What Advice Would I Give for Writing Poems – Interview on Shaz’s Book Blog

March 14 2020

Thank you to wonderful book blogger, Sharon, for having me on her beautiful blog … I’d be incredibly grateful for you to check it out, if you have the time … Each one of these amazing bloggers is asking such thoughtful and different questions ..

” …. What advice would you give to someone who would like to try writing poems?

I’m not sure I’m one to hand out advice on writing poetry, since my experience was quite different. Except to say, if you want to write a specific style of poetry, to read as many books of poetry in that style as you can get your hands on. Read them until they soak through to your very core, until you’re sweating, bleeding, crying, laughing poetry of that style. HA! Whether you want to write free-verse or a specific style, write daily … ”

The Attraction of Poetry – An Interview on Shaz’s Book Blog

 

 

For Whom Do I Write

March 10 2020

Thank you to Colin for his time and thoughtfulness with this interview .. 🙏💚💚💚🙏

” …. I think I know the answer to this one, but do you write to please your readers or to please yourself?

I began writing for myself, so it follows that the books I’ve published contained writings that were for my own benefit. I have openly shared most of my writings since about 2008 and the feedback received is what encouraged me to pursue publishing.

Although I have stepped back and am taking time off from writing, up until the end of 2019, my writings have been from my heart, an intuitive knowing that I could not possibly stop from flowing. I would sit to write and the words would simply flow, at times flowing so fast I could hardly “catch” all of them before they disappeared. I am still sporadically journaling in the mornings, yet, I’ve allowed myself to step back to focus on family issues, market my latest book, and to spend time on rejuvenating myself. Over the past 6 years, I have gone through deep healing by connecting with buried emotions and events from my past. It was completely worth it, yet deeply exhausting …. ” Go here to read the full interview …

Author Interview – Camilla Downs

 

Is There Something Special I Do Before Mailing a Book – Camilla Interview on Meeting the Authors

March 7 2020

Here it is …. Today we travel to Reno, Nevada, USA to chat with Camilla Downs about how a Swedish actress, going for walks, chromosome deletions, tiny house living, a construction company, being a paralegal, nature photography, Scooby Doo, and tenacity come together to form the ingredients for the alchemy of Camilla’s life.

Is there something special you do with your book before sending it to a reader?

I personalize each book with a hand written message, at times including a special message within the book. It’s always a little different. Sometimes it’s a handwritten message on a small card, others it’s a micro short poem or message created from the words of a book destined for the trash.

In addition to that, I offer readings from the book via telephone. I’m happy to do this one on one or on speakerphone to a book club (or in person if you are in the Reno/Tahoe/Sparks surrounding area). This is done at no charge and I’m happy to have discussions after the reading. If interested … Go here to read the full interview …

Meet the Author: Words of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

Amy at Trader Joe’s – Thank YOU While Making an Appearance in Norwich Nights With a Tree

February 15 2020

Thank you to Amy at Trader Joe’s for buying one of my books. She has asked about it, kept track of the progress from the beginning to end. Grateful for her interest and support! If you’ve finished reading your copy, a review on Amazon would be amazing … Deep gratitude … xoxo

March 4 2020

Thank you to Melissa of Norwich Nights Magazine for the spotlight of Words of Alchemy! I hope you take a moment to check out the magazine! xoxo

Read Norwich Nights Magazine online

 

March 7 2020

I’m having much fun with creating the short and sweet messages hidden within each book to be mailed. Completely driven by creativity, imagination, and listening to the heart. Another round of books being mailed on Monday to those who’ve preordered and those just now ordering. Please let me know if you’d like your own copy of a personalised, signed book ….. 🌺💚💚💚🌺

 

First Two Shipments Have Arrived and Flying to the UK By Way of Cookie Heaven – Words of Alchemy

January 4 2020

Guess what arrives next week? The first two shipments! Who else would like one?

January 6 2020:

Just received the first shipment! I’m ready to personalize, sign, and mail these beauties! Who’s in?

January 9 2020:

A bowl of tomato soup at GreatFull Gardens. The perfect lunch to accompany chatting with you Gerry Foster McCarroll! May you enjoy the book! Thanks for the support. 💜💜💜

January 13 2020:

It was a great day to mail a book to the UK. Along with getting caught up with nearly all books ordered to date. It’s funny how the really long, slow moving line at the post office doesn’t bother you as much when you’re mailing your book to readers!

