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May 2001 - Issue 25
SPIRITUAL In this issue we discuss religion, spiritual writing,
beliefs and ALSO... We have our guidelines available for your convenience and have posted our planned monthly themes so you can submit your writing to us.
AN INVITATION Our June issue will revolve around mystery.
THE EVOLUTION OF SPIRITUAL WRITING FROM ANOTHER ANGLE POETRY WORLD HEATHER THE HYPOCHONDRIAC THE EMPORIUM PATH THE EMPORIUM WATCH
Happy Birthday, Emporium Gazette 2 YEARS! This month we celebrate two full years of supplying our readership with useful writing tips. We start the 3rd year with a new image. This graphic will be the format you'll see for all future issues. Also, starting this month we are now a paying market! We will be paying $5 per article or short story. Be sure to check out our guidelines and future monthly themes.
EMPORIUM GAZETTE RECEIVES AWARD In a timely surprise, we have just been notified that the Emporium Gazette has been honored with a Certificate of Merit by Writer's Digest. We will be listed on their Ezine website which goes live on June 26. The Emporium Staff wish to thank all those who have contributed to make the Emporium Gazette the award winning quality ezine it is.
THE EVOLUTION OF SPIRITUAL WRITING
When I was a child in the late 50s and early 60s, it was understood that my family and I would pile into the old Rambler and go to Sunday School and Church on Sunday mornings. We did it, our neighbors did it, everyone we knew did it. In the 70s the anti-establishment societal mentality and general disillusionment with organized religion saw many people cut their ties to traditional churches. Since then, many people who have abandoned the churches of their childhood are re-discovering the need for a spiritual presence in their lives. Some take comfort in familiar rituals, a contrast to an ever-changing society, hence Catholicism has had renewed popularity. Some have shunned modern religion and adhere to earth-based spiritualties like Wicca and Paganism. Others find eastern religions such as Buddhism, with their emphasis on meditation, to bring relevance to their lives. Still others adopt elements of many different religions: the seasonal calendar of paganism, meditations of Buddhism, and the family- oriented practices of Judaism. This renewed interest in spirituality has created a huge market for writers. How does a modern writer cope with this ever-shifting spiritual market? You only have to pick up the latest copy of Writer's Market to appreciate the size of the market. There are 30 pages of magazines listed in the Consumer/Religion section, with additional markets in the Astrology, Metaphysical, New Age and Health and Fitness sections. Pay varies widely, from $5 to $5,000 per article. Most are looking for nonfiction articles which deal with spirituality specific to their needs, but some also publish short fiction and poetry. Many are looking for daily meditations or devotionals, such as The Upper Room or Guideposts. Some, like Tricycle: The Buddhist Review also accept Buddhist-related travel pieces. The Social Justice Review, a Catholic publication, seeks articles on society's economic, political, and intellectual problems. None of the religious-market listings in Writer's Market indicated they were closed to writers outside of their specific denomination. In fact, several specifically mention that they are open to anyone. For example, Signs of the Times, published by the Seventh Day Adventist Church, says that one of their goals is to make the magazine as "attractive to non-Christian readers as possible. We are especially interested in articles that respond to the questions of everyday life that people are asking and the problems that they are facing." Similarly, Say Amen magazine stresses that "[t]he best content for Say Amen is lighthearted yet thought- provoking about basic concerns and issues pertaining to anyone." The message is that writing for the spiritual market is no different than writing for the general market. Study copies of the publication to note their style and slant. Study the guidelines, and submit material appropriate to the publication. Material for one magazine may be re-written and re-slanted to submit to a different magazine with a different focus. A further indication of the growing spiritual writing market is that the 2001 Writer's Digest Writing Competition (see www.writersdigest.com for contest rules and an entry form) includes Inspirational Writing (spiritual/religious) as one of the categories of writing which may be entered. The Grand Prize Winner receives the choice of a trip to New York City to meet with editors or agents, or a trip to the 2002 Maui Writers Conference. Sharpen your pencils!! * * * * * Terrie Murray, the travel writing editor and editorial assistant for the Emporium Gazette, is a freelance nature and travel writer from Portland, Oregon. She can be reached through her website, Aviella's Inkwell: Writings From the Pacific Northwest (http://www.teleport.com/~timurray/index.htm).
