Though I was on the newspaper staff in middle school, did layout for my high school year book, and worked on my college’s art & literature annual for three years, until recently I never fully appreciated the artistic merit of a good layout. Perhaps that would have been beaten into…
Getting my butt in gear
The deadline for submissions for the annual KaKaLaK Anthology of Carolina Poets is sneaking up on me. Entries are due on Wednesday, and I still don’t have them together, let alone turned in. So I’m sorta working on that tonight. It’s kinda depressing, taking inventory of what worthwhile pieces I’ve written since last year. I’ve got a handful I’m happy with, but they all read the same. I mean, for the most part they’re all confessional mommy pieces. Squishy Hallmark fuzzy (but not cute or quaint, I hope), but still… . But then, that’s the sort that they’ve accepted of mine the past 2 years, so maybe it’s the way to go. The only piece I’m considering that’s an exception to that theme is one based on a dream and written in the vein of Denise Duhamel‘s “Sex with a Famous Poet.” Except nowhere near as entertaining. And I’m not entirely sure I’d be ready for having my “Frenching a Famous Pop-Musician” in print. But I’ll probably submit it anyhow: if the editors &/or judge thinks it’s print worthy, it’s time for me to get over it & myself.
I’ll be able to pull together a reasonable poetry submission. Nothing, though, that I feel will qualify for a prize, unfortunately. But maybe something worth printing. The tough part comes in with the art entry I wanted to send in. I really have nothing but unimplemented ideas. Which stinks. Especially since I feel like I would have a chance if I’d send something.
Oh well. I’ll kick myself if I don’t get art together, but between work & clutter, I’m not sure how that can happen.