Processing the Journey through Poetry

I am thoroughly enjoying the creative work that I'm doing these days. Long may this deep slow flow of self expression continue. The haiku, tanka and haiga that I'm writing and collaging is the type that sits with me for days: themes, words and images, marinating in my mind and mind's eye, being sketched in my journal, sparked off by photos and found objects, and the raw emotion still within me from my recent journey through leukaemia.

I never thought that I'd write about my cancer/chemo/hospital plight. I felt that poetry and memoirs about cancer had been done so many times already, and anyway, I wasn't inspired to write about what I was going through at the time. During my many weeks in hospital, over a 4-5 month period, it was also very difficult for me to write: I couldn't concentrate, or was too exhausted, or in too much pain... You get the idea. As a result, only one small journal entry and less than a handful of haiku and tanka were written.

Now, in the 10 weeks since I've been home (in remission, but still in active treatment), I've finally found the space to process my intense experience, and what other way would I do that than through poetry and hands-on art. Somehow, I've begun working towards a collection of haiku and tanka, which will all become haiga. And I'm doing it for me.

This is not about which publication I can get my work accepted into, or what my peers will make of my efforts. It's all about me. I feel this creative work is what I need to do to heal my heart and soul. I've even come up with the saying, "My art is my heart", because that's what producing this type of medium means to me.

I don't know what will become of this collection: maybe it will be published, in whole or in part, some day, maybe it will be exhibited some where. I don't know. And if ever I feel anxiety brewing I remind myself that I'm doing this creative work because it's what I need right now, not about what may become of it in the years ahead.

I've written five haiku and five tanka that I'm really happy with (and a few others that aren't so strong) and have so far made four from this into haiga. It's such an exciting process! It's something that I'd love to bring to my teaching some day: running day-long workshops where students (of any age) learn about haiku or tanka in the morning, and write some of their own, then make one poem into a haiga in the afternoon. What the hell - let's just make it a whole weekend workshop! I love being immersed in haiku and it's related forms, and am so happy that my faithful old haiku is there for me once again.

FREE online haiku self study course

When I was first teaching myself about haiku in 2007, I started with two things. One was The Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share and Teach Haiku by William J. Higginson with Penny Harter, which I still highly recommend today. It's a book that I dip into a few times a year, and I've even used the lesson plans in it for teaching children haiku. If you're in New Zealand, you can buy it from Fishpond (my favourite online bookstore).

My other main learning tool was a FREE online haiku self study course, which I still recommend to beginners: In The Moonlight a Worm...  

You will see on the left hand side under 'The Lessons' section, 'Basho's Spirit', the third one down says 'self study' - just click on that and follow the instructions. There is also a 'Show Don't Tell' lesson with a self study module, which is great learning for any genre of writing.

This self study course is a great introduction to haiku. The website also has information for teachers with lesson plans that you can download, photocopiable poem sheets and a reference section.

I hadn't looked at this website for a while so had forgotten that they had resources for those teaching haiku. I'm going to check out the lesson plans myself now!

The FREE e-newsletters about writing that I read

Weekly:

FundsforWriters -
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/FFW.htm
FFW Small Markets -
http://www.fundsforwriters.com/smallmarkets.htm 

Both edited by C. Hope Clark, founder and editor of FundsforWriters.com, a website, family of newsletters and ebooks about incomes streams for writers.

Monthly:

New Zealand Book Council E-newsletter - http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/Readers/Newsletters/Information.htm 
Newsletters from the Victoria University centre of the International Institute of Modern Letters (not strictly monthly)
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/modernletters/resources/newsletter.aspx
Helen Heath's Monthly Newsletter (recently signed up so haven't received first issue yet)
http://www.helenheath.com/

What writing related e-newsletters do you read and recommend? Please share via the comments section.

Kokako Tanka Competition

The 3rd Kokako Tanka Competition

Closing Date: 31st October 2010

First Prize: NZ$200

Second and Third Place prizes of NZ $50 each.

Judge: Richard von Sturmer

Send entries to:

The Kokako Tanka Competition,

Patricia Prime, co-editor

42 Flanshaw Road

Te Atatu South

Auckland 8

New Zealand

Please make cheques out to Kokako

Overseas entrants may send cash at their own risk

               Conditions of entry

1. Tanka must be previously unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere.
2. Entry fee is NZ$2 per tanka or 3 for NZ$5; for overseas entries, US$1 per tanka, or 4 for US$3. Any number of entries.
3. Send two copies of each tanka, or group of tanka, with your name and address on one copy only.
4. Winning tanka, highly commended and commended entries will be published in Kokako 14 (April 2011).
5. Winners will be notified by mail.
6. Any theme is acceptable.

