Into the Hearth, Poems-Volume 14 (The Traduka Wisdom Series) by Wendy E. Slater

5/13/2018

Multi-volume Poet, Wendy Slater introduces us to her 14th volume of poetry Into the Hearth (The Traduka Wisdom series):
After a 20 year hiatus from writing poetry, Wendy composed 20 volumes of spiritual poetry which began during a trip to Scotland in 2001. This series of spiritual poetry awakens one to the Truth within as we walk the Path, the journey, and wake from the slumber of separation from parts of self and step into full union with self and divinity. The resulting self-forgiveness allows one to step forward in wholeness without the false archetype of perfection. When blame and self-judgment are transformed, healed, and cease to be, we have reawakened without the myth, the mythos, of separation. We are One.

Poetry is mysterious to me. Poetry hides and teases, it cajoles and flirts. All the time promising hidden delights, if I am willing to look for it. Wendy’s work is no different, it looks straight at me, staring into my eyes and my heart; then with a quick kiss and wink, it leads me in a direction I was not prepared for.
I have enjoyed this book a great deal, I find myself drawn to it again and again. I find something new each time.
I award Into The Hearth 5 stars!

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Into-Hearth-Poems-Traduka-Wisdom-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/book/-into-the-hearth-poems-volume-14
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/into-the-hearth-poems-volume-14
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Into-Hearth-Poems-Wendy-Slater

You can follow Wendy:
https://twitter.com/WendyESlater
https://traduka.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Wendy-E-Slater-Poetess-Quantum-Healer-1415277638795044/

72 Comments

Wendy E. Slater link

5/15/2018 06:30:55 am

Mark, thank you for such a thoughtful review. I love your words describing poetry in general as "mysterious" but "promising hidden delights" if you look for it. Furthermore, Mark, you see the straightforward quality in my writing as well as the layers. Honestly, I have written poetry that is mysterious to me. When I write whether on paper or in my mind (before I can find paper to write the words on) the words spill out and sometimes I am not sure where the words are taking me sometimes. Writing poetry for me can be a bit like surfing a wave where I am moving with the movement of the ocean, even the spontaneity of the sometimes unexpected movement of the waves. There is a union and joy in the spontaneity. Sometimes it is rough seas and others times it calm waters under a speckled starry sky.

I am so grateful to have been able to share my poetry book "Into the Hearth" with you.

Mark

5/15/2018 07:27:59 am

I did not expect that, Wendy. I have seen comments from authors of prose that a story is going in a different direction than the author originally intended. Sometimes certain characters take on a life of their own and drive actions and the plot in an unplanned direction.
This is volume 14, I have seen tweets about volume 15 also. Where are the previous volumes?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/15/2018 07:47:44 am

After a twenty-year hiatus from writing poetry, I composed 20 volumes of spiritually inspired poetry which began in 2001 during a mystical sojourn to Scotland. All the volumes of poetry are part of my poetry series, the Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series. To answer your question: the previous volumes are written and unedited on my bookshelf.

I decided to publish with volume 14, "Into the Hearth" , as I felt intuitively that is where I should start. Of the Flame, poems-volume 15 is available on Amazon. The Ocher of Abundance, poems-volume 16 should be available within the month on the Balboa Press bookstore site, as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple store etc.

Mark

5/15/2018 09:09:43 am

Do you think the previous books will ever be published or is it like the statement I have seen, and forgotten the attribution, The first part should be discarded before publication? I have also heard multiple editors say that a first book should be written as well as possible and never published. What do you think of that?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/15/2018 09:17:40 am

Thanks for asking, Mark. Yes, they will definitely all be published!

Mark

5/15/2018 09:41:49 am

What drew you to Scotland, is that something you can talk about? Have you written other forms or styles of poetry? Have you entered poetry competitions? Have you written any prose?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/15/2018 11:36:09 am

I was drawn to Scotland for a couple of reasons. One is that my mother was born in London and grew up in England. While her father’s root went back for generations in England, her mother, my nanna, was born and raised in Scotland. So, part of it was returning to my roots.

The other reason was that I wanted to visit places like Iona and the Orkney isles. The Orkney isles reminded me alot of the coastal islands off of Massachusetts like Nantucket, ..well, the Nantucket I remember from the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. And Iona is so extraordinaryly special, hard to describe.

