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How to Celebrate National Poetry Month

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

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Poetry is strange and wonderful thing. It can be short and free flowing or epic and structured and everything in between. From Haikus to Ballads to Sonnets, couplets and quatrains, exact rhyme and slant rhyme, rhythm and meter. There are so many ins and outs that make up the great literary form we know and love as poetry.

Unleash Your Writing Creativity

Did you know that April is national poetry month? Not only does William Shakespeare celebrate his approximate birthday this month (April 23 a.k.a. talk like Shakespeare day), but poetry lovers around the world take time to celebrate and honor the form of literature that impacts our lives in such significant ways. From the poems we’re introduced to in school, to the ones that we seek out that speak to us, to the ones that others write for us or we write ourselves poetry touches us all.

Now that you know it is National Poetry Month, what are you going to do to celebrate? Poets.org provides 30 ways to celebrate national poetry month, which you should definitely check out if you want to have something poetry related for every day of the month; however, here are our three simple suggestions on ways to celebrate:

  • Read poetry – Not only are there great classic poets to explore from E.E.  Cummings to Allen Ginsberg, to Maya Angelou, but there are so many undiscovered poets out there that may speak to you as well. Explore the social networks and blogosphere, and find an undiscovered poet who speaks to you. Check out some of the collections of poetry on Kbuuk. Maybe even reach out to them. Poetry is powerful like that. Someone can make your day, and you can make his or hers.
  • Memorize a poem – In high school I had to memorize Poe’s “The Raven”, it’s been a while since I’ve memorized anything else. I’ll probably spring for a Whitman this time around, maybe a Lord Byron. The trick is to choose a poem that really resonates with you, something applicable to your life that connects you to a collective human experience.
  • Publish poetry – Lastly we’d love to invite all of the poets or aspiring poets to publish their work on Kbuuk during April and any month for that matter, but especially this month. We’ll be publishing our own sonnet project in the upcoming weeks in both ebook and audiobook format. Be sure to check back soon to enjoy what we’ve deemed as Twittertry an ebook compilation of some of the sonnets that have appeared on Pentametron.

So go out and enjoy National Poetry Month starting today!

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Celebrating Dr. Seuss – Oh, the Places He’s Been!

01 Friday Mar 2013

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March 2 is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Since his writings have inspired many of us from childhood and continue to provide fun reading for children today, we thought we would celebrate the doctor with a post in his honor. Now go and reread one of your old favorites, or indulge in some green eggs and ham!

Happy Birthday To You by Dr. Seuss

No, Happy Birthday to you, Dr. Seuss!

Celebrating Dr. Seuss – Oh, The Places He’s Been

The very first book I learned to read was Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? That is a lie. The very first book I memorized and recited as if reading was Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? My babysitter sat astonished, mouth agape when, at three years old, I read her my beloved book while sitting in her lap in a rocking chair. “The child’s a genius!” she exclaimed, only to be let down gently when my mother explained that I’d been memorizing that book my entire three-year life. Regardless, I’ll always be indebted to the Doctor for helping me score those few precious moments of someone thinking me a prodigy.

Fifteen years later, one week before graduating high school, he showed up again. During one of our senior banquets, as we all prepared to graduate and start college, an English teacher stood on stage and read us Oh, the Places You’ll Go. We’d been listless during the other speeches, but once we heard the first words, and imagined the brains in our heads and shoes in our feet, we sat captivated, just as that babysitter had done over a decade prior.

Upon graduating college I began working as a reading and writing tutor for elementary school children. Hour after hour I practiced the dreaded “th” sound with my kids. “Tongue under the teeth! Like this – th,” I said, blowing air through my front teeth. Most of them finally caught on, and we were able to properly read about Thing 1 and Thing 2.

And after I got married and moved to Houston, lo and behold if I didn’t I bump into Mr. Seuss again while I sat on a blanket with my new husband and watched an outdoor theatre performance of Horton Hears a Who.

All this to say, Happy Birthweek, Dr. Suess! Love, a lifelong reader.

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Two Types of Christian Literature I Enjoy

28 Thursday Feb 2013

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We’re two weeks into Lent, and we hope you didn’t give up anything extreme, like the Internet or reading, but during this time of Christian reflection and abstinence, we wanted to touch upon the topic of Christian literature again. Previously, Christina explained reasons she didn’t like Christian literature. Today, she explains what she does enjoy in Christian literature. I definitely second the C.S. Lewis sentiment.

