LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!! #PopUpPoetryOnDemand is coming to an Instagram feed near you. Like RIGHT MEOW. (We are combining my #PopUpPoetry and Eddie’s #PoetryOnDemand.) Now accepting poem requests via Instagram. Please think of some good subjects as @eddiecabbage and I will only be choosing 12 tonight! You are permitted to comment a request only once (well, you can submit multiple but we will only consider your first). At the end of the evening there will be 24 original poems, which will be available to purchase as 2-poem-bundles from Etsy.com/shop/TheRhetoricalRedhead. Eddie will be mailing his 12 signed poems plus an additional 2…
Freelance Writer, Editor, Poet, and Communications Consultant
Last night I mustered up my beginner’s courage to host my first ever #PopUpPoetry night via Instagram. “Pop Up Poetry” is essentially “busking.” A busker is someone who entertains in a public place for donations. The idea is that I would set up a desk with my typewriter in any location I please (hence “pop up”) and will accept poetry requests from passerby, typea poem on the spot, read it aloud and hand it to them (for a hopeful donation, because, let’s be honest, we writers are poor). I have been toying with the idea for months, desiring to practice this winter and be ready to hit the streets LIVE come spring. So, with some wonderful encouragement from my friend and colleague, Eddie Cabbage, I set out to conquer the online poetry busking challenge. Starting at 6:00pmPST/9:00pmEST last night, I opened up the gates to accept original poem requests. As this was my first time doing “live requests” from the public, I selected, typed, and posted as many poem requests as I was able (I received over 50, wow!). I was able to create eight original pieces in a matter of a few hours, which wasn’t bad considering I’m fighting off the flu right now. I was overwhelmed and flattered by everyone’s responses; so many followers, friends, and strangers joined in to make the “event” such a fun interactive experience for everyone, which is EXACTLY what I was hoping for. Prompts and requests poured in and were rather eclectic, which made choosing just a handful really hard! Overall it was such a positive and fun experience, and I truly hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you to everyone who participated–this is always about YOU! Without you none of this awesomeness comes to life! All poems typed last night will be