It's been 3 weeks since the end of the April PAD Challenge. I hope everyone's continued writing regularly since the end--even if that only means a poem or two per week. After all, that's part of the challenge, I think, is turning writing into a regular (or, at the very least, semi-regular) routine. Based off the participation in the Wednesday Poetry Prompts, I'd say many of you are still keeping at it.

The challenge involved more than 400 poets who posted at least one poem during the month and more than 4,000 total poems. My current records show that more than 120 poets actually completed the April PAD Challenge through the blog. Anyone who thinks poetry is dead should not visit Poetic Asides during the month of April, because they'll experience severe culture shock. And for that, I thank all of you.

So anyway, I named the 2008 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate earlier this morning: Sara Diane Doyle. To see the official announcement and read some of the poems she posted to the site, just click here.

In addition to the 2008 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate, though, there are a few other special mentions I would like to make.

The Most Prolific Poet Award is actually a tie between Rodney C. Walmer and Iain D. Kemp. The two actually seemed to have become friends during the month, swapping poems and music. I'm not sure who posted more poems (I can't count that high), but they both surely surpassed 100 poems each. 

The Poet Most Likely to Write About a Comic Supervillain Award goes to Kateri Woody, who not only wrote about the Joker throughout the month of April but also inspired several poets to write about the Joker's foil Harley Quinn. Way to stick with it, Kateri.

The Most Hated Poetry Prompt Award goes to Day 28's write a sestina prompt.

The Most Loved Poetry Prompt Award goes to Day 28's write a sestina prompt. Apparently, poets feel passionately one way or the other on this prompt--and poetry should always be about passion, right? (Now I'm gonna get flooded with reasons why poetry should not always be about passion, huh?)

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For the final award, join me in congratulating the 120+ poets who completed this April PAD Challenge. They are (in no particular order):

Alfred J Bruey; Anahbird; Angie Bell; Diane Mowery; Rebecca; Roxanne Nicholson; Bonnie; Tonya Root; Lori; Barbara Tzetzo Gosch; Salvatore Buttaci; Corinne; Christa R. Shelton; John H Maloney; Carol A Stephen; IleanaCarmina; Cathy Sapunor; Carol Boudreau; Cheryl Wray; Chris Granholm Jr.; Carla Cherry; Connie; Lisa McMahan; Carol Brian; Liza; Linda SW; Amanda Selset; Beth Browne; Bonnie MacAllister; Bruce Niedt; Devon Brenner; Don Ford; Don Swearingen; Emily Blakely; Earl Parsons; Justin Evans; A.C. Leming; Jeanette J. McAdoo; Genta; Sue Bench; Deb Hill; Michelle Cooper; Justin M. Howe; Iain D. Kemp; k weber; Margaret Fieland; January G. O’Neil; JL Smither; Yoli; Joannie Stangeland; Joe; Kate Berne Miller; Kimberly Kinser; Christine Kephart; KP; Kevin; Mike Padg; Karen; LindaTK; Kateri Woody; Lyn Sedwick; lynn rose; LBC; Khara House; Laura Hoopes; Monica Martin; Elizabeth Keggi; Lin Neiswender; Barbara Ehrentreu; Laurie Kolp; Linda Brown; Linda Hofke; Lorraine Hart; Omavi Ndoto; Marcos Cabrera; Matthew Abel; Susan M. Bell; Maria Jacketti; M. Schied; Michelle Hed; Mike Barzacchini; M J Dills; Robin Morris;  Judy Stewart; Jolanta Laurinaitis; Sarah; Nancy; Patti Williams; Bill Kirk; Rosemary Nissen-Wade; AlaskanRC; Sarah; Maureen Sexton; Sara Diane Doyle; Shirley Ann Tracy; Satia; Sally DiUlus; Sharon Ingraham; Shana; Renee Goularte; Callan Bignoli-Zale; Dee IKJ; Sheryl Kay Oder; Marcus Smith; SaraV; Barbara Torke; Lyn Michaud; Kriss; Paige; Sara McNulty; Suzanne Poor; Tad Richards; halfmoon_mollie; TaunaLen; Judy Roney; Teri Coyne; Susan Reichert; Terri; Jay Sizemore; Virginia Snowden; Rodney C. Walmer; Victoria Hendricks.

Congratulations to all of you! My month/year/decade has been made by your amazing commitment to this challenge--as well as your crazy praise that will have me blushing until the 22nd century rolls around.

All finishers will receive an award to place on their blogs, sites, etc. (created by our magazine design team). In addition, they'll receive these cool certificates of completion (created by our book design team). I'd like to thank both design teams for volunteering their time to this poetic cause.

