Help Me Solve the World's Problems (By August 1, 2013)

(Special Promotion: If you pre-order a signed copy, whether through me or my publisher, by the August 1 deadline, I'll enter you into a raffle for an extra bonus. What's the bonus? A signed hard copy proof--in addition to your signed book--with an extra handwritten poem that doesn't appear in this collection.)

In September, my first full-length collection of poetry, Solving the World's Problems, will be released by Press 53. I am very excited!

And I've bought a bunch of new pens to...you know...umm...sign books and stuff. Would you like a personally signed book by me?

The best way to get an autographed copy hot off the presses is to pre-order a copy from me now, so that I can pre-order copies from my publisher. When I receive that first shipment, I'll sign 'em and mail 'em immediately. (I need all pre-orders by August 1.)

Order a copy by sending me an e-mail with the subject line: I Want Solving the World's Problems.

Who knows? I might even slip a surprise thank you or two in there as well, though I hope the value of this collection is intrinsic, not extrinsic.

Here's what former New Hampshire Poet Laureate Patricia Fargnoli, author of Duties of the Spirit and Then, Something had to say about the collection (an advance proof): "The 'World' in Robert Lee Brewer's Solving the World's Problems is a slippery world ... where chaos always hovers near, where we are (and should be) 'splashing around in dark puddles.' And one feels a bit dizzy reading these poems because (while always clear, always full of meaning) they come at reality slantwise so that nothing is quite the same and the reader comes away with a new way of looking at the ordinary objects and events of life. The poems are brim-full of surprises and delights, twists in the language, double-meanings of words, leaps of thought and imagination, interesting line-breaks. There are love and relationship poems, dream poems, poems of life in the modern world. And always the sense (as he writes) of 'pulling the world closer to me/leaves falling to the ground/birds flying south.' I read these once, twice with great enjoyment. I will go back to them often."

Still not convinced? Wow! You're a tough customer. Good thing I've planned some hypothetical non-softball-questions ahead of time with totally-unplanned-off-the-cuff answers at the ready.

Why would I lay down my hard-earned money for your book?
Because you love poetry, and this book is filled with poems. (Click here to read a few.)

Or if you need another reason: Because you want to be a part of history, since this is the first full-length collection of poems from the Robert Lee Brewer. You can say you were there in the beginning, and that'll make you really cool in a "I was there in the beginning" kind of way.

Or if you need another reason: Because I begged and pleaded with you, and it's better than dropping the same amount of money on whatever it is that you spend money on that you usually regret later as a bad purchase. I ain't too proud to beg.

Is this book really going to solve the world's problems?
Hmm... Good question. You're pretty sharp. Sharp like a knife. Or sharp like the teeth of a shark. You know I think you'll find the answer you want to find by purchasing a copy of the book and reading it yourself.

But now that it's out there, I'm pretty sure of one thing: It will drive you crazy not knowing. So spare yourself the sleepless nights and read the book. You can thank me later.

I know Patricia Fargnoli said nice things about Solving the World's Problems, but does anyone else have anything nice to say about the collection? I mean, besides your mom.
Well, I do have a really nice quote from my mom, but I'll save that for another blog post, I guess. Since I can't use her endorsement, I'll use this one from one of my favorite contemporary poets Sandra Beasley, author of I Was the Jukebox and Theories of Falling: "Rather than solving the world's problems, this collection turns them to the sun like a prism--casting bright and spare images of humanity in flux. 'We spill ourselves all over ourselves,' one poem observes, 'our excess light / our forgiving natures.' Compassionate, challenging, and filled with slinky swerves of phrase, these poems refresh how we look at our daily lives."

Any other non-mom niceties coming your way?
Yes, this is what Scott Owens, author of Something Knows the Moment, had to say: "These poems illustrate the vitality of poetry in our daily lives. Diverse, refreshing, even at times startling, these poems make bold claims for poetry."

Okay, okay. How do I purchase this amazing book?
That's the easy part. Just send me an e-mail at robertleebrewer@gmail.com with the subject line: I want Solving the World's Problems. Then, we'll work together to get the book in your hands.

It costs $15 (shipping included), and I can accept check, money order, or PayPal. And you'll get a signed and dated copy to prove you were there in the beginning. Plus, I think the poems are pretty darn good.