I pretty much can write poetry in any style. But I don’t tend to write in classical styles like Sonnets etc. Haiku I enjoy, I read a lot of different styles of poetry-everything Tibetan Buddhist scholar poets to modern poetry to feminist poetry to war poetry to epic poetry. And I have written some prose, but honestly, it was decades ago, and probably due to an assignment in school.

You know, I haven’t had time to do any real submissions to competitions. I did submit to some competitions around 2004 and 2008. But I had no idea how to do submissions! And those submission had everything wrong from titles being underlined rather italicized, typos, misspellings etc. Looking back, it was really important part of my learning curve to understand how much all of the presentation and formatting is critical -a submission has to be standardized in formatting or formatted to the requirements stated in guideline submission. I am just getting together some submisssions for literary magazines now-or over the last few weeks.

Mark

5/15/2018 12:00:16 pm

It is an interesting experience to connect with roots, with the history of ancestors. Visiting those places can be very special.
Do you have a favorite poetic form for reading, and is this the same favorite for writing your own?
What is the most important reason for entering a competition? What would you tell a beginning writer?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/15/2018 12:44:47 pm

I don't have a favorite poetic form for reading. I have favorite poets who wrote/write in a different styles from each other like Emily Dickinson and Anne Sexton. But I can focus on a single poem sometimes by a poet like I did with "r-p-o-p-h-e-s-s-a-g-r " by e.e.cummings while I was editing my most recent book of poetry, "The Ocher of Abundance". I don't generally read a lot of e.e. Cummings, but I wanted to deeply contemplate how poetry does not have to subscribe to any specific grammar, style, etc. and that poem is like a cryptic Zen Koan. My favorite poem is by Adrienne Rich and titled "Integrity". I first read the poem when I was about 17. I can't count the number of times I have read the poem. I visit the poem at least 3-4 a year.

I think I am greatly influenced in my writing by the poetic forms I prefer, but some have compared aspects of my poetry to poet's that I probably haven't read since high school. I consider myself a modern mystical poet and am influenced by many poets and styles of writing including Rumi and Hafiz.

There are numerous reasons for entering competition, but for me, it was in the hopes of getting recognition as poet and getting published. Winning a respected competition brings reader's towards your work and potentially opens more avenues for the poetry to be seen or read.

What would I tell a beginning writer? Study, study the poet's, or study literature, immerse yourself in reading, even stretching out into literature or books or poetry that might be out the box for your tastes. I think it is important as reader to understand why one style or poet/author appeals and another doesn't. Knowing that helps one harness more voice or oomph to their own writer's voice they have within.

Mark

5/15/2018 02:31:02 pm

Now, I know what a zen koan is, or rather what the name represents. The sound of one hand clapping reminds me of the whooshing sound as a deadline flies by. Just kidding, an old and feeble joke.
Poetry is like any other art form, knowledge must precede understanding, so you can break the rules when appropriate. I have to imagine there are many different forms of poetry, each with their own rules or conventions. Are there any new forms of poetry that are just emerging? Is it hard for a new form to launch successfully?
I have seen a number of quotes on Twitter from Rumi that were fairly obscure or perhaps they were like a koan. Designed to shake up a category or framework or thought.
How does a person know they are a mystic? I can't imagine there is an apprenticeship for mystics. I have completed two apprenticeships while I was in construction. There were lots of classes to take and even more on the job training under the careful eye of a journeyman tradesman. This is a fascinating topic to me and hopefully others.

Jarrod Riker

5/15/2018 06:23:08 pm

I met wendy several years ago. She has introduced me to different types of poetry. I have this volume of poetry, she so graciously gifted me, and immediately fell in love with it. Wendy is a true inspiration and master of the craft

Mark

5/15/2018 06:29:17 pm

Hi Jarrod, it's very nice of you to drop in. Thanks for the kind words about Wendy, personal testimony is powerful.
What is your favorite form of poetry? Do you write prose or poetry yourself?

Jarrod Riker

5/16/2018 11:21:01 am

Mark , I enjoy all types of forms of poetry
Haiku is my favorite for the simple reason it is in the moment
I write- free verse and haiku
I’ve only been writing for 3 years

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 07:14:34 am

Thanks, Jake, for dropping by! Thanks for sharing and your support!

