Where Can You Turn for Hope When You Are Living in Bad Times?

The news recently has been so discouraging, and every time you hear an update it gets worse.  Now the bad news is not about some faraway person or place it is increasingly personal. Where can you turn for hope?

I believe that there is a God who still loves you and is active in your life to bring you much blessing.  So I wrote this book of poems to encourage you when you are feeling that the world is getting dark around you.

Illustration for the
Poem, Patience

The message in this book of poems is a message that we all need to hear at different times in our lives. In many ways, it says that God is in charge of these difficult times and that He cares for you while you are going through times of discouragement.  It says that you will get through these times, and one of the purposes of God is to bless you when you do.

I believe, and I wrote it out in many ways in these poems, that you are coming to a time and place of good and blessing.  If I could say anything to you, it would be, do not give up, keep your eyes on God, and continue to trust in His goodness. You may not yet see the hope, but it is there, and it is bright.

I hope someday you read my book of poems, Through These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, it will encourage you. I have friends who tell me they read a poem a day for a time; others say that they sometimes read it through at a sitting- it takes less than an hour. And when they tell me that it encourages them and helps their faith, and then I feel very humble and grateful.

© A.E. Dozat 2020

Why I Give Poetry to the Homeless

I am glad to share my book of poems with people, and it fills me with joy to share it with someone who is feeling down or oppressed. It is a book of encouragement and hope, and ideal for those who are needy.

While stopped at a light a homeless man with a sign asking for handouts approached the car. I gave him five dollars, and a copy of my book of poems of encouragement and hope. There was only a moment of time before the light would change, but I took the moment to tell him that I wrote this book of poems for him and I hoped it would give him encouragement and hope. He was grateful and said that he is looking forward to reading the poems.

I do not know what he appreciated more, the book or the five dollars, but I was glad for the encounter. If my life was different, it could easily have been me standing there asking for hand-outs. He is a man who is made in the image of God just as I am, he is a man whom my Savior died for and a man who once had a mother just like me. But I had an opportunity to show him some kindness. I hope that when I am in the time of need others will reach out to me too.

I know that my book encourages people who read it. People who read it tell me that it inspires them and that it helps in their troubled times.

I hope that he gets on his feet and finds happiness, and I hope he finds faith in a loving God.

I give this book away at every opportunity as an act of love, and sell it for as low a price as I can so others may do the same.

If you are in need of encouragement or know someone who does you should order a copy today, you will glad to have this book.

© A.E. Dozat 1/6/18

The Poet Explains His Poem, Your Tears Are Not In Vain.

Is there any good in crying, or is it all meaningless grief?

This is an exceptional special poem, and even though it is short and seems dark at first, it points to deep and hopeful meaning in our times of sorrow.

This poem is from the book of poems of comfort and hope titled BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS ARE EDGES OF JOY. 

TITLE
The title of this poem is in two parts, like all of my poems in this collection. It begins by acknowledging that we have sorrow and tears. It further points out that there is a purpose in our grief and sorrow. The second part of the title is A Poem of Divine Virtue, and of course, the Divine refers to God. The Virtue brings us to think of the good He does.

STRUCTURE
It is a short poem since it is 15 lines long. The lines form only four sentences. Each line is six syllables except for the last one, which uses five syllables for impact.

MEANING

Illustration for the Poem,
Your Tears are Not in Vain,
From Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy
By A.E. Dozat © 2018

The title gives away the meaning. But the poem develops the point with several provocative statements that define God's purpose for our tears.
The opening line challenges the common belief that sorrow is meaningless,
"Tears are a gift from God:"
Line four presents the idea that our time of sorrow is not permanent and has an end,
"For once your tears are spent
And your grieving is done..."
Then we are lead to an image in lines six through eight of becoming free from the things that grief brings to hold us back.
Line 10 begins the conclusion,
"God gave tears to teach us,
They instruct us in hope."
Lines 13 through 15 speak of the ultimate hope in God.
Truly, it says a lot in a few words.


ILLUSTRATION
The illustration for this poem is a pen drawing of a path disappearing into the distance. For a twist, the road is made not earth but flowers.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
The scripture footnote to the page is, "Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:6, NIV

This poem gives hope to those who are going through loss and suffering. It says there is meaning to our tears, and tears teach truths that only those who suffer can know.  You may find it on page 19 of the book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy Words of comfort and Hope, to read the poem.

