Writing Confidence
It’s funny, I never thought of myself as a writer. A talker yes, but a writer? Isn’t that someone who has several English degrees and some experience in journalism or something like that?
So imagine my surprise when I received this in the mail this week:
“After carefully reading and discussing your poem, our Selection Committee has certified your poem as a semi-finalist in our International Open Poetry Contest.
Again, congratulations, Holly. We feel you have a special talent and look forward to the publication of your poem in Immortal Verses.
Holly, you should be genuinely proud of your accomplishment. Of the thousands of poems we read each year, only a fraction can be published. We are pleased that “Dearest Friend” will be featured on a page by itself in this classic publication.”
Hmmm. So does this make me a poet or a published author? Or maybe it’s just a new marketing technique to sell books? At any rate I’m left scratching my head but in a good way!
I didn’t write this poem for me. I wrote it for my mom after she lost a close friend to an unexpected brain aneurysm. I never got it in the frame with the picture of the two of them the way I planned for her birthday, or Christmas….but now it’s finding its way to a book.
Dearest Friend
I wish that I could roll back time
So many things I’d do
I’d start by cherishing every moment
That I spent with you
I’d slow things down and just enjoy
Being by your side
I’d take the time to hold you close
For now I realize
That time is short and all too soon
Our time on earth is through
And we return to loving arms
Those arms we all once knew
But there is truth that time well spent
Can never fade away
And though we’re separated for a time
Your influence remains
I thank the good Lord every day
For sharing you with me
You’ve blessed me more than you can know
My dearest friend, you’ll always be.
So there it is. And this recent event has given me a new spark of confidence. I’m still not sure I’d call myself a writer, but I’m going to run with this boost for a while. I’ve almost convinced myself to start sharing my book by chapters here on my blog. It’s not finished yet, but maybe I’ll get it done as a result. At the very least it could result in some good feedback, ideas and editing. At the very worst it will confirm that I’m not a writer. LOL
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SEE, I told you I loved your writing!
No, seriously…that poem is poignant in almost any relationship. Well-deserved congratulations, Holly. Ride that wave!
Ah Christina, I KNEW I could count on you.
You know I’ll be looking for good input when I start throwing my chapters out there…..Surf’s up!
Comment by Christina Paulsen — November 8, 2006 @ 2:15 pm
[…] Holly wrote a beautiful poem about those moments, called “Dearest Friends.” I encourage you to read it and think about it in your own life. […]
Pingback by Relationships » Blog Archive » Looking for moments to cherish — November 8, 2006 @ 2:33 pm
Now, you’re getting me all misted up again! It is a beautiful poem, not just for me, but so many people will be able to relate to it. Congratulations! I knew you could!!!
Thanks! It’s a fitting memoir for our beloved friend isn’t it? And just what she’d tell us if she were still here.
Comment by mardean — November 8, 2006 @ 3:33 pm
Congratulations! A wonderful recognition of your hard work.
Thank you!
Comment by Barbara — November 8, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
Or, on the contrary, it’ll confirm that you’re a writer.
Can’t wait to read your book.
:D
I’ve been trying to write soem short stories, though. I put them in another blog of mine, here.
Let’s be writers!
Okay - Let’s be writers!
I’ll have to go check those out.
Comment by nadnuts aka wideimagination — November 8, 2006 @ 7:43 pm
That is a sweet tribute to a wonderful woman.
Thanks! Sure if fun to *see* you here. ;o)
Comment by Layne — November 9, 2006 @ 9:29 am
Beautiful poem Holly!
I once heard someone say, “Writers write.” So there - you’re obviously a writer. And a good one! I love reading your blog, you you put thoughts together in a beautiful way.
Something to keep in mind with your book is that once you post it here, it is considered “published”. This may or may not matter to you, but just so you know. If you have any questions about writing, I may have some resources for you. Just let me know.
Thank you! I will VERY likely be sending some thoughts and questions on the book to you. ;o)
Comment by Pass the Torch — November 9, 2006 @ 10:12 am
Congratulations! It’s always a great feeling when others recognize your work!
Thank you! It really is….kind of like when they blog you on their Thursday Thirteen…;)
Comment by Kailani — November 9, 2006 @ 11:21 pm
Beautiful poem! I like writing poetry, but usually when I go back and read it, it just sounds so corny. So I have a whole notebook full of my silly poems. I DID frame a poem about my grandmother and give it to her for christmas last yea and did the same for my granddad, my grandma cried. So, maybe someone likes my poetry after all
Congratulations! Maybe you’ll share some more poetry with us sometime?
Sam I hear you! Thanks for the pat on the back…. I will very likely share a few more here over time. ;o)
Comment by Sam — November 10, 2006 @ 1:40 am
I think it makes you both a poet and a published author! Since your poem was published and you’re the writer. That’s a great poem! I better just stop commenting and go catch my eyes and nose before they run too far away.
Well I’ll take it then! LOL I know exactly what you mean about eyes and nose running away though, crazy how much we connect with others isn’t it? I wonder why we separate ourselves so much??
Comment by Vicky — November 10, 2006 @ 3:59 am
I agree it makes you both. And you are writing a book! WOW! Congrats on being published!
Thanks!! Hmmm what a concept…;)
Comment by Stephanie — November 11, 2006 @ 5:45 am
I too have a poem that was published in Immortal Verses…it was supposed to be in bookstores in December 2006…yet I cannot find it anywhere…it is making me wonder…if you know of any way that I can find it, please let me know…my e-mail is DoubleD0517@yahoo.com
You can also find me at http://www.myspace.com/hevnsent
Thank you very much…Deb.
Comment by Debbie — January 8, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
It’s a beautiful poem! Congratulations on getting published.
Comment by Laura — January 29, 2007 @ 11:58 am