Jarrod Riker

5/16/2018 11:39:39 am

You’re very welcome my dear friend ✍️

Mark

5/16/2018 11:29:45 am

Thank you for sharing about your poetry, I like haiku also. Do you have one for Wendy?

Jarrod Riker

5/17/2018 04:05:47 pm

Mark , Wendy is correct connectivity is key to writing poetry. All tho I am still a novice to writing, we do learn from others and try to be own inspiration for thoses that admire the ambition

Here is a poem I wrote this morning,

Grasping for heaven
I allow the belly of
the beast a taste
of my utopia

A consignment we
both invoke for
we are both thieves...(c)

Wendy E. Slater link

5/18/2018 04:18:04 am

Thanks for sharing your poem, Jake. I love the poem!

Mark

5/17/2018 04:24:33 pm

Thank you for sharing that poem. I like it. When did you first feel an attraction to that form of writing?

Jarrod Riker

5/17/2018 04:45:07 pm

Tk you Mark for comment
I feel I am still evolving, I write when it strikes me
If I force myself to write it’s not the best
Nature has been my bounty for a while and I try to embrace it all
It does help to live in the northeast with the splendor of the seasons especially autumn and considering I am a November child

MJ LaBeff

5/15/2018 08:28:39 pm

I’m a huge fan of Wendy’s poetry. Into the Hearth has this meditative quality and really forced me to be still and just reflect. I keep the book on my nightstand as a constant reminder of life’s delicate balance and fragile existence. I’ll open any page and read, savoring the words and appreciating the gift of today with a sigh of relief. Wendy’s words bring peace to a world where we’re programmed to achieve more and more, taking little time to rejoice in what we’ve accomplished and failing to listen to what’s calling us to our greatest potential.

Mark

5/15/2018 09:16:09 pm

Thank you, MJ, for sharing about Wendy's poetry. That is a powerful witness to the impact her poetry has had in your life. I am sure she will appreciate it a great deal.
Is there a question you would like to ask her?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 07:18:25 am

Thanks, MJ, for making time to drop by, taking time in your day, and for sharing your words about my poetry. It is so meaningful to hear and to know how the poetry has touched you.

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 04:32:06 am

So lovely to see Jake and MJ's comments, Mark. Everyone is so busy and I want to thank them for making time and stopping by.

There are new forms of poetry emerging; I just don't know them by name. In my newest book of poetry, "The Ocher of Abundance" there is a 15 or so page poem. There was a haiku contest flier I saw, and it inspired me to make up my own version of haiku ( and not for the purpose of entering the contest). I know that might sound odd, but that is how inspiration can start. So, the poem is broken up into stanzas of 3 lines, and it is not haiku, but the inspiration that came about from not wanting to be constrained by haiku's limits. By the way, I find traditional haiku beautiful.

A new launch is a handful and a half--that is all I can say! A lot that needs to be done. This latest poetry book will be a soft launch until I can catch up with myself and the promotion of the book.

Well, you certainly don't take a class to be a mystic. Hard to explain, but I was born this way. And of course, being 54 (almost), I can say it was honed over decades of learning, trials, lessons, and the dark night of the soul. I know that is vague. Does it make sense?
Life is constant surrender within so that forgiveness and healing permeate the soul and open up unforeseen blockages within to facilitate a deeper dialogue with Divinity. Now does that mean perfection? Emphatically, No! It means not being owned by one's emotions and understanding that all we see is in through filters and lenses, and as we disconnect from biases (or these lenses) as subtle as they may be, we begin to know our true selves.
Yet, at the same time, that does not mean disengaging from life. Rather it is the opposite. One begins to live with more authenticity and to self-forgive. It is with self-forgiveness and the healing within that we can then extend love more deeply outward to the planet and people. COMPASSION!

Mark

5/16/2018 09:00:48 am

It's wonderful to see others join our conversation.
I guess a new form of poetry wouldn't have a name, one of the clues that it is new. If it never gets a name, I would
imagine it withers away. So, who gives it some respectability by giving it a name? Just curious.
I understand that there are no classes to become a mystic, it is a life long process of discovery. Do you remember how old you were when you understood for the first time that you are a mystic?
I agree with you about growing through surrender, and healing comes from forgiveness. Engaging with life is very important, we all have parts to play in this life. I think of myself as being a wounded warrior sharing the healing I have already received. None of us are perfect.

