A letter to the friends and fans

Hi Everyone,

It’s been six months since I started The Poetry Project and as the person in the background who knows at all times exactly what is going on I can tell you that the experience so far has been a heart-warming and overwhelming one. I have certainly made some incredible friends who will be eternally imprinted on my heart. You guys have certainly made my life, and I’m sure the lives of those who experience your work, so much better. And I want to thank you for this small truth from the bottom of my heart. (more…)

The ART of Loving Life

I’ve come to realize as I age that one of the most beautiful things about being a grown-up is the increasing ability to recognize that ever-elusive kindred spirit in the heart of another person.  I met Andre van Rooyen in person over this past weekend and quite a few times just listening to the man talk simply made my heart smile. Though I don’t generally believe in such things as fate or destiny, sometimes it is very easy to indulge in the idea that some people are just put in your path on purpose. (more…)

Up & Away

Happy Monday everyone!!

You may have noticed that The Poetry Project has been lying a little dormant lately. A few “day job”  hiccups as well as a mad brain scramble that lead to the merging of two households have kept me busy and scattered lately. While my head and actual physical efforts took a bit of a sabbatical to pack boxes and trek furniture across town, my heart has remained ever faithful and is as determined as ever to get together the material for the book so that publishing can start as soon as possible. This seems to be proving a little easier than I initially expected, but my high standards of excellence still ensure that I’ve got my work cut out for me as far as putting this all together goes.

Thank you so much to those of you who have continued to submit work despite my untimely absence. I do promise to respond to all of you as soon as possible.

For now, keep writing and taking pictures, never be afraid to push your boundries, and most of all watch  this space!

Yours in poetry,

Nadine

I need another Meggin

Greetings again poetry lovers!!

I was sad to learn yesterday that I have to say goodbye to one of my photographers. Shauna-Rae has signed with Silver Synergy National Galleries and can therefore not take pics for us anymore. BUT – of course we are thrilled for her and wish her mountains of luck and success And we’re happy that she will still be writing for us.

My problem comes in here a little though. I have TONS of beautiful poetry sitting locked away in files on my computer – but they require more “heavy lifting” photography than the stuff you see on the site. This is where my Meggin comes in. She is such a superstar!! I am CONSTANTLY emailing her with instructions of what I need and off she goes and does them with unadulterated enthusiasm. She tackles big and small projects alike with gusto and is completely open to do-overs and is not at all phased by my anal-retentive no-that’s-not quite-what-I-had-in-mind tendencies.

So I need more Meggins!! Yes the site is very sweet and the stuff that goes up on here is great. But the book needs to be extra special. For the most part, the work of the writers is done. It’s the photography work that needs much love and attention at this stage. And I need to find some people who are up to the challenge.

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in becoming a Meggin PLEASE mail me and let me know that I can use you.

Otherwise: Happy hump day!!!

Love Nadine

Bio Ideas From YOU!!!

Greetings fellow poetry lovers!!

I’m starting to find that a big issue for a lot of our contributors is coming up with a short personal biography for me. Now this I completely understand because I actually hate doing it myself – it’s hard!! But I do think that short biographies are important. The whole point here is that we’re all just regular folk and bios are kind of a cutsie way to get to know the people whose work we are all enjoying so much. So, I thought that maybe getting our contributors to fill out a form might work. Obviously not a form like you would fill out at the bank, but something fun, and something that will hopefully reveal a little bit about the different kinds of characters who are doing the writing and taking the pictures that make The Poetry Project work.

Anyway, the point is that I need questions from you! Whether you’re a contributor or just someone who enjoys our site I’m sure there are a few things you might like to know about the people behind the scenes. So please – send me some of those questions and watch this space for a few revealing facts about the ordinary folk who keep the words and pictures coming!!

Make them interesting – questions that need more than a one word answer are always fun!! And I promise to personally answer ALL the questions that end up on the questionnaire, though I do feel that everyone else is quite welcome to answer only the questions that appeal most to them.

I hope you will all play along and I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas!!

Always keep writing!!

Love Nadine

Welcome to 2010

Greetings fellow pic and poem lovers!!

I trust that so far 2010 is treating you all well and that life has returned to you a semblance of sanity after the silly season. Personally I am getting there. It’s taking a while!!

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support you showed me in 2009. The amazing response has been such an incredible experience! I have met some truly amazing and gifted people and I am humbled by your many talents.

This year i will mainly be focusing on content for the book that I am hoping to have published by July 2011. I will however be trying my hardest not to neglect the site in the meantime.

Please know that I am always around should you have any questions or if you would simply like to chat about anything.
I do hope that you will continue to support and contribute to our project this year and for many years to come.

Much love,
Nadine

Say Hello How Are You

When people ask me what I do these days I kind of tend to launch into a long speech about The Poetry Project and end up dominating the conversation in what I hope is an endearing but is more likely an obnoxious fashion. I can’t help it. This mad endeavor excites me in the most unimaginable ways. She is truly my baby! She drives me crazy with her great and many demands, she gives me sleepless nights, she is jealous and possessive and insists that I only have time for her, she makes me laugh and cry – and she brings me a certain kind of joy incomparable to any that I have ever known. I love her dearly. (more…)