Two Types of Christian Literature I Enjoy

C.S. Lewis Quote

Image courtesy of the Patron of the Arts Facebook page

If you read my last post about Christian fiction, you know I’m a big fat snob and dislike most of it. However, my gripes are generally against that certain type of Christian lit: the type with hidden agendas, flowery titles and miscarriages (so many miscarriages in Christian books!). There are other types, however, that I’m all over. Well, two to be exact…

Type 1: Christian almost murdered while defending faith and lives to tell about it. I read one of these before heading to Rwanda last year. Left to Tell is the story of Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan-born Christian who survived the 1994 genocide by hiding in a bathroom with seven other women for 91 days and praying like nobody’s business. Say wha? Another treasure, which you likely read in high school – The Hiding Place. It’s one thing to survive a Holocaust, it’s another to nearly die in a concentration camp while thanking God for everything, even the lice crawling over your body. I’m telling you, Christians can be kick-butt tough. And I for one enjoy reading about them.

Type 2: Anything by C.S. Lewis – I loved The Chronicles of Narnia before I even became a Christian. Come on – you can’t tell me Aslan isn’t the coolest superhero ever to die and come back to life. And then there’s The Screwtape Letters. This book is a compilation of correspondence between a demon on earth to his mentor down below. Crazy-smart writing, shockingly accurate depiction of the struggles of Christianity. (And super-snappy character names like Wormwood.)

You know why I enjoy these books? Nobody is hiding their agenda in the disguise of a bunch of ladies playing bridge. Nope. Aslan obviously represents Jesus, and Corrie Ten Boom really does love the Lord above. No sneaky prose to secretly convert us, just good stories to convey what life is like believing the Gospel. I’ll take two.

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A Lesson in Love: Valentine’s Day

14 Thursday Feb 2013

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A Valentine’s Day anecdote we feel could only come from Christina’s repertoire. Enjoy, and be sweet on this heartfelt holiday. Xoxo -Kbuuk

Real Love Vday 2013

A Lesson in Love: Valentine’s Day

The Kroger next to my house now has a giant tent outside advertising roses and stuffed animals and chocolates. I’m so tempted to turn this into one of those soapbox blogs about holidays solely created for marketing purposes, but I won’t. I’ll be good. Let’s move on…

On our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, my husband and I went to the Holocaust Museum (bet you wish I’d just kept this as a soapbox blog, huh?). Just putting that out there so that you are aware of my limited knowledge about how to celebrate this love struck day. But, I’ve seen other couples celebrate, and I’ve taken notes.

See, ten years ago, around Valentine’s Day I was curled up in a bookstore reading decorating books, when a very noisy, very high girl walked in with a guy who was busy trying to calm her down and avoid causing a scene.

The drugged girl wandered over to the bookshelf beside my cushy chair and loudly began reading book titles. She then exclaimed, “This must be the erotica section,” as she turned slightly toward me, imploring me with her glance to laugh at her witty remark. Nope. Not getting anything out of me.

At this, her poor date begged her to talk just a bit quieter, to which she boomingly replied, “It’s a bookstore, not a f%#&ing library!” Then she proceeded to pull out a large coffee table book and request her date buy it for her. “A present. I want you to buy me this as a present,” she demanded.

What can we learn from this darling couple, hmm? While I wouldn’t take any life advice from them, I do think that chick was on to something when she requested a book as a present. What’s even sweeter? Writing a book for your Valentine (published and polished here at Kbuuk). While you work on that, I’m going to protest at Kroger. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Why I Won’t Write about Mardi Gras and Why You Should

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

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Happy Fat Tuesday to everyone out there! Today Christina shares her thoughts on Mardi Gras. So don’t forget to do some reading, writing, and idea gathering during your purple, green, and gold revelries and laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mardi Gras Parade

Why I Won’t Write about Mardi Gras and Why You Should

Happy Fat Tuesday, Kbuukians! I realize many of you may be dancing on floats and earning beads at the moment and not reading this blog, but for those of you who are taking a break from the festivities, can we talk about Mardi Gras? No? Great.

See, the thing is, I’m from Atlanta, and we don’t know anything about Mardi Gras in the Peach State. Seriously, I think I saw a news story about it once when I was a teenager, but that’s about it. Since I moved to Houston though, I discovered droves of people who celebrate the Carnival. My first year here I received an invitation to a Mardi Gras party, and I honestly thought the evite was a virus. Who is this Krewe? I pondered. Probably some foreigner trying to convince me to mail him $2,000 for his father’s eye surgery. Delete!