To read a review, CLICK HERE.

YOUR TEARS ARE NOT VAIN,

A Poem of Divine Virtue

Tears are a gift from God;

They come not from weakness

But from a soul in growth.

For once your tears are spent

And your grieving is done 

Then you are ready to walk

From the cold black shackles

Whose chains bind our hearts

And keep them earthbound.

God gave tears to teach us. 

They instruct us in hope.

For surely those who weep

Are the ones who know that

Resurrection cannot

Come without a tomb.

© A.E. Dozat 8/13/18

The Poet Explains His Meaning in the Poem, Not Only Are You Known

My Poem, Not Only Are You Known, is a poem of comfort and hope that may touch you on many levels of your life.

To get it through Amazon CLICK HERE.

TITLE
The full title is, Not Only Are You Known, a Poem about God. I choose these long titles to break away from the current trend to give minimal titles and to engage the reader's curiosity from the beginning.

The long title also suggests a key to understanding the poem. For this poem, there are two keys to understanding it. First, "Known," makes the point that we are known, but there is more to it than us simply being known by some universal awareness.
The second part of the title is, "A Poem About God." This takes us away from ourselves and brings us to God. People have a naturally self-aware view of life and see things from a self-vantage point, but I wanted to take us to God's vantage point and explore His view of us.

STRUCTURE

Illustration for the poem, Not Only Are You Known,
From Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy
by A.E. Dozat © 2018

This poem is 24 lines long and forms six sentences. Most of the lines are three to five syllables. The short lines give emphasis and slow the reader down, so they do not miss the meanings in the poem. The first section is made up of five "God knows you" statements.
God knows you
With all your flaws,
And He accepts you.

Line 16 starts the second section with

And since
God knows...

The poem begins with God's general knowledge of us and then goes to His knowledge that moves Him to act for us. 

Lines 20 to the end describes God's act of sending Christ to fulfill our greatest need. That need is echoed in the theme of knowing.

MEANING
The meaning of this poem is that God knows you with all your flaws and he also accepts you completely. But he knows you have not only flaws and sins, but you have a need that you cannot meet on your own; so He sent his Son, Christ, to die as our Savior and become the answer to that need.

ILLUSTRATION
The illustration for this poem is a drawing of a cross beside a road that leads over the side of a mountain.

SCRIPTURE
The scripture that accompanies this poem is, "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14, NIV

This poem offers comfort that you do not need to hide or run from God because He already knows you and He accepts you. It offers hope through the Gospel that Christ came to bring us to God so we can know His love.

To read the poem you may find it on page 18 of the Book Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy Words of comfort and Hope

© Adron 7/23/18

The Families With Special Needs Conference Request My Book

I was surprised when in a meeting today at work Tom, the Chief Operating Officer, asked me if I was going to the Families With Special Needs Conference in Baltimore next Saturday and if I was going would I bring copies of the book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope. Tom is involved with Special Needs Family Ministry since his teenage son is severely disabled. He will be one of the key presenters at the conference. He added that families with special needs members are families who have hurt at one point or other and need encouragement and he said he was sure that the book would be a blessing to those families.

I was surprised and not prepared for this. I did not think my book would be such a blessing to people.

I was ashamed to tell him that I wasn't planning on attending the conference because my daughter is coming home for the weekend.

Others in the office are involved in the conference and offered to take some books and give them space on their exhibit table for attendees to purchase. If my coworkers felt the book would be meaningful to those dealing with special needs family members then I know I should go and help with the book table at least for a few hours.

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends and humbled by their encouraging comments about the book and how it is a blessing to many.

© A.E. Dozat 4/23/18

The Author Explains His Poem, The Passing Shadow, a Poem of Returning

The poem, THE PASSING SHADOW, A Poem of Returning, is found on page 12 of my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

The death of my brother who died of an overdose was the motivation for this poem about grief and bereavement.

To get it through Amazon CLICK HERE.

TITLE
The encouragement begins with the title. It explains that our time of difficulty and trial will come to a conclusion and that there is a time when you will be able to hope again. The shadow is grief, and time allows it to pass. The "Returning" makes you think of your own returning to living life after the season of grief.