Click here to read a few sample poems.

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By the way, if you'd rather go through my publisher, that's a great option too. As with getting copies from me, the pre-order event is only valid through August 1. Click here to learn more.

Solving the World's Problems - Sample Poems

My debut full-length collection of poetry Solving the World's Problems is due from Press 53 on September 1, 2013. It's been an exciting highlight to the year for me, and I can't wait to hold a copy in my hands. If you're interested in getting your hands on a signed copy, send me an e-mail at robertleebrewer@gmail.com to get the wheels in motion--or order a copy here.

The poems in this collection represent what I consider my best up to now, and many of them have gone through a major transformation since the collection was accepted for publication. I have my wonderful editor Tom Lombardo to thank for helping guide this collection in a new (and I think better) direction.

Solving the World's Problems

Anyway, this post shares a few sample poems from Solving the World's Problems.

solving the world's problems, by Robert Lee Brewer

i began as eyelashes blocking the sun
and my father was a digital clock
in a dark cave  my father counted

out the minutes as i kept myself
from myself   in this way  i learned to kiss
years later  when i became a horse

i ran the hot blood out of my body
father turned into a dream filled
with fire and a horrible laugh   i

burned into a cloud of smoke
father became a phone call and then
silence   i worried what i might

transform into next   i worried
what i might already be   then
i forgave father

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you origami me, by Robert Lee Brewer

fold me into animal shapes
                         and hold me like paper
          you don't want to tear

i've been here before
                         i've waited like money
          and spent myself evenly

across your accounts of love
                         the time has come for our withdrawal
          into the pleasures of night

these simple transfers and deposits
                         these points of interest
          fold me as you will

and hold me longer still
                         i'm not a wolf  save when
          that's the only way you'll bend me

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10:15 in a kroger parking lot, by Robert Lee Brewer

he sits with the engine off staring straight ahead
through wells fargo  through the next strip mall and the new
half-developed subdivision with prices that

start in the low five-hundreds  through mcdonald's and
chick-fil-a  through burger king and dairy queen  through
thick and thin  cats and dogs  teenagers in public

parks  radio waves and satellite images
carried to you  the possibility of you
a number on a graph  some outlier who reads

poetry as if reading might even matter
to the man with this weight on his shoulders staring
without any thoughts because his brain's finally

filled past the point of pure saturation and he's
sitting in his car oblivious to the world
outside  the store stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables

and diapers and frozen pizza and toothpaste and
deodorant and trash bags and prescription drugs
and his eyes are wet but he is not crying  blank

as he feels and overwhelmed as choreographed
cars park and people enter the kroger and leave
the kroger to drive away somewhere without him

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As we run up to the release date for the collection, I'll be sharing more information, including various events--both online and in person. If you're interested in either having me read at your venue or doing some kind of interview or review, just send me an e-mail at robertleebrewer@gmail.com.

To get a signed copy, send me an e-mail as well, or click here to order a copy directly from Press 53.

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Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Check out some other related posts:

• Solving the World's Problems, by Robert Lee Brewer.
• Finding Success as a Poet.

Forsaking the Zone (Leah Lindeman guest post)

Silence permeates a musty-smelling library, shadows touched by flickers from candlelight. In the centre of this haven is a mahogany desk upon which sits leather-bound volumes. And the hunched over writer scribbles furiously; his ingenuity rolls through his tensed muscles. His masterpiece must be put into words.

Reality is that most of us fight to a gain a sense of peace and to be in a comfortable state when we write. Writing isn't about being comfortable; it's about forsaking our comfort zone.

Last year, Robert Lee Brewer challenged his participants to their build their social media platforms in one month. Many of the daily tasks I passed over because I was either too lazy, too busy, or too scared. However, I kept all the tasks I didn't do in my inbox. Just last month did I decide to revisit them, promising myself that I wouldn't provide an excuse for any lack of action.

Leah Lindeman, forsaking the comfort zone

RSS/E-mail

One of the tasks was to set up an RSS feed. When I viewed the instructions on Google, I was ready to abort my mission. Words such as HTML, feed burner, and RSS feed intimidated me. I am no computer genius. But I was determined to do something new, to get out of my comfort zone. I followed the steps slowly. 

