Last week, the very talented fantasy author, Rowena Cory Daniells,
tagged me for "The Next Big Thing", where 5 writers tag 5 others with
5 or so questions, and so on forever all over the planet & cyberspace
until we’ve all been bagged-n-tagged and get to go around again in a few
decades. So today it’s my turn to bag-n-tag a new batch of shy recruits.

We all know how timid writers can be, and this time of year makes it all
the more challenging. Moreso, if you’re stung by an urge to do it
as a festive poem, as I was, but here goes;

Interrogation of a sly shy banshee

Sooooo… What’s your Next Big Thing?
… while we’re all wallowing, dieting, caroling
on a prayer and a wing, and we struggle to string
more than two words we can sing without seeming… unhinged?

Answer: Beats me, [blush] I’m winging it.

But how do you cope with it? … get through it? Or even think of it?
Each little bit, as we struggle to sit and get ideas to fit
On a page that just WON'T submit, and when others all quit
How come you don’t split & simply admit that you’re just like us… a misfit?

Answer: Beats me, [blush] I’m just having fun with it.

Can’t you give us a hint? Or simply admit…
will your next big thing hinge on your last big thing?
Are they linked in a series, in a straight line or ring?
Will there be killing? … More shootings, knifings and glassings?
More stalking, more hawking, more hot sex and… voyeur-ing?

Answer: [blush] … what do you think?

Now don’t suffer stage fright, and don’t be im-polite.
You can’t be contrite when it’s clear you’re forthright.
Please accept this invite, and provide an insight…
Do you write late at night, or maybe rise at first light?
Oh, please speak of your plight – of that one writer’s blight -
it turns ALL authors white; it’s where to find time to write… and re-write?

Answer: [blush] By staying out of the limelight.

Phew, finally! I think we’re cracking this key!
Break out the Chablis and let’s all shout yippee!
An insight from Ms B; she answered verbally!

Answer: [Smack!... Smiling cheekily]
Oh, my dear sweet emcee, need some ice for that cheek?

Crikey! … apologies… had no idea you could be so…

Cranky?

Ah… [gulp]… how about gutsy?

Please don’t pander the banshee.
I keep her caged for my writing.
… Let’s just settle on "esprit".

Fine, and we’ll start again, shall we?
Ahem… [clearing throat and shifting awkwardly]
Time to scratch my goatee, and re-start as emcee…
‘Dear author this week… what’s your Next Big Thing?’

[Smiling shyly]
Let’s not go there, shall we?

But it's the whole point, apparently.

[Nodding knowingly]
I can see through that plea. It's called subtext, in Text World Theory.

Ahem. You've lost me.

It's really quite easy:
You didn’t come to sight-see a performing monkey.
I’m not a trustee, a draftee, adoptee or Queen Bee.
Like you, I’m a trainee, still racing the Grand Prix.
So set up your marquee, pitch your tent by my tree,
Chill a glass for your Chablis, and spit shine your degree
But don’t ask me to fore-see how to access the party.
It’s not for invitees, wanna-bes, addressees or even cat copies.
It’s for devotees, and WILL-bes, and fans who rise from the debris.
It’s for those who look leeringly, with love and lust at a dictionary.
It’s for the crazy, the nutty, and the whole damn fruit tree.
So don’t ask me indirectly about your OWN next big thing.
Just sit down and write it, and ride the wild ride beside me.

Psst… my next big thing? It’s really top secret.


Next Big Thingers THIS WEEK:
Aside from me, there's -
[image error]







And Bagged-n-Tagged by me so far for NEXT WEEK:








Valerie Parv : Goddess of Aussie Romance
Tina Marie Clark: Queen of Childrens Lit Fests
Valerie Stewart Lewis: Temptress of Celtic Fables
Andrew Warrilow : Wizard of Familiars
Andrew Drage aka Brewin: Master of Madness

PLEASE INCLUDE A LINK TO YOUR OWN BOOKS/BLOG/WEBSITE UNDER YOUR NAME WHEN REPLYING SO WE CAN ALL GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER:

Join me on Facebook at AA Bell

Or on Twitter @ThePoetTrees