Poetry Fishbowl on Tuesday, July 3

Jun 26, 2012 14:59

NAME OF THING: July Poetry Fishbowl
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE: You give me a prompt and I write a poem based on it. This month's theme is "alternate history."
WHO IS ELIGIBLE (preferably this should be available to anyone!): Everyone. Come one, come all! Bring some friends.
DATE/TIME WINDOW: Tuesday, July 3. Active window varies but a typical range is about noon to midnight.

This is an advance announcement for the July 3, 2012 Poetry Fishbowl. This time the theme will be "alternate history." I'll be soliciting ideas for historical figures, historians, time travelers, ancient objects, probability machines, time machines, books and other records, things associated with a specific point in history, time periods, cultures you'd like me to feature (if I haven't promoted your favorite one to world domination, now's your chance), battlefields, laboratories, schools, other places where historical events occur, turning points in history where things could've gone quite differently, events that inspire people to want changes, and poetic forms in particular.

If you're interested, mark the date on your calendar, and please hold actual prompts until the "Poetry Fishbowl Open" post next week. Meanwhile, if you want to help with promotion, please feel free to link back here or repost this on your blog.


Writing is usually considered a solitary pursuit. One exception to this is a fascinating exercise called a "fishbowl." This has various forms, but all of them basically involve some kind of writing in public, usually with interaction between author and audience. A famous example is Harlan Ellison's series of "stories under glass" in which he sits in a bookstore window and writes a new story based on an idea that someone gives him. Writing classes sometimes include a version where students watch each other write, often with students calling out suggestions which are chalked up on the blackboard for those writing to use as inspiration.

I'm going to host a Poetry Fishbowl on my blog on Tuesday, July 3. I'll be soliciting ideas for thematic characters, objects, plots, settings, and poetic forms in particular. Chances are I'll spend a good chunk of the day, from afternoon to evening or more, alternating between this site and doing stuff offline so my back doesn't weld itself to the chair. I will post at least one of the resulting fishbowl poems on the blog for everyone to enjoy, and an extra one if there's at least one new prompter or donor. The rest will be available for audience members to buy, and whatever's left over will go into my archive for magazine submission.

If you enjoy my poetry -- or if you just love poetry in general, or want to promote interest in alternate history -- please mark the fishbowl date on your calendar. Drop by and give me some ideas, comment on the posted poetry, encourage people to come look, whatever tickles your fancy. I hope to see you then!

poetry, cyberfunded creativity

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