When I finally saw the RSS feed symbol on my blog page, I was ecstatic. I went on to setting up an e-mail subscription link, as well. This small, brave step for me has given my blog the potential to attract even more followers; and I am now able to use my "expertise" to help my friends set up these important functions.

Try New Things

Another way I try to get out of my comfort zone is to try new things, discover new places. This correlates with the advice "write what you know." There are arguments for its antithesis: "Write what you don't know." I won't try to prove which point is better over than the other; however, there is merit in writing about what you do know. 

For example, I've gone bungee-jumping twice. This daredevil stunt doesn't have anything to do with writing directly. But if I ever were to write a scene in which my character free falls or feels a greater force than his own pulling him in a certain direction, I could insert a realistic feel into the scene, making it and my character even more compelling and relatable. Try something new; you will have a wide range of experiences from which to glean.

Editorial Calendar

For those of us who like to roll with the punches, setting up an editorial calendar is hard. We like to create order, but we may not like to work within order. The problem with being disorganized is that it's a gamble; our feelings are the basis for our progression toward our goals. Setting up an editorial calendar which highlights research dates, deadlines, blogging subjects, and more will ensure success most of the time. 

My editorial calendar mainly consists of which days are set apart for blogging and an idea to go with each of those days. As a result, I've been much more consistent with my blogging; and I've been gaining more followers and connecting with them. What used to be uncomfortable has now become comfortable.

The first step is usually the hardest to take. But if you jump outside your box, you will expand whilst you benefit others. For me, setting up an RSS feed, trying new things, and setting up an editorial calendar has helped me become a better writer. Get out of your comfort zone. In what ways can you become uncomfortable?

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Leah Lindeman was born in Montreal, Quebec. Throughout her childhood, she dabbled in different extracurricular activities such as ballet, piano lessons, and soccer. But writing became her one passion starting a few years ago. Wanting to become better, Leah enrolled in a writing correspondence course given by the Institute of Children's Literature. She graduated with honours and began working on her first novel. Presently, she is researching material for her second novel; and she is trying to conclude the finishing touches on the first. When Leah is not reading or writing, she's usually taking care of her home, her husband, and two children. Some of her hobbies include horseback riding, visiting with friends and family, and singing.

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Follow Not Bob on Twitter @robertleebrewer 

(or search for him on the social media site of your choice)

To stay plugged in here, sign up for e-mail updates (over to the right).

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Here are some previous guest posts:

• Facebook Groups are Great for Writers.
• A Year of Changes.
• Living Outside of Your Comfort Zone.

Chasing April

OK, so the plan for April was to run all these guest posts (and even some of my own content) that were related to platform building. That obviously came off the tracks, and I'm not going to get into making too many excuses.

I'll just say that April turned into an even busier month than I expected (and I expected a busy month), and we'll just leave it at that. No need to dwell on it, but I do want to acknowledge that, yes, I was expecting to post more content this month. Sooo...

...let's take a look at what May's going to look like. I'm not going to over-promise, but we'll get back on track with the guest posting on May 7. Promise.

And now to hit you with an extra helping of cuteness, because it's cute.

Can you really argue with cute?

Facebook Groups Are Great for Writers (Zara Hoffman guest post)

Everyone says the Internet is either a distraction or the best thing to happen in our lifetime. More often than not, I agree with the latter. 

I love Facebook. It allows me to keep in touch with my friends and keep up to date on some of my favorite pages. Most recently, though, I’ve developed a new love for the social network. 

 

Facebook Groups

The Teens Can Write, Too! and Go Teen Writers Facebook groups are friendly communities for writers that offer moral support and fun anecdotes to help motivate me when I’m looking for inspiration. Some people prefer to write alone and share afterwards, and these groups give you that opportunity. 

 

It’s a hangout, not a mandatory club in which you need to contribute a specific amount to get advice or help (as it is with some writing website forums). 

As to balancing my time in these groups and actually writing? I generally check in once a day and see if there are any interesting new threads I should be aware of. I try and stay off Facebook other than to wish people happy birthday, see the latest news on my biggest obsessions so I can maximize my writing time. 

 

Word Wars!

