When I wrote my poetry book I thought of the perfect title: "Unclenched Emotion." Something funny happened when I went into Word. It said unclenched was a misspelled word. Because of this I thought unclenched wasn't a word, much to my dismay. So I changed it to un-clenched emotion. I wasn't giving up on my title even though I thought the word didn't exist. It's a sad thing I changed it with the dash, because that makes it harder to find.
To my humiliation, when I posted on boards on Create Space, where I published my book, that unclenched wasn't a word, I faced some correction. It is a word. I had to have other authors telling me so. That's really embarrassing for someone who studied English, but we all have our faults. What does unclenched mean? In the most basic sense it means to open from a clenched position. Like unclenching your teeth. Or it can mean to relax. It just goes to show you that you should not rely on spell check. It's not just Word that has unclenched as misspelled, it's doing it here on blogspot too. (Funny note, blogspot is also underlined in red). I have all kinds of red underling a word that has a definition and is spelled correctly. Confusing!
So why did I choose "Un-Clenched Emotion" for my title? I wanted something that described emotion uninhibited. I wanted to describe hidden emotions opening up. I wanted to describe emotion as a positive state, and relaxed is that. My poetry is full of emotion and I was (and will be in the future) writing about my feeling. Sometimes writing about feelings that I'm guessing others feel. I think in great writer should put their feelings into their words, unabashed. They should be "open" about it instead of "clenched" I was in my book so ultimately, I think I have a great title. I just wish I published without the dash!
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
The Title of Un-Clenched Emotion or Unclenched Emotion
Natasha Gruss McKinley is passionate about words and sharing those words with others. She has done this by teaching poetry classes and creating publications including Un-Clenched Emotion and NorthSoundHope, a magazine empowering those with mental illness. Her interests are multiple and she has been described as being fun. She has faced and conquered many challenges which is a requirement for being the mother of a special needs daughter. She believes love is a gift that she has been fortunate to find, and hopes to share the gift of love with others.
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
The Cover Photo of Un-Clenched Emotion
I wanted to talk a little about the cover that's on my book, "Un-Clenched Emotion". I believe it is awesome, and friends and family have told me that it is beautiful, so I know it's not just me. It's a picture of the sun, and it is reflected in the ocean on a beach.
I thought maybe my book price as $5.50 might be high, for a little over 20 poems. However, I think the photo on the cover is worth much more than that, even without the poetry. I'm not a photographer in any way, but some of my family members are, and some friends too. Their photos sale for $50 dollars and up. I always thought I took good pictures, but I don't have a professional camera and I wouldn't know how to start to sell a photo for such a price. I still think I'm good with a digital or phone camera though. If I was selling this picture, I would not be ashamed to accept a reasonable amount of money for that breathtaking scenery. Compared to $50, $5.50 is quite a deal!
The picture on the cover of "Un-Clenched Emotion" was taken in SeaSide Oregon. I was simply on vacation with my family and happened to be at the beach. I was captivated by the scenery. I wanted to hold onto if forever, so I did the next best thing and took a photo. It's too bad I couldn't bottle the scent or record the sounds of the ocean. It was such a great feeling to be in SeaSide I had no plans for that photo except personal enjoyment. The double sun, in the water, and in the sky really speaks of natures beauty. It's a reflection of it self, and that is poetic all on it's own. The picture puts you in a serene sort of mind, perfect for when your reading poetry.
I didn't write any poems solely about the sun in my book, but I definitely mentioned it once or twice. I did write a poem entitled "The Sea" which makes the beach a perfect representative of what's in the book. This poem also mentions the sun in it. This is in the Enjoyment part of the book. I placed it there because I love the ocean and find it enjoyable. I do mention the sun later on in the book in the philosophizing part entitled "Seeking". In this poem, the sun is more of a metaphor, but the imagery still helps me justify putting a photo of the sun on the front of the book.