Learning about haiga, and loving it!

Over the past year or so I've been branching out from haiku into writing tanka and haibun as well. I've really enjoyed experimenting with these forms, and have found I've grown as a writer through extending myself in this way. I've had a few tanka and haibun published now (see one of my haibun under 'Links to My Writing') and feel reasonably comfortable writing them. I've only scratched the surface of how I can use these forms to express and record my journey through this life. I'm sure I'll continue writing them, along with haiku, for many years to come.

In recent weeks, I've found myself drawn to haiga. It feels like a natural progression for me as someone who delights in playing with words and crafts, and likes to explore the relationship of how one can inspire the other. I actually made my first haiga before I really knew I had. But when I realised what I'd come up with, and how fun the creative process had been, I was eager to learn more about the connection between words and images that is the basis of haiga.

What I discovered was http://www.haigaonline.com/
Haigaonline is an online journal of haiga. From the traditional to the experimental, you can emerge yourself in this form through these pages. Each issue has a haiga workshop and I'm steadily making my way through them. If you Google "haiga" you will find lots of examples, but the articles on Haigaonline are a great place to start.

Go here for a definition of haiga: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiga

First day of sping and it's all about poetry

Happy first day of spring! And the good news keeps coming for me and my poetry leanings...

My page on the Haiku NewZ Showcase is now live. You can see it here: http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/kirstencliff and also check out another newcomer to the showcase, Margaret Beverland: http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/margaretbeverland

A big thank you to Sandra Simpson for inviting me to be part of the Showcase and for expertly putting together all the Haiku NewZ pages. I have added the link under 'Links to My Writing', which are on the right hand side of this blog under the photo of me.

I love it when things come together. I haven't submitted anything for months and then the good news flows forth in a rush! I've had a haiku accepted for the 2010 New Zealand Poetry Society anthology, which will come out in November with a launch in Wellington. And a poem accepted for publication in Takahe sometime in 2011. This came about after Stylus was unable to publish the feature '12 New Zealand Poets' that Pat Prime had put together, so Pat contacted Siobhan Harvey, poetry editor at Takahe, and she agreed to publish the poems throughout 2011. Superb news for me having never had a poem in Takahe before. Thank you, Pat and Siobhan!

My final piece of good news isn't directly poetry related, but haiku could well end up involved! I volunteered to be one of 10 people to represent leukaemia survivorship in an ad campaign for Leukaemia Appeal Week (Nov 1-7). I did a photo shoot last week at Browsers Quality Secondhand Bookshop in Hamilton with photographer TJ Alderson. It was a great experience and I'm proud to be able to help the Leukaemia and Blood Foundation in this way. My image will end up in various places, which could include posters, pamphlets, books and websites.

TJ enjoys incorporating words into his images and, knowing I was a haiku writer, asked me to send him any that spoke of my leukaemia journey. Watch this space - haiku could be flooding the media come November!

Two haiku comps that I just couldn't pass up!

As a result of my long stays in hospital, and now the months needed to recover, I'm not chomping at the bit to submit haiku to any publications or enter competitions. I'm taking as much time as I need to process all that I've been through, to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually, and I know that much poetry and other creative ideas will come from this. In fact, it's already happening.

I'm currently designing my own set of affirmation cards. But back to the reason for this post: Two haiku comps that I just couldn't pass up! Why you ask? Not only are they FREE to enter, they both also have an online entry form that makes it just so easy!

The first is the Kusamakura Haiku Competition, which closes September 13, 2010. You can enter up to two poems. The amazing first prize is an air ticket to Kumamoto, accommodation, and ¥50,000. Winners are announced in mid-November and the awards ceremony is on November 27. A magazine containing all entries will be sent to winners in late February 2011 and winning haiku will appear on the website. You can find all the information and past winners here: http://kusamakura-haiku.jp/boshu/index_e.html (see on-line entry form at bottom right-hand corner).

The second is the Haiku International Association Contest, which closes September 15, 2010. You can enter up to two poems. Last year I received and Honorable Mention in this competition. Winners are announced November 26. The results will be published in the HI Journal and on the HIA website. You can find all the information and past winners, along with the online entry form here: http://www.haiku-hia.com/cont_en.html

Need funds for your literary arts project?

Are you thinking about organising an event for writers? Maybe you'd like to put together a poetry anthology? Is it your dream to study writing at university?