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FROM ANOTHER ANGLE
It has been well said that a thing is not
If you're interested in writing for the New Age Movement, you already know it isn't so new after all. Formerly referred to as The Age of Aquarius, the New Age Movement finds its roots in ancient traditions. Mystical experiences often created the foundation: Gnosticism, Grecian mysteries and philosophy, Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah. Add to the list Alchemy, The Renaissance, Freemasonry, The Rosicrucians, The Age of Enlightenment, and Far Eastern wisdom. The New Age Movement then is more of a coming-out party for centuries-old mysticism. From the U-Wire, a column from Pittsburg State University states: As I listen to the sounds of popular culture on the radio, I am pleasantly reminded how Eastern culture has penetrated the Western mind. With bands such as Nirvana and Bush, whose lyrics profess "breathe in, breathe out," I am amazed at how in 50 years, words like meditation, Nirvana and yoga have become a part of the English language. Thanks to such authors as Deepak Chopra, Andrew Weil, and Carolyn Myss, holistic living and alternative healing have been brought on stage. New Age: The Journal for Holistic Living works with a small number of new/unpublished writers each year according to the magazine's guidelines. The market widens more and more for the writer involved in New Age thinking. Even the romance field has been invaded with Harlequin's paranormal novels. Such publications as Fate Magazine; Lapis, The Inner Meaning of Contemporary Life and Magical Blend Magazine, Innovations in Thought, Lifestyle and Creativity welcome the freelancer. Browse the newsstands and metaphysical bookstores to discover many more writing opportunities. Surf the Web for samples of New Age writing. You'll uncover outstanding possibilities along the lines of Innerself Magazine and Denise Vitola's Writer's Emporium, covering all aspects of writing. Mystic Dimensions, a division of Denise Vitola's Writer's Emporium will soon be ready for viewing. No matter what area of the Movement appeals to you, study the market, and go for it. Could it be possible that we'll see New Age writing move out of the shadows? As Colton points out, a thing is not necessarily against reason, because it happens to be above it. * * * * * Susan Long Turner is co-author with Russ Turner of "Wings Born Out of Dust" which is available now from 23 House Publishing and is also available in trade paperbacks and hardback at other major online bookstores.
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POETRY WORLD Poetry comes in many forms and disguises. Most people don't associate music and poetry together, except possibly as a recitation to some classical piece or beatnik bongos. Music began as a rhythm that touched the soul. Later, words were added that evoked a mood. Religion played a strong part in this, but today's youth, similar to those from the past, have created a renewal of faith, reviving the old ways. Enter Silvercord, a band from Michigan. The core group consists of 3 members, Geoff Nostrant - keyboards, vocals, guitars and samples; Ken Ball - bass, keyboards and drums; and Joe Klowski - keyboards, samples and drum loops. Silvercord's songs cover a wide spectrum of moods. A few of the titles are: Numb, Concubia Nocte, Lorelei, and Autopilot. However, Silvercord has worked with several other musicians to make the project (their first CD) what it is. These people and the pieces they assisted with are: Ward Donovan - lyrics and vocals on Autopilot; Jeff Fader - bass on Lorelei; Anne Jung - keyboards on Autopilot and Numb; EunJu Jung - vocals on Lorelei and Numb; Curt Kuhl - guitars on Concubia Nocte, keyboards on Lorelei; and Steve Scholtes - keyboards and sampling on Numb. The EG: So how do they create a piece? Silvercord: Most of the time the music comes first and then the words. They try to be poetic with the music and then build on that with the words. If the music is written with a particular mood in mind, then when they write the lyrics they try to meld the music to emulate the mood even more. Sometimes they do start with a phrase and just brainstorm around it until all of the words fit together and work towards the end that was in mind. Geoff does most of the lyrical writing, with some help from Ward. For some of the songs they simply hit playback and Geoff sings while the group grabs phrases from his improvisation. Then they work and build on one or two of those phrases until they have the poetry they are looking for. The EG: Can you set the mood? Silvercord: Certainly. A lot of Silvercord's music attempts to emulate a mood or state of consciousness. Take Concubia Nocte for instance. Ken suffer bouts of depression and while in that state he sat down at the keyboard and started playing some really minor chord progressions that seemed to click with the way he was feeling. Curt started playing the guitar to work out some harmonies on Ken's chords. After a few minutes it clicked and they had captured the mood. They built around those two tracks, keeping the mood in mind and ended up with a really dark song. The EG: Does religion or a belief play in Silvercord's music and lyrics? Silvercord: Their belief in astral projection/travel plays heavily into the music. Geoff and Ken have done a lot of studying the realm of out-of-body experiences. Ken feels that this belief definitely exhibits itself in their music. The metaphysical realm fascinates them and they try to mold their music into that somewhat dreamy, ethereal state of being or consciousness. The EG: Who has influenced your poetry and music? Silvercord: Poetically and musically a lot of influence is from Twin Peaks, a TV series. Also bands like The Autumns, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, Faith and The Muse, among others, have been a basis for the group. The group attempts to draw on everything possible to make the music/poetry flow just right. Silvercord feels having as many people involved is a blessing since nine different people listening to a piece from nine different angles, surely someone will pick up on something missed. The end result is the ability to make the piece as lyrically and musically beautiful as possible. As you can see, for some, music is a religion, a faith; for others, a pleasant pause in today's hectic lifestyle, an escape. The next time you hear a song, listen to its words and the poetry hidden within. Be sure to visit Silvercord's
web page and listen to their music. It's really inspirational! * * * * * Robert Nailor is the Production Manager and Poetry Editor for the Emporium Gazette. You may visit him at "Lore's Webs".