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 10:55:13 am

The first time I understood I was a mystic and named it was probably 3 months ago. Truly. I realized when I was writing the back cover description for "The Ocher of Abundance" and when I described my poetry as 'wisdom and method". There is a healing that comes through the poetry to other's when they read. I am actually describing a very complex concept in most of the poetry which is what Tibetan Buddhist's term as "vivid luminosity". It resides within us and is place that defies description with our vocabulary as it is beyond the constraints of here and now. In simple terms, it is alive or vivid stillness.
It seems to be myth of sorts, to me, that people forget highly
realized spiritual masters or as an example, the classic beloved poets, never had an ouch or pain or loss they had to confront and examine. It is the human condition, the grief of being separated from our true authentic selves and Divinity.
Having said that, I need to say I am not religious; I don't follow a religion. But I embrace the common knowledge of love and compassion that is evident in the dogma and within religion.
Yes, it is all about surrender, surrender of the ego, surrender of clinging, surrender of blame, surrender of judgment--externally and internally.

I think all of us have experienced trauma in this here life. I want to share with you "The invocation for Peace" which I wrote back around 2001. I thought it was meant to just go with the first, as of now unpublished volume of poetry. It is now at the begging of all my poetry books and will ultimately be in "Into the Hearth".

Invocation for Peace
TOGETHER let us hold the intention that all aspects of this living planet come together in love, acceptance, and celebration of both our diversities and commonalities. Let us possess the common purpose that we heal from our hearts into compassion and forgiveness for ourselves. Together let us own the belief that we will no longer unite with blame and judgement, but come to accept that we all carry the same wounds. In acknowledging this, the hope is for the whole planet in its jubilant diversity to be healed from any and all woundings so that we come together on equal footing, living in peace and joy and setting the tone for a future of har-mony within and on this planet. Peace to all and healing to all.

(c) 2018 Wendy E. Slater

Kevin Ansbro link

5/16/2018 04:37:52 am

Wendy Slater isn't afraid to bear her emotional scars and there's a sensuality to her writing; she wants to touch souls with her words.

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 07:26:14 am

Kevin, thanks for sharing your comment and making time in your day to drop by. Interesting comment about the emotional scars. It made me think and say to myself "yes, well, we all have emotional scars and it is knowing that there is no shame in bearing the scars." Of course, that doesn't mean exploiting a scar, rather, just being able to be human and walk through scars --sometimes with grace, sometimes with confusion and sometimes with a complete lack of grace! However the walking through (of emotional scars) and healing happens, it all leads to release of shame and blame, and a deepening ( spiritual) wisdom begins to awaken and blossom.

Sheri McInnis link

5/16/2018 09:00:59 am

I'm a huge fan of Wendy's poetry too, Mark!! So great of you to showcase her work! She deserves it! A true talent!! :)

Mark

5/16/2018 09:03:48 am

Thank you for your kind words, Sherrie. This is fun to make all these connections with people who admire Wendy's talent.
Do you write poetry or prose yourself?
If you were sitting down with Wendy, over a cup of tea, what would you like to ask her?

Sheri McInnis link

5/16/2018 01:24:18 pm

I write fiction mostly, Mark. But I've dabbled in poetry, too. If I could ask Wendy anything over coffee, it would be, "What is the meaning of life?" lol!! I have a feeling she knows the answer!! ;)

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 12:11:40 pm

Thanks, Sheri, for bopping on in. I really appreciate seeing your words.

Sheri McInnis link

5/16/2018 01:33:09 pm

My pleasure, Wendy!! Thank YOU for your beautiful words!! :)

Mark

5/16/2018 02:10:16 pm

Sherri, "What is the meaning of life?" What a great question! I look forward to her answer.
What kind of fiction do you write? Do you have a book for sale? (This is your chance to brag.)

Sheri McInnis link

5/20/2018 01:31:28 pm

Thanks, Mark!! Sorry, I've been down with a cold!! :( I've been working on a few projects lately, actually, exploring different options. There are so many alternatives out there for authors today. We're lucky! But for now #amwriting & #amediting!! As always! I don't think that ever stops!

