Poetically Powered Newsletter January 2022
Welcome to Poetically Powered Newsletter! I am so grateful for you to want my words in your mailbox. I just competed with Write About Now Poetry and their Slam Mania III. It was terrific but also pushed me to up my memorizing process. I need to keep writing as my inspiration comes to me, editing and memorizing. I haven't promoted this Newsletter but wanted to send out this month's roundup and make a fresh one next month. You might see some things repeated, like my classes coming up, that will stop being mentioned as they cycle through being done.
Your Writing Process?
I get asked a lot about my writing process, and this question always makes me tilt my head. Process?
The process sounds like tap, tap, tap at the keyboard while they smile at me. My process looks like poetic possession. My process looks like eight years of silence, and then the dam in me opened up to nearly swallow me whole.
Generally, I get comfortable, make sure my alignment is correct enough not to cause muscular stuff to work out later, and let the mental highway speak to me.
What is the mental highway, you ask? That’s connecting to my inspiration. Sometimes, I’m not going to lie. She is difficult. She doesn’t want to work with me. When that happens, I use poetry prompts. You can use poetry prompts at all times you like to. I like to use the exact prompt three times and write three very different poems from one source of information.
Projects, Performances, Fun Shit:
Some information on my workshops and projects:
Talking about the Mental Highway, I do have a workshop with WAN Academy on June 6th doing just that. Writers, non-writers, poets, people who don’t call themselves poets but are pretty adept at words are all invited. To buy tickets for that is this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wan-academy-tapping-into-your-poetic-mental-highway-w-sarah-bellum-mental-tickets-254927183067?aff=sbm
If you share that link with others, I get a commission for tickets sold, and this does help me out. Also, if you’re a WAN Poetry member, sit easy and know that it’s free.
Also, I am a Guerilla Poet member, and I got free virtual workshops with them. My next one is in February 3rd, Thursday 6pm CST, and we will be doing Part II of Compassion Clarity and Poetic Craft. I am working on two workshops with them on Friday and Saturday for a safe space for survivors workshops. You can be a non-writer and just come to be in a group. You can write if you want, or write later if it comes to you.
Besides that, you can watch me with the Worldwide Poetry League with WAN Poetry on February 28th at 6 pm CST, and that is virtual.
I will be starting back up the Catalysts when things calm down. Currently, I am working hard on the Women Of The World Poetry Slam at the end of March in Baltimore, Maryland. We got tickets, and I will be competing in that competition.
My books are still available if you’d like to take me home with you. Poetically word-wise, of course. Every bit helps, and I will do nice shit for you to send with your book and goodies.
I got Trigger Warning with Bloodmoon Poetry that is an anthology for survivors that I’m published in— “Honey Pot” which is a one minute slam poetry I competed with in Slam Mania III. The proceeds from selling the book goes to a survivors network, so you will be supporting a good cause with it. I’m planning to buy a copy myself.
We also got a Merch shop of mine coming into life after so many years of trying to make it and failing. It will have T-shirts and things with my poetry on it. Also, my logo image that Shane Mainer made for me who is one of the creators of Guerilla Poets.
Finally, this Sunday is an Erotica workshop with the Word Is Write @4pm CST. Sign up on their page.
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What Ya Up To?
*What I’m Reading: Just finished Absinthe and Opium by Lydia Kang— I enjoy this author and “What My Mother And I Don’t Talk About” which I would highly highly recommend.
*What I’m listening to: Music tends to throw off the rhythm of writing, so only listening to music in my walks.
*What I’m getting ready for: WOWPS 2022, Late March
*What I’m writing: Anything that connects me to the past. Currently, a non-binary piece.
*What’s haunting me: Words of how my father chooses to kill with care/kindness rather than something else.
To all those who hear me, thank you. To all those struggling with kindness or self-compassion for yourself, I see you, I am you, but I know you’re magnificent. Be kind always to your mind.