I haven't made any book sales that I know of, (Not until I simply see money in my account will I know if I did). I'm not sure if anyone accepted my free kindle book either. (I will never know unless someone posts a review). Perhaps reading poetry isn't that popular. But even if you don't like poetry, you could still buy the book simply for the beauty of the cover! I understand if you don't want to get the kindle copy for that, but the kindle price is $2.99 so you're not paying "extra" for the cover. https://www.amazon.com/Un-Clenched-Emotion-Natasha-Gruss-ebook/dp/B01LZNVH4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494455180&sr I'm proud of my poems, and I'm proud of my creation. I think everything about it is beautiful and everyone who has seen the book has told me it is too. I just wish I was better at getting it out to the public!
I thought maybe my book price as $5.50 might be high, for a little over 20 poems. However, I think the photo on the cover is worth much more than that, even without the poetry. I'm not a photographer in any way, but some of my family members are, and some friends too. Their photos sale for $50 dollars and up. I always thought I took good pictures, but I don't have a professional camera and I wouldn't know how to start to sell a photo for such a price. I still think I'm good with a digital or phone camera though. If I was selling this picture, I would not be ashamed to accept a reasonable amount of money for that breathtaking scenery. Compared to $50, $5.50 is quite a deal!
The picture on the cover of "Un-Clenched Emotion" was taken in SeaSide Oregon. I was simply on vacation with my family and happened to be at the beach. I was captivated by the scenery. I wanted to hold onto if forever, so I did the next best thing and took a photo. It's too bad I couldn't bottle the scent or record the sounds of the ocean. It was such a great feeling to be in SeaSide I had no plans for that photo except personal enjoyment. The double sun, in the water, and in the sky really speaks of natures beauty. It's a reflection of it self, and that is poetic all on it's own. The picture puts you in a serene sort of mind, perfect for when your reading poetry.
I didn't write any poems solely about the sun in my book, but I definitely mentioned it once or twice. I did write a poem entitled "The Sea" which makes the beach a perfect representative of what's in the book. This poem also mentions the sun in it. This is in the Enjoyment part of the book. I placed it there because I love the ocean and find it enjoyable. I do mention the sun later on in the book in the philosophizing part entitled "Seeking". In this poem, the sun is more of a metaphor, but the imagery still helps me justify putting a photo of the sun on the front of the book.
I haven't made any book sales that I know of, (Not until I simply see money in my account will I know if I did). I'm not sure if anyone accepted my free kindle book either. (I will never know unless someone posts a review). Perhaps reading poetry isn't that popular. But even if you don't like poetry, you could still buy the book simply for the beauty of the cover! I understand if you don't want to get the kindle copy for that, but the kindle price is $2.99 so you're not paying "extra" for the cover. https://www.amazon.com/Un-Clenched-Emotion-Natasha-Gruss-ebook/dp/B01LZNVH4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494455180&sr I'm proud of my poems, and I'm proud of my creation. I think everything about it is beautiful and everyone who has seen the book has told me it is too. I just wish I was better at getting it out to the public!
Natasha Gruss McKinley is passionate about words and sharing those words with others. She has done this by teaching poetry classes and creating publications including Un-Clenched Emotion and NorthSoundHope, a magazine empowering those with mental illness. Her interests are multiple and she has been described as being fun. She has faced and conquered many challenges which is a requirement for being the mother of a special needs daughter. She believes love is a gift that she has been fortunate to find, and hopes to share the gift of love with others.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Discouragement to Encouragement From "The Princess Bride"
The free book promotion is over. I'm a little discouraged about publishing this poetry book, because as far as I know it's not getting out there. I have no way of knowing if anyone choose to take care of this opportunity to get "Un-Clenched Emotion" or not. The only way I have of knowing is if someone posts a review, and no one has. It's disheartening that no one has paid money for the book except for me. Not even my parents. they were hoping I would buy it for them and they don't have a kindle. I'm still glad I published this book though.