We’ve all heard the advice to write what you know, so based on the empty portion of my brain regarding Mardi Gras, I doubt I’ll ever include anything about it in a story. Rather, I’ll focus on my home turf. But if you know anything about it, write away! Set a murder mid-parade, build a love story, plot a scam involving float builders and panhandlers, or simply have your characters take a quick jaunt to New Orleans in the midst of some other adventure. Based on the snippets I’ve picked up over the years, Mardi Gras sounds rich with opportunity for some major drama in your stories. So you get to writing, and I’m off to snack on king cake.

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Dreams as Inspiration

25 Friday Jan 2013

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In writing, dreams usually play a big role in that they inspire some kind of idea, scene, or conflict resolution that we’ve previously been wrestling with. Today Christina discusses dreams in writing as inspiration and how they can become plot points in other works.

Dreams as Inspiration

Dreams as Inspiration

Several years ago, I had a dream that I was able to type directly into a story idea. I don’t mean in a “John had a vivid dream that night” kind of way, but in a “Get this…” way. The dream started with a neighbor (faceless woman of about 40) coming over to visit a mother (unknown woman wearing a high-necked collared blouse) and daughter (me). The neighbor was crying because her brother had died. “Mother” and I sat on the couch in our formal living room, me nodding sympathetically, then staring in horror as my mother replied, “Well, our computer died this week.” I love it! Who would have thought of something so clever?! Well, I would, I suppose.

On the other hand, I’ve never been one to include character dreams within a story. And when I read books in which the characters experience them, I find myself skimming. I’d rather keep on with the action and dialogue in a book than read about another character walking down a hallway with several doors, opening one after another only to discover nonsensical/foreshadowy scenes behind each. Before you write me hate mail, yes, I know some of the best novels of all time involve pithy dream scenes that have helped shape literature as we know it (and I’m not important enough to receive hate mail anyway). The dream distaste likely exemplifies some sort of impatience and immaturity on my part. I’m okay with this.

How do you all feel about elaborate dream sequences in books? Are you including them within your own writing? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And when you’re ready to publish those thoughts (or dreams), Kbuuk is ready to help. And when you’re ready to take notes in that dreamy book and share thoughts with friends via social media, Kbuuk can help with that too! Now you get to writing and I’m going to take a nap.

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Handy Tips for Navigating Light Bulb Moments vs. Short Circuit Moments

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

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Today Christina provides us with some important tips for navigating those light bulb moments, and turning them into sunrise moments. We like that… sunrise moments.

Nurture Your Lightbulb Moments

Nurture your light bulb moments

Handy Tips for Navigating Light Bulb Moments vs. Short Circuit Moments

Most of my light bulb moments happen early in the morning, after I’ve drank two cups of tea. I think it’s the caffeine, because most of those “light bulb” moments end up being more like dimmer switch moments, slowly fading until I realize my folly. Some examples:

I’m going to grad school! Oh, I have to study for the GRE?

Let’s have a baby! You mean we’d have to raise it, too?

I’ll start a bunco group! Wait, that’s . . . just wrong.

The actual light bulb moments occur slowly (I know that kind of means they aren’t, in fact, light bulb moments, but work with me here). It’s the thoughts that I’ve stewed upon, taken notes on, bounced off wise people, that have become the best ideas I’ve ever had. They’re more like sunrise moments, rising on their own schedule, not too quickly, and with real purpose (precious, right?).

Below, some quick tips I’ve learned for sifting through the light bulbs vs. short circuits:

  • Put down the phone: If you do suspect a light bulb moment and it directly involves another person, DO NOT pick up the phone (unless the third party is about to catch a plane to Paris and your light bulb idea involves marrying him/her on the spot).  Give it a day, half a day, some time for your brain to work out whether or not this is indeed a moment worth acting upon.
  • Pick up your notebook: Taking copious notes about this light bulb will help so much in the long run. When I started my website, I charted all sorts of reasons why I thought it’d work. I still look back on those original notes to keep me focused.
  • Talk, talk, talk (and listen): Unless this is some sort of secret idea, talk to people. Ask advice. Take more notes.
  • Put your wallet down: At least until you’ve completed the above. Then you can pull out the checkbook.

That’s it, Kbuukians. Got a light bulb idea of your own? Got one for Kbuuk? Let us hear it! (We’ll take notes.)

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Tips for Unleashing Creativity

21 Monday Jan 2013

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Looking for ways to unleash your creative potential in your writing? Christina has some tips for getting your creative juices flowing.

