Never on Suday or any 'no' mail day

Years ago, in some writing workshop or other, I was given a piece of advice that 'stuck'. And I want to pass it on to budding writers of any genre. I was given this tip by another woman writer at a time when, all by myself, I was trying to work full-time at a day job, raise two children, AND actively pursue the Muse! I wasn't willing to give up any of these 'aspects' of my life; I was feeling ineffective and overwhelmed, and I probably was... The advice? NEVER, EVER, no matter WHAT, work on any aspect of writing on any day when mail is NOT delivered! Do not even jot down a quick note, get into a conversation with another writer on the phone, or otherwise get involved in your writing life. Try not to even THINK about your writing or writing projects on those days! As overwhelmed, and as behind in so many things as I was, this sounded nuts. But I was urged to just try it for a month and lacking any other solutions, I did. The result was amazing and almost immediate. That one day 'off' every week (and now, with so many Mondays being Holidays - two days off in a row!) refreshes my creativity in some inexplicable way. On the next 'working' morning I am ready to get to it! And usually do. Even if, on my 'day or days' off, I work hard, wear myself out on other stuff; it is NOT writing stuff. I may paint a room, re-pot all my patio plants, do the laundry and housework, go shopping, go to a parade, or make a big pan a spaghetti sauce from scratch. But I do not 'work' at the art of writing! On my days 'off' I try to not even think about writing or my various writing projects. This is more difficult, but it can be done with a little practice. When you catch yourself thinking about writing or a writing project, just gently put the thought on hold. Tell yourself you will think about it tomorrow. For example, all day yesterday, producing this Blog entry was sitting heavy on my mind; I had to fight off the impulse many times to take some notes, or just sit down and do it! Having decided to share what to me, over the years, had turned out to be a valuable tip, I wanted to do it! But I was able to wait and here I am, first thing this morning, a 'mail delivery day' making the entry. Nothing was lost in the waiting. In fact, the thoughts, and ideas behind the impulse to Blog this writing tip probably unconsciously coalesced during the waiting. Certainly, during my time 'off', the 'other' aspects of my life have been lined up, taken care of, settled, and are out of the way so the Muse can have full rein. The reason for trying to not even think about writing on your days 'off': if you think about it, you are likely to do something WITH THAT thought. You are likely to interrupt your gardening, cooking, painting, whatever and will find you've spent hours working on writing... Initially, I had to actually schedule in my weekly writing time on mail days, to meet deadlines, finish projects, in order to have those non-mail days off. Then it got to be a habit, no matter my domestic or day-job situation, I never ever write (WORK) on Sundays or Holidays. Yes, I still often greatly resent this particular self-imposed 'writing rule', have to remind myself of the why and how of it. After all these years, I often re-evaluate and remind myself that it's worth it. And you probably will too! Giving your Muse (no matter your genre of writing) some regular time off works! It's a habit that has proved beneficial to me and to my Muse!It will probably work for you also. Give it a try!

Early one Tuesday morning

PUBLISHED:
The New York Quarterly (The ONE poem that make me a NYQ Poet!)
Number 37
October 1988

Early one Tuesday morning
you'll walk into this very same room and sit down, primly
cross your legs, and sit perfectly still, as only
you can. And, as usual, I'll be attired in my best demeanor.
"Today, let's start with my agenda," you'll say
as I routinely start to slip out of it;
slide it easily up my torso, over my head, then discard it.
"Are you still taking four Lithium a day?" you'll ask
though by now I'm sitting naked before you,
my prized demeanor lying crumpled on the dusty carpet.
"What about the anti-depressant?" you'll continue
while I take your hand, methodically taste each finger,
then trace the lines in your palm with my tongue.
"And the Xanax, how much are you taking?" you'll inquire
as I unbutton your shirt, move my face over
your chest; nuzzle the thick blonde hair, the erect nipples.
"What about your other medications?" you'll query
while I smoothly unbuckle your thin brown leather belt, unzip
your slacks, tug them and your bikini briefs down.
Then start a frenzied search for your appendectomy scar.
"This is not therapeutic!" you'll cry,
finally having noticed your own state of near nakedness.
"Nor would any of my peers approve!" you'll wail.
Reacting immediately; I'll pluck out my brain,
and then frantically offer it to you in way of an apology.
"Have you been feeling suicidal lately?" you'll ask.


(All Rights reserved by author: evvy garrett)

EDITING CREDITS

Poetry Editor for Turbula from 2003-2004

NON-FICTION CREDITS

Copper Hill Quarterly, Alliance Advocate, Rapping Paper, Network News, All Worlds Together, Diabetes Interview, Turbula, The Unicorn, The HamFanz Grudge Report, etc.

NON-FICTION

I'm also a multi-genre non-fiction writer; articles, short humor, opinion, memoirs, current events, etc. Though I'm currently working on my first mystery novel (if it ever gets completed).

I've written, and been published, in various non-fiction genres: song lyrics, the occasional speech, a large questionnaire project for a county, humor, personal experience & opinion pieces, as well as ongoing columns. Clips available on request.

In recent years, I've done much 'blog' content, please see http://hamfanz.blogspot.com/

POETRY CREDITS

AKA, Alura, Anemone, Arizona Unconservative, CAMI Journal, Capper's, Chicago Sheet, Copper Hill Quarterly, December Rose, In Your Face, New York Quarterly, Pearl, Poetic Space, Poetic Space Anthology #1, Psychopoeticia, Radiance, Rant, Rapping Paper, Riverrun, Radiant Woman, Romantic Bower, San Diego Lesbian Press, Shadows Project, Turbula, We Accept Donations, Writer's Info, etc.

POETING

I'm a non-university, post post-modern, feminist oriented, poet. I strive to integrate the academic, the populist, and the formalist in my work. All while trying to keep the content within the range of what's pertinent today.

I'm listed with POETS & WRITERS INC. (www.pw.org).

I've given many readings and have taught both creative writing and poetry workshops. I also mentor selected poets.

bio & credits

POETIC EDUCATION

I have formally studied poetics with:

Bayla Winters
(1979-1980, Los Angeles, CA)
Brook Hallock
(1981-1983, Salt Lake City, UT)
Steve Kowit
(1985-1988, San Diego, CA)

New York Quarterly Poets

I was amazed yesterday to get an email from this new website http://www.nyqpoets.net/poet/evvygarrett . Even more amazed after I checked it out, as it's for real, not a scam. Apparently, the publishers of New York Quarterly, one of the most prestigious 'literary poetry periodicals' , has set up a web site featuring the poets they have published. I am one of them! My poem 'EARLY ONE TUESDAY MORNING' was published in NYQ on page 115 of issue number 37 (1988). That one poem makes me a proud 'NYQ Poet'. I just hope that THAT wasn't the height of my poetic accomplishments... EARLY ONE TUESDAY MORNING is posted to this blog.