As part of my octopus obsession, I've been collecting links to poems that mention it as a source of inspiration to write more octopus poems myself. Now I'm sharing it on the blog in hopes it inspires you, too. The post The One With the Octopus: 19 Poems appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

POETRY PROMPTS / Simple, straightforward prompts to use as inspiration for any poem-a-day extravaganza! The post 30 Poetry Prompts for NaPoWriMo 2024 appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

The parts of the writing life that define it are unseen. Invisible. Impossible to capture in a photo for The 'Gram. In that way, it's like mothering. Behind the soccer trophies, birthday cupcakes and bear hugs? A grind. Intense. Mundane. Exhausting. The post Hey, Mama, How’s That Poetry Manuscript Coming Along? appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

JUMP DIRECTLY TO APOCALYPSE POEMS I’ve always been drawn to novels, movies and TV series about end times, apocalypse and dystopia. For entertainment purposes, I’m not especially picky about the cause; zombies, climate, capitalism, viruses or patriarchy all interest me as the kinds of devastating forces capable of bringing civilization to its knees. But how […] The post The One With 50+ Poems for the End of the World appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

It's wild and wildly painful to be an emerging writer over 50, comparing where I "should" (or could) be vs. where I am. But a documentary with Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad has lots to teach about the very real possibility of failure. The post “you might not pull it off” appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

These experiences and questions matter. They are, in fact, vital. I'm grateful for the way Zucker tends to them and the way this book tries to make space for something new. The post my love letter to “the poetics of wrongness” appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

I always feel better when I'm making something, and today's soundtrack was an essential reminder. It's time to refocus and it's time to shift and these seasons I loathe (fall and winter) may be the perfect opportunity. For once, I'm thinking they could be good for me. Perhaps I can use them to get my feet back under me? The post “the opposite of war isn’t peace — it’s creation” appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

As a writer, the tension Barbie create is pure gold. Contemporary poets are all over it and have been for many years -- taking everything that comes with this cultural icon and making it their own. The post barbie in the poetry world appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

Now in my 50s, I am (both IRL and in writing life) thinking about comfort over appearance. What would it mean to let go of the idea of pretty or sexy or cute? What would it look like to write what I like -- "acceptance" be damned? The post don’t mind me. i’m just poking around. appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more

If you want to be a writer, absolutely surround yourself with people who admire and support what you're doing. But understand it starts with you. You have to care. You have to take care. You have to be there for the work and for yourself. The post hello, sunshine appeared first on GOOD UNIVERSE NEXT DOOR ..read more