Blog | Mary K Gowdy

Mary K Gowdy

Search

The Road Less Traveled: Writing My First Poetry Collection

Sep 1, 2020
3 min

The Road Less Traveled: Writing My First Poetry Collection

Most poets organize their collections by writing a ton of poems and then picking out the ones that share a common theme. I'm not like other poets (cliché and cringey, I know. I'm just such a special fucking snowflake :P) But I did the complete opposite of the norm for my first poetry collection, and it's been intereeeesting. It all started in the Fall of 2017 when I wrote a poem titled "A Question 'Bout the End We'll See". I won't share it here because it's really quite awful

13 views0 comments

Ready for a challenge: a prequel, a sequel, and poetry

Aug 26, 2020
3 min

Ready for a challenge: a prequel, a sequel, and poetry

This is year is going to look a lot different. For the first time since I was three years old, I won't be going to school in the fall. I'm so ecstatic! I want to dedicate a lot more time to my writing now that I don't have to worry about classes, homework, research, clubs, and a job on top of that. It was so much. There was always something on the horizon to be worried about, but now after my workday, I can relax. My writing process is changing, and I have big plans like work

10 views0 comments

Writing Poetry Till Further Notice

Jul 16, 2020
4 min

Writing Poetry Till Further Notice

I don't know how it feels like this year will never end and yet it's gone by quickly. Compared to last summer, I feel like this one is going by faster, especially June. June just came and went in a blur. I was busy all month scrambling to find a job and a place to live since my original plans were postponed due to covid. But anyway, it's already halfway through July and I feel like this blog is overdue for an update. If you haven't heard me shouting about this from all my soc

15 views0 comments

2020 Resolutions

6 Common Mistakes Beginner Poets Make

Apr 25, 2019
5 min

6 Common Mistakes Beginner Poets Make

Video Transcript: When I tell other writers that I write poetry, one of the responses I get the most is that they themselves have tried to write poetry once but it came out cliché or sounding like Dr. Seuss so they never attempted it again. They might understand rhyme and meter and whatnot—they have the tools—but they don’t understand how to avoid the pitfalls of bad poetry. This post will cover the 6 common mistakes new poets tend to make. 1. Cliché In case you don’t know, c

446 views0 comments

September Writing Goals - A Few Weeks Till Sensuality.'s Release Date!

Sep 3, 2018
4 min

September Writing Goals - A Few Weeks Till Sensuality.'s Release Date!

Hey ya'll. I feel like it's been August for ages. Hmm, I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I've waiting to publish my chapbook Sensuality. in September. And September's finally here! Granted, Sensuality. won't be released for another few weeks. I know I've been reticent about exactly which day in September it will be released, but that information (along with the cover!) is coming soon, I promise. There's a lot to do when preparing a book for publication, so

4 views0 comments

How To Write A Poem - Tips For Beginners

Aug 15, 2018
9 min

How To Write A Poem - Tips For Beginners

How the hell do you write a poem? You might ask. For most, writing a poem is an intimidating activity. I'm here to help you. Whether you're here because you've always wanted to write a poem but haven't known how to begin or because your English teacher put you up to this, I’ll explain the basic techniques of writing poetry such as rhyme, form, poetic devices, and more. I'm know writing a poem can make you feel self-conscious (or scare the shit out of you). So, before we get i

69 views0 comments

In the Spotlight: Poetry Open Mic Night Experiences

May 2, 2018
7 min

In the Spotlight: Poetry Open Mic Night Experiences

Hey guys! In the past few months I've been trying to discover ways to put myself out there more as a writer. I'm currently in college, and at my university, at least once a month, they have an open mic night. I decided to recite some poetry at them. I did it twice this semester: once in February and once in April. I had wanted to do it last semester, but I kept chickening out. I didn't tell anyone that I wanted to do it, so thus I had no one to make me accountable to actually

4 views0 comments

Her Gaze - Poetry Recitation Video

Feb 10, 2018
1 min

Her Gaze - Poetry Recitation Video

I've finally joined the growing community of poets posting YouTube videos of them reciting their poems. My poem "Her Gaze" is available to read on this site here: Her Gaze. It's a terza rima poem about war, love, and art. Follow me here or on Facebook or subscribe to my Youtube Channel if you're interested in future videos like this or even ones giving a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration for my poems. #poetry #YouTube #writing

2 views0 comments

Poems Published in Better Than Starbucks

Nov 24, 2017
1 min

Poems Published in Better Than Starbucks

I've had some poems published by the lovely monthly online magazine of Better Than Starbucks. This time two of my longer poems appear in the Sentimental Poetry section, and one collection of 7 cinquains appears in the ModPo & Experiment Poetry section. Here are the links: A Middle-Aged Southern Couple Reacts To Ice/Shadow Puppets I go through crushes like experiencing the five stages of grief. #poetry #publication

0 views0 comments

Haiku Published in Better Than Starbucks Literary Magazine

Oct 3, 2017
1 min

Haiku Published in Better Than Starbucks Literary Magazine

A haiku of mine was just published by Better Than Starbucks! Better Than Starbucks is an online literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction every month. They like formal poems, haikus, limericks, short poems, funny poems, and even free verse. They will also publish previously published work and new, unpublished poets. Definitely check them out! Here are the links to their website: https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/ and my haiku: (https://www.betterthan

6 views0 comments