Sunday, September 11, 2011

Meet Our Writers Week 6 on Jamie Dedes


 * Tell us about yourself

I  am an avid reader, writer, poet, and blogger living in the San Francisco Bay area. I have a world-class son and a dynamite daughter-in-law, not to mention a blogger grand-kitty named Gypsy for the stripper, Gypsy Rose Lee. I am blessed with the most dear and inspiring friends on-and-off-line. Much to be grateful for ...


* Tell me about your blog(s), name(s), what does it mean to you? 



My blogs are:

1 - Musing by Moonlight - This is my primary (flagship) blog where I post poetry, music (Musical Monday), humor (Tuesday on the Light Side), book and movie reviews (Saturday reView), feature articles, Writers' Round (Sundays) and whatever else the spirit moves me to write. I occasionally host guest-writers here.

2 - Brooklyn: In Memory Most Green - Brooklyn is my hometown and the Center of the Universe. I post memoir, folk history, and classic Brooklyn recipes on this site. Yes! I'm a regional chauvinist.

3 -  The Cat's Meow - Here - in collaboration with grandkitty, Gypsy, I post creature features to lighten and brighten your day, Monday through Friday most weeks.

4 - Into the Bardo -  Bardo is a Buddhist term for the place our spirits go after death and before rebirth. It is considered by some to be analogous to the Christian purgatory. At this site and in collaboration with fellow-poet Ann Emerson and life-coach Robert D. Rossel, Ph.D., I post "explorations in sacred space" ... these include poetry and essays. We frequently host guest writers.

* When have you started blogging?
I started blogging in November of 2008 and have loved every single day of it. When, for one reason or another, I cannot blog or post, I miss it. I love, love, love WordPress, the blogging world, and all the friends I've made since blogging. 


* What are the inspirations of your writing?


There are many writers and poets who have inspired me; but, probably the ones that first influenced me remain foremost in my mind and heart. These are the writers I read when I was a preteen and teenager and who firmed my reslove to write. These are Betty Smith, John Steinbeck, Pearl Buck, Gibran Kahlil Gibran, Jean Rhys (especially Wide Sargasso Sea), the Brontë sisters ... and far too many others to cite here. When I was very, very young I fell in love with the Nancy Drew mysteries by Carolyn Keene, which resulted in a lifetime love of mysteries and a the writing of a few short stories. Cookbooks often enchant meand sometimes I write about cooking and post recipes. My mother-in-law used to say that I read cookbooks the way others read good mysteries. I think cookbooks inspired me to pay attention to details when I write. Nothing is worse than a recipe that is unclear and nonspecific.


* Does music impact your writing?


I rarely play music when I write, though some pieces will kick-start a poem or story for me.

* You are involved with bluebell book-The Book Review and Short Story Writing Challenge Blog, what is your role? what's the benefits of it?


I have indeed been involved in Bluebell - posting author interviews - and the major benefit is pleasure. Other benefits include new friends and good recommendations for reading. I have come to a point where I have to limit my activity in any leadership role in online groups so that I can finish the writing projects begun during the last year or so. I never post my short stories on line, only poetry, feature articles, interviews, and creative nonfiction.


* Do you have a favorite book or author?


You know, the truth is I can't answer this. I find that whatever book I'm currently reading is my "fave."  Life is short and it gets shorter all the time. I don't waste my time on books that don't work for me. If I "favor" it, I read on. If not, I put it down and move to something else. As I write this, I am just finishing The Kite Runner by Khalaed Hosseini for a poem on which I am collaborating with our dear and talented Blaga Todorova (BrokenSparkles on WordPress).


* Do you have a favorite quote?


"Poetry's work is the clarification and magnification of being. Each time we enter its word-woven and musical invocation, we give ourselves over to a different mode of know: to poetry's knowing, and of the increase of existence it brings, unlike any other." Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry by Jane Hirshfield


*Any tips for those who started blogging ..


Read much. Write often. Post frequently. Most of all, enjoy yourself. Don't forget to comment, return visits as much as you can, and say thank you to the folks who acknowledge you by featuring you on their blogs.


* What are your writing plans?


I have a poetry chapbook and two novels in various stages of writing or editing. When I'm satisfied with them, I'll consider appropriate venues for publication. Right now I continue to study the trends avidly. The changes in publishing today are exciting. So many more options offered than when I started writing in 1967. Hooray for us! Also, I probably will participate again this year in NaNoWriMo (National Write a Novel in a Month). Last year a number of folks in our poetry/writing community joined me and I think we all had a good time with it. I invite you to join me this year. Watch my Sunday posts for news and updates on NaNo.


*Any tips for those who wish to get published?


Monitor the market and the trends. Be flexible. Don't be too proud to self-publish. If we haven't faith in ourselves and our work, how can we expect others to have faith in us.

Write on, my friends. Thank you for reading here.

JamieDedes

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

confident responses,

poem on, Jamie Dedes.

Chim's World of Literature said...

i really liked the last part of this interview, where you said if we dont have faith how can we expect others to have in our work..and that is the core off getting publish, we have to believe in ourselves as writers.....
amazing interview Jamie..

Maggie said...

Another great interview. Thanks.

Indeed, poem on, Jamie. : )

Anonymous said...

Bornstorytaller,
Chimnese, and Thingy, thanks for the feedback.

Blaga said...

It's always such a delight to read about Jamie, to see her mentioned somewhere. Jamie has been an incredible support and a "teacher" to me ... Reading her poetry, visiting her blog is a journey like no other to compare! Excellent choice to feature her here! Good luck with everything Jamie! Well done for the post Bluebell Books!

Rebecca said...

great interview.

MISH said...

This is a great interview ! It provided amazing insight on this multi-talented blogger/writer/poet ! Gosh - 4 blogs ... I don't know how you manage ! Well done ! Thank you to Bluebell Books for this interview !

doral real estate said...

Wow. Four blogs. I am having trouble lately with the two I have. Great getting to "know" you Jamie.

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