As I sit at one of my favorite watering holes in Danbury, Connecticut I think about blogging. I feel the need to write. Like a 1960’s junkie jones-ing I feel the need to write. The paradox is: I have no clue what to write about. Therefore I try to just go with my gut and come from the heart. I just sent a batch of poems to 15 publishers. While I wait for the results I focus on forgetting about that batch and I start on my next project.

There was a time when I watched the postal mailbox and the electronic mailbox for responses from publishers. When I employed that approach all I felt was heartache. Heartache was a result of watching the mailbox daily and finding it empty 80% of the time. Heartache resulted when 100% of the poems were rejected.

When I started forgetting about the submissions and focused on planning the next project the results changed. I experienced less heartache because my mind was immersed in the next venture. I didn’t have time to think about what I submitted and who I submitted it to. I focused on developing my work. I focused on content. I focused on honing my skills and most important to me I focused on paying attention to my heart and what it was yearning for me to put on page.

When I changed my focus, my results changed. Letters in my mailbox began with “Congratulations…”. My emails began with “You have been shortlisted…”.

Life as a poet had changed to the point where I felt comfortable calling myself a poet. I still receive rejection letters but that’s alright. Now, however, after submitting a batch of poems to publishers I immediately turn my mind to my next project. I return to the practice of honing my skills. Who knows, I may just be pleasantly surprised with an email greeting me with “Congratulations!” and “You have just been shortlisted”.