Tag: writing

Jay Parini’s Advice to New Writers

~ Chris Cocca ~ Leave a comment

From Jay Parini’s site:

“There is really only one worthwhile piece of advice. Write about what really interests you, and do it every day…”

Read the rest here, and check out Jay’s work while you’re at it. I really like what he says about reading and writing going hand-in-hand. When I am having a hard time writing, reading is always a kind of key.

I Pray Like a Robber

~ Chris Cocca ~ Leave a comment

“I pray like a robber asking alms at the door of a farmhouse to which he is ready to set fire.” – Léon Bloy

I came across this some time ago, I don’t remember how. I ended up having to write a poem about it. Does that ever happen to you?

To Statecraft Embalmed – Marianne Moore

~ Chris Cocca ~ 1 Comment

An early work, and I love it. “To Statecraft Embalmed” starts with an image that might just as easily refer to a certain (current) political figure:

The only version of the full text I can find online isn’t formatted exactly how piece is presented in her Collected Works, a volume I seem to have misplaced precisely as I sat down to write this post.

The whole thing reads to me as uncanny prophesy, hard plumage and all.