STRUCTURE
It looks like a freestyle poem, but it has some rhythm since most of the lines are 6 syllables long except for a few variants that give emphasis. It is 26 lines.

It starts out by describing the deep grief we sometimes feel. The first 13 lines describe sorrow and loss,

Illustration for the Poem, The Passing Shadow,
A Poem of Returning,
From the Book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy
Words of Comfort and Hope
By A.E. Dozat © 2018 

"You can walk away...
But you cannot leave 
The emptiness You carry inside."

Lines 14 to 19 expresses our response is sometimes with anger and withdrawal,
"You just have to sit ...
And be angry at God 
And hate everything..."

Lines 20-26 offers the hope that a time will come when you can live again,
"The days of Exhaustion will come. 
Then it will be time..."

Everything leads to the last line that tells about the hope that after this shadow passes we will begin to live again.

ILLUSTRATION
This poem is illustrated with a road leading past a solitary great oak tree in a barren land.

The Passing Shadow is part of a book that offers encouragement and hope, this poem says that it is ok to react with sorrow, anger and even withdrawal for a season, but there comes a time to begin to live again.

SCRIPTURE
The scripture in the footnote is from Revelation 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

© A.E. Dozat 4/23/18

The Author Explains His Poem, To Touch The Pain, A Poem Of The Healer

My Poem, To Touch the Pain, A Poem of the Healer, is found on page 11 of my book Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

I wrote this poem for those who seek freedom from the burdens of their inner pain and to point them to The Lord who is the master physician of hurting hearts.

TITLE

I gave it the title, To Touch the Pain, with some reservation because A person may not want to be reminded of their pain. The subtitle takes us from pain to the Healer.

STRUCTURE

This poem is 21 lines long and most are three and four syllables, except for lines 12 through 16, where a new rhythm makes the main point of the poem stand out

The poem does not have much in the way of illustration but opens with a metaphor for pain.

"You have known pain
For so long
It has now fused
To your soul
Like hardened iron."

I did not want to belittle the pain anyone feels, but to acknowledge it.

The 21st line makes a concluding point and that line is given effect by being six syllables long.

    TO TOUCH THE PAIN,

    A Poem of the Healer

    You have known pain

    For so long

    It has now fused 

    To your soul 

    Like hardened iron.

    Its weight breaks you,

Illustration for the poem, To Touch The Pain,
A Poem of The Healer
© 2018 By A.E. Dozat

    And you need

    To be made whole.

    This pain is deep,

    Unending and dire.

    You are willing

    To try any cure,

    Make any sacrifice,

    And pay any price; 

    Why not

    Consider God?

    If you reach for Him

    You will find 

    He is willing,

    And you will learn

    That to touch Him

    Will begin

    Your healing.

MEANING
This poem is simple. It describes the struggle with pain, then asks that since you are willing to do anything for relief "Why not consider God?"  It encourages you to reach out to God because you will find that He is willing to begin your healing.

ILLUSTRATION

The illustration is a pen drawing of a road that leads across on a rocky desert landscape. In the middle ground is a cross.

This poem, like many in the book, will inspire people to be open to God's healing and working in their lives. I hope that when a person is ready to deal with their pain that they consider the comfort and healing from a source that was rejected before, and look to God.

The footnote is a Bible verse, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-29, NIV

You can read this poem on page 11 of the book. 

To read a review CLICK HERE.

© A.E. Dozat 4/8/18

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The Author Explains The Meaning of His Poem, Its Power Never Ends

The Poem, It's Power Never Ends, A Poem about the Source, is on page 10 of my Book of Poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

This is a poem of rational hope, a hope that is founded on an intelligent belief in God's active mercy in our lives.  It is my vision that this poem will inspire others to a deeper hope in God during their difficult times..

TITLE
I wanted the title to grab the reader's attention immediately. It makes you wonder what the "It" is, and what the "Power" is.

The subtitle, A Poem about the Source, is to deepen the reader's curiosity. You assume that this fundamental something that is powerful eternally.

Illustration for the poem
Its Power Never Ends, A Poem of The Source
From the Book
Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy
© 2018 By A.E. Dozat

STRUCTURE
This poem is 29 lines long and forms eight sentences. The overall tone is direct like a 98-word sermon. I did not use metaphor and imagery. The lines are short, some have only one or two words. Most lines are four five or six syllables with very few rhythms. There are two halves; the first half makes a statement and the second half expands the statement.

