Day: March 25, 2009

Modified Response to a Friend’s Comment Elsewhere: A Manifesto?

/ Clare L. Martin / 2 Comments

I want to write because I want to write.

I have something to prove to myself, to the world in a way, yes…but I need to remember that writing is a joyful act and I should not be pained with “having to prove” syndrome. Meaning I shouldn’t write from that headspace, you know?

This is the challenge: trying to get beneath the surface and into the ground of myself. I want to find the poetry in me—to write from the deepest heartspace and clearest headspace.

I want to tap into a vein of knowing that offers up resonant and authentic insight. I want to know and write what I know in a clear voice. I want to avoid Baroque language—by keeping it real, cohesive and accessible, and by enlivening but not burdening the language.

I want the authority to say it. I want to clear away the dross…for me it is simply about the work–doing the work.

I don’t want to be a lazy writer (anymore.) I don’t want to get caught up in the externals—publishing just to boost my ego comes to mind only because I have had a string of rejections in the past couple of months (I was only sparingly submitting work, sending drafts and more than likely sending things to markets that wouldn’t be a good fit for my work in the first place.) It was a kick in the derriere that forced me to refocus on the writing: love the work I do, find the core—what say you?

In Clear Voices: Lana Maht Wiggins & Clare L. Martin

/ Clare L. Martin / 1 Comment

Casa Azul Reading Series
(Hosted by Patrice Melnick)

In Clear Voices: Lana Maht Wiggins & Clare L. Martin

 

Thursday, April 9, 2009

7:00pm – 9:00pm

Casa Azul Gifts

 232 ML King Dr

Grand Coteau, LA

Host: Patrice Melnick

Phone: 3376621032

Email: casa.azul.gc@gmail.com

 

Thursday, April 9, 2009. 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., poets Lana Maht Wiggins and Clare L. Martin will read original works of poetry, followed by Open Mic.

Lana Maht Wiggins is the author of Notes from Refuge (Plain View Press), poetic narratives of her life in New Orleans and her personal refugee experience immediately following Hurricane Katrina. Notes from Refuge was a finalist in the 2006 Marsh Hawk Press Poetry Contest. Lana also received the Judge Felix Voorhies Award for Creative Writing and a Jon Z. Bennet Award in The Deep South Writer’s Conference Poetry Contest in 1996. She has been published in The Southwestern Review, Deep South Writer’s Chapbook, Dance to Death, Words-Myth, Moondance, Knock and The Smoking Poet.

Clare L. Martin is a poet-mother-wife. Her creative writing has appeared in Inch, Eclectica Magazine, Wheelhouse Magazine and The Blue Fifth Review and in other literary magazines. Her poem “4-Way Stop at Dusk” appears in the anthology Best of Farmhouse Magazine Vol. 1.  She is also the playwright of “Waterlines” produced in April and November of 2006, and in May 2007, as part of the project “Sustained Winds,” a collaboration with the theater company Acting Up (in Acadiana) and 40 Louisiana artists responding to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In 2007, “Sustained Winds” was performed in New York City as part of FringeNYC. Sustained Winds was again performed at Festival International de Louisiane April 25, 2008.

Recently Clare served as a poet-presenter of a poetry workshop and facilitator of a storytelling session for the first annual Festival of Words, in the communities of Sunset and Grand Coteau, LA; and served as Lead Writer for Play. Music. Heal.: a multi-disciplined collaborative theatre work-in-development by the company Acting Up (in Acadiana.) The project brings together actors, musicians and writers in creating a contemporary story revolving around the potential for music to heal.

The performances will be followed by an Open Mic of poetry and music in which everyone is invited to participate.  This free event takes place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Grand Coteau at Casa Azul, 232 ML King Dr. Free Black Beans and Rice.