Sometimes, there are “Word Wars” where people agree to write as much as they can within a given amount of time and we keep a chat open, it can be very effective and satisfying. I actually have yet to do one, but Go Teen Writers is hosting a similar scenario, but it’s called 100 for 100 in which you sign up and promise to write 100 words for 100 days. Currently we’re about halfway through and I’m over the 50% mark in word count. Forums on writing websites also offer these opportunities, but there’s something I just like about the Facebook Group configuration.

Facebook Groups changed my writing experience and it may change yours too. However you write, there are friendly writer groups all over the internet (I also use Figment.com, Wattpad.com, and NaNoWriMo.org), so know that you’re not alone!

 

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Zara Hoffman is a teen author currently working on a YA fantasy romance called 7th Heaven and has three other WIPs. When she isn't wrapped up in projects, Zara can be found relaxing with friends, family, listening to music, reading, writing, and playing with her puppy. Learn more at her blog, her website, or directly via e-mail.

 

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Connect with Not Bob via Twitter @robertleebrewer

 

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Check out previous Not Bob goodies below:

• Selling Yourself as a Writer.  
• A Year of Changes.
• Helping Other Writers Is Key.

Selling Yourself as a Writer (Shaun Horton guest post)

-->There are a lot of different approaches to writing as a career. Mr. Brewer's blog is a good example of the end of the spectrum which leans towards reaching out to readers and offering more than simply books, short stories and poetry. The other end of the spectrum leans more towards the idea that writers should write, and not worry about spending time blogging, doing tours, or anything else.

People can move up and down the spectrum as they have time, as their needs change, and how successful they are. At this moment in time, I'm reaching out at an extreme level. Since I discovered the 30-day platform challenge back in August, I've created an author page on Facebook, started my own blog, signed up on Twitter and Goodreads, and even looked into starting my own website.

I don't even have my first book out yet.

Writing and Reaching Out

Now, at the moment, I have the time to work on reaching out heavily in addition to working on my writing, and I feel like it's working fairly well. While the number of likes I get on my author page on Facebook may not be up where I would like, I have to admit most of my posts get an average of 30-40 views each, which is fairly substantial for a writer who doesn't have much to put out there other than himself.

The posts I make on my author page are good examples of who I am, even as I try to keep things related to writing or my chosen genre's. I will break the rhythm and go off topic for something I find particularly funny or which needs addressing though. 

At the bare minimum, I want people to be entertained by my blog, my tweets, or my Facebook posts; and I hope people get that, because that is also what I want from my writing. So far, it certainly seems that way. I've read on Goodreads of more established authors who have books available, but don't get that many views for their posts.

Given that I don't have anything yet to tell people to go out and buy, I try to keep them interested with short stories on my blog and on my Facebook page. This way they can get a feel for my writing style, and see if they might actually be interested in my finished works or not.

Communication Is Key

All these different outlets also allow people to get in touch with me if they want. In case they have questions about my work, my pages or my opinion on something I may have mentioned briefly in a post somewhere. I feel like this opportunity for communication with fans, or would-be fans is a very important factor. 

When people are accessible, it brings them down to a level on-par with their readers and people do appreciate that. It also benefits the writer as people can get in touch and inform them if a major mistake is made in one of their works. With the advent of self-publishing burgeoning on the internet, it is becoming very easy to upload a work, and then fix mistakes as they get pointed out, re-uploading an updated version for future readers.

All these allow people to get to know me as a writer and as a person and I'm hoping that when I publish my first short novel, which may be between the writing and the posting of this guest blog post, that the people who have followed along with me so far will feel like they're sharing in my success.

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Editor's Note: Shaun did self-publish his first novel between the writing and posting of this guest post. Link to come hopefully.

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Shaun Horton is a Freelance writer living in Western Washington. His blog Shaun of the Not-so-Dead is a mix of posts about the horror genre, the business of writing, reviews of horror-themed things, and the occasional mad rant. He is expecting to publish his first short novel in the early Spring of 2013.

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Follow Not Bob on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Check out previous Not Bob posts:

• How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days. 
• A Year of Changes.
• Living Outside of Your Comfort Zone.

A Year of Changes (Carol Cooney guest post)

I never dreamed of all the changes 2012 would bring into my life.