WHAT IT SAYS
This poem makes its point early in line five that the poem is about hope.
The next three phrases began to expound on hope...
"Hope is as strong or
As weak as
Who your hope is in."
It points out that we should not blindly hope in hope, but we must hope in God who is not only able to meet all of our needs for deliverance He is divinely worthy of our faith.
Lines 12 through 14 points out that we must clearly define who or what our hope is in. The poem ends like a Psalm where God is declared worthy of our hope.

ILLUSTRATION
Most of the book's illustrations have a road going through the dark lands. In this illustration, the road winds around a hill with an empty tomb representing lines 20-21.

SCRIPTURE
The footnote is the verse from 1 Corinthians, "Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love". 1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT

This poem is a valuable statement that we can have hope. Reading it will strengthen those who need reassurance that God is worthy of their hope.

You can read this poem on page 10 of the book. 

© Adron 4/8/18

The Author Explains the Meaning of the Poem, His Place.

His Place, A Poem of Renewal, is found on page 9 of my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

I wrote this poem to inspire people that in the trauma of difficulties we can find peace in God but we must seek Him.

To get it through Amazon CLICK HERE.

TITLE
This is one of the more simple and obvious titles. The phrase, His Place, directs us to look to The Lord. Of course, Place is not a physical location but a spiritual one.

The subtitle, A Poem of Renewal, is very important because that when we spend time with The Lord we are renewed and able to live in the world victoriously.

Illustration for the Poem His Place
from the Book, Beyond These Dark Lands,
are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.
© 2018 By A.E. Dozat

STRUCTURE
The poem is 21 lines long and forms eight sentences; almost every line is five syllables long. The tone of admonition goes throughout the poem. It begins with an imperative in line one, you must find that place..., in line eight, you must be faithful...,  in line nine, go there...,  and in line 14 neglect not...

The fourth line describes the place, it is a silent place... and God waits...

The poem turns from describing this spiritual place to the blessing we find there, the blessing of Him... that is from being in God's presence.

The last five lines are hopeful with and emphatic. In line 19 the words you will... is not a command but a result of being in the presence of the Lord. The poem ends with a positive declaration; you will carry His light...

WHAT IT MEANS
We must be devoted to finding God, even in difficult times. If by faith we meet with Him we will carry His peace through our day.

ILLUSTRATION
The picture I drew for this is a path leading up the side of a hill where a bench sits on an outcrop of rock that overlooks the landscape below. It is an attempt to illustrate a quiet place where we might meet with the Lord.

SCRIPTURE
The footnote for the page is the scripture reference of Exodus 34:35, “The people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining.” It is about the time when Moses met with God on the mountain and his face was full of the brightness of having been in communion with God.

You can read this poem on page 9 of the book. If you would like to read a sample poem choose the link below for the website.

Beyond These Dark Lands 
Are Edges of Joy,
Words of Comfort and Hope
Poems by A.E. Dozat © 2018

If you are in need of encouragement or know someone who does you should order a copy today, you will glad you did.

To purchase through Amazon CLICK HERE. 

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$9.62 Plus $4.17 Basic Shipping

For large orders or digital downloads follow this link to TheBookPatch, my print on demand partner.

To find out more and read a sample poem visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.

To read a review CLICK HERE.

© Adron 3/19/18

Can Poetry Be Used By God To Minister To Someone Who Is Discouraged?

Can God use my book of poems in somebody's life to make a difference?

GOD IS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE
God is a big part of my book of poems. I felt that the commission to write it came from Him. I was working on another collection of poems last year but felt that The Lord wanted me to do this one instead. I know a lot of people say God told them to do this or that and when it is done you really wonder why, so I approached this with great care and reverence.

As a person of faith, I feel that God must be part of everything I do. He is not just a part or afterthought but the directing energy that leads and empowers me. To do something for God in your own wisdom, or strength is not doing something for God, it is doing something for yourself; so I sought God for every word and each step in writing this book of poems.

THIS BOOK HAS QUALIFIED POTENTIAL
This book has a unique potential to be used by God.

