Finding readers

I’ve been thinking about this for the past week as I have been developing and tweaking my online outlets. Last night I was reading an article about speculative poetry in the 2010 edition of Poet’s Market. Speculative poetry is poetry that fits into the genre of sci-fi and mythological. What I found interesting about this article it stated speculative poetry is the type of poetry that actually pays. Often I have heard that poetry doesn’t pay and at best doesn’t pay well. But here was a genre of poetry that based on what the article was stating does pay out better than the average publisher of poems.

Why is that I wondered. After thinking about the article I realized that the sci-fi genre has a very dedicated and committed following. It has birthed an entire culture of hard core fans with a grassroots type movement. Dragon Con anyone?

And now it makes sense. Supply and demand is the root of all that is profitable. And the sci-fi fans LOVE their sci-fi in all its formats. Poetry included. A collection of poems that focus on sci-fi may actually sell. Why? Because sci-fi readers LOVE reading sci-fi.

My point is not that I’m about to write sci-fi poetry although I do love sci-fi and mythological worlds and characters. My realization is that finding readers is a more productive endeavor if I find what genre of writing my poetry falls into and I focus my submissions and online outlets into that area. Adding my poetry as a thread in the fabric of a genre’s culture would develop a readership.

As a poet I like writing about whatever moves me or inspires me and i will always do so. Yet I’m excited to focus my writing into a genre where my work is embraced because it enlivens the culture of the genre it belongs too.

Transition

I took a week off from writing to do two things. One is to focus on getting my online branding efforts up and running. This included updating my website so it’s a central location to find my online profiles on different sites. This included updating and creating my online profiles for sites such as Reverbnation.com, a fan page on Facebook.com and creating a video montage for one of my poems to start up my YouTube page. I’m still thinking on how to create my MySpace page.  My plan of action for my online profiles is to get all of them up and active with some basic content and then as I develop my poetry all the online outlets are already developed for me to add my poetry or poetry readings. Basically build the shed first and then get the stuff to store in it.

The second thing I wanted to focus upon is shifting the nature of my poetry. I’ve always written poetry that was more diary oriented. Poems that reflected places I’ve been and my experiences. Although I enjoy writing these types of poems I want to write poems that allow the reader or listener to relate. Therefore I’m opening up my writing to topics that most people can relate too. Current events that impact us all, financial concerns, relationships issues, and the entire range of feelings we go through.  This will be in addition to poems that reflect what I experience in my life. Just trying to create a broader range of work.

My online initial develop is just about done. Almost finished with the photo montage for my video about me reading the poem Meeting the Tennessee river. Even though I’m just adding pictures to reflect the different topics in the poem this editing business takes some time.

But it will all be worth the effort. My boyfriend said that my online presence looks like I’m some big shot poet.  It’s called taking control of your online image. In this information age we live in that’s an important action.

Making it all work out

I admire jugglers and how they are able to maintain multiple objects in the air at the same time. I don’t know how to juggle but I feel like I do it everyday with the tasks in my life. If I had the perfect day I would spend it reading, writing and tinkering with my online branding projects such as my blog, my page on Reverbnation.com and untangling the odd world of Facebook applications.

But I don’t have the perfect day that often so most days I’m juggling my non-work hours trying to make time for exercising, my family, my writing, my reading and cooking. I’ve learned that’s its easier to squeeze in minutes here and there than to try and block off an hour of my time. Then on the weekends I’ll spend a quality block of time doing items that are important to me.

Even now it’s 12:30 a.m. and I’m trying to finish this blog. Such is the life of someone with a dream. You got to get it in where you can fit it in.

Taking my writing to the next level

I decided to publish my poetry and spent time on the internet looking for a website to showcase my work. I decided on AssociatedContent.com as it seems to be a reputable website that encourages, promotes and pays for writings. Not just poetry but prose, how-to, commentary, travel writing, finance writing and a many genres of topics.

For me this is a first step as this is the first time my poetry has been showcased in a location that reflects professionalism. I’m excited to watch my list of content grow and you can find my contributor’s page at www.associatedcontent.com/alisalawton. My first “professional” writer’s page. Yea I’m excited.

I also decided to begin a short story which may result in a novel. I’m shooting for a short story though. Found a free writer’s software that will help with this daunting task of creating my first short story. It’s called yWriter 5 and you can find it at www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html. It was created by a programmer who is also a writer. It allows me to set up characters, locations, scenes, plots and write the story. This helps me to create the framework on which to build the story. I’m excited about this too.

My biggest challenge is setting aside writing time every day and make sure I produce something. I also need time everyday to read and learn. It boils down to discipline and focus. But writing, especially poetry, is what I enjoy doing. I’ll make it happen.

A writer’s manifesto.

I found this fascinating quote today:

I was recently in a writing workshop with author Pinckney Benedict, who spent a portion of his time discussing manifestos. A manifesto is defined as a public declaration of intentions, opinions or motives. As an exercise, Benedict suggested we draw up a list of items or subjects that would make up our own manifestos. For the purposes of writing, think of it as a list of items that usually (or always) appear in your own stories, poems or essays — either subconsciously or by your strict intention.writerscommunity.net, A Community for Writers About Writing, Critiquing, Editing, and Developing as a Writer, Aug 2009

You should read the whole article.