"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Monday, February 15, 2010

Plugs and Bloopers, Dancing with Myself

Some of the worst mistakes of my life have been haircuts. - Jim Morrison


Because I've been accused of being self-deprecating, I'll throw modesty to the wind and tell you I have a short piece up at the Bloody Bridge Review. I'm pretty happy to share the company of the writers they've featured thus far.

While at it, I'd like to plug LBJ, a literary journal from the University of Nevada that encourages environmental literature. They're currently considering poems, fiction and creative nonfiction on an avian theme for upcoming issues.

Another one of my favorites is the New Ohio Review Follow the link for Stephen Dunn's A Discreet Charm and you won't be sorry.

let’s drink to an evening as solemn
as Eugene Debs demanding fair wages—
his smile the bent arrow only the best men
can point at themselves.


Their reading period is September through May and they're running an awesome contest.

Inspired by Monkeybicycle, I've been experimenting with the one-sentence story. For every one I write, I throw one away.

While the teacher was at the beer garden they tied her in her chair and when he returned smelling of his lunch, she was punished for being lazy.

Should I throw it away? Should I write of funny things or of what the full moon suggested to me? Should I write of his flat stomach or her naked back, bent by disease for which there is no cure? What would your rather read about?

I have a suggested lyric for the albino Muslim rapper:
no . . . I don't
. . . changed my mind


I'm taking President's Day off to write and I'm not telling anyone. A day for writing, browsing my blogger friends and literary journals, corn chowder, music and dancing with myself.

12 comments:

C.M. Jackson said...

enjoy!

Unspoken said...

Sounds like you are off to a good start. We won't say a word ;). Write away!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love the quote at the top - how true!!

Enjoy a great day :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Dancing with yourself is way cool. I went to a drum circle yesterday and had a fantastic time.
Now I'm going to follow all your great links.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Follow the link, y'all!!!
Yvonne, that piece in Bloody Bridge Review is bloody brilliant. Each segment was so vivid and read like poetry with a punch. I wouldn't have dreamed that a meditation on shoes would yield so much depth.

Yvonne Osborne said...

C.M.
I am and Happy Pres. Day to you too.

S.W.
So far so good. Chowder is simmering and my laptop is humming.

Jemi,
Thanks! Here's to a bad hair day when the only thing to do is stay in and write!

Tricia,
Thank you so much. There should have been more space between segments and I was afraid it would be a little hard to follow so I'm glad you liked it. A drum circle sounds awfully cool too.

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Loved you story at the Bloody Bridge Review! So poetic, and heartbreaking. I can't imagine what it must be like to be a reporter. Oh, the distances traveled, indeed.

I love the story in one sentence idea, as well. I've never attempted such a thing. I think I'm a novelist at heart, so anything shorter will always be a trial to me. But certainly I can fit in one sentence?

Enjoy your day of writing and dancing. I think you've earned it.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Carol,
Thanks a bunch! I'm pretty much a novelist at heart myself but lately I've been pushing myself into uncomfortable positions....I figure it's good exercise, like yoga. Stretch, hold and breathe. Of course you can tell a story in one sentence. Just don't try for a 400-word one like Simon does!

Unknown said...

Agree with, Jemi. The quote at the top was brilliant!

I really enjoyed the post. A lot :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Wendy,
Thank you very much. Your comment means a lot to me.

Glad you liked my quote. He had nice hair. I loved a lot of things about that man:)

Anonymous said...

Congrats. What a beautiful story!

Enjoy your day of freedom.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Hi Cat,
Thank you!!!