C is for Catachresis (#AtoZ 2023)

Catachresis is a figure of speech in which writers use mixed metaphors in an inappropriate way to creat rhetorical effect.

literarydevices.net

This challenge is proving to be not just harder than expected but also educational! I’ve never heard of catachresis before although I’ve certainly encountered it while reading literary works and poetry. I’m guessing I’ve also used the device myself before although I don’t remember a specific instance. Shall we give it a try?


A Life Imagined

Mind clouded by long views
Of future yesterdays,
Of sights yet seen,
Of undreamt dreams,
Of lost loves never loved,
Of suns falling over the horizon,
And a life imagined.


Once again I’m not certain I’ve executed this very well. Certainly I’ve fallen short of the Shakespearean examples given when I looked up the definition. I found this very, very difficult. The idea of mixing metaphors and still making some sense still befuddles me.


“C” in Zapfino Typeface
Zapfino “C” Found Pattern

Well today was another challenge! Onward to D is for D…

Be well,

My First A to Z Challenge Anniversary: C is for ‘Chat-a-Grump’

On this anniversary of my first A to Z challenge, I’m posting each of the illustrated “seriously silly poems” from my book Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry — a carefully edited and polished compilation of my A to Z posts from last year. Enjoy!

C is for ‘Chat-a-Grump’

Stay tuned for more silly poetry from A to Z!


Pick up a copy of this silly collection dedicated to the child in all of us and enjoy with a loved one. Or stick around as I’ll continue posting each illustrated poem one letter at a time throughout the month of April. Have fun and stay silly!


Be well,

Monty

B is for Bathos (#AtoZ 2023)

Bathos is the act of a writer or a poet falling into inconsequential and absurd metaphors, descriptions, or ideas in an effort to be increasingly emotional or passionate.

literarydevices.net

Ok, this got ridiculously serious fast (or should I say seriously ridiculous?). I’ve never knowingly tried to use bathos in my writing and I’m fairly confident that I haven’t fallen into it unintentionally, although perhaps I’m mistaken. Feel free to read all my past posts and published books and let me know.


Bathing in Bathos

I’m not one to write in absurdities. I take this endeavor quite seriously. After all my words are a reflection of me and the subject requires a high degree of professionality (especially when writing autobiographically). For I am well respected — a staple of our community. Like a bowl of rice. Bland, sure, but important for your satiety. My words are weighty. Like all those carbs filling your belly. Some may claim they are empty calories, but an empty glass is worth more than it’s spilt milk for sure? After all you can always ask for more. And my words stick around. You can find them under your second chin. You can grasp them with your love handles. They even cushion your tush. So don’t read my words lightly. Their gravity is not to be dismissed. Or you risk being whisked away by levity’s weightlessness.


I’m not sure I fully captured Bathos here. Perhaps I slipped more into irony or just plain silly? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.


“B” in Zapfino Typeface
Zapfino “B” Found Pattern

Well today was certainly a challenge. I hope you appreciated the effort and will tune in tomorrow to see what comes after B…

Be well,

My First A to Z Challenge Anniversary: B is for ‘Butt in the Air’

On this anniversary of my first A to Z challenge, I’m posting each of the illustrated “seriously silly poems” from my book Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry — a carefully edited and polished compilation of my A to Z posts from last year. Enjoy!

B is for ‘Butt in the Air’

Stay tuned for more silly poetry from A to Z!


Pick up a copy of this silly collection dedicated to the child in all of us and enjoy with a loved one. Or stick around as I’ll continue posting each illustrated poem one letter at a time throughout the month of April. Have fun and stay silly!


Be well,

Monty

A is for Alliteration (#AtoZ 2023)

Alliteration is repetition in two or more nearby words of initial consonant sounds.

literarydevices.net

Alliteration is a device I often use in both my prose and poetry. I find the effect playful and a great companion or alternative to rhyme. In fact I used both alliteration and rhyming in the title of this series.

To illustrate the use of alliteration, here is a poem I wrote last year using the form of Amanda’s Pinch which is a syllabic form with both rhyming and alliteration. This poem was originally created for the poetic ‘scavenger hunt’ designed by @murisopsis from A Different Perspective.


Dangerous Detours

Amanda’s lush lips plumply puckered for a kiss
Her eye shadow’s shade saying come hither hither
Curves cutting close corners without warning
Dangerous detours are ahead
Dangerous detours are ahead
And I’m so so ready to start swerving
In wild wanton ways together with her with her
And Amanda’s baby blues beg me not to miss


The letter A is also an interesting form itself visually, especially in the Zapfino typeface I’ve chosen here. Through a repetitive process of rotation, and scaling of the above image, I created the below “found pattern”.

Zapfino ‘A’ Found Pattern

I hope you enjoyed this first post in the series. Now only 25 more to go. No pressure! Haha. I hope to see you here again tomorrow.