(If your name was not among the finishers and you think it should've been, just send me an email at robert.brewer@fwpubs.com with the subject line "Where's my name, yo?" I'll be sure to work with you to get your name properly listed.)

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Okay, so after you get done congratulating each other, everyone should head on over to the Poetic Asides group at http://forum.writersdigest.com and share your thoughts on the challenge, the awards, and anything else.

Oh yeah, and remember: I'll be answering questions in the Poetic Asides group tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (EST) if anyone's got questions about poetry, publishing, etc. I'll be sharing my advice with any who show up. See you there.

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And one more time: Thank you all sooooooo much for participating in the 2008 Poetic Asides April PAD Challenge! See you all next year--when I offer up 30 straight days of sestinas (just kidding--or am I?).

It sometimes seems like all published poets wear many different hats in addition to their poetry cap. Helene Cardona exemplifies this as much (if not more) than any poet. When she's not a poet, she's an actress with credits in movies such as Chocolat and Mumford. She's also an equestrian, dancer, dream analyst, and yoga practitioner. When she's not speaking English, she's speaking one of a handful of other languages--and has worked as a translator/interpreter for several different groups.

For her collection, The Astonished Universe (Red Hen Press), Cardona put together a wonderful group of poems--written in both English and French (of course). After all, where's the challenge in writing a collection of poems in only one language. (Note: During some of these interviews, I feel like Wayne from Wayne's World--ready to fall to my knees and say, "I'm not worthy; I'm not worthy.")

Here is the interview.

The Astonished Universe is an intentionally bilingual collection of poetry. Why did you decide to do this? 

I wrote The Astonished Universe in English. I did not originally intend it to be a bilingual collection. English is my fifth language, but it has been my language of choice for a long time now. I can say it chose me. I presented the manuscript, in English, to the publisher. They came back to me and said they would be interested in publishing it as a bilingual collection in French and English. At the time they had a collection in Spanish and English, and one in German and English, but none in French. So I went back to work and translated it into French. It was fascinating for me, because it rekindled my love of the French language and of writing in French again. The French translation absolutely informed the English version. As I was making discoveries with the French, I came to realize that some of the English could be improved. It became a dance between the two languages. I also felt more freedom than if I were translating someone else, because it was my own text.

Your father is a poet. How did he influence you as a writer?   

My father is a Spanish poet. He was born on the island of Ibiza. His mother was from Madrid, and his father from Barcelona. He was nicknamed “el cisne vallisoletano”, the swan from Valladolid. This is because they say that the Spanish from Valladolid is the purest. His command of the Spanish language is extraordinary. I could say he instilled in me a love for words.

You’re an actress. Do you find that helps or hinders the poetic process?

It helps. Acting and poetry are simply two different forms of artistic expression. As an actress I am very drawn to films that are visually beautiful and poetic. At the same time, I always pay close attention to the screenplay. It is the backbone of the film. I was lucky to work with Lawrence Kasdan (Mumford). He writes all his screenplays, and they’re usually original screenplays. He’s a terrific writer and director. I was also lucky to work on Lasse Hallström’s Chocolat. Robert Nelson Jacobs’s screenplay was nominated for an Oscar and won the BAFTA award. Great writing helps the actor. To go back to your question, they both raise your consciousness and in that sense, enhance one another.

You’re a very well-traveled poet who is able to speak several languages. Which languages can you speak? Do you think travel and a knowledge of languages helps your poetry?

I was born in Paris. French is my mother tongue. I learned Spanish at home before I went on to study it more formally at the Sorbonne and the universities of Santander and Baeza.  My mother was Greek and taught me her language. I started learning German when I lived in Geneva, and studied it more thoroughly at the Goethe Institutes in Paris and Bremen, Germany. Switzerland is a tri-lingual country, so I picked up Italian there, and then studied it more when I decided to work as a tour guide in Italy. Of course knowing multiple languages is a great advantage to writing poetry. It develops a musical ear for sounds, and gives flexibility with words and the thoughts that underlie them. Travel opens your mind and imagination.

How did you go about getting The Astonished Universe published?

It all started when I met Red Hen’s managing editor at a PEN USA event. We had a subsequent meeting at a restaurant and she suggested I send her the manuscript.

If you could share only one piece of advice with other poets, what would that advice be?  

Do things that inspire you. 

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To check out more information on Helene Cardona, visit her Web site at www.helenecardona.com.

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If you're interested in checking out other exclusive interviews with poets, including Dorianne Laux, Julianna Baggott, Jillian Weise, and more, just check 'em out here.

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If you're a publisher or well-published poet who's interested in giving an interview, check out my Call for Poets here.