Hi Writers,
With the competitiveness and general sense of ennui the literary world often inspires, it’s hard not to get down with the whole scene sometimes. And you may then start asking yourself: Why am I doing this? Why have I thrown my hat in with this dysfunctional lot? Why did I not pursue my alternate goal of becoming an accountant/ street mime/ dog whisperer?

I think we all go through that. And I was feeling just that way when, this Sunday, I came across this lovely story about teen writers in my city newspaper The Cincinnati Enquirer, “Teens writing for a change.”

Check it out. Teenagers, who could be out getting something pierced, chatting with their future ex on MySpace or any manner of other things, choosing instead to spend an evening sharing their writing. Apparently, the influence of street poetry brought via the hip hop culture has gotten kids interested in creating their own poetry.

This put a smile on my face. I’ve never been to a poetry open-mic night, but I’m going to make a point of going to the Greenwich Tavern now to check one out.   

Is there something positive and writerly going on in your corner of the world? Do tell. Your fellow writers could use the boost. Please post it here or on the WD forum.

Until next time…

Keep Writing,
Maria
P.S. I leave you with my favorite cartoon strip, "Agnes"
in which Agnes has the excellent idea of creating a Beat Poet Action Figure.
What beat poet would make a good action figure? Ginsberg? Kerouac perhaps?