I’ve been expanding my boundaries and moving out of my comfort zone:
I wrote my first short script for a scriptwriting challenge and submitted it. I also participated in reading, evaluating, and scoring 12 short scripts written by other writers in the challenge. I got valuable feedback in return for my script.
I turned my short script into a short story, which was harder than it sounds.
I’ve been studying screenwriting and working on my first feature-length screenplay.
I’m writing an opera libretto (the lyrics) for my daughter.
I’ve been writing poems and submitting to new publications. And yes, I get rejections like everybody else.
I’m still writing short stories and poems for Gobblers & Masticadores, Masticadores USA, and Masticadores India.
I’m still working on the novels I started and editing a middle-grade children’s book I finished.
If I disappear for a few days, it’s just because I’m busy with these projects. I always follow up on comments, likes, and follows.
Grazie!
Ciao!
Dawn Pisturino
April 12, 2023
Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
(Graphic art by Phil Gennuso. Copyright 2023 Phil Gennuso. All Rights Reserved.)
Scrapbook Dreams by Phil Gennuso (2023). Available on Etsy or direct from Phil.
Phil Gennuso is a graphic artist, poet, prose writer, and computer scientist who lives in New York state. I’ve been reading his lovely poetry for a while now on his blog and enjoy it very much. He always accompanies his poems with original graphic art or photography.
When I read his latest ebook, Scrapbook Dreams, I was impressed with the colorful artwork and the simplicity and beauty of his poems. There is an innocence behind his words which touched my heart and made me want to read more. The world is a beautiful place despite pandemics, poverty, and the doldrums of daily existence. We just have to open our eyes and see it. Phil does this for us, giving us a rich experience of color, sight, and sound that’s woven into every word. I felt much happier after reading his collection of poems because they are uplifting and positive.
Here’s just one example:
Sunday Trumpets of Glory
trumpets of glory
play a sweet song
as the sun sets across the land
You can get your copy of Scrapbook Dreams by contacting Phil at philgennuso@gmail.com
I was just informed by Wix that they are raising the annual price of my website by a whopping $100.00. I had thought of upgrading my blog to a WordPress website, but I’ve talked to too many people who have had problems with their WordPress websites. I’ve seen some people leave WordPress because of it. So, I will keep my WordPress blog and promote my Wix website separately. I’d rather pay a little more for reliability. Plus, Wix is user-friendly.
Thanks for visiting!
Ciao!
Dawn Pisturino
March 29, 2023
Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
I want to thank Barbara Harris Leonhard and her staff for publishing my poem, Just Me and the Clock, today on Masticadores USA. I hope you will visit them and show them your support. Thank you!
Archery in the UK by Nick Reeves and Ingrid Wilson (2023). Available on Amazon.com.
While reading this beautiful and deeply-moving collection of poems, certain associations kept popping into my head. Sonnets fromthe Portuguese. Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Robert Browning. This book is quintessentially a collection of verses devoted to Love – the remarkable uniting of two cherished souls, love of the land, love of nature, love of beauty, and love of the language that allows us to shape our thoughts, feelings, and dreams into words.
Most of the poems in this collection are not sonnets, but the quality, tone, rhythm, and spirit of these verses capture the essence of Shakespeare, the two Brownings, and classic British lyrical poetry in general. Love in this poetic realm spreads its wings wider and flies higher than mortals are allowed in the ordinary world. The poets invite us into their secret bower of shared passion and romance, reminding us that love is a beautiful gift, and so is every precious moment of our lives.
This is an excerpt from Honeymoon Night, whose simplicity, sincerity, and repetition captured my heart and helped me to visualize the scene so clearly:
One of my Facebook friends messaged me with this information:
“From Editors: Thresh Press publisher Donna Biffar and Christal Ann Rice Cooper.
Thresh Press is open for submissions for the poetry anthology The Power of the Feminine “I”
Poems must be from a female perspective or transitioning to a female perspective from any orientation. Female voices from an animal, vegetable, mineral, or any inanimate object are welcome, as well as female historical, literary, cinematic, or religious voices. Only poems in the first person will be considered.
No more than three poems per person and each poem must not be longer than three pages.
Previously published poems are acceptable as long as the author has reprint rights, or secures reprint rights from the original publisher and provides the previous publisher’s name, date of publication and volume number if applicable.
Submissions must be typed Times New Roman font, no smaller than a 12-font size, and submitted as an MS word document email attachment to caccoop@aol.com
The deadline is May 31, 2023 Publication is planned for Autumn 2023.
For more information email Christal Ann Rice Cooper at caccoop@aol.com or call her at 618 420 6386.”