Balroop Singh link

5/16/2018 09:17:56 am

What an engaging conversation! I am delighted to share my thoughts about Wendy's poetry, which reminds me of T. S. Eliot and when I had to read him out of compulsion to pass Poetry exam, I didn't like him. Time flew by and I learnt to appreciate all forms of poetry. Inspiration hit me to meet some challenges of writing poetry and now I like to be called a poet first though I have been a high school teacher all my life.
Wendy's poetry departs from all styles and paves its own path into our hearts though entitled 'Into the Hearth'...it did delve deep into my heart, touching each emotion, awakening the mind to reach the soul and enter into realms unknown. I appreciate your review Mark. I agree with you, there is some newness each time we read her poetry. Thanks.

Mark

5/16/2018 10:14:49 am

Thank you, Balroop, for stopping by and sharing with us. I am glad you have written poetry.
What question would you like to ask Wendy?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/16/2018 12:17:37 pm

Thank you, Balroop. I, so, know what you mean about high school and your T.S. Eliot experience. I had an experience like that in high school with Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner". It too was on my English exam. And I recall wondering something along the lines of "So, there is an albatross. I don't care what it symbolizes...nor do I remember..." . I reread that poem a couple of years ago, and saw the extraordinary beauty and epic quality in the poem.
Thanks again, Balroop, for sharing.

Mark

5/16/2018 11:08:26 am

The Invocation for Peace is thoughtful and respectful. I like it.
Your statement about the human condition really rings true for me also, that inherent separation from our true self and the Divine.
What do you think about the idea that a writer must suffer before becoming a good writer?
Were you writing poetry in high school or even earlier?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/17/2018 08:04:45 am

Hmmm. I left a comment to this yesterday, but it is either here somewhere and am not seeing it or I forgot to hit submit! I was writing before high school. I had a poem published in grade 6 in school anthology. I still have the poem anthology book. It clearly was mystical poetry, although I had no idea I was writing mystical poetry.

I stopped writing for along time because I associated angst with writing poetry. So I pretty much stopped writing poetry around 19 years of age until about 36 or so a few poems trickled out.

Mark

5/17/2018 08:36:51 am

That is rather exciting, you can look at your poem from the sixth grade and see the nascent mystic. Hindsight is interesting much of the time.
If personal suffering is not a prerequisite for being a poet or mystic, what do you think is necessary?
How important is nature versus nurture in this discussion?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/17/2018 12:26:28 pm

Connection to divinity; an awareness of something beyond the here; the awareness that there is so much more to his world than humans--I think are necessary for mystical or beloved poetry.
Poetry does not have to be about suffering at all. A poem can be about truly anything including joy and wonder.
Nature vs. nurture..hmmm..probably integral aspect to the discussion.

Mark

5/17/2018 01:12:51 pm

Do you think someone can be a poet without reading poetry?
What experience first made you aware of the power of poetry in general, and your poetry specifically?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/17/2018 01:30:14 pm

You asked:Do you think someone can be a poet without reading poetry? It makes me wonder about poet's centuries ago and did they read or hear poetry being recited. Interesting to think about. Of course, you can be a poet without reading poetry. For me, poetry is everywhere, literally. Ideally, reading poetry opens one up to styles, historical periods, different perspectives and different subjects.

I think what woke me up to the power of poetry was Anne Sexton and Adrienne Rich; poets who arrived via books in my life via books. My father gave me my first book of Anne Sexton's poetry when I was about 16. I still have it.

I recall reading my poetry and sharing with friends in high school and me knowing that they were hearing something powerful and different by their expressions and desire to hear more. I came into this world with poetry hard-wired or coded into my being. And was fortunate to grow-up around artists, poets, actors, scholars and scientists among many other fascinating beings.. All of them doing their own thing and pursuing their own niche, but I was observing them sharing in conversations etc. Although I wasn't paying too much attention to their conversations, it permeated me more like via osmosis.

Mark

5/17/2018 03:04:50 pm

That is very cool. Hardwired for poetry. I believe I am hardwired for reading prose of almost any kind. I am also a fact gatherer and hoarder of nearly useless information.
Is there any chance you have synesthesia? Do certain forms or objects stimulate a secondary sense other than the primary sense? For example, I have read about people who see colors when the work with numbers. It helps them perform the calculations sometimes.
Is there a particular book or writer that you think is underappreciated and deserves far more attention and why?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/18/2018 08:37:21 am

Hi Mark, I thought I posted my answer this morning, but I don't see it. So let me try to answer again. I have never heard of that word "synesthesia". Thank you for adding a new word to my vocabulary!! Yes, that is exactly what I experience! Although sorta on a deeper letter, I see a cloud, then a color , then an animal , then feel the tone, pulse and texture...just an arbitrary ex.
I think there are many authors that underappreciated.. some only get recognized decades or much longer after their death.

