almost midwest: good girl gets rad

As usual, “privated” the 10/30 for National Poetry Month I managed to write — in case any of them end up revised and submitted places.  

Those of you playing the 30/30 drinking game, I earned you a shot by not finishing.  You can thank me later.

Reading Lorrie Moore’s “Self-Help” — thank you mid-MFA meltdown.  This week has been heavy on the social obligations (yes, partying and readings and dancing — rough life), but I’m excited for some summer productivity.  I know that sounds unlikely, but I’ll consider it make-up for NaPoWriMo, where I would give myself an “Incomplete.”

If any of you reading are University of Iowa students, I’m teaching a section of Creative Writing in the fall and my name now appears on ISIS.  It’s Wednesday nights, 6:30 - 8:20 and yes, I am aware how badly that time slot sucks.  I will attempt to compensate for this by being awesome.  Overcaffeination is not even possible.  Or, apparently, a word.

How do I make my tumblr profile picture not look stupid?  (Specifically, how do I make it include my WHOLE head and not center on my boobs?  I keep cropping, but after a point it gets ridiculous.)

Gorgeous film based on my poem over at decomP magazinE (y’all know the one), by Chelsea Williams at Coco Joe Productions.  Such a wonderful surprise!

chelseawill:

Film I did of Misty

Well everyone, I am headed today to Wooster, Ohio for my performance tomorrow night at their annual music and literary arts festival, Wooster Jam.  I am on at 8:30 tomorrow evening at the literary arts stage with a half hour set.  Stop by and say hi!  

Lindsey Vella (my road trip mate and good friend from the IWW) and I are going to compose a piece on the road just for the occasion and will be performing it together!  BONUS!  If you don’t know her, you should.  She’s a dangerous cocktail of fabulousness and grit.  (See why we’re friends?)

Of course, no road trip to that part of the country is complete without a hipster dance party in a shady (?) part of Detroit Saturday night, so that’s happening.  Let me know if you’re in the area!

First of all, click your booties over to Paper Darts and check my piece “Smokescreen” — then continue and check David Cotrone’s fabulous second-person piece, “Suggestions.” It will break your heart in all the best places.  

Then, if you’ve got $7 to toss towards a publication, check out my pieces “Questions at U.S. Customs” and “How to Apocalypse” in Bank-Heavy Press’ anthology Avoid Ninja Stars — and, if you’re in southern Cali, check out a few of their readings.  I hear there are shenanigans.

Finally, I’m doing 30/30 for April.  If I post that statement here, it makes me accountable.  Or something?  I’ll probably post each of the X/30 on here and take them down at the end of the month for revision and future use.  So stay tuned!

Finally ^2, check my girl Briony’s stuff — especially any of you nerdier folk.  Fall in love.

(via blasphemina)

This is a shout-out to those on Tumblr who’ve been reblogging, liking, and sharing other sorts of love for my piece over at decomP magazinE - you’re all incredible!  Thank you!  They’re on hiatus for March, so be sure to check out what stunning talent will grace their digital pages in April!

On another (vaguely related) note, I’m doing a little PR for an event in Iowa City being put on by the Iowa Youth Writing Project and Working Group Theatre.  Was the Word: Poetry Pro-Am will bring high school students from all over Iowa together for a master class with Amber Tamblyn, Derrick Brown, and Beau Sia.  Students will then take the stage with Amber, Derrick, and Beau for a public performance.  !!!  I feel like I don’t need to tell you A) who these fabulous, internationally renowned poets/etc. are and B) how AMAZING this opportunity is for these students.  Holy poetry, Batman!

That said, putting on an event like this takes a bit o’cash, so I’ve offered to do a virtual push of their Kickstarter project.  Every buck counts!  If you’re like me and don’t need that 53rd Forever21 blouse this month (“in anticipation of spring!”), donate.  If you’re in the area or care to make the drive, come for an evening of rockin’ spoken word from students and stars.  And don’t forget to come say hi!  I’m the one sportin’ fresh ink on my left arm (please direct all hugs to my right side).

My Pushcart-nominated piece, “Traveler,” is still gettin’ some love over at decomP magazinE (in the form of comments).  Also, a stranger Tweeted the last line.  Not a relative, not a friend, not even a colleague.  

