Emily Rachelle Writes

The girl has short hair, thick and black and curly; The side of her head is shaved She wears no makeup A ripped plaid flannel shirt, torn black jeans, Combat boots. This look could be punk Or just fashion in general But the way she laughs, Turns her head, Watches that girl in the sundress at the bar, Holds her beer; These things tell me, maybe Maybe it isn't fashion Maybe, she's a bit like me.

What do you do when the words won't work? What do you do when The thoughts in your brain Poured onto screen Look more like porridge than paint? When a blinking black bar on a glaring white screen Has been running so long Your battery dies? When you sit down two And three and ten times With pen and paper, Tracing lines in the air with your pen Until you give up and close the notebook On the still-blank page? What do you do when the words won't work? When the thoughts in your heart pour into Impassioned eloquent elegies Not fit for anyone to see? When you know exactly what to say But know the audience won't hear? When all the words in your world put together In any personal matter Could lose you the opportunities You need? What do you do with opinions too political? What do you do with a platform too public? What do you do with a voice that reverberates too loud? What do you do when the words you want to write... just won't work? I know ...

Today's poem marks the last in my series of poems  for National Poetry Month in promotion of my new poetry book, Rain in December.  Some of my readers, if you've been here for a while, might recognize it -- I posted this poem on the blog a long time ago. Since sharing it, I've added and completed it for publication in my book. I hope you all enjoy this new look at a previous work.

A watched pot never boils, Or so that's what they say, So I kept an eye on all my worries Each and every day.

My wish for you for tonight's that you know My thoughts are with you wherever you go And I don't know you well, but I've seen you around You're in a dark place, that much I can tell

So many things I want to tell you, So many things I want to share –  Hopes and dreams, thoughts and wishes So many things I wish you knew, I want to give my heart to you.

Right now, I'm touring the blogosphere promoting my new book of poetry, Rain In December . But here at home on my own little blog, I'm celebrating both my new book and the national month of poetry by sharing a poem by moi each week. I hope you all enjoy, lovely readers! I am your someone Through your haunting pain See me seeing you and Breathe again

Today is the day! Buy the book on Kindle -- or go big and get the paperback! I've got big plans for this little book. There's a blog tour, a giveaway, a month's series of poetry here on my blog -- lots of fun stuff!

As announced last week, I have a book of poetry coming out! The release date is March 31, and of course it will be followed by a blog tour. The release actually coincides perfectly with national poetry month in April. Of course, you don't want to hear all my pesky details right now. We all know what you're here for: shiny new cover art!

I don't normally post outside Wednesdays, but I used to, and since St. Valentine's Day fell on a weekend and I just announced my new poetry book coming out, I thought it'd be fun to share a love poem from that book for the holiday. I hope you enjoy! Sames People say that Opposites attract. You hear it, Over and over again, From old and young From those who have been in love And those who haven't. I think that's probably The wrongest thing about love I've ever heard.

Hello, my lovely readers! Today I have a bit of housekeeping followed by a marvelous bit of news to share with you all. First of all: I've officially given up on The College Chronicles. I don't know the first thing about shooting or editing videos, I'm a perfectionist never happy with my own work, and even I'm bored by my own footage of average college life. In other words, I'm just not cut out for vlogging. I'll leave that to the YouTube stars from now on. Now, on to the really big news! Drumroll, please! I am releasing...  a new book... of poetry! It's called Rain In December. It comes out March 31. You can tune in next week to see the beautiful shiny cover! Until then, my lovely readers!

Nobody's Secret  by Michaela MacColl A novel of intrigue and romance Amazon Page GoodReads Page LibraryThing Page Author Website Amazon Summary: One day, fifteen-year-old Emily Dickinson meets a mysterious, handsome young man. Surprisingly, he doesn't seem to know who she or her family is. And even more surprisingly, he playfully refuses to divulge his name. Emily enjoys her secret flirtation with Mr. "Nobody" until he turns up dead in her family's pond. She's stricken with guilt. Only Emily can discover who this enigmatic stranger was before he's condemned to be buried in an anonymous grave. Her investigation takes her deep into town secrets, blossoming romance, and deadly danger. Exquisitely written and meticulously researched, this novel celebrates Emily Dickinson's intellect and spunk in a page-turner of a book that will excite fans of mystery, romance, and poetry alike. My Thoughts:

I have huge news.  First, though, I want to just remind everyone of this post and ask you to read my big news in light of the word I chose to live out this year: dream . On January 7, 2013, two big things happened to me: I came home from the homeschool drama and speech class at the library, opened my email account, and in the very big stack of virtual envelopes saw TIME SENSITIVE.  So, naturally, I opened it first.

flower of the military brat I am from beloved dolls, from bubble wands and crabapple trees. I am from bright colors and playful spirits, Bookshelves and stacked boxes.

This is perfect timing, because I've recently discovered a website I planned to share with my lovely readers.  For once, it actually relates to writing! See, like all other writers, I go through writers' block.  A lot.  And just forcing myself to write anyway doesn't work much for me.  Also, like several writers (although not a majority), I have time to write most days - I just don't write.  Maybe I'm bored with my story right now, or I'm stuck, or I'm just plain not in a writing mood. I've found a website that has remedied both of these problems, without a regulated program and nothing I have to pay or register for.  It's www.creativewritingprompts.com , and I love it.

What is your favorite season? The weather of fall is beautiful, Glorious and bright but Chilling and crisp.

I think, in being forced to accept and live with that which we most hate, we eventually come to either embrace it for ourselves or shrivel up inside to avoid it.   Take, for example, a well-known story skeleton: a person is forced to work, live, or otherwise interact with someone they don't like, don't get along with, or downright hate.  Maybe a school student is assigned their arch nemesis as a lab partner.  Maybe a businesswoman is given a career-making or -breaking assignment that requires her to work with her least favorite person in the world.  Whatever the case, the story almost always goes along the lines of them hating each other, then learning more about the other and realizing they're actual people and humans too, then actually enjoying each other's company (or at least appreciating the other person.)

As a military child, I get to see the world. But when it's moving time again, I feel like I could hurl. I've been to England, France, Japan - I love to travel around. But I wish that I could do it without living there year-round. It's well and good to see the sights, taste the language and the food. But after several weeks or so, I wish the trip would conclude. I want a normal life, you see: A house my family owns - In a town I'll have grown up in, where I won't feel so alone.

This one's published in an international collection, although that isn't saying much.  The publisher accepts just about anything.  Still, it's published! Brilliant purples, pinks, and blues Blend in such amazing hues, My breath is taken out from me And as I stop to gaze, I see A stallion toss his wispy mane Then race away, ne'er seen again.

This is actually a song I wrote nearly a year ago, when we returned to America after our three years on a tropical island.  Since I can't compose music to save my life, I usually refer to it as a poem. [verse 1] Snow drifting, falling to the ground Fire burning, family all around It's the time I've been dreamig of so long The first snow I walk outside, staring up in bliss Spin in circles, shriek at all I've missed It melts on contact, but I don't care The first snow [chorus] Sparkling white Cold and clean Beautifully fresh Perfect, pristine I love the seasons Spring, summer, fall But winter's first snow Beats them all [verse 2] Soon we'll eat turkey and watch football Hang bright lights and deck the halls But for now I enjoy this sweet beginning The first snow We wash the dishes, let the fire die Get our coats and say good bye The day is done, but I never forget The first sno...