crushed, contorted, and clobbered
the surge of stunning snaps
splinters of sanctuary
stolen
bruised, broken, and battered
sobbing in the streets
riptide of random ruin
razed
My heart and thoughts go out to those who are suffering following the disastrous tornado in Moore, OK.
Filed under Writing
Judging by when I emailed this poem to myself, I wrote it on July 15, 2010. This poem lay forgotten because the email account I used at the time was compromised to the point where I had to shut it down. Still, I had some of them archived with another email address, waiting to be discovered. This is a rough draft–I am posting it unedited because it feels right to do so. I think I will bring it with me to the next poetry workshop, and, since I haven’t gone to that club all year, it will be very fitting, I think, to bring with me a re-discovered poem.
Filed under Writing
In addition to whitepapers, additional publications and more interactive projects, I’m going to start offering a podcast. Beginning in February, the podcast will feature short weekly episodes (around twenty minutes each) that will dive into writing skills, good reads, and general news relating to writing and literature.
I’m interested also in interviewing authors, aspiring authors, reviewers, editors, agents, or anyone at all involved in the literature/fiction/non-fiction/poetry industry. If you think you might be interested in participating in a casual interview, you can contact me on my website.
Initially I might only host the podcast via direct link or feed, but ultimately I’m looking to make it available on iTunes and other channels as well.
Filed under Writing
Paulo Coehlo was right. Offering something for free is the best way to go. Starting today, and for the next three days, my book of poems, A Modern Masquerade is available free for download. Up until today, no one had downloaded it (not that I’m going crazy marketing this one, because I’m not), but already, early in the day, I’ve had some downloads:
Can’t help but be pleased that my little book of poems is getting read 
Of course, this might just be friends and family…but I’d be okay with that too.
Filed under Writing
Check it out–linked on my website: http://mmcnellis.com/table-of-contents/
Something went wonky with the TOC, even though when I previewed it, it was fine. I’ll have to fix that with a later edition…but other than that, the book appears to be fine. This has been a fantastic learning experience and it was really easy–I’m definitely–definitely going keep self-publishing.
Filed under Writing
I just submitted my book of poems for Kindle Publication. Hopefully everything goes alright and it will be available for purchase within the next twelve hours. I chose to enroll the book in the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library program, so if you have Amazon Prime, you will be able to borrow the book for free throughout the first 90 days of its publication.
I’m very excited about this. I’ll be more excited when my first novel is submitted, simply because poetry does not interest as many people, and so marketing efforts will be different. However, this is still the first book I’m publishing–and self-publishing. I also designed the cover. I went with something simple:
Filed under Writing
I’m currently formatting my book of poems for publishing through Kindle. Other versions will become available after I successfully get this version up, but the formatting is taking a little longer than expected. I did finish editing the poems though, and am about…1/3 through the formatting. I’ve just learned too that the book may take as much as a day to become available for purchase. I’ll keep everyone posted here, via my blog.
As for Snowed In, there have been delays. I have more to rewrite. I also decided that I will offer this story free of charge, once it’s completed, as a PDF available on my website. I’ll provide a link when it’s ready.
Not everything is delayed though–today I began co-writing a book with a friend of mine. We’ve each committed to at least 1,000 words per day for July (and then we will see if we can continue in August or if we need a break that month). Today I wrote 1,048 words. I won’t be posting snippets for this book, but I am excited about it because it involves characters we’ve been writing and developing for years.
Filed under Writing
Tonight is designated as one of my days dedicated to writing, at least, after work. While I have a great many writing goals in the long run, I do believe in the value of setting smaller goals to make the larger ones more attainable. My goals for this week can be seen in the milestones at the bottom of this page, but basically are:
1. To put together my book of poems so that this weekend I can release the e-book version (hard copy version will take a little longer as I have to wait for the proof to arrive). Tonight’s goal is to do a final edit of my poems that will be included in the book.
2. To finish my rewrite of Snowed In. To this end, tonight I will write two or three scenes.
On July 1, I will begin co-authoring a book with a friend of mine. We’ll write in July and September, using the months that follow to edit what we’ve written. Other long term goals include finishing my rewrites of Out of the Sea and drafting my next book during NaNoWriMo 2012. What are your writing goals?
Filed under Uncategorized, Writing
Ropes clap against the metal pole.
At the top, a banner rides the wind
with the grace of a surfer carving her wave.
Stripes and stars stitched
their value forgotten until
the nylon shield is needed again, or
we mouse over Google’s patriotic logo.
Filed under Uncategorized, Writing
A bird fans out her wings
She cheep-cheep-cheeps
Races through buttercup forests
Bounds over gravel mountains
Light
Quick
On spindle-feet
Dodges a rain drop
Filed under Uncategorized, Writing
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