Mark

5/18/2018 10:00:25 am

I am so glad I could help you understand what you experience. Not many people experience reality like you do. A few years ago, "60 Minutes" did two or three articles about this topic. I am sure you would find an extensive article on Wikipedia also.
Are there hidden messages in your writing for certain people or groups?
How do you balance the demands of being a writer and poet in contrast with personal relationships and work life?
In the 20 volumes of poetry, have you plumbed the depths or is there more to write?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/18/2018 10:59:25 am

I will definitely try to find the 60 minutes episodes. Thank you for mentioning that.

There are definitely hidden messages. I don't think I would say they were hidden for people or groups. There a lot of references to esoteric stuff. But from what I have seen and known, the poetry seems to reveal itself in deepening layers as people reread the poetry. The poetry can be read on many different levels.
Yes, there is more to write. Just wrote a poem yesterday about the body, one's body, being home. Honestly, I would like to find a publisher who truly understands the work so that I can move on to writing others stuff..children's books, non-fiction book on energy healing and archetypes. I am also a photographer. All the poetry excerpts on twitter that I posted use my photography (sometimes cropped) as the backdrop. I am beginning to work on an art project of poems on 16x20 photographs.
How do I balance my life? That is a good question! I am still catching up with myself. I love time with friends, family but I also enjoy my independence and time spent alone gardening or photographing or writing or wandering in the woods or being with birds, watching them or curling up with a good book or movie, etc. I think all of my friends and family would say I pretty much march to the beat of my own drum.

Mark

5/18/2018 11:23:31 am

It sounds like you find more in your own poetry also. There are so many creative publishing houses, I have a short list of indie publishers, and others offering help to authors, on my Twitter home page. If you don't find a suitable publisher, try using hashtags such as #poetry and #publishing, or some other variation.
I hope you do write in some other fields, I am preparing a review of a really cute children's book about sleep. I am quite impressed with "The Basket of Seeds".
I love photography, it holds deep satisfaction for me and a good picture gives me a lot of pleasure. Black and white ala Ansel Adams wows me every time.
New question.
Is there an author, book, or a poem that makes you cry every time?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/18/2018 12:24:36 pm

Mark, That's so kind about all the suggestions about hashtags and publishers. Thank you. I used only do B&W photography, did my own developing and printing in the darkroom. Those chemicals are pretty intense. I only do digital photography now. But my heart will always be the classic B&W photographers.

There are no books or authors or poems that make me cry everytime. But to this day "Born Free" the movie about Elsa the lion makes me cry or feel wistful. I first watched when I was probably 6.

Many books --too many to name-have changed the way I look at writing. When I first read the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, I was in awe with the lusciousness of the words and imagery. With poetry I was changed when I read Anne Sexton. I was/am so intrigued and drawn in with the simple structure of Hemingway.

Mark

5/18/2018 12:38:09 pm

You are welcome, Wendy. I am glad to be of help.
We have similar backgrounds in photography. My father was a professional photographer, he taught me so much and let me work in his darkroom.
I remember that movie, I think it made my eyes sweat also.
Books are amazing at times. They can impact our lives and change us.
What are you reading now and is it for fun or for serious?
Do you have anything like a lucky charm that is helpful for your writing?
Do you use pad and pen to write or on a computer?

Wendy E. Slater

5/18/2018 01:29:40 pm

That is so interesting that your dad was a professional photographer. Lucky you, that you got to work in his dark room. I still miss the photography darkroom. What type of professional photography did he do? Journalism? advertising? art?

I am reading The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by A. Roy. I am reading it in paperback, but realized the book is a great example of when an e-book reader comes in handy. I seem to be looking a lot of words (like dargah, as ex.). I think I may switch to reading on e-reader as it has the dictionary built in. I am reading it for fun.

I am reading a couple serious books for work. They are non-fiction. One is about the shadow self and the other is about repair of concussions.

No lucky charms when I write. Just a pen and paper or a pen and anything I can scribble on like a napkin or bar coaster. I rarely every use the computer to compose a poem. Editing...where we would be without computers??! I can't imagine editing long hand.