• I drew on my experiences knowledge and the wisdom gained from following the Lord for over forty years. 
• I did research to maintain healthy and doctrinally correct content.
• I even withdrew some pieces that were not sound according to discussions I had with licensed professional counselors. 
• A friend who teaches counseling at a seminary reviewed it and I made further changes.
• Over the last year, I made many revisions to keep the message clear.

RELIANCE ON GOD
More importantly, I relied on The Lord for guidance through much prayer and searching His Word, the Bible, daily. I constantly returned to Him to seek His leading and even His censure. I listened to his "still small voice" in times of meditation and reflection.

JUST THE BEGINNING
I feel this book is in accord with God as He revealed Himself in the Bible. I've written it in a spirit of humility and obedience and believe it is something that He will use. Of course, He is God the All-powerful but He is also God the All-holy and He will not partner with sin, rebellion or foolishness but will use that which is lowly and humble.

GOD'S WORD
Every poem features a Bible verse that encourages or points to The Lord and His Christ. Putting Bible verses in the book was not a ploy or marketing hook but an expression of faith and honor to God, who said, "My word will not come back void but will accomplish that which I please." (Isaiah 55:11).

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
God through Christ is the answer to our pain, guilt, and emptiness. I finished the book with an explanation of how to come to Christ, who by his atoning death and resurrection is the source of peace and hope for each one of us.

HOW GOD MAY USE THIS BOOK

• A friend may give it to someone who is going through a difficult time and the words of comfort may speak to their heart.
• A pastor may share it during hospital or hospice visitation, after conducting a funeral or counseling someone experiencing loss or grief.
• Copies may be placed in the lobby of a house of worship, funeral parlor, counseling center or any place of faith or service. 
• A copy might be mailed to a friend or loved one who is going through a hard time.
• It could be available in retreat centers and a person in a season of reflection may read it and hear God whisper comfort to them.
• Missionaries doing work among the poor or homeless may find it useful as a way to begin conversations.
• First responders and disaster relief counselors may find it helpful to give to victims of a natural or personal disaster.

When a person receives this book they may not then be ready to receive comfort or be open to the Lord at that moment, but it will be there when they are ready by God's spirit to read this and turn to Him in faith.

If you or anyone you know feels that you need God to speak comfort and light the way to hope in your life then pick up a copy of this book, He may use it in your heart.

(c) Adron (c) Adron 3/2/18

What is it like to finally get the book you wrote in your hand for the first time?

After working over a year on writing, organizing, revising and illustrating my book I opened up the mailbox, and there it was at last; a priority envelope with a copy of my work, BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS ARE EDGES OF JOY, WORDS OF COMFORT AND HOPE, my Collection of poems. 

On the inside, I am dancing for joy. 

I went upstairs to my desk and opened the packaging. The book looked beautiful and just the way I hoped it would be. I sat down and looked at the illustrations I made for it and was very happy with the drawings. I was able to open the book and sit in a chair and read it for the first time as an audience and not as a wordsmith full of doubts and second guesses. It was a time of sweetness and pure indulgence, it was the only worthy way to reward my work. 

The printing company, The Book Patch, did a nice job, I was afraid it would be an inferior job or second-rate, but not at all. They took my work and produced a book that would stand with pride on the bookshelf at any store. I am eager to show it to all my friends. 

I am immediately aware of the many people who helped me along the way; without their help, I would

Holding My Book
 At Last!

not have been able to accomplish this task. I am very grateful for their help and encouragement. 

But this is not the end of the road because as hard as it was to write the book I am beginning to understand that promoting and marketing it is much harder. 

Obviously, I have the blog and the Facebook page, and a website under development. But I am beginning to see that getting my book of poems to market may be the harder part of the enterprise.

I've been thinking of this project as a piece of creativity and an expression of my devotion to God and service to others. Now I have to think of this book as a product or a piece of inventory and myself not as an author but as its marketing agent. In fact, if someone were to ask me I would not say I am a poet or writer, I would say that I am a publisher in a niche market.

So the moment of elation is over. Now I am going to go and write a business plan.

(c) Adron 2/28/18

What Is My Purpose For This Collection Of Poetry?

I have written poetry since elementary school. I love the art form, and the way poetry can say something in a meaningful way. For some people poetry is cathartic, a method of therapy, self-discovery, a way to vent, for others it is a powerful tool for communication.  For me, it is some of that but something more.