This isn’t bragging.  This is humility.  This is me blushing.  This is appreciation for all the hard work that goes into small press publications, on-line and in print.  This is a reciprocation of the love for written word that those willing to take a chance on these publications exhibit when they bookmark a journal, leave comments, share what they find with the world via social media.

I know I speak on behalf of heaps of poets when I say thank you, from the bottom of our anatomical and metaphorical hearts, for reading and sharing.

Bank-Heavy Press has chosen two of my poems (“How to Apocalypse” and “Questions at U.S. Customs”) for an upcoming issue.  How rad is that?!?!  Give them some love, they deserve it.  (What up AWESOME tumblr design!)

I have to give mad props to my poetry workshop from last semester (and our fearless leader, James Galvin) for workshopping “HtA” - and to my workshop this semester (led by Dora Malech) for reading and spending time with “QaUSC” even though I decided we’d workshop a different one.

My closing statement is this: I know it’s totally selfish for me to love this mostly-above-freezing-during-the-day weather because of global warming and all, but I do. I love it.  Sure, I’d love it more if it were like 60, but then it would be the apocalypse.  Or I’d be in Cali and not Iowa.

Just as it says, this is an attempt at resurrecting the ol’ tumblr.  Also, my Twitter is a zombie.  (And look how jaunty that new Twitter layout is?  Doesn’t it make you smile?  Death did it well, eh?)  Thanks to my pal Courtney for the encouragement!

Since last you read, Traveler was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by the lovely editorial staff over at decomP magazinE.  A huge, humble thank you for the honor.  Also, a shout out to the incredible Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz for the same nomination!  Good luck, girl!  (Not that you need it!)  And here’s her piece in decomP.

And, just for kicks, the last few books I read: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (Mindy Kaling), Tranquilista: Mastering the Art of Enlightened Work and Mindful Play (Kimberly Wilson), Hip Tranquil Chick: A Guide to Yoga On and Off the Mat (Kimberly Wilson, currently reading).  

Self-help kick?  I suppose so.  But I highly recommend Mindy’s book, which I borrowed from the library (gasp!) and now must purchase because I love it. 

And the other two, well, if you’re into yoga and/or need some balance and tranquility, they’re not bad.  I’ve subscribed to Kimberly’s (free) podcast, Tranquility du Jour, and subscribed to her (not free) Tranquilologie podcast.  If nothing else, it inspired me to start free yoga classes at the campus rec center, which can’t hurt, right?

Also, recently into WhiteHotTruth pretty hardcore.  

New motto: try it.  If you don’t like it, stop.

robratpackslimsturma:

Why, of course I’m going to reblog this!

aimfortheheadbook:

Aim For The Head Zombie Anthology Reading!!!

WHAT:  

Victor D. Infante, Megan Thoma, Dave Macpherson and Ryk McIntyre read from “Aim For the Head: A Zombie Hunter’s Guide to Poetry,” from Wirte Bloody Publishing, as well as other poems. It’ll be weird, wacky, macabre and awesome. Just be there. Free, but copies of the book will be on sale, and you REALLY want this book. Trust me on this!

WHERE:

That’s Entertainment. 244 Park Ave.Worcester, MA
WHEN:  
Saturday, October 8 ·  2:00pm -  5:00pm

(via ratpackslim)

So, AM has been really quiet because this Wisconsin-mostly-native has up and transplanted herself in Iowa City for the Writers’ Workshop.

I’m considering a revamp.  Stay tuned. 

Meanwhile, focus those eye-holes over to Radius: Poetry from the Center to the Edge.  This Kevin Grijalva does for Updike far more than Updike ever did for me.  Beautiful.

MEGAN FALLEY [ON ICE!]: IF YOU REALLY LOVE A WRITER

meganfalley:

“How vain it is to sit down to write

when you have not stood up to live”

- Henry David Thoreau.

Everyone wants to give a writer the perfect notebook. Over the years I’ve acquired stacks: One is leather, a rope of Rapunzel’s hair braids its spine. Another, tree-friendly,…

Gore Vidal said that “a memoir is how one remembers one’s life, while an autobiography is history …”  

Does this validate, to some degree, a partially fictionalized account of one’s life if that is how it is remembered?  And what do you call it if is intentionally fictionalized for a specific literary purpose?  Is it then fiction, with no attention paid to how much of it is fictionalized?  How many details must be invented or embellished for it to become fiction?