My current writing project

@THKOhio (329)
United States
October 2, 2008 11:19am CST
I know I haven't been around mcu lately, so I wanted to take a few minutes to say hello, and to let everyone know what's been going on with me. I've been extremely busy the last couple of months, and if I'm lucky, life could get even more busy and exciting in the very near future. The story is a little long and strange, but I'll try to keep it as simple as I can. The first week of May, I picked up the new Neil Diamond CD, Home Before Dark. When I saw it, I was impressed by the photography on the covers and the inside liner notes. After discovering that the photos were the work of Neil's son, Jesse, I Googled him to see if I could find any more of his work. That led me to his website, www.jessediamond.com, and I was very impressed by what I found. At that point, I sent him a short "fan letter" type email, and that was that. Over the next few weeks, I kept going back to the site to look at the photos, and I started to feel inspired to write poems about a great many of them. I joked around with a few of my friends about how Jesse and I should do a book together...his photos and my poems...but again, just left it at that, a joke. Toward the end of August, after continuing to write poems and to think about the possibility of doing a book, I finally told myself that the worst thing that could happen would be that he would say "Thanks, but no thanks." I've had my share of rejection letters in the past, so that would not be a new experience for me, after all. So, I wrote up a proposal, detailing my idea and including about a dozen of the poems I had already written. Then I quickly hit the send button before I had a chance to change my mind. Two weeks later, when I had pretty much convinced myself that I was never going to get a response, I found myself staring at an email from Jesse....and I was almost afraid to open it. When I finally did, the first words I read were "Teresa, your poems are beautiful," and my heart soared beyond belief. I just wanted to scream with joy, and to jump up and down with happiness!!! He went on to say that he is busy with another project right now and wouldn't be able to focus the amount of attention on my proposed idea that it deserves. He suggested we should get back in contact again in mid-October, as he definitely wants to come back to and pursue it. So, that's where things stand right now. I currently have about 40 poems written, more or less (I keep editing them!!), and I'll send those off to Jesse when I contact him on the 15th. I will try to keep you all posted on what we're doing and how we're doing it as things progress. Wish me luck, and keep me in your thoughts and prayers!!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
2 Oct 08
That is so exciting!! Please do keep us updated. I will want to hear all about it. I like your writing, just what you do around here. I feel sure I would love your poetry. Wishing you all the best with this. I don't think you need luck, but sending some thoughts and prayers your way. It's good to see you around here again.
1 person likes this
@THKOhio (329)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Thanks for the compliments! If you would like, I can send you a link to my poetry pages, so you can read some...other than what I'm writing for this project, since I don't have it posted anywhere. :)
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
3 Oct 08
I would LOVE a link to your poetry. Thanks also for sharing Jesse's link with us. Wow!! I can see why you would be inspired by his photography.
1 person likes this
@THKOhio (329)
• United States
14 Oct 08
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner...been busy here. LOL I sent off 40 poems to Jesse yesterday, and now I'm waiting AGAIN...that's the hardest part. Sending my "babies" off to someone else for criticism, even constructive criticism, is never an easy thing. Anyhow...will go right now and message you the link to my poetry pages. :)
@derek_a (10874)
3 Oct 08
Hey! Congratulations. That's brilliant news. I wish you all the best of luck with your writing with Jesse.. It only goes to prove, that you don't know what can happen if you don't give it a shot. And you did! In Zen, we say, don't think too much! The mind can be your best friend or worst enemy. Best to take negative thoughts with a pinch of salt! :-)
1 person likes this
@derek_a (10874)
3 Oct 08
Thank you for responding... Yes, that's the way to go. Visualising the best possible outcome regardless of what doubts your mind may be tricking you with does make a difference. I have been a therapist and counsellor for a long time, and have seen visualisation work in so many wonderful ways. Thought is powerful and can change things. Best to do it for the better..
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@THKOhio (329)
• United States
3 Oct 08
Thank you! And you're so right about the mind. Mine has been my worst enemy WAY too many times in the past...I'm finally learning to take control of my thoughts and keep them positive. :)
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
9 Oct 08
So this i why i haven't been seeing you for the past few months... i thought you left mylot for good... well... this is a great opportunity for you... and i hope it will push through... good luck... and be sure to update us on any developments... it would be great to see a book with your poems in it...
@jordan04n (463)
• United States
13 Jun 09
How did your writing project turn out?
@jordan04n (463)
• United States
14 Oct 08
I am interested in your poetry writing to J.Diamonds photos....very exciting for you...yet, I find that the more often I look at his photographs there meaning changes dealing with the mood I am in. His photos are emotionally heart felt at times and at other times flow with words. I have searched for other places to find his work to no avail. Thank you for writing on this subject I will look forward to more articles. Photograph has always interested me and since I stumbles across his work have become a fan. I ordered his one and only picture book and wait for it's arrival. I keep going back to his web sight just to see his photos one more time as they speak to me visually. Keep us posted on your progress on this project as I just want to see more of his work readily available.
@THKOhio (329)
• United States
14 Oct 08
Glad to hear that you are enjoying Jesse's photography, and that you ordered his book...I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear that as well. :) And you're right, his photos do seem to have different impacts depending on the perspective you bring to them. To me, that's a sign of a great photographer, when he can create so many different reactions in so many people with just ONE shot.