GOD SAID, DONT WRITE THAT ONE (FOR NOW)
When I started this project I was already working on another one but felt that God was calling me to turn from it and build this collection, instead.

GOD SAID, WRITE THIS FOR NOW
I was sitting in church and listening to the pastor preach and I don't remember what he was preaching about but somehow I began to think about all the hurting people in this world. I believe that my writing is a way to help others. Maybe my poems will help them take a step forward or maybe my poems will inspire them to keep on going and not give up. Maybe my poems might give hope to someone who feels they are at the end of their rope.

THE VISION (I mean that metaphorically- I am a poet)
This book of poems might reach someone who would never go inside a church or see a counselor. A concerned friend might share it with someone who is going through a loss or hurt. A pastor might leave it after praying with someone over a tragedy and they can read it when they are ready. It might be in the lobby of a house of worship and a person with a secret pain might pick it up when no one is looking and later in quietness find comfort and hope.

GOD GIVES US DREAMS
I always wrote poetry and always dreamed of publishing a book. I believe God puts dreams in our hearts to help guide us. Of course, the primary way He reveals His will is through His Word the Bible. From the Scriptures, I know His will is for us to share the Gospel and be His witness. So balancing the scriptures and my dream to publish my poetry I wrote this book of poems for those who are hurting and struggling with the deepest hurts and losses in life. In this book are words to comfort and hope to people. It is not another book of cheap overused platitudes, nice sayings or vague nonsense but offers hope that is thoughtful and substantial. I wanted the meanings to be easily found but leave you with much to think about while pointing to the God of all Comfort and His Christ.

THE GOOD NEWS
This book concludes with an appendix which is a three-page explanation of the Gospel of God's love and His Son's sacrifice to pay for our sins. I hope that the poems and scriptures will be used by God's Spirit to prepare a person's heart so that when they read through to the end and they will learn how they can have hope in Christ.

(c) Adron 2/25/18

Should my Book of Poetry have a Theme?

Should I arrange my book of poetry with a theme, or should I just put a random bunch of my poems into a collection? I thought about it a lot before starting this project. Many questions came to my mind such as, would a collection based on a theme be pretentious or insincere?  Would working within a theme cause my writing to be forced and not as good as I would like it to be? Would it compromise my focus?

NO THEME?
It is easy to just randomly put a bunch of your favorite poems into a collection and title it something. I suppose there are times where that is O.K. Maybe random poems can be the theme of your book. A collection of favorites might not have a theme and might be fine.

PROS
There are a lot of good reasons to work within a theme.

• A theme will give the collection unity and the reader will have expectations as they travel through the collection.
• A theme will give it a place in the market.
• A theme makes it easier to explain what the collection is all about.
• A theme will help the reader know what to expect.
• A theme will give the collection structure.
• A theme is more engaging and offers the chance to explore a subject in diverse ways.

CONS
There are reasons to not give the collection a theme.

• You may run out of interest or inspiration.
• A themed collection requires more commitment.
• The subject of the theme may require a lot of research.
• Whenever you have inspiration you can write without worrying if it fits the theme.
• You need to know the subject well or your collection will be laughable.
• You might get done and wish you had chosen a different theme.
• You might never get done.
• Everybody is writing about the same theme.
• Maybe no one is interested in the theme you choose to write about.

YES
After giving it much thought I choose to base this collection on a theme. I felt passionate about the theme of God's comfort.  There are a lot of hurting people in the world, people whom God loves. I believe we should use our gifts and talents for good whenever we have the opportunity. So, I chose to make this collection about comfort and hope in God during times of personal darkness.

Time may judge my wisdom.


If you would like to read a sample poem choose the link below for the website.

(c) Adron 2/17/18

Learning How to Put Illustrations Into The Pages Of My Book Of Poems, Using Word.

For my book of poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy, I drew about 100 individual illustrations, one for each poem. I had no idea what I was getting into!

I wanted the illustrations to fill the page and be behind the poems. At first, I thought I would use Word and open the shape feature on the insert tab in the toolbar, then use "fill" to insert the picture behind the text. That worked ok but since the illustrations were ink drawings and therefore black the words got too hard to read and the picture had what looked like a lot of black smudges making a rough rectangle where the poem was. I tried to add a layer with another shape to block out or fade the illustration just behind the words but lost too much of the image.