I just finished reading "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman, Yes, I read it, I didn't just watch the movie, though I have in the past and is one of my favorites. That's why I got the book. Anyway, I read a funny, encouraging passage on the poet Browning. It goes like this:
"Did you know that Robert Browning's first book of poems didn't sell one copy? True. Even his mother didn't buy it at her local bookstore. Have you ever heard anything more humiliating? How would you like to have been Browning and it's your first book and you have these secret hopes that now, now , you'll be somebody. Established, Important. And you give it a week before you ask the publisher how things are going, because you don't want to seem pushy or anything. And then maybe you drop by, and it was probably all very English and understandable in those days, and you're Browning and you chitchat around a bit, before you drop the biggie: "Oh, by the way, any notions yet on how my poems might be doing?' And then his editor who has been dreading this moment, probably says, "Well, you know how it is with poetry these days; nothing's taking off like it used to, requires a bit of time for the word to get around.' And then finally, somebody had to say it. 'None, Bob, Sorry, Bob, no, we haven't yet had one authenticated sale. We thought for a bit that Hatchards had a potential buyer down by Piccadilly, but it didn't quite work out, Sorry, Bob; of course we'll keep you posted in the event of a breakthrough." (Goldman, p. 227-228)
This of course, probably isn't true. Part of the delight of The Princess Bride is it's funny b,s. It got me thinking though. Did Browning not sell his first book of poems? (According to Wikipedia he couldn't get a publisher at 12 so destroyed the book, but that's at twelve years old and who's published a book that young?.) Knowing that this has happened to a famous poet (even if it happened fictitiously) gives me encouragement. Sure no one has bought my book yet (that I know of) But they may in the future, And it may not be until I'm dead, but that's okay. I just want people to get enjoyment out of my work, whatever the date may be. I hope this inspires other struggling authors as well. Some day you may be famous no matter how far you've gotten in your writing by now!
I just finished reading "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman, Yes, I read it, I didn't just watch the movie, though I have in the past and is one of my favorites. That's why I got the book. Anyway, I read a funny, encouraging passage on the poet Browning. It goes like this:
"Did you know that Robert Browning's first book of poems didn't sell one copy? True. Even his mother didn't buy it at her local bookstore. Have you ever heard anything more humiliating? How would you like to have been Browning and it's your first book and you have these secret hopes that now, now , you'll be somebody. Established, Important. And you give it a week before you ask the publisher how things are going, because you don't want to seem pushy or anything. And then maybe you drop by, and it was probably all very English and understandable in those days, and you're Browning and you chitchat around a bit, before you drop the biggie: "Oh, by the way, any notions yet on how my poems might be doing?' And then his editor who has been dreading this moment, probably says, "Well, you know how it is with poetry these days; nothing's taking off like it used to, requires a bit of time for the word to get around.' And then finally, somebody had to say it. 'None, Bob, Sorry, Bob, no, we haven't yet had one authenticated sale. We thought for a bit that Hatchards had a potential buyer down by Piccadilly, but it didn't quite work out, Sorry, Bob; of course we'll keep you posted in the event of a breakthrough." (Goldman, p. 227-228)
This of course, probably isn't true. Part of the delight of The Princess Bride is it's funny b,s. It got me thinking though. Did Browning not sell his first book of poems? (According to Wikipedia he couldn't get a publisher at 12 so destroyed the book, but that's at twelve years old and who's published a book that young?.) Knowing that this has happened to a famous poet (even if it happened fictitiously) gives me encouragement. Sure no one has bought my book yet (that I know of) But they may in the future, And it may not be until I'm dead, but that's okay. I just want people to get enjoyment out of my work, whatever the date may be. I hope this inspires other struggling authors as well. Some day you may be famous no matter how far you've gotten in your writing by now!
Natasha Gruss McKinley is passionate about words and sharing those words with others. She has done this by teaching poetry classes and creating publications including Un-Clenched Emotion and NorthSoundHope, a magazine empowering those with mental illness. Her interests are multiple and she has been described as being fun. She has faced and conquered many challenges which is a requirement for being the mother of a special needs daughter. She believes love is a gift that she has been fortunate to find, and hopes to share the gift of love with others.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)