Mark

5/18/2018 01:58:20 pm

My father's specialty was architectural and industrial photography, he processed his own b&w films and prints up to 8x10, he sent the rest and all color out for processing.
I do most of my reading on my kindle, having the dictionary built-in is very nice.
Do you have one or more apprentices?
Better, have you ever spoken before a group in or out of school about writing poetry?
Have you ever considered mentoring young or beginning writers? I mentor and encourage several teens who have talent and want to be writers.

Henry Carter link

5/19/2018 05:21:34 am

I have read and continue to re-read Wendy E. Slater’s poetry for several years now and have been inspired consistently by her excellent poetry! Looking forward to very new book as it becomes available from her poetry collection. Wisdom comes in many forms, but the intricate affect and gleanings from deep truthful, timeless wisdom is often lost to many. However, Wendy’s poetry has successfully impacted me! Her profound insight into the divers workings of the heart, soul and mind has more than aided me on my journey! I truly have been healed, educated and enlightened by her spiritual poetry. I breathe better, live better and love even better as a result of ingesting her poetry. Most importantly I am wholistically more intack to do so. Cannot wait for her next volume! Thank you for the chance to share my experiences on a public forum. And most of all thanks Miss Slater!

Wendy E. Slater link

5/19/2018 08:01:09 am

Mark, hi,

I have no apprentices nor have a spoken about poetry to a group. I do offer input to some poet's who ask for guidance or input. I would like to do a workshop at some point.
On a different note, been doing some reading on synesthesia, and I now understand why some aspects of Standardized testing (SAT) made no sense to me.

Mark

5/19/2018 12:10:43 pm

I bet there are a lot of beginning poets who would love to learn from you. Putting more books out is certainly a good start.
Are there any living poets you would like to meet and why? Who would you choose to be mentored by and why?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/20/2018 08:41:38 am

I honestly don't have an answer to who I would like to meet and who I would want to be mentored by. There are poets no longer alive I would like to meet like Adrienne Rich, Anne Sexton, Maya Angelou. And I would probably welcome being mentored by the same people.

Mark

5/19/2018 12:06:56 pm

Thanks for dropping in, Henry. We are both happy that you are doing better and your life is improved.
Are you doing any writing yourself of poetry or prose?
Would you like to ask Wendy a question or do you have a poem you would like to share?

Henry

5/20/2018 07:15:25 am

Hello Mark, No, I am not a poet, nor a writer. My offering to others is through my Oracle work. I understand that the cover photos on your poetry books are part of your own collection of aesthetic photos from your spiritual sojourns! Are the rest of your books in your 20 volume collection also going to be from your excellent photography? And if so how exciting they will be to view!

Wendy E. Slater link

5/21/2018 02:57:34 am

Hi Henry, I can't seem to find a place to answer a comment you made so I have copied and pasted here.
You wrote:Are the rest of your books in your 20 volume collection also going to be from your excellent photography? Thank you for asking. That is my intention. And thanks for stopping by.

Wendy E. Slater link

5/19/2018 08:02:30 am

Henry, thanks for dropping by the blog and your generous and kind comments about my poetry! I appreciate you dropping in and commenting.

Mark

5/20/2018 08:39:32 am

I think my last questions may have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Are there any living poets you would like to meet and why? Are there any poets you would like to be mentored by and why?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/20/2018 08:45:21 am

Hi Mark, your post did get lost in the shuffle, but had just seen the original post and responded when your recent message just popped up.

Mark

5/20/2018 01:21:39 pm

Do you have a favorite motivational phrase or faith statement that keeps you going?
You have really nice looking ads you have created for your books. Some of the pictures are gorgeous. Have you ever thought about making a trailer or short video clip?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/21/2018 02:53:07 am

"An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind"-Gandhi--that is what comes to mind right now. But many of the quotes I find inspirational I post above my poetry excerpts on twitter. I also love "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark" by Tagore.
Thanks for your comment about the photos. They are all photos I have taken, most of them cropped way down. I believe with the newest book of poetry "The Ocher of Abundance" there will be a trailer. But it won't have my photography. I would like to do a trailer with my photographs, like a slide show, and poetry down the line.