Gabriela Marie Milton has put together another wonderful anthology of poems, this time about childhood and how it influenced us as adults: our memories, values, experiences, character, and goals. I am lucky enough to have poetry included in the collection. Published by Literary Revelations Publishing House, the book will be available in late January.
Ciao!
Dawn Pisturino
January 13, 2023
Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
A few months ago, I suddenly realized that I had not been to the local library since before the pandemic, so I dusted off my old library card and made a point of visiting. During the lockdown, the county remodeled the whole facility and expanded the number of books available. They did a fantastic job! I was very impressed with the results and enjoyed browsing the shelves for a few good mystery books — and it didn’t cost me a dime.
When digital publishing became popular, people predicted the demise of public libraries. While bookstores in general have been profoundly affected, local libraries seem to have thrived. And, thank goodness for that! Libraries offer so much more than just checking out books.
I still remember Mrs. Brown from my childhood days, the chubby little librarian with stern eyes and short grey hair, who presided over our tiny branch of the county library. We lived out in the country then, and I used to ride my bike several miles to check out books. Whenever I chose something she didn’t approve of (I was an advanced reader and liked to check out the latest New YorkTimes best-sellers), she would ask me: “Did your parents give you permission to read that?” Now, my parents didn’t care what I read, but I always told her “yes,” and that was the end of the conversation. I still remember her looking at me with grave doubts when I checked out The Collector by John Fowles (which is still a good book and a great movie, by the way).
One of the most famous scenes from musical theater is “Marian the Librarian” from The Music Man – a musical that will put you into a joyous and inspired mood like nothing else. The movie (1962), starring Shirley Jones, is delightful!
Have a great day!
Dawn Pisturino
January 6, 2023
Copyright 2023 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
I’m pleased and honored to announce that my poetry has been accepted for inclusion in the upcoming anthology, Hidden inChildhood, edited by the wonderfully gifted Gabriela Marie Milton, and published by Literary Revelations Publishing House. The anthology will be released in late January 2023. Submissions will remain open until January 3, 2023.
Thank you so much for including me!
Dawn Pisturino
December 22, 2022
Copyright 2022 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
Today, I want to shine the spotlight on Aparna Jagannath, a dear WordPress friend who lives in Chennai, India. Her passion for reading and writing is unsurpassed. She is a prolific reader with an M.A. in English Literature. She possesses impressive knowledge about writers from various cultures. She also writes wonderful poems and stories that will knock your socks off with their profound wisdom, wicked humor, and keen insight into the human condition. She does not mince words but gets right to the heart of the matter. Aparna is also a strong advocate for women’s rights in India and around the world. Right now, two of her books are available on Amazon.com:
This collection of stories offers valuable life lessons for children and teenagers alike. Aparna covers many topics: cheating on exams, rude behavior towards family, making healthy decisions, coping with harmful friends, bullying, indifference to school, kindness to animals, and others. My favorite story is “Trapped inside a Smartphone” because it is clever, well-written, and thought-provoking. If your child enjoys reading books about other countries and cultures, he or she will find this book highly enjoyable.
Excerpt:
“A maze of wires surrounded him from all the sides. He was lying beside a giant motherboard. The place was air-conditioned. He almost started shivering. He looked around for his family, but couldn’t spot anyone. ‘Can you hear me, mom? Where are you, daddy?’ he screamed his lungs out, panicking. . .”
Aparna writes from the heart in this fine collection of poems. With honesty and openness, she speaks about the loss of friends, her father, and honor and compassion in the world. She fiercely advocates for herself, her daughter, and all women around the world in their struggle for freedom, dignity, and respect. Her hopes and dreams form the foundation of her writing. In spite of the crushing injustices she sees around her, she conveys a spirit of hope that the world can be a better place.
“Is it my dream? Are you really visible to my eyes?
Thirty long years have passed since we met each other.
Now we are chatting over a video call.
What a wonderful surprise! . . .”
~
“Why should women observe silence?
Why shouldn’t they raise voice against domestic violence?
Why should they submit to male chauvinism?
Why shouldn’t they protect their feminism? . . .”
~
“I thank you, Mother Nature, for supporting all forms of life.
You tolerate our misdeeds with a smile while we are busy with the knife.
I thank you, Mother Earth, for enabling us to live.
We have hurt you in many ways; yet, you always forgive . . .”
~
“Let’s tread carefully on this dangerous path of life forever.
These roads are sometimes narrow and slippery.
Let’s try not to lose our balance to their treachery . . .”
Cosmic Health Blog
Entertaining and informative articles about health and wellness, yoga, meditation, nutrition, stress management, exercise and more, written by a licensed Registered Nurse.
Summer Eden Poetry center
A site for sharing poetry, mine and others’. Come and browse the offerings!
Dawn Pisturino's Blog 