The Max Foundation for NZ Women stems from the Max chain of retail stores, and could be a source of funding for your next literary arts project.

“In the spirit of believing every woman should have the opportunity to be the best they can be, we've created a charitable trust called the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women. The aim is to support women (or groups of women) whose actions enhance the wellbeing and advancement of New Zealand women.” http://www.maxfoundation.co.nz/

All applications are via on-line application form. The Summer funding round is open NOW. Applications close 4pm, December 31, 2010. Categories include: Creative Arts, Work/Study, Personal Dream/Goal and Special Event.

Summer 07/08 saw them grant Sophie Prebble the full fees of her Masters of Creative Writing in Scriptwriting at Victoria University. You can check out her story here: http://www.maxfoundation.co.nz/default,100,summer_0708_recipients.sm

The Literary Gift Company

I came across The Literary Gift Company when reading Joanna Preston's blog this week and I couldn't resist going straight to the website.

I wasn't disappointed! Filled with glorious delights for book lovers, this UK company is into wares that recycle old books, and began out of a family book selling business.

These people are the real deal. They have jewelry, kitchen items, clothing and stationery, amongst much, much more. I want you to go and discover it for yourself, but will tempt you just a bit further with three that took my fancy...

1. the Virgina Woolf typewriter pin - "Books are the mirrors of the soul"
2. the "Go away I'm writing" mug
3. the 'Paperback' Perfume (for that wonderful book smell we all love)

They even have a haiku t.shirt, which I find funny and offensive all at the same time. Let me know what you think. Cameron has challenged me to write a better one. I haven't yet accepted.

August is their first birthday so it's discounts all round. Just type 'dickens' in the 'voucher code' section at the checkout for your 10% discount. I put my first order in today so will let you know how it goes.

The Literary Gift Company blogs at http://giftsforbooklovers.blogspot.com/
Joanna Preston blogs at 'A Dark Feathered Art' http://jopre.wordpress.com/

For my scriptwriting/filmmaking friends

Three opportunities I have come across recently for my scripwriting/filmmaking friends out there...

Fresh Shorts

Fresh Shorts is a new low budget short film scheme run in-house by the NZ Film Commission. It aims to identify the next generation of New Zealand feature filmmakers by nurturing and inspiring up-and-coming talent. Each year Fresh Shorts will support up to eight narrative short films at $10,000 per film, and up to eight narrative short films at $30,000 per film. The level of funding will be based on the director’s experience. Applications close on Friday 8 October 2010. See the website for more details about the scheme, including the Fresh Shorts criteria and application information. http://nzfilm.co.nz/DevelopmentAndFinancing/ShortFilm/Fresh_Shorts.aspx

2010 Short Film Lab

Script to Screen and Show Me Shorts are calling for applications for the 2010 Short Film Lab. If you are a budding film writer or writer/director and are developing ideas for short film, then you won’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to take part in our inaugural Short Film Lab. Participants in the workshop will be mentored by experienced industry practitioners who have excelled in short filmmaking, including producer Ainsley Gardiner (Boy, Eagle vs Shark, Two Cars One Night, Tama Tu), writer/director Mark Albiston (Run, The Six Dollar Fifty Man), and screenwriter, producer and academic Shuchi Kothari (Firaaq, Apron Strings, Coffee and Allah).

Up to six writers (or writer/directors) will be selected to workshop their short film ideas during the full-day lab on Saturday 6 November in Auckland. Those selected can come on their own or can bring up to two key creative collaborators along with them. Thanks to the support of the New Zealand Film Commission, participation in the Short Film Lab is free for all selected applicants. Application Deadline: September 10
http://www.script-to-screen.co.nz/2010/08/2010-short-film-lab-how-to-apply/


The Beginners Guide to Screen Writing

Joanne Rye McGregor (Tauranga Film Collective) and Nyree Sherlock (Continuing Education Adviser) have teamed up to bring you this weekend workshop at the University of Waikato in Tauranga. The tutor is well-known scriptwriter Kathryn Burnett. Dates: 21st - 22nd August. Cost: $60 for a weekend of intensive learning. Workshop participants don't need to have previous writing experience. Find out more and enrol online:
http://www.waikato.ac.nz/pathways/community/tauranga/cce_screen.shtml.

First post back is about haiku, of course!

Hello, hello! It's good to be feeling well enough to start blogging again :)

The world of haiku has been chugging along while I've been in hospital, and the fruits of my labours in late 2009 and early 2010 have now come to fruition. So while I wasn't doing much writing, the past months have seen me receive third place in the Katikati Haiku Contest 2010 (judged by Sandra Simpson), two haiku published in the haikai pages of Bravado 19 (edited by Barbara Strang), and a haiku in, what ended up being, the final issue of moonset. I also saw my first ever tanka published in Valley Micropress (Vol13:Is3) and had my angel photo appear on the following month's VM cover (Vol13:Is4).