Mark

5/21/2018 07:39:55 am

You do post some nice quotes on your tweets for your poetry. I look forward to seeing more of your poetry and photographs.
Was it difficult to choose between traditional and independent publishing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/21/2018 10:23:07 am

Hi Mark, I look forward to sharing more of my photography and poetry.
I really didn't want to do independent publishing at first. I think I had a prejudice against it associating it with sub-par material. But that is just not true. I know some writers who had some traditional published and then decided to self-publish. There is an autonomy with self-publishing. None is telling you what you can and cannot do. It is quite empowering. It takes a tremendous amount of hours and work. It is not for the faint of heart because of the amount of time and energy required.
Thank goodness for social media like twitter where there is such a beautiful band of people empowering each other. I know if I have a quick question about a great book trailer and I ask the person who made it something like " what platform did you use" that I will get tend to get a quick response from he individual who is happy to share about the platform etc. Infact, I just located someone to create my "ads" as you call them for twitter (I call them picboxes) because I have admired the ease of visual presentation that this person has with the own material that they showcase. It turns out they do this on the side for others, as well. It is a great networking place of empowered people. Don't you think?
I am so grateful now that I went with self-publishing with the first three books (which was always the intent--to do 3 of the books myself) as it has allowed via direct interaction to understand the branding of the poetry, truly hone in on what it is. I am still honing. But I would never have wanted a publisher molding me into a platform before I understood what the platform for my books were.
I think traditional publishing has its downfalls from hearing form other authors, but I see it as a good thing. A shared effort where the author isn't triple triple multi tasking constantly, rather the publishing co. is taking on a lot of the tasks. However, down the road when I find the right publisher or they find me we will see if I was off the mark with the comment in sentence above. It is hard to truly comment as a poet and author I really don't have first hand experience with it.
You ask great questions, Mark. I have so thoroughly enjoyed this past week of your blog and being a guest on it!!

Mark

5/21/2018 10:55:36 am

Your experience has proven to be so valuable, thank you for sharing it with the community. Your comments are very insightful.
This has been fun, talking with you. Today is the last day of the promotion for your book of poetry. Grizz is searching for the new book review as we speak.
Here are more questions.
There are many ways to promote a book, and your "picboxes" are quite nice. Have you ever thought about going on a blog tour and who would you like to visit on this tour?
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/21/2018 11:45:52 am

Actually I was just trying to dig up (yesterday) in my e-mails a blog tour list I received about 3 years ago. I just saw it about a week ago, and of course, yesterday I couldn't find it. I know it's in the email folder somewhere, and I am certain I will find it soon. I certainly had no time for a blog tour before. Now I do, and I would like to do a blog tour.

I can't imagine writing under a pseudonym although I totally understand why some do. Actually, my preference is just Wendy Slater, but it turns out there are other authors etc. that have the same name. (Hey, I hope they aren't writing under a pseudonym!! Ha!) So I added my middle initial "E." (for Elizabeth) to differentiate my name. I did think of writing under W. Elizabeth Slater or W.E. Slater, but then I thought it would get pretty confusing when people were calling me " Elizabeth" or "W.E.", you know?!
I will definitely making point to drop in on your future blogs even if it's just to be a silent reader! You have made this fun!!

Mark

5/21/2018 12:37:56 pm

I am glad this has been fun, that is a primary objective, and to promote your book.
What are a couple of the biggest myths that beginning writers fall for?
When preparing "Into the Hearth" for publication, did you place the poems in the order they were written or did you rearrange them? How did you decide when the first volume of poetry was complete, did you think the task was done or did you know immediately there was much more to write?

Wendy E. Slater link

5/21/2018 01:33:02 pm

I don't know what myths writers fall for. Honestly.
The poems from "Into the Hearth" were placed in the exact order that they were written. It takes forever as you know with editing. Wow. Homonyms, misspellings, grammar..sometimes completely reformatting a poem, omitting specific references to businesses or people..etc. I still am learning WORD. I still don't know how to format all the poems into a numbered paginated doc. Simultaneously I was learning how put an entire book together, learn social media which I had never been present on, etc. etc!!
It is my magical hour to get off the computers ..so I won't be back on today. I want to thank you again, Mark. I have really enjoyed the experience of your blog and questions---and getting to know you better, too! Give a Grizz a pat for me!

Mark

5/21/2018 06:38:03 pm

Thank you, Wendy, this has been fun. Perhaps we can do it again, later.

Book Reviews

Into the Hearth, Poems-Volume 14 (The Traduka Wisdom Series) by Wendy E. Slater

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