By Renee Miller
The submissions for February were impressive. Thanks to all that submitted. You can read the winning story here. March’s challenge is very different. I want to test your wordsmith skills and how well you can listen to the music of your writing. All writing has a flow, a musical quality that is unique to each writer. Some might call it a part of the writer’s voice and others consider it style. No matter what you call it, poetry requires listening to the notes as the writer puts them together.
This month’s Writer in Residence, Jeff Latosik’s first book, Tiny, Frantic, Stronger, is a unique poetry compilation. Although wrapped in humour, his words are poignant and each line is full of meaning. The imagery Jeff uses is distinct and breathtaking, even while occasionally eliciting a smile. Utilizing the simplest theme, each poem makes the reader think and (most importantly) feel.
Your task is to write a poem that is evocative, humorous and that encourages the reader to reflect on at least one aspect of humanity. Not difficult at all, is it? Oh, and it must be wrapped in a simple theme. For example a poem that uses hockey to explore relationships, a spider web delving into the meaning of life, or a traffic jam to represent diversity. No, you don’t have to use those specific examples.
Now, the technicalities:
Write in the POV and genre of your choice. Maximum 45 lines and no more. Submit by midnight (Eastern Time) April 10, 2011. Late entries will not be read. Challenges are open to all countries.
Please send all entries with the submission pasted into the body of your email (no attachments please) to submissions@openbooktoronto.com. Include your name, pen name (if using one), your email and the title of your entry. In the subject line please write “Open Book March Writing Submission”. The winning submission will be published with April’s challenge.
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Renee Miller has written fiction in one form or another since she could hold a pen. She has written for a local newspaper and freelances for several online sites including two pages spotlighting writing and publishing in Canada. Renee also moderates a fiction writing group of about 1100 members and two Canadian literature and writing groups on Goodreads.com. She lives in Tweed, Ontario with her two children and a lucky man who insists he is not her husband. |
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