Author Archives: Carolyn Dennis-Willingham, Author

Unknown's avatar

About Carolyn Dennis-Willingham, Author

Author of two published books – No Hill for a Stepper, 2001, and The Last Bordello, 2016, and numerous children's books. Her third novel, Distilling Lies is set in 1928 and will be released on May 9th. A former early childhood specialist, she taught bias-free education to teachers at the local, state, and national levels and applies this fundamental principle in her writing. Whether writing for adults or children, her stories revolve around empowering the readers (and listeners) to believe in their potential, to appreciate diversity, and to believe in the power of imagination. When not on her laptop, she willingly serves as the lap-top for her five young grandchildren. In addition to writing, she enjoys boxboxing, hiking, dancing, strength training, and traveling. Occasionally, she pulls out the oil paints to see what emerges on a blank canvas. In addition to her blogging website, cdwcreations.com, you can find her on Facebook and on Instagram @cdwwrites .

If You Are a Blogger, you must have elastic bones

Posted on by
1

That’s a good thing. Bloggers are typically creative people who are flexible and think outside the box. They (YOU) are writers, painters, photographers, philosophers, and on. This weekend, I left Blogsville and went to an art art show where I met one of these creative persons, in the flesh, no less.

Although I’d much prefer to be doing art than viewing it, I’m glad my thinking returned to “the world belongs to those who show up” (author unknown).

So, I showed up and, not only did I find a kindred spirit, I learned.

Most of you know I’m a hoarder. That, too, is a good thing if you want to create mixed media art like Rebecca. I LOVED her stuff.

Here are a few of her pieces. Hard to choose but I think the last one’s my favorite. She reminds me of someone I know.  😉

Rebecca 4

Rebecca 3-1 2Rebecca 3-3 2Rebecca 3-2Version 2

Rebecca 3-3

Check out Rebecca’s art and her how-to videos on her website https://www.createwithrebecca.com

 

daily word prompt: Prefer

I Heard But Couldn’t See

Posted on by
1

I heard but couldn’t see –

blurred

vacant

distorted eyes

a loss of vision

in living life

my flawed decision

a deception

 a perception

distorted

I heard but couldn’t see –

Three times

the clock chimed,

“revise”

“revise”

“revise”

tick tock – mind blocked

tick tock – unlock

And then I saw –

eyes can shift

with temerity

into clarity

from the surreal

to reality

by making a change

 

IMG_2732 2

painting by CD-W

 

daily post prompt: Surreal

Where Poems Live

Posted on by
2

There’s a place where poems live

a secret space well hidden

a road from nowhere

a road to everywhere

away from madness

away from strangers

where life,

with all it’s twists and turns

flourish and grow

 

The place where poems grow

a never ending pasture

of tiny sprouts watered

pruned

erupting into color

waiting for the author’s courage

to nurture more

to harvest boldly

 

I’d gladly spend more time there

to feel creative winds kiss my cheeks

smell the air left behind by inspiring rains

listen to the seasons

and taste the warmth of words

upon my tongue

 

I visit there sometimes,

my second home

I twirl and dance

run and play

find the words

find the meaning

and write the cadence

of a poem’s identity

 

And when I’m tired

I lay on the colored verses

stretch my arms toward the sky

twirl the clouds around my fingertips

and smile at their tickled laughter

 

All in that secret place

where poems live

 

vincent_van_gogh___wheat_field_with_cypresses_by_keltu-d5nm4rk

photo credit

daily post prompt: Identity

Do You Have Writer’s Disease?

Posted on by
5

I’ll talk of my pearls,

my rubies and gems

of gowns made of lace

and gold finished hems

I’ll talk of my island

surrounded by glory

of exotic birds

my elite territory

Oh, and my face

it’s perfect with beauty

What’s that you say?

I’m sounding too snooty?

Okay then! Alright!

I’ll tell you the truth

there are a few flaws

in this “fountain of youth”

That trademark I have

I’ve kept it well hidden

I shouldn’t be bragging

and boasting’s forbidden

I’m really a writer

which means I’m a mess

my hair I just tussle

my clothes, I confess …

… are simple like leggings

my t-shirts un-white

appearance means nothing

what does, is to write.

Okay,! Right now

I’ll stop pecking the keys

Oh, crap. One more thought

(Damn writer’s disease)

Geez!

writer-the-hiking-artist

 

 

photo is from a great article entitled “The Seven Habits of Highly Neurotic Authors”

 

daily post prompt: Trademark

 

 

 

 

 

Dance Anyway

Posted on by
2

I just had a birthday

but they say it’s been a year

so I am here

standing strong

a thumbs up and a cheer.

 

Fifteen years ago, I wrote an entry in my journal about turning 45. Soon afterward, I copied the pages and turned it into a piece of art. I painted a journal (the image is flat) then made it three-dimensional by coating a separate piece of card stock with gesso. I glued it so it would protrude from the canvas.

birthday journal 2

In the original journal, I wrote how, inside, I was the same person who played guitar at sunsets, had intimate conversations with perfect strangers, and questioned everything about life.

Today, I have more answers. But I will always question.

 

What I positively know to be true is this–a line from a song:

 

“To love another person is to see the face of God.”

I have seen His/Her face many times.

And for that, I am forever grateful.

 

And, as my 28 year-old son once said at the age of two,

“It’s not time to go home. It’s time to dance!”

And he said this when no music was playing. A lesson to live by.

 

Here’s to Cacophony

Posted on by
3

Are they trying to make it sound (no pun intended) like cacophony is a bad thing?

“In literature, cacophony is used to refer to words that have a harsh, jarring sound. Instead of the text being rhythmic or pleasant, the text is unmelodious…. or poems written in a disjointed way.”

Here’s an example of cacophony: “To be, or not to be- that is the question” (Written by Shakespeare and he turned out pretty good)

So, I guess “cacophony’s” not so bad.

I’ll take a sip of c-coffee to that. Cheers!

My Art 107

(painting by me)

 

daily word prompt: Cacophony