HEATHER THE HYPOCHONDRIAC After the props stopped windmilling the clear mountain air, Heather MacDowell stepped off the tour plane. It was spring in the year 2000 that thirty-five American tourists, including their yoga master poured onto the tarmac in Shimla, India, destination: Dharmsala, where Tibetan Lamas, wearing bolts of rippling maroon cloth and golden shirts, stirred through the market's bustle of chuba, dress, hat, and incense merchants. As the group scurried up the street to the Tashi Khansar Guest House, Lama Teshoo's swarthy complexion, hawk-like nose, and dark upward-slanting eyes went unnoticed. "Oh, damn," Kirsten Anderson whined, "Someone swiped my bag of cashews." Heather MacDowell, who suffered a debilitating energy drain just before their jet touched down in Bombay (or Mumbai), knew Kirsten as the one who insisted on first choice in rooms and usually ignored her. What energy remained was to be conserved and focused on finding Lama Teshoo. He was well-known in this town, having gained international fame as an herbalist. By morning, Heather discovered that Kirsten also wished to find the lama so they joined forces, Kirsten located a jeep driver who said, "I will take you there, Lama Teshoo resides in a nearby village, neither large nor beautiful." The early morning showers left stranded puddles on the streets that mirrored the orange and yellow buildings. The fragrance of spice wafted through the air as their jeep splashed down the narrow road. Finally, the driver stopped at a two-story, pink building with a balcony around the top. "This is where the lama lives," he said, and jumped out to enquire. The two women, both in their thirties, felt abandoned. Heather shivered. Heather's eyes widened as their jeep was swarmed by beggars swooping in from all directions. It was as though someone had sounded a dinner bell. Dressed in rags, they crowded, thrusting their scrawny arms through the windows to ask alms. "We have no money," shrieked Kirsten from the back seat. "Quick, roll up the windows. They're probably all contagious." Heather did as directed though she sensed it was wrong. Rajaram had told them they were on a pilgrimage. He also had told them not to give alms. "It will only encourage them to avoid responsibility," he said. The horns of the dilemma were confusing. Heather wasn't clear as to where her responsibility lay. As human being, wasn't she to assist them in some way? Nevertheless, the beggars frightened her. Kirsten leaned over the seat and rolled up the window on Heather's left. Her black hair bristled. When the beggars saw that the women would give them nothing, they shuffled away. A woman who's face seemed ravaged by desperation came dragging herself down the street. Her flesh looked as though someone had pushed marbles under her skin; it hung from her bones like the ball fringe on a shawl. Her burlap clothes were so tattered, they trailed five-inch-long threads. Never had Heather seen a more wretched person. She felt compassion for the woman but in her cowardly paralysis, simply sat and watched. The beggar woman seemed to glide toward them until she stood at the front of the jeep, facing Heather. Those eyes, so beautiful yet so terrifying. No boundary could stop them. Older than time, they asked nothing. They pressed into Heather's consciousness. Then, quickly the eyes receded back into the woman's face. She turned and vanished into the shade. Heather had never felt another person's emotions in that way. She slumped back, trying to dissolve into the jeep's dirty upholstery. Heather and Kirsten sat immobile until the driver returned. "Lama Teshoo not here," he said to his traumatized fares. "He go to hills, to the caves, one hundred and twenty-seven miles north. I take you there. We leave from your guest house in the morning at 2:30 and arrive in time for meditation. He gave a "yes" side-to-side wag of his head. "Sorry, Kirsten, but I'm not going with you tomorrow to search for the lama. I feel sick enough to die and I'm going straight to bed." Kirsten's face pinched in displeasure. "Really! You're the one who should be going to the hills to find him. After all, you're the one who's been meditating on him. It's going to cost me more, without you to share expenses." She shook a fist. "Did it ever occur to you that you are a hypochondriac?" In the dark, Heather sat up and switched on the light. It was 3:30. Kirsten would be on her way to find the lama. Heather felt weird and too sick to get up. Her eyes were drawn to the foot of the bed. There stood Lama Teshoo in his astral, a subtle, non-physical body. Mist puffed around his semi-transparent feet. The broad smile on his face delighted her heart. Almost six feet tall, he fingered the wooden prayer beads on his left wrist. "Lama Teshoo. Forgive me for not going to find you in the hills. But I did want to see you." "I have come to see you as I said I would. Anyway, you did see me. I was that old beggar woman who frightened you so. You will not see me in my physical body until you love everyone in the world, including that old woman, as much as you love me." He disappeared in a swirl of mist. Two days later, when the tour bus became crowd-bound in a wedding parade, a tall emaciated man with stumps where his hands should have been stuck his arms through the open bus window into Heather's face. Kirsten leapt from her seat and screamed in alarm, "Get away from that window. You are going to pollute us all." Then she fainted in the aisle, and five of the group rose to fan her face, rub her sweating hands, and drop Bach Resc |