Unleash Your Writing Creativity

Tips for Unleashing Creativity

As I write you lovely Kbuukians today, I’m sitting in a hotel room in downtown Oklahoma City. I’m a tagalong on my husband’s business trip. Before these trips, I always envision myself exploring the city, map in hand, stumbling into an antique store and chatting it up with the owner while we sip tea and become old friends.

What actually happens is that I coop myself up in the hotel room and watch bad TV. How’s that for some major creativity unleashing?

However, I finally forced myself outside yesterday and actually walked into an antique store. Though I hate antiques, walking around that cramped shop boosted my creativity a solid sixty percent. Why? Because it put me somewhere I don’t usually go. And since every character in my book shouldn’t be someone just like me, I need to explore new scenes. All this got me thinking about more ways to unleash that creative genius…

How to be Creative:

DON’T peruse Facebook. Facebook is great for catching up with your best friend from pre-school. But for creativity? Run! Scientists have proven that reading Facebook status updates will actually decrease your intellect by up to 50% (or I mean, I’m sure they’re right on the cusp of discovering that). “Collards for dinner! YUM!” “Off to Kalee’s basketball game. Go team!” “Can’t understand why my husband can’t take his shoes off when he comes in.” Dumber yet?

DO peruse Kirkland’s – or some other store different from where you’d usually shop. Kirkland’s is handy because it provides instant access into how your character’s mother decorates her home.

DO read, all the time. Read British lit, whip-smart blogs, good magazines, indie-published books and anything else you get your hands on (except Facebook).

DO jot down details. Did the bus driver tell you about her granddaughter’s chicken pox? Write it down. Did you have to take a detour driving to Target today, a totally not-a-big-deal thing but it kind of freaked you out? Some character is going to feel the same way in your novel, so write it down.

There are loads more, but it’s your turn now. Share your own tips below, Kbuukians! What triggers your creativity?

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10 Reasons to Read More Independent Online Authors in 2013 – Part II

18 Friday Jan 2013

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Here are five more great reasons to try more independent authors in 2013 continued from the previous post, 10 Reasons to Read More Independent Online Authors in 2013 – Part I.

  • 5) People love telling their personal stories, and our experiences unite us. You can potentially find a similar solution to a problem in your own life in the form of someone’s narrative. The world of independent online publishing opens the doors for people who may have never thought about publishing before to publish, so there are all kind of stories to help and inspire you.
  • 4) It’s so much fun to be the discoverer of new and interesting things. Some say space and underwater are the final frontiers. Not so my friends, there is so much content being created out in the world that the Internet will be the next frontier of exploration. Information and content are the new frontiers.  To infinity and beyond!
  • 1)   Because it’s the future. And you have an opportunity to be an early adopter. The ebook revolution is just beginning, we’re right on the cusp of one of the greatest disruptive innovation cycles since perhaps Gutenberg invented the press, don’t be late to the party.
Product Adoption Curve - Early Adopter

Don’t be a laggard! Happy Reading and Writing.

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10 Reasons to Read More Independent Online Authors in 2013 – Part I

17 Thursday Jan 2013

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We’ve been talking a lot this month about writing and gearing yourself up for cranking out the masterpieces in 2013, but what about the readers? If you’re an avid reader, a casual reader, or even an infrequent reader, we’ve got 10 reasons why you should be giving independent online authors your attention in 2013. Specifically, we’d like to apply these reasons to trying works on Kbuuk. We’ve broken it down into two posts, so don’t forget to check out 10 Reasons to Read More Independent Online Authors in 2013 – Part II. 

  • 10) We hate to state the obvious, but we just have to – reading makes you smarter among other awesome benefits. Do you really need any more reasons? Of course you do, because you’re reading this, so you’re smart, and you already knew that!
  • 9) While we’re on the topic of getting smarter, attending literary festivals makes you smarter. Guess who you can usually find at literary festivals? Tons and tons of authors with wonderful things to learn of the traditionally published variety and of the independent variety like you find on Kbuuk.
  • 8) Books are knowledge. Knowledge is power, and power is sexy. And you want to be sexy. We realize 10, 9, and 8 go hand in hand, you can’t tell us that being smart isn’t sexy. Ryan Gosling knows what we’re talking about.

ryan gosling hey girl

  • 6) You can amass your digital library for waaay cheaper than with physical books. So even if you end up not liking it, the monetary investment is minimal. Because remember, it’s possible that you may not like that best-seller you spent $12.99 on either.

Happy reading and writing!

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