Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I Have Seen the Future!

I recently went to the Technology in the Arts Conference sponsored by CMU in Pittsburgh, and I’m still reeling a little. (It’s a brilliant annual conference, full of fascinating artists, tech wizards, and arts organization managers, by the way, and I recommend it highly to anyone with an interest in the subject.) By nature, with technology I’m a middle adapter. I was pretty quick to get an email address, and even hosted a long running writers’ chat on AOL, but I was very slow to get a cell phone - but then, I’m a writer, and would rather type than talk any day. The world, however, has apparently moved far beyond email and mobiles. In Pittsburgh, I learned that the future lies with texts, blogs, and social networking.


A number of my sessions were on arts marketing, and although they weren’t directly about writing, it was pretty obvious that in the 21st century, in order for writers to build audiences and market their work, social networking will be key. And this doesn’t just mean building your email list and burying everyone you ever met in announcements of your new books, publications, and readings. Here’s the bad news – 80% of all email never gets opened. Even if people know who you are, unless they think there’s something really exciting in it for them, they just won’t make the effort to look at the contents. And almost no one clicks on internal links, so don’t assume you’re sending them to your Web site from your email. (I confess, that when I thought about it, I realized that this was all too true. Even if the email is from acquaintances, they are really better off putting those publication announcements or reading dates in the subject line – because otherwise I’m just not going to open it. I probably get fifty emails a day, divided between professional, social, and people trying to get me to buy something – and that’s not counting the spam!)

Well, more on this later, as I continue to digest, and in the meantime, as Hilary always says - Keep Writing!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Two poems published in the Marsh Hawk Review

I gave them poems I'm sure you remember...
Please look.

Thanks, C

Sunday, October 5, 2008

A Sunday of posting

Going freelance has been good for my blogging. I wrote today to three blogs and raved about some literary graphic novels, why I'll miss designing for print, and here I am at River Writers... I did not make the cut off for the NY arts grants. I just have too much more to do to rethink my next set of poems. I want to explore imaginary cities and other acts of imagination. Also explore how fine art and design can be transposed into poetry. Image to word.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Today was a good writing day

We had a great River Writers workshop last week, and as I sat down to work on the new show today, I had the benefits of everyone's comments fresh in my mind. I knew I had to settle my character's ages a little more firmly, and make sure they knew what they wanted in each scene (aside from coffee, which everyone in the show drinks constantly - not unlike a few River Writers!)

I also had the benefit of a great meeting with my composer/collaborator, Allan Jaffe, who suggested I model one of the scenes on a conversation in one of my recent short stories. This worked out very happily - and it would have probably taken me much longer to think of by myself (if I ever did manage to think of it!)

Now all we have to do is figure out how long the show is going to be. The workshop consensus was one act, to be followed by another one act music theater piece in due time. I guess only time will tell (time, inspiration, and deadlines) - but it felt really wonderful to be back to work.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

New York Foundation of the Arts

Deborah let me know in email that the deadline is coming up. Go here: link to NYFA to get info. Poetry deadline Oct 6, non-fiction Oct 10th.

I am thinking a collection of Hilary's Baghdad pieces would work.

I'll put together a poetry proposal.

I have nothing to say

other than keep writing. Wait!

Claudia set up a blog for me called "Meditations in a Diner." Not much more expanded than these notes, but it will be.