Poetry Friday

Poetry Friday: Sealey Challenge Recap

Heidi at my juicy little universe is our host today. Hop on over there for the roundup.
 

Sealey Challenge Recap

 
I’m a bit late in posting my Sealey Challenge recap. But I was successful in reading poetry all 31 days of August. 
  • I was able to read 5 MG verse novels and 4 YA verse novels.
  • I read 1 YA collections of poetry and 4 collections of adult poetry.
  • I read 17 issues of Poetry Magazine.
 
I had hoped to get through my big stack of Poetry Magazine issues. I still have a handful left, but I made a big dent. While they do often have more than one poem per author in the issues, I do find that I prefer to read collections or verse novels all written by the same author. This did afford me the opportunity to read in shorter spurts though—10-15 minutes at a time.
 
Overall, I always feel like The Sealey Challenge is an impossible goal during one of the busiest times of the year for me. Having a goal to sit down and actually read for a bit each night is helpful when things are chaotic. It also made me realize that there are little spurts of time here and there. My son had several doctor appointments during the month, so throwing a magazine in my purse guaranteed that I read some while waiting.
 

Upcoming Event

Kate Narita hosts a marvelous podcast called Chalk + Ink about writers who teach and teachers who write. I was on her podcast in the past and had a wonderful time.
 
I’ll be part of a panel talking about building classroom writing communities on Sunday, September 22 at 12:00pm EST. You can register here. It’s free.
 

 

Haiku of the Week

 
weeding—
I receive side-eye
from the toad
 
Haiku & Photo © 2024 Marcie Flinchum Atkins
 
Photo Taken: July 4, 2024 in my yard
Haiku Written: August 20, 2024
 
 
 

Poem as Picture Book

To Change a Planet

by Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell
Scholastic Press, 2022

A 156-word poem about climate change and what people can do to make a difference.
 

Poetry Connections

  • Pacing
  • Alliteration
  • Consonance
  • Assonance
  • Repetition
  • Anaphora
  • Simile

Links

 
 

Grow 

Throwing away paper! I’m so fortunate to have my own office. But with that comes the ability to keep a lot of things, which isn’t necessarily a good thing.
 
By an odd chain of circumstances, we are replacing the carpet in my office and in our den. I had to remove everything from my office. I went through some boxes of journals, and I found some gems, some heartbreaks, some keepers, and some drivel. I have more boxes of books and files than I ever imagined could come out of one room. When I painted my accent wall of my office in May, I didn’t get to go through the closet at that time. And I managed to ignore it all summer.
 
My husband said he opened the closet door for them to measure for the carpet and the guy looked at all of my plastic file bins (all labeled) and said, “Wow!”
 
Not a good WOW.
 
I also have a LOT of boxes of previous projects, works-in-progress, and projects not-yet-released into the world. I tend to keep my research in paper, and I often print my manuscripts. Some things I feel like I should keep. But there’s a lot of stuff, I’m just not sure about. Do I keep the printed copy if I have a digital copy? Probably not. Do I keep the boxes of projects that I KNOW are not going out into the world? Probably not. I’d like to get rid of papers that aren’t necessary or duplicates of the digital version.
 
So everything is out of my office right now. But I hope it’s not all going back in. And I will take ALL of your suggestions for what to keep and what to toss when it comes to drafts and papers related to books.

25 Comments

  • Heidi Mordhorst

    Marcie, congrats on your Sealey Challenge reading–it IS a strange time of year to do it, I’ve always thought! Your panel looks great and your toad-eye haiku made me smile–but most of all I’m glad to learn about TO CHANGE A PLANET. Thank you!

  • Irene Latham

    Marcie, I love that side-eye from your toad friend. 🙂 And yes, I hear you on the paper! When we downsized I had the opportunity to get rid of a lot of old paper files…and you know, I haven’t missed any of that paper. Digital storage is so so wonderful for a writer! And since living in our smaller space, we made the decision to have one shared printer, and it lives in a room away from where I write. So, I do a whole lot less impulse printing! These are really good changes for me. Good luck as you make these decisions! xo

    • Marcie Flinchum Atkins

      This makes me feel so much better! I am going through and ditching stuff I know I won’t need. I’m a little hesitant to get rid of some of the stuff from books that are in the pipeline. But I can still get rid of some/a LOT of it.

  • jama

    I think I know the same toad. 😀 Congrats on doing so well in the challenge. I hear you about the dilemma of what to do with all the paper and files. It does feel good to get rid of stuff. Have fun with your panel discussion!

  • Jane @ Raincity Librarian

    The size of that toad, yikes! I don’t tend to keep much – I’ve always lived in small apartments, and now with the three of us in a two-bedroom apartment, we all have to be pretty ruthless when it comes to keeping anything, there just isn’t the space!

  • Jane @ Raincity Librarian

    The size of that toad, yikes! I don’t tend to keep much – I’ve always lived in small apartments, and now with the three of us in a two-bedroom apartment, we all have to be pretty ruthless when it comes to keeping anything, there just isn’t the space!

  • Linda Baie

    Your panel looks like it will be very helpful & inspiring, Marcie. Love the ‘side-eye’ of that frog. I imagine that’s what keeps them safe, ha! And, congrats on finishing the Sealey Challenge, so much to do, and you did it!

  • Rose Cappelli

    When we redid my office last year I had to get rid of a large file cabinet that mostly housed paper copies of all my manuscripts and all the drafts that go with them. A few I kept (not sure why), but most I ditched because I also have all my drafts in my digital files. It took a little getting used to, but things are way less cluttered now.
    I wish I could attend your event, but that’s the day I will be in NY to celebrate my granddaughter’s 5th birthday. Good luck!
    Oh – and I love the side-eyeing toad.

  • Carol Varsalona

    Marcie, congratulations on Sealey Challenge and best of luck on your planet presentation. That side-eyed toad is a chunky one. I am surprised that he let you photograph him. I still have boxes of paper from my years of being an administrator and consulting with different school districts. I never seem to have enough time to clear everything out but I am starting to ditch the paper for the digital copies. Wish me luck.

  • Mary Lee

    Congrats on your Sealey Challenge! I missed only one day and finished 12 collections.

    Since clearing out my classroom when I retired, I’ve gotten really good at tossing/recycling/re-homing…STUFF. It’s freeing. But…good luck. It can also be hard.

  • Karen Edmisten

    Wow (in a good way) on your Sealey Challenge! 😀 And I hear you on the paper. I’ve been on a mission at our house. Good luck!

    Love the toad giving side-eye. They are masters at that.

  • Margaret Simon

    That side-eyed toad is funny. Congrats on the panel. I don’t know how you do so much reading in August. I could barely keep my head above water.

  • Linda Mitchell

    I LOVE Chalk and Ink. It’s literally one of my favorite pods. Thanks so much for the tip that you will be on soon. Can’t wait!
    Tee hee–I’m afraid the toads in my patch of earth would wonder who I am with their side-eye looks. I’ve fallen off the weeding wagon this summer. Poet problem? I just enjoy writing and making art more!