I was in between hospital visits when the Katikati Haiku Contest had its prize giving on June 6th so was able to attend and catch up with my fellow lovers of the Japanese poetry forms. The Katikati Haiku Pathway was also celebrating its 10th anniversary that wet and wonderful day and you can read a write up, complete with pics and the winning haiku, here: http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/node/502 . The Wai Taiko drummers were thrilling once again, but hearing them indoors this time round was a full body experience!

The biggest haiku event, however, to have put a smile on my face since returning to Wordsmith House is my invitation to appear on the Haiku NewZ 'Showcase' of talented haiku writers in NZ. I'm honoured that my name and haiku will sit alongside such great haiku writers, those whose work I have studied, aspired to; some I am lucky enough to have met and call 'friend'. You can see the 'Showcase' here: http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/node/275 . I have to get organised and choose 10 of my haiku and write a short bio for my inclusion, which should appear online next month. Will keep you updated!

The long awaited 14th blog post...

My blog has suddenly had to go into hiatus for an unknown length of time while I receive treatment for leukaemia, which I was diagnosed with on March 2nd. It will be a long road ahead, they say 2yrs, but my chances of a full recovery are 95% so we all have lots of hope. Please send me your healing thoughts.

Kirsten x

FREE 28-Day Creativity Journal

Do you want a FREE 28-Day Creativity Journal? Well you won't get it from me! But I can point you in the right direction.

Head to the Creative Muse Coach http://www.creativemusecoach.com/ Fill out the Creativity Survey and get your FREE 28-Day Creativity Journal as a thank you gift!

So why would you want to do this?

The Creativity Survey "Your Creativity and You: Blocks and Dreams" is an on-line survey being conducted by Creative Muse Coach to discover how creative people address obstacles to expressing their talent. I found this to be very interesting and it helped me begin to recognise what my creative goals are and what's blocking me in my pursuit of those goals. It was worth the 10-15mins I spent filling it out.

The FREE 28-Day Creativity Journal. I have been using this journal, which recipients can print out for their own use, and am up to my fourth and final week. It has been a very enlightening journey and one that I'm very happy to have taken.

The journal begins with an explanation of its use...

"This journal was developed to support you in your creative process by providing a place to record your inspirations, track your challenges, and deepen your connection to your Inner Muse."

The journal uses the 9 Most Common Creative Blocks as identified and defined by Creative Muse Coach. By signing up to Muse News (an e-newsletter) you will receive a FREE e-course about these Creative Block Busters. So you can learn exactly what's holding you back instead of lumping it all under 'procrastination' and beating yourself up yet again!

Before you begin the journal, you list your creative goals. This had me focused right away. Then each day you fill out things like how you fed your muse, your creative successes, what your creative blocks were and how you overcame them. All this has made it clear to me where I'm spending (or wasting) my time and energy, what activities truly feed my creative self, how much time I'm spending creating, and what my main creative blocks are.

So I've gathered a dossier of information about me and my inner muse. I know what to work on and what activities to do everyday to keep myself fed. Could you benefit from having this knowledge about yourself?

Bravado call for submissions

Bravado 20 is now looking for submissions of poetry, fiction and prose for their November 2010 issue – deadline is May 14th, so you have plenty of time to come up with something that matches their criteria of ‘bold and contemporary’.

Bravado is a literary arts magazine from the Bay of Plenty. Guidelines are available online at http://www.bravado.co.nz/
You can submit by e-mail or send a clearly-presented ms. to the relevant editor to Bravado, PO Box 13 533, Central Tauranga 3141.

The editors would also like to remind potential contributors that they are open to submissions of haikai – Japanese forms of poetry – and black and white artwork or good quality photographs for internal pages.

The Poetry Archive

“The Poetry Archive is the world's premier online collection of recordings of poets reading their work. You can enjoy listening here, free of charge, to the voices of contemporary English-language poets and of poets from the past.”

This is a user-friendly site: search for a poem or a poet, or browse poems by theme, form, title or the poet’s last name. Also included are a glossary of poetic terms and resources for teachers, students and librarians. Each poem is in recorded form as well as written with the poet’s bio below and a link to which books contain that poem. A must see (and hear) website that’s expanding all the time!

Click on the title of this post to be taken to The Poetry Archive.