Author Update #11
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays — and a perfect time to get my writing submitted! Since the main bulk of my work is strange and typically in some way “magical”, September submissions for October publications is something I’ve looked forward to since I began submitting, last late October. My patience has paid off, and I’ve received a poetry acceptance with Analogies & Allegories (defunct) October issue, centered around the topic of “magic”. Check out the issue HERE!
The work, titled “Ritual Language”, is a rhyming poem about a Deaf solo practitioner, making contact with her spiritual guide by using American Sign Language. While the piece is written in English, is intended to be signed as well. I will state that I am not a part of the Deaf community, and do not claim to understand the stress that audism places upon Deaf individuals. However, I have a great enjoyment and respect for ASL, and with an excellent Deaf ASL/English Translation Specialist as my professor, I’ve gained such a great love and excitement for the language as I near completion of my associate’s degree in ASL.
ASL has taught me more than just an interesting visual language, it has improved my writing. In ASL, statements are more direct, without embellishment or misleading intent. As a writer, I tend to overexplain myself; ASL gives me the focus on the true intent of the communication. This is an exceptional thought process to have when composing poetry. I’ve often found poetry over-flourished, while claiming to prize brevity. In this work, I utilize the intentional, direct nature of ASL in each two-word line.
My classes in ASL have fostered within me a great interest in the artistic works of Deaf individuals, and the visual music, art, and writing. These works, combined with my history in pagan ritual and my fascination with magic, lead me to this solemn moment with a Deaf witch. The beautifully precise finger positioning of ASL seems a natural extension to magical work. Moreover, I wanted to challenge the audism I see in “calling the corners”, chanting, singing, and announcing intent. Using this language as a tenet toward magical work closes out non-speaking individuals.
It was hard to decide which piece to submit since, as stated above, I write a lot about magic. I have about 5 pieces about witches, 2 where I am the witch, 6 of neo-pagan interest, and about 25 with a soft magic theme. Yeah, I like magic. However, this is my only piece (so far) with a focus on this character. I very well might bring her back in a short fiction or another poem, if she is well-received by the Deaf community. It will be available to read just in time for Halloween, in late October with Analogies & Allegories Magazine, Issue 6!
