Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

Poetry Fishbowl on Monday, November 3

This is an advance announcement for the November Poetry Fishbowl.

Writing is usually considered a solitary pursuit. One exception to this is a fascinating exercise called a "fishbowl." This has various forms, but all of them basically involve some kind of writing in public, usually with interaction between author and audience. A famous example is Harlan Ellison's series of "stories under glass" in which he sits in a bookstore window and writes a new story based on an idea that someone gives him. Writing classes sometimes include a version where students watch each other write, often with students calling out suggestions which are chalked up on the blackboard for those writing to use as inspiration.

I'm going to host a Poetry Fishbowl on my blog on Monday, November 3. This time the theme will be civics/politics. I'm hoping for unifying rather than divisive topics; this is my way of encouraging people to make their voices heard, and work together, because those are things that contribute to a healthy society. I'll be soliciting ideas for people, historic occasions, ideals, inspiring actions, and poetic forms in particular. Chances are I'll spend a good chunk of the day, from afternoon to evening or more, alternating between this site and doing stuff offline so my back doesn't weld itself to the chair. I will post at least one of the resulting fishbowl poems on the blog for everyone to enjoy. The rest will be available for audience members to buy, and whatever's left over will go into my archive for magazine submission.

If you enjoy my poetry -- or if you just love poetry in general, or want to promote a thriving culture -- please mark the fishbowl date on your calendar. Drop by and give me some ideas, comment on the posted poetry, encourage people to come look, whatever tickles your fancy. I hope to see you then!
Tags: community, cyberfunded creativity, fishbowl, networking, poetry, politics, writing
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  • 4 comments
whuffle

whuffle

October 27 2008, 19:39:15 UTC 12 years ago

Here's an inspiration for you: Rosa Parks; how is her experience as a civil rights icon relevant to the upcoming elections? How did her simple act of defiance lead to thousands of people of all races listening to the voice of optimism in the face of a black man?
ysabetwordsmith

Good idea!

ysabetwordsmith

October 27 2008, 20:08:29 UTC 12 years ago

Save that one and repost it next Monday when I open the fishbowl, would you please? Rosa Parks is a favorite of mine.
whuffle

Re: Good idea!

whuffle

October 27 2008, 20:13:38 UTC 12 years ago

I have always loved her quiet strength. I'll try to remember to repost it for you! If I can spare a buck or two I'm hoping to donate to the fishbowl this time. I've given up coffee anyways so I just think of it as my former occasional cuppa going to a more worthwhile cause!

ysabetwordsmith

Re: Good idea!

ysabetwordsmith

October 27 2008, 20:17:16 UTC 12 years ago

*happy dance* This will be so much fun.

I studied Rosa Parks in some of my college feminist classes, and in the African-American literature/culture class I took, but I discovered her a lot earlier. Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman are a couple of my other favorites.