never fit again.  In fact, I've put some things in storage and with the exception of one box, I can't even remember what I've put away.  Clearly, we had too much stuff.

So, I'm looking forward to the move...getting unpacked as much as possible before I leave on July 8 for the retreat and then holding the retreat with my trusty assistant and friend, Bronwyn Park.  

If you are interested in the retreat, don't hesitate to get in touch via the website.  There is still some room, but we've got a good group of 8 women.

As usual, I'll end with a poem. This time, it is one I just got news will be published in the literary journal, The Pearl.  

Ashes to Ashes

Cremate me.

Whatever you do,

don't give the undertakers

an extra dime!

Sing at the service.

Belt out my favorite

hyms, Like "Go Tell

It on the Mountain."

Off key, if you must.

Wear red and purple,

preferably together.

No somber garments

rent with anguished cries.

Cut a dashing figure, turn heads.

Celebrate my life: A wake

with booze flowing,

stories and good food.

Serve carrot cake

like we had at our wedding.

If you feel down

read Alexander

and the Terrible

Horrible, No Good

Very Bad Day.

Scatter my ashes

by Lake Michigan

where I wrote 

poems that make 

you weep and essays

that make you laugh

so hard you pee.

But give me a headstone

in the family plot, so

generations hence

will wander by

and know I was here.

Never mind that the grave is empty.

Blessings, 

Anni Macht Gibson

Let Me Know You Are Out There....

If you are reading this blog and have an interest in Women Writing for (a) Change Up North, don't be silent -- let me know. I am happy to answer any questions you might have about our classes and retreats.

I just returned from a Leaders' retreat and it was terrific.  I came away with great facilitation ideas to use in classes and retreats, guaranteed to bring your most creative self to the fore!

The beginning of the retreat was for our own writing (even we leaders need writing retreats to jump start our creativity).  I wrote 4 or 5 poems over the eight days of the retreat.  WWf(a)C validates me, strengthens my voice, elicits creativity.  My writing is held gently by those who listen to it.  I get much needed feedback in a supportive environment.  My voice is nurtured in the confidentiality of the writers' circle.  

We are looking for women who want to take some time for themselves to develop their writing, discover their voices, awaken their creativity.  If this is of interest to you, just contact me at gibby767@aol.com for more information.

As usual, I'll close with a poem, this time about writing. 

AT THE TABERNACLE OF WRITING

My desk is an altar to the Goddess

of  Writing, who blesses me

when I have been a good girl.

on it are gathered a brimming chalice

and plate, gleaming, ready

for my work: number 2 hb pencils,

chaste pads of paper, pages bearing

the imprint of their Maker: Staples,

resting beside my trusty Apple Macintosh.

Draped over a chair, the alb and stole of my vocation:

Levi 515 jeans, a white turtleneck, buttery soft

from ample washings, the incense of Tide and Downy.

I wake promptly at six, smack the alarm,

shake the sleep from my brain,

pad down the hall for morning ablutions,

I want to sit down to a feast of bran muffins

and Kenyan AA coffee from Zingerman's,

but perhaps I should fast before the ritual.

Still unclean, I scrub my thoughts with prayer,

intercessions for others and myself,

that a worthy stanza might stumble my way today.

Poised at the tabernacle of writing,

I reach for the Ark of the Covenant

and, ready, begin to receive a poem.

Blessings,

Anni

Whole Lotta Stuff Goin' On!

Gentle Readers:

There is a lot going on with Women Writing for (a) Change Up North these days!

I am preparing for our July 11-13 Writing Retreat at the Augustine Center just North of Petoskey, Mi. For more information, check out the Retreat section on my site: www.womenwritingupnorth.com

Meantime, I'm getting ready to move from a house to a condo down South in Cincinnati...so there's a whole lotta work going on there. This is so we can spend more time Up North.

I'm also waiting to hear from 4 universities about getting into MFA/Creative Writing Programs - for poetry - and am on pins and needles until I get news.

Luckily, I have been writing regularly, with 5 more poem drafts in the past couple of weeks.

Classes: Boy am I excited to be offering Women Writing for (a) Change classes starting on August 30. Again, check out the website for details.

Women Writing for (a) Change provides a safe, structured community for women who want to continue or start a writing practice. All levels of experience and genres of writing are welcome!

As usual, I'll end my blog entry with a poem:
Bees

The redolent apple blossoms
await your arcane dance.
but you are absent this year.
Bumblees and carpenter bees abound,
but where is the dainty honey bee??

I read that there is a mold or a virus
infecting hives, killing half your kind.
Billions of dollars for cancer research,
is there enough left over to find you a cure?
For what would we do without
lead characters in the play of Life?

So many swat at you, not knowing
you are small Gods, blessing the world
with blue delphinium, russet apples, Big Boy tomatoes,
rhubarb for pie, honey on crusty home-made bread.

In the cherry orchards by my cottage,
you buzz around rented wooden crates
so you can pollinate delicate white flowers.
an alchemy that conjures juicy red fruit
for tourists to buy at roadside stands
on dry July days, the sky painted deep Michigan blue.

Queens, drones, worker bees --
we hope for your consonant hum.
There must be an ancient Navajo
dance for conjuring the bees,
if only I knew it.

Blessings,

Anni Macht Gibson