I next tried to open a shape and place it somewhere on the page to the right of the poem, since most of my poems are like a column there was room on most pages. The image on some pages looked ok but on many, they lost effect or some area of the picture that was important was too small to appreciate.

So as I did each page I went back into my picture files and used photo gallery to crop, (after making copies of the original) so the smaller picture would still be effective. Each picture fit nicely on the page though some were disappointingly small. I liked how it was not a poem in a picture but a picture illustrating a poem.

The insert shape feature on my toolbar offers many shapes and I thought it would be nice if some were round, others square, and a few rectangles. I did not like how inconsistent it looked like someone couldn't make up their mind and it seemed amateurish. So I redid each page with the illustrations as a circle. Again, I lost some of the edges of some images and had to return to cropping, and since my illustrations were originally a rectangle to insert them into a circle caused Word to distort the image. I went back to every image and cropped again into a square so the picture would not be distorted when I inserted it.

It was starting to look good.

I was afraid that the outside edge of some of the drawings would get lost because they went beyond the page margin. I was not happy with guessing where the margins were on each page even though I set the margins. There is a "View" feature on the toolbar and I found one of the pulldowns was a grid. I used the grid and found it lined up with the margins. Using this grid I could place the images within the margins of the page. The grid took away the guesswork. The grid helped me to make sure each image was the same distance from the poem, the page bottom, and the outer margin, so there was consistency.

It was a lot of work and took about 60 hours of my time over two weeks, but after spending three months drawing the pictures I was not going to quit.

As I review I know there may be a little tweaking here and there but I feel the book is becoming a product I will be proud of.

If you would like to read a sample poem choose the link below for the website.

(c) Adron 2/7/18

What Happens When Your Finish Illustrating Your Book Of Poems?

I've spent the last three or four months illustrating my book of poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy.

I am relieved to have finished the last drawing. These illustrations are all black line drawings. Each drawing took about six hours and had at least three drafts. I used multiple techniques to create them while trying to maintain a consistent style across all the pictures. I am happy with my work even though a couple may need further revision.

It was harder to draw the illustrations than writing the poems. It was harder because I wanted to balance each poem with its illustration; then to have each illustration share a theme throughout the book. So I drew a road in almost every picture. It is a road in which the reader travels through this land. I was afraid that there would be too much of the same thing and that all the pictures would look like the same road scene, so I spent a lot of time looking at pictures getting ideas.

So my question is now that I've finished the drawings what do I do next? Do I scan them into my computer or download a photo image from my camera?  Do I save them into PDF format and then cut and paste them into the manuscript? Do I format the manuscript into PDF for the printer first and merge the drawings in somehow? I'm working in Microsoft Word, (I know it is primitive when there are better publisher products out there, but I am poor), so I cannot edit PDF files. I think I will scan them into my computer then cut and paste the drawings into the Word doc and then convert the entire manuscript into a PFD for the printer.

I did a test on one page and I am really happy with how it looks.

(c) Adron 1/25/18

How Hard Is It To Draw 100 Illustrations For A Book?

I have decided to illustrate my collection of Poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy. I thought this would be easy; it is just drawing, so how hard can it illustrate a book of poems?

I started two months ago, and I have been working daily on it, so one would think I would be done by now. The good news is that I have just a few dozen left to draw. Of the hundred-page manuscript, about 94 are actual poems that need illustrations.

A GOAL
I could have approached the task in several ways. Having a goal helps, and my goal is to average one a day. Focusing on an average frees me from the stress of feeling like I failed my goal one day. Some days I can do two illustrations to make up for a missed day.

PLANNING
For me, planning helps. I plan a week ahead and decide seven to draw and do a quick sketch for each. These drawings are speedy and look like a child's scribbles. Having the ideas rough sketched gives me a head start each day.  This brainstorming session means the ideas are already expressed, which is a big boost to starting each day.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK
My drawing method uses a light-box. The light shines through, enabling me to trace my drawings over and over until they are right. I know that each illustration will need to be redrawn two, three, or more times; I accept this process and can't get upset if, after I have drawn a picture, I see a way to improve on it and need to redraw it again. This means I am doing over three hundred drawings to have a finished book that is visually appealing.

