What fun was had by all when we joined these folks together for a panel discussion about The Artistic Soul. David Martin, Founder of Fine Lines Literary Journal for 31 years, Zaneta Varnado Johns of ZanExpressions, a poet and writer, Kim Sosin of KimSosin, a poet and photographer, C. Miller of ShugaShuga Publishing LLC, and yours truly of Prolific Pulse Press LLC all shared points of view of these topics.
We will be announcing when registration is ready for the Fine Lines Fall Conference. In the meantime, save these dates: October 8 & 9 10 a.m. to noon EST
I am blown away! Recently, we recently published 14 year old poet and writer Elizabeth O. Ogunmodede’s books “Ladder to the Top.” When I decided to publish Ogunmodede’s book I already knew about her exemplary writing skills. I also knew she is an up and coming video and graphics designer, who is always out creating me. But…that’s an aside. What I want to tell you is what a pleasure it has been to work with this young woman and help her realize her dreams.
Ogunmodede is a package deal. She comes into her talent naturally by the influence if her father, Richard. He reads and provides thoughtful feedback, but always leaves the final say to his daughter. Ogunmodede will tell you that he is her number one supporter. Her father is a writer, as well, also published.
When I read the manuscript for “Ladder to the Top” it was treated just like any other manuscript I read. There was no special privilege given for age. The truth of the matter is that I would not know this manuscript was written by someone younger than an adult. This author paid attention to her mentors, her coaches, her teachers…
When it came to editing, this manuscript was one of the easiest manuscripts to review. This writer knows what she is doing. And she is working on another manuscript. No dust settles on this young lady’s shoes.
Well, here comes the big announcement: On Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 1 p.m. EST we are having a Book Launch for Elizabeth O. Ogunmodede’s books and you are invited. Here is the Event Brite information. We hope to see you there. And, by the way, I am also sharing the podcast video we recorded recently. How about that!
Years ago, before computers, we wrote letters. My mother’s letters were like little novellas. They sometimes were several pages long. She wrote her family members and friends and they loved to get her “books.” How I wish I had saved my letters from mom. As a witness to her letter writing, I would watch as her pen moved passionately across the pages, sometimes witnessing her eyes well up. Letters were her release. They were her way of expressing herself in ways she could not voice. Sometimes she would write letters to people out of anger and then tear them up. To my knowledge, she never sent one of those angry letters. It could have been politicians, relatives, and those are the ones I knew about. She would express her heart’s desire, open up her soul, and pour out her thoughts.
As a letter writer, I did not have the beautiful penmanship of my mother, but I learned that the pen was my power. I also wrote letters and tore them up. I even wrote one about the need for a doctor in our little town and it was published in the newspaper. I wrote letters to family, friends, old friends found from a long time lost, family who I wanted to see but knew my letters would reach them long before I ever would.
Now, I am a writer and a poet. I write as if my words are letters to the world, at times. Other times, I write to express my desires of the heart. And other times I write to write.
I firmly believe that when we do express our desires within our heart that this has a way of stirring up thoughts and even action plans to make things happen. Sometimes those things that happen are acceptances of things that can’t be changed, but sometimes they are steps to taking up the courage to make something happen in our lives.
What is the desire in your heart? This is my challenge to you. I would like to read about the desires in your heart in the “Dear Heart” anthology of letters, poetry, art, photography, and whatever ways helps you express your passion.
There’s a caveat to this. These are all to be sent to me via good old fashioned snail mail. I will sort through these and select which submissions to publish.
C. Miller, David Martin, and Lisa Tomey got together last week for a discussion about creativity, summer camp, and a little bit of other goodies. Watch/listen in:
To learn more about Fine Lines Summer Camp for Writers go to FineLines.org
As a teacher, I will always remain a student. In the classroom of life, l wish to work with and educate others. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just your average person, here are a few of my "TEACHERble" moments.
Hi! my name is Sebastian (You can call me Seb!) ...welcome to my Blog. I'm a photographer from Worcester, Worcestershire, England. Thanks for dropping by! I hope you enjoy my work.
Prolific Pulse Blog 