Michael Jackman, Writer

Work on your writing craft and meet fellow authors. The WWP (Writers Workshop Project) meets 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. at The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, Louisville, KY 40206. (502) 896-8480. Following a mixer and presentation on writing craft, writers workshop their work, supervised by the instructor. If you don’t have a draft, bring your editor’s hat and help critique. Open to writers of all levels. More Info.

– (noun) a gathering of writers, editors, staff of arts organizations, educators and other creative types at a local watering hole in order to socialize and create community.

Our second Creative Cocktails mixer takes place for July 10, 2008, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Brown Hotel South Lobby bar, co-sponsored by the Writers Workshop Project and the Spalding University MFA program. Enjoy appetizers, a specially priced “Creative Cocktail” and wine selection, and the fellowship of writers, editors, educators and staff of arts organizations. Check back for registration information. Meanwhile, read more information on Creative Cocktails, the Louisville media mixer, or just register now. Hope to see you there!

The papers scream that obesity is an epidemic. Perhaps our obsession with food is reflected in the metaphors we use? When teaching business writing class yesterday, I mentioned a technique called “the bad news sandwich” where a buffer and a good-will closer are like the bread surrounding the bad news, the “meat” of the message, but you want to be careful that it doesn’t seem like baloney. From there the class was off and running, listing a menu of metaphors. If you can put it on the plate, likely it’s a metaphor, including:

• You’re a chicken
• He’s a pig
• She’s a cow
• Don’t be a turkey
• That’s so cheesy
• Something’s fishy about that idea
• I hope I get a raise, I need more cheddar/ bread/ dough / lettuce
• I’m bringing home the bacon
• Her presentation was meaty
• His idea is full of beans/ balogna
• I’m in a pickle/ in a jam
• Those were our salad days
• That new employee’s a hot dog
• Don’t be a wiener
• He’s got nice buns
• She’s slow as molasses

Here’s a link to my second column for The Auto Channel, “A More Perfect Fit.” Enjoy.

I’ve just posted many new local literary events. This summer is hopping with wonderful and free offerings! Look under Events &c. | Calendar.

April is Nat’l Poetry Month and I’ll be reading April 25 as part of the Thousand Poets event. Reading takes place at the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave, Louisville, KY 40206.

I’ll be on about 7:20 p.m. reading a selection of new poems, and works from a poet or two that inspires me. Other featured poets are Lynelle Edwards, Maryam Hand, Jim Marlow, Kelly Marie Nusz, and Kyle Thompson. Louisville area folks can even take the Trolly Hop and leave your car at home!

On April 29 I am reading at the Hara Center on Ash street along with professional storyteller Cynthia Changaris (music and story), Maryam Hand, Barbara Stallard, Nan Goheen, Dan McCarthy, Charles and Jenny Upton, Margaret Stewart, and Jessica Farquhar.
7 p.m. at the Hara Center, 1039 Ash Street. (Corner of Hickory & Ash).

Here’s the first installment of my new column for The Auto Channel - A More Perfect Fit. enjoy.

Monday, John Gage, host of Kentucky Homefront; Diane Reid, professor of oral interpretation; and I held a performance workshop for New Voices contest winners Lori Richie, Christie Baugher, Tina Leas, and Jana Morgan. We sat around a table on the stage of the Ogle Center Recital Hall, and John gave the performers a run-down of the how a live taping of the Homefront radio show worked. Read the rest of this entry »