I’ll be making another trip to the post office near the end of the week or early the following week. Let me know if you’d like to be included in that mailing. Overflowing thanks to all! 🙏❤️

January 16 2020:

Making a trip to the post office tomorrow morning. Got one headed to cookie heaven by way of Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies in Georgia, that’s some sweet alchemy, there! And bunches headed to warmer weather in Pensacola, Florida! I’ve got new material to create the fun little messages hidden inside the books, too. Can’t wait to be creative tomorrow morning! Let me know if you’d like a personalised, signed copy sent your way. ❤️❤️❤️

January 18 2020

Has anyone received your book yet? Hope they are arriving with the TLC they were packaged with!

Placing a Second Order – Words of Alchemy

December 22 2019:

Moving day approaching …. Again! We finally get to move into our unit on Friday, 12.27. We have definitely enjoyed the lovely view from this temporary place. Yet, we are more than ready to be able to unpack, put things on the walls, curtains up, and make our place into our home.

It’s going to be wild unpacking things that have been packed for about 2 years! I’m positive I’ll be doing a bit of purging! Maybe Thomas and Lillian will join me.

With that approaching, I’m placing a second order of books tomorrow and both orders should arrive not too long after we get moved. The timing is aligning perfectly, as we’ll be done with the final move and I can sit down and concentrate on personalizing and signing the books! Let me know if you want to be included in this round of ordering.

December 28 2019:

I’ve placed the second order and received the first pre-order for a personalised, signed book for a lovely person in the UK. Considering that it costs nearly double the cost of the book to ship to the UK, it is a wonderful compliment and show of support. Should be receiving the first 2 orders in the first 2 weeks of January.

Words of Alchemy – Animated

November 20 2019:

Just a fun animated version to share!

Interested to have your own copy? Go here … https://camilladowns.com/books/words-of-alchemy/

Words of Alchemy – Back to the Book Designer and Kindle Version is Finished

November 3 2019:

Just sent the manuscript back to the book designer. A few more minor corrections. Fingers crossed that’s it! This is a ton of work ….. And …. So worth it!

November 9 2019:

The Kindle version is finished! The back cover is finished! Whew!! Should be getting the initial print version to review electronically in 3 or 4 days. My shoulders are loosening just writing this post! Hallelujah!! Including a sneak peek at one of the last pages of the book …. Thanks to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

Words of Alchemy – The Kindle Version with a Strong Urge for Apostrophes and Dashes

October 23 2019:

Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

October 24 2019:

Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.

Knowing of the Heart

We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.

It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and events we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.

Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.

Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and adventures.

Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.

Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.

Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.

The heart whispered …
Wait.

Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.

You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.

No. They are not.

Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.

The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.

Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.

Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!

June 2018

Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian

There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)

October 26 2019:

Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)

Word Art – Words of Alchemy

October 19 2019:

Word art image created using the content from the web page for ‘Words of Alchemy’ … Beautiful!

In Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs invites you to walk with her to share her love of Nature and Life through a free-verse poetry memoir.

During her daily strolls she is mindfully present as she delves into life in the raw and experiences her heart’s observations.

Camilla embraces what happens when she opens her heart and invites the written words to flow. The Alchemy of Love and Healing is what happens.

Advance Praise for Words of Alchemy

“Words of Alchemy, Camilla Downs heartfelt new collection, lives up to its namesake in numerous ways. Downs spans the broad range of nature, healing, love, and parenting, while making sure we have a little fun along the way. And the bridge she creates from the mindfulness of how we see the world at large to the poetry of everyday life is certainly worth a stroll or two across its borders.” – Thomas Lloyd Qualls, Award-winning author of Painted Oxen

“This poetry collection offers contemplative words, soothing thoughts and peace to the reader.” – Sue Bentley, Bestselling author of Second Skin

“Camilla Downs shares truth, vulnerability and wisdom in her Words of Alchemy collection, inviting readers to be inspired, contemplate and dive into her world of self-awareness and growth.” – G. Brian Benson – Award-winning author, actor and spoken word artist

“These poems take you on a calm and loving walk through the verses of the author’s thoughts. Alchemy is a perfect word for the title as Camilla Downs understands nature; connecting with its magical, medicinal qualities and beauty which she conveys throughout her poetry.” – Ailsa Craig, Author of The Sand Between My Toes

“Words of Alchemy is a chronicle of hope. Camilla Downs poetry is an encouragement, especially when we are feeling at our lowest, to keep seeking the light that is our way forward, and focus on the real. This collection is a walk through the positive nature of life. Camilla Downs is to be commended.” – Frank Prem, Author of free-verse memoir Small Town Kid

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The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love … in one beautiful book.

Pre-order a personalized signed book for $14.40 (10% off and includes tax and free shipping). Go here and enter the total of $14.40 (or more if you’d like to throw in a tip). Want more than one book? Add $14.40 for each book. FOR U.S. ORDERS ONLY.

Arriving on Amazon December 2019 (discount and personalized signed book not available from Amazon). Go here to learn more …

Words of Alchemy