I didn’t post on Thursday, because I didn’t feel like it. Simply no excuse…just wasn’t in the headspace to write. Plus, the only thing I wanted to write about was something that hadn’t happened yet.
Back in October 2019, pre-plague, my dear friend Beth (whom I had lunch with yesterday, coincidentally, and therefore has already heard this story,) went with me to a monthly poetry night at a bookstore near my house that I like. I wanted to read one of my poems during the open mic portion, but I was terrified. She sat by my side and encouraged me, and I was able to do it. I was very proud of myself that night, for overcoming my anxiety of not just attending a function full of strangers, but for reading in front of them.
Come February, we had a problem, and that problem was a pandemic. Poetry night kind of moved online for a bit, and while I would love to say I’ve watched every episode (because it was very good,) I honestly fell off when I started working on the novel. I pretty much fell off poetry all together, then. But now, she is in editing, and that bug is biting, and here we go again.
So I inquired a couple of times at the bookstore once they reopened as to when they would be bringing the night back and they kept telling me “soon.” Then one morning my father tells me that an old buddy of his is hosting the return of Poetry Night! I was ecstatic, and not at all anxious to attend.
When I got there, I sat by a woman and who seemed to be her boyfriend, and also a woman who appeared to be her bestie, and bestie’s husband. Woman A, whom I came to know as Mary, seemed very nervous, and as I unintentionally eavesdropped on their conversation, I learned that she was going to be sharing her poetry for the very first time. She had brought her reinforcements, as had I, and was probably so anxiously awaiting her turn that she barely even heard the key speaker…at least, that’s how I was that first night.
She had the courage to go first, too, once the open mic started. And it was good. Her poetry spoke to me, because guess what? They were about chronic and mental illness. I sincerely hope my poems spoke to her as well, but as per usual, I flew out the door first, because mingling is still really hard for me. I’m going to push myself to do it next time, though, so wish me luck.
In other news…yes, this is a two-parter, to make up for nothing last Thursday.
So, I decided to do a book giveaway, for funsies. I figured I would do it on Twitter, where all my reading/writing friends live. Out of my nearly 7k followers, 82 whopping people saw my giveaway tweet. No one responded. Ergo, Twitter’s algorithm is a steaming pile of garbage, yet again.
So, I roll over to TikTok, where I get better views, and I got a couple hundred. A few folks commented, hoping to win the book. I picked a winner, and emailed them. A day went by with no response, so this morning I hop on and browse their page to see when they were online last.
It’s a kid. It’s a literal child.
Now, my book doesn’t really come with a content warning because it’s not really graphic or anything, but there are some choice words and definite adult themes. So, I emailed the kid and told him that I was sorry, but I couldn’t send him the book. Also, he would have to give me his address, and it isn’t cool for me as an adult to encourage that, or safe for him as a child to do so. I feel kind of bad, because I should have specified you needed to be 18 to win. I hope he isn’t too disappointed.
Anyway, I have moved this giveaway over to my Facebook page, now. So, if you’re not already following me there, I encourage you to do so, especially if you would like to win a book today! I will be announcing a random winner tomorrow morning, so this offer is only good for you folks who are reading my blog on Monday the 28th. Go follow me now!!
Anyhoo…that’s about it. Happy Thursday, my friends. I’m off to watch a bunch of TV, which might sound lazy, but is actual research for Thursday’s blog, I swear.
Ham 'N Eggs 