As the year started, I was working as a property manager and learning to cope with my husband’s recent diagnosis of diabetes. My writing was confined to letters and the editing of my daughter’s graduate school papers.

But I thought I could write a blog. The subject for a blog was right in front of me – I could write about the confusion and changes that diabetes had brought into our lives. So after I made myself write multiple posts, I bought a “how to” book and started my blog, The 9 Inch Plate.

Once I started blogging, I started reading blogs. By chance, I found a blog titled “My Name is Not Bob” (have you heard of it?). In April, there was a platform building challenge. I barely knew what a platform was so I decided that this must be written for me. I followed along each day and tried to participate fully.

There were times that I was more successful than others. I set up my Google+ account and joined Goodreads and Pinterest. There was a lot I did not understand fully but I was at least becoming acquainted with terms I had not heard before.

Wordsmith Studio
Near the end of the month, Robert pointed out that a Facebook group was formed by people participating in the challenge. I was accepted into the group and started meeting more writers. After several months of using the name the “not Bobbers,” the group name was changed and Wordsmith Studio was born.

I am still knocked out by the support that exists in the group. If someone is having a problem, they can ask for help and members will try to help. If someone has had their work accepted, the group cheers for them. If work has been rejected, a group hug and encouragement is administered.

When a call went out to recruit new members for the steering committee, I volunteered. It is wonderful to see the growth that has taken place in the last year. There are now at least three weekly Twitter chats and there are groups on Google+, LinkedIn, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Learning New Tools
During the challenge, Robert held two Twitter chats and mentioned Google+ hangouts. Those can be counted as some of the things that I didn’t understand. Now through the Wordsmith Studio community, I not only participate in Twitter chats but I know how to moderate and post a summary of the chat after the session. As for the Google + hangout, our weekly Steering Committee meetings use that medium.

Wordsmith Studio has a web site on Wordpress. Since my original blog was on Blogger, I had to join Wordpress to get on the site. I didn’t think much about it until one day I “googled” myself (come on, you’ve done it too) and discovered my empty Wordpress blog came up in the search. I decided I should put a post there. Then, I didn’t want it to be lonely so I started to put up more posts. My Wordpress blog became a place for me to write about random thoughts.

After having a narrow focus on The 9 Inch Plate, it is fun to have more freedom in my writing.

Opening New Doors
One of the tasks of the challenge was to interview someone for your blog. I was at a loss as to who I could interview for my diabetes related blog. And then it hit me. I could interview a podiatrist I knew. He would have a lot of information for my readers. I scheduled the interview and gave him the card for my blog.

On the day of the interview, I was prepared with questions. As we talked, he mentioned he really liked my blog. I shared with him what I had learned about how much a blog helps to drive people to a website. He then said something along the lines of, “I should think about that . . . ” I replied that I knew someone who could write the blog for him.

At that point he got excited and wanted to know who could write a blog for him. I told him that I could. And that was the beginning of my professional blogging career. It is a great relationship. He allows me a fair amount of freedom – it is not everyone who would let me invent the “Foot Blogger Chick” for their blog.

On December 19, my biggest property management client sold their building. I found myself with some free time on my hands. With the support of my husband and a lot of hope, I am spending more of my time writing and learning. I have never been so busy not earning much money. Granted, I still have some management clients and I am busy with that work but I have more time to devote to writing, learning, and networking.

The MNINB challenge last April set me on a course that has been fascinating and fulfilling. I have written more than I ever have in my life and I have met some of the nicest people. It is truly unbelievable how much I have learned in the last year and how happy it has made me to grow as a writer. And yes, I said I was a writer. I cringe a little on the inside when I say it but I do think it is true.

All this in one year.

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Carol Early Cooney is married and the mother of two children who consider themselves grownups. She graduated with a business degree from Butler University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. You can find her on the web at www.carolearlycooney.com which will give you links to her two blogs. She would love to connect with you on Twitter (@carolearlycoone), Facebook, Google+, or LinkedIn.

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Follow Not Bob on Twitter @robertleebrewer

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Check out previous Not Bob posts:

• How to Ask for an Interview.
• Floundering.
• Living Outside of Your Comfort Zone.