Unknown's avatar

Posts by J.L. Smith

I am a writer/political scientist based in Eagle River, Alaska. I hold a BA degree in English/Creative Writing and a MA in International Relations. Best of both worlds, I write everything from naturalistic poetry to Russia and the former Soviet Republics. Recent publications: Academic Nonfiction: The Syrian Dilemma: Moscow's Motives in the Syrian Uprising (2013). ISBN: 9781304283931 Creative Nonfiction: "The Important Things" - Alaska Women Speak - Winter 2015 issue Fiction: How to Eat a Bagel - 50-word Stories - Sept 15, 2015 The Devil and the White Room - Down in the Dirt - July/August 2016 Poetry: "Sara" - Grassroots - Fall 1999 "Femininity" - Cirque - Summer 2015 "Sitting in the Bathroom" - Yellow Chair Review - July 2015 "A Happy Poem" - Eunoia Review - August 2015 "Willow Rebuilds" "Spectators" "Fire Angels" - Alaska Women Speak- Fall 2015 "Dark Clouds Descend Low" - Three Line Poetry - Issue 33 - Sept 2015 "Da!" - Peeking Cat Poetry - 8th issue - Oct 2015 "Three times my baby's stroller passes by" - Eunoia Review - Oct 2015 "Babushka's Samovar", "If I May Speak", and "High Tea and Fancy Things" - Alaska Women Speak - Winter 2015 Issue "Joanna's Child" - Cirque - Winter Solstice issue 2015. "Away with the Bitterness!" - Peeking Cat Poetry - 9th Issue - Dec 2015 "Away with the Bitterness!" - Alaska Shorts (49 Writers blog) - December 22, 2015 "The Reflex", "The Drop Off", and "Crossed Eyes" - Eskimo Pie - Feb 2016 "The Fragments You Carry", "The Fireweed Dies", and "Crabapples" - 13 Chairs - Spring 2016

June Inspiration – Prompts are back!

Looking for inspiration? Maybe something different to write about? Maybe something that will jar your writing into a direction you wouldn’t normally take? Here’s a little daily nudge for you. By request, the daily prompts are back.  I use many of these myself, and if you find they help you with your creativity…that’s even better!

A day late, so here are two for today!

Prompt #1

The box wrapped in kraft paper sat alone on the porch, raw like the paint that stripped off the boards beneath it. [what was it doing there? what was in it? etc]

Prompt #2

The next day she wrapped the hand in cloth because she like the softness of the fabric…

***Coming the 16th, this blog will host its first contest! Stay tuned for details! ***

Back from hiatus

Took a break after writing all those poems. I am excited to announce something new coming up for June. I hope to do another mini-poetry month marathon, which will include another round of prompts for all of those looking for boosts in their creativity. In addition to this, I have another surprise up my sleeve for all of you that follow me on this blog. Stay tuned. You won’t want to miss this.

Did you write your 30 poems?

Hey everyone! Did you write your 30 poems for the month?  I ended up with 33. Now, it is time to edit them. Anyone participate in Local Gems’ chapbook contest, where you write 30 poems in 30 days? I did. I now see how well the poems fit with my chosen theme, lol.