I work a regular full-time job, so I have limited time. After I get home and have time with the family and dinner, I say to myself, "Ok, time to go to work," and I go upstairs to my second job of drawing pictures for the book. I work from 7:00 pm until bedtime.

PAPER TO DIGITAL
Once each picture is done, I scan it to the computer and look at it again. When I review work in a different medium or format, I see problems or find where it can be improved. Usually, it is minor adjustments by this time, and I can easily use the computer to fix a little problem.

I put the drawing into a digital mock page in Word to see how it might look when printed, and I hold my breath. Some needed major changes at this point, and on occasion, I had to draw a new version, but most have been OK.

YOU SAY FUN?
You might say, "Oh, you are having so much fun! You are doing something you like when you take pictures for the book."  Yes and no, I am having fun, and I am not. When a hobby becomes a serious endeavor, it is work, and work is hard, but when I finish a picture, and it is the way I want it to look, I feel glad for the accomplishment.

I am excited about how it is all shaping up, and I look forward to this collection of poems being an encouragement to many.

If you would like to read a sample poem, choose the link below for the website.

(c) Adron 12/19/17

What Happened When a Psychology Professor Read My Poems

My collection of poems, Through These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, is intended to encourage and give hope to people going through dark and difficult times but it can be seen as advice or counsel which I am not qualified to give. I was concerned that my poems may fall short of the goal of encouragement or that what I consider to be good, and hopeful, sentiment may be bad advice and inappropriate.

Fortunately, I have a professional friend who teaches psychology at a Seminary. I asked him if he would be willing to read them over and alert me if in his professional opinion anything I wrote was some kind of bad advice.

He said he would be glad to look them over but he was very busy with his practice and teaching three classes at the seminary so it would be a while before he could get to it.

I was afraid that this might be one of those things that comes between friends and makes things awkward. I was anxious to get his thoughts but I was afraid to ask him every time I saw him. Occasionally he would say that he had not forgotten but that that the pressures on his time were great and I would reassure him that I was not in a hurry for his observations.

I was surprised on Friday when he gave back the manuscript. At first, I thought that he was unable to review the work, but instead, he said that he made time in his busy schedule to look them over and had no concerns about the content of the writing. I do not want to put words in his mouth but he was generally positive and encouraging.  He said he found it to be very hopeful and he was looking forward to seeing it published.

He had only a few observations about the structure of the manuscript and made some minor suggestions about style, like a word in a title, and that I should include a table of contents.

I was very reassured by his encouragement and extremely grateful for it.

(c) Adron 11/12/17

Should I Illustrate My Book Of Poems?

I like to draw and paint so friends know me as an artist and I wonder if I should illustrate my book of poems. Will it enhance my book or subtract from it?

MAYBE NOT
My first thought is that poets who illustrate their own work are seen as amateur and juvenile. It is the kind of thing that a kid in middle school does.

When someone opens a book of poetry and it is only words then they must focus on the words; illustrations can be a distraction and alter the reader's interpretation of the poem unless the statement of the poem is so clear that it begs its own point.

If the illustrations are poor quality or badly done then the effect will prevent the reader from appreciating the writing.

BUT MAYBE
In the world of self-publishing poetry, there are mountains of books published every year so the challenge is to stand out from the crowd. Perhaps tasteful and quality artwork can give the book a broader appeal.

NICHE
When you see a book of illustrated poetry you think it is a gift volume, the kind that is in the gift card aisle of the grocery store or sold at craft shows and indi-book-conventions.

In this modern world niche is everything. It is how you market and where you find your identity, so maybe illustrating the collection might give me a place in a nitch.

DO I WANT TO DO ALL THAT WORK?
I have about 85 poems in the collection. To create passable illustrations would take about ten hours each, which would mean working full time for two months.  Instead, I could design a few and cycle them over and over throughout the book, or do something generic and put the same one on each page and then only need to create a few.

WILL I EVER BE DONE?
If I do illustrate it, even in part, then I am afraid that it will push back the release and publication even more.

Since I envision my book as something that people would give to friends who are feeling down I think it would be best to enhance the gift book nature of it. That means I will probably draw some illustrations.

(c) Adron 10/12/17