Be well,
Monty

My First A to Z Challenge Anniversary: A is for ‘And Silly Be’

On this anniversary of my first A to Z challenge, I’m posting each of the illustrated “seriously silly poems” from my book Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry — a carefully edited and polished compilation of my A to Z posts from last year. Enjoy!

A is for ‘And Silly Be’

Stay tuned for more silly poetry from A to Z!


Pick up a copy of this silly collection dedicated to the child in all of us and enjoy with a loved one. Or stick around as I’ll continue posting each illustrated poem one letter at a time throughout the month of April. Have fun and stay silly!


Be well,

Monty

#AtoZ in 2023 Theme Reveal

Well it’s coming on April and that means its time to prepare for another #AtoZChallenge. Last year was my first year participating and my theme was “seriously silly poetry from A to Z”. It was a ton of work, but also a lot of fun and even led me to publishing a book! As a bonus during this year’s challenge, I’ll be posting the fully illustrated poems from my book letter by letter throughout April. Stay tuned for that.

This year, I’ve settled on a theme that frankly I’m a little nervous about as I’m not sure how I will manage it. It will consist of two components. The first will be a bit of writing inspired from a literary device or form. I’m not restricting the type of writing — it could be poems or prose or essay, but each piece will be inspired by and illustrate the use of a literary device or technique (some may be formal while other may be more informal). For example “A is for Alliteration” will showcase the use of alliteration. As for the rest of the alphabet…I’ll let you know as I go along because I’ll be figuring it out on the fly.

The second component of the challenge will be visual. I’ll be constructing a black and white “found” pattern from each of the letters. By “found” pattern, I mean that I will discover the pattern organically without any predetermined outcome but all starting from the physical shape of the subject letter of the alphabet. My graphic for the series below exemplifies this.

I’d love to hear your thoughts regarding my theme and welcome any suggestions on specific literary devices/techniques to consider during my alphabetical journey.


Be well,

Monty

My First A to Z Challenge Anniversary

Last year I participated in my first A to Z challenge and I must say I’m still pretty impressed with what I managed to put together for my theme of Seriously Silly Poetry. Each post included a silly (or sometimes a bit more sweet than silly) poem with a fun illustration.

To celebrate I published a book! Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry is a compilation of my A to Z posts (with a lot of editing and polishing of illustrations). This 100-page fully illustrated book is beautifully silly. Check it out!

Pick up a copy of this silly collection dedicated to the child in all of us and enjoy with a loved one. Or stick around as I’ll be posting each illustrated poem one letter at a time throughout the month of April. Have fun and stay silly!


Be well,

Monty

A to Z Book Launch & Give-a-Way: Updated with Winner (#AtoZ)

I’ve had a blast with this years #AtoZChallenge and my theme of “Seriously Silly Poetry”. And the response from all of you has been amazingly supportive. To celebrate, I’ve compiled the series into a beautiful 100-page book, which I’ve dedicated to the child in all of us. Also, I’m going to give one copy away randomly to one of you that comment on this post*. Thank you for all of your encouragement.



Link to Buy


*The book give-a-way will be either paperback or e-book (choice of the receiver) and can either sent to the “winner” or anyone of their choice as a gift of silly love. We’ll figure out the logistics when we get to that point. I’ll select the “winner” on 9am May 4th (China Standard Time).

UPDATE

Based on random* selection, I’m happy to announce that murisopsis from A Different Perspective is the winner of the book give-a-way. Congratulations! I’ll be in touch so that we can figure out the logistics. I hope you enjoy your copy of “Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry”.


Be well,

Monty

My First A to Z Challenge Reflection (#AtoZ)

Well my first A to Z challenge has come to a close and I must say I’m pretty impressed with what I managed to put together for my theme of Seriously Silly Poetry. Each post included a silly (or sometimes a bit more sweet than silly) poem with a fun illustration.


Three Most Popular Post (by views):

#1: A is for Apples Eating Zebras (56 views)

#2: B is for Butt in the Air (53 views)

#3: I is for Icky (43 views)


Most Overlooked Post (by views):

U is for Upside Down (13 views) – this is worth a look if you missed it!


New Blogs Discovered & Followed (WP)

The Sound of One Hand Typing

Outside Perception

This is Another Story

Musings of a CowCorn

Christina Dankert

This is Another Story

Enchanted Words

Hopes & Dreams


Blogs I Read A to Z:

No Love for Fatties

What Sandra Thinks

The Confusing Middle

MidLife Cat Lady

Martha Reynolds’s Writes


Proudest A to Z Achievement:

I wrote and published a book! Apples Eating Zebras and other seriously silly poetry is a compilation of my A to Z posts (with a lot of editing and some refinement). This 100-page fully illustrated book is fun and beautiful. Check it out!

Up till May 4th I’m running a launch celebration book give-a-way. Check here for a chance to “win”.


Did you enjoy this series? Let me know! I hope that you stick around as I’ve plenty of more content coming up. Best wishes to you all!

Be well,

Monty