Here. Here. Look at this intriguing book cover of Another Night at the Circus, a collection of short stories by fellow writer and blogger Rose Hunter. Rose probably has plenty of fans who follow her blog - musings about writing, bottles of liquor gone bust in the fridge, grunge music drifting in the air in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - and her latest venture impressed me big time.
Admittedly I haven't read the whole pdf book coz I don't have a printer and it's hard staring at the screen for long, but let's say Rose's writing has its dynamic - even if you feel it's keeping you at bay (I'll save the rest of my thoughts for when I finish the book). It's very brave of Rose to put this book together and put it out there for us to read, when many people are skeptical of self-publishing. I haven't given enough thought to this subject to have a conclusion, but one thing I know is that I couldn't have done what Rose did. While she often complains about her lack of discipline, writer's mood swings and whatnots, she had to have drive and some persistence to make this book happen!
So, kudos to you, Rose, you're awesome. The rest of you can go download her book. Now!
* * *
I've been absent from this blog because, well, I've closed my eyes and let myself go into the night and the ghosts are keeping me--they won't let me wake up to see if it's a trap or if it's my soul springing open.
When I'm living in such darkness I read poetry. So here's an untitled poem by Paul Celan. From Breathturn (1967):
In rivers north of the future
I cast the net you
haltingly weight
with stonewritten
shadows.
Admittedly I haven't read the whole pdf book coz I don't have a printer and it's hard staring at the screen for long, but let's say Rose's writing has its dynamic - even if you feel it's keeping you at bay (I'll save the rest of my thoughts for when I finish the book). It's very brave of Rose to put this book together and put it out there for us to read, when many people are skeptical of self-publishing. I haven't given enough thought to this subject to have a conclusion, but one thing I know is that I couldn't have done what Rose did. While she often complains about her lack of discipline, writer's mood swings and whatnots, she had to have drive and some persistence to make this book happen!
So, kudos to you, Rose, you're awesome. The rest of you can go download her book. Now!
* * *
I've been absent from this blog because, well, I've closed my eyes and let myself go into the night and the ghosts are keeping me--they won't let me wake up to see if it's a trap or if it's my soul springing open.
When I'm living in such darkness I read poetry. So here's an untitled poem by Paul Celan. From Breathturn (1967):
In rivers north of the future
I cast the net you
haltingly weight
with stonewritten
shadows.
Wow.
ReplyDeleteRose doesn't have plenty of fans. Rose is her own pompom, lying in the rain, unenthusiastic about being there most of the time.
I fool myself sometimes, and do something like put this book out there and then think, ah! what have I done!&*^$&@$%&@#%!!!!
Thanks Nicole, for posting my humble book, and for your kind comments. And for reading. It means a lot.
I'm glad you're back. I enjoy your awesome blog. I want to know more about these ghosts though.... Spill!
I love Celan too.
Do we have to wait until the ghosts let go before we see more of your work collected like this?
ReplyDeleteDoes the road wind up-hill all the way?
ReplyDeleteYes to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
But is there for the night a resting place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone on before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at the door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labor you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
Up-Hill
by Christina Rossetti
Hope all is at best.