SUNDOWN'S ENCHANTMENT poem

Thank you, Tina. Your encouragement is very meaningful. Richard LP

Richard L. Provencher

Thank you too, Sarah. Any suggestions on sending a book of poetry somewhere for publication? What kind of format would you suggest? Richard LP

Hello Nathan, Again I thank you for such support and encouragement. I first began writing poetry, in 1962 and had two published in our High School Annual. Unfortunately, they are lost. From about then to 1986 I wrote about 1,000 poems, probably five got published. Many of them were Nature oriented and believe it or not, journals discouraged such poems and told me so. (Most of those poems were lost in the many moves I made, changing jobs a number of times)In the meantime, I dabbled with short stories and had about 30 published in various journals, probably made about $1,000 total. Then in 1986 my wife, Esther and I, moved to Nova Scotia, and I fell in love with the magnificance of this province. My literary urges caught fire, and an explosion of writing took place. In spite of a very, very, very busy job, I made time to write three juvenile novels, none of them published, about a hundred poems, around 25 published, about 100 stories for adults and children, all done on weekends, mornings, nights, noon time, and managed to live a life with my dear wife, and camping, fishing, hiking and belonging to three organizations, fostering children, in Big Brothers, etc. Phew. In addition I visited schools, elementary, high schools, Dalhousie University, and read and had seminars, etc. through the Writers Federation. Came a whisker away from being published with two of the top publishers in Canada. Got disillusioned with several publishers who kept three novels and a picture book (a really good one) for up to three years, after they said they would likely publish them, but didn't, even though I had a contract signed with one). Made little money for the dozen published short stories and fifty poems published. In the meantime I still worked full time. (a very busy life, eh)Amazing that my most productive time for writing was in that period 1986-1999, up until my stroke in 1999. 1999-2004 WAS a painful struggle, no money, drug RX costs out of control, no job, no benefits--since my job was phased out in March 1999. So I found three part-time jobs and in one stretch worked thirteen straight days, full daily hours, and still made less per hour than my previous 14 years of employment. When I had my stroke, I was in very bad shape, with paralysis in various degrees on my total right side; headaches to numb toes, for about four years, and of course totally incapable of working. So I had to make a decision, give up or fight and WITH the help of my wife, doctor, and my faith, I decided to write, write, write, since I now had the time. Thank goodness for a computer, since I could barely hold a pen. I began to pray over my writing each day, and then I could write some days for two hours, or for five hours, and forced myself, in spite of headaches and pain, since any movement was terrible. I also wrote a journal of my recovery to this day, which outlines the struggle. Since 1999 my wife and I co-wrote three novels, now available from Synerge---see my URL URL for Richard L. Provencher http://writers.ns.ca/Writers/rprovencher.html I also wrote three more novels, for children, 50 picture book stories, 50 essays & short stories as well as about 200 poems. Made about $1,000 total from them. I always had about thirty-fifty submissions going out in the past two years. HOWEVER (THIS WILL END SOON. Promise)I began to analyze my time to ascertain why I write---to make money? No. To entertain? Yes. Do I enjoy writing? Yes. Yes. Yes. Am I too old at almost 67? No. My wife agrees. I no longer wish to wait three to six months in many cases to see if a journal will publish any of my work sent out (I have 30 poetry submissions sent out now to various journals, most non-paying) So I decided to post my work, at ABCTales.com the site I like the best, compared to OurEcho.com; The Preservation Foundation; FaithWriters.com; Tooter4Kids; and others where I have postings. So I am placing all my eggs in one basket, so to speak. I want to share my work, two novels are placed with ABCTales.com; and if my work encourages others to write, or to look at life with a new set of eyes, then I feel fulfilled. I post all the work to fulfill this mission, and certainly not for ego. With regards to your writing; you are very talented and I see you as a very successful writer one day---if that is what you want. My advice: Read so you may establish the direction to go (Edges by Judith Guest---she wrote three books in 20 years--all about family relationships--all smash best sellers; The Shack by William? Young--a current best seller on spiritual renewal; The Stand by Stephen King--about good vs evil with a virus being the culprit; and The Horse Whisperer---one of the best ever books--forget the poor movie copy--which identify the feelings of a horse (magnificent). If you wish to be a writer you MUST READ THOSE BOOKS. Then decide your audience, come up with a new-new-new, and unique hook, no one else has thought of, ie. Pi about a boy in a raft with wild animals as they survive a ship wreck. I could not finish the book, although it was a world-wide success, certainly different. Any writer must also decide to use their own God-given talent, develop it, and not rely on any enhancement to titillate their senses, ie drugs. One of my old friends, many years ago left his wife, and sank into the drug cult to enlighten his muse. Such rubbish. Forgive my epistle. Richard and Esther Provencher PS. One day you may find a soul mate, such as my wife of almost 35 years, who will inspire your soul. And above all else practice a personal faith, since without it writing is very shallow. If success ever comes, count it as a blessing. Seek the joy of writing as I have, whether I ever become famous or not, is not the real issue. Sharing is everything to me.

Thank you, Nathan, for your heartfelt comments. I am sure your family cherishes you, since you come across as a very discerning young man. Esther and I have three grown sons, our youngest on the cusp of 42; yikes. We will also be visiting our daughter on her ranch, they call 40 acres in Alberta, an acreage. To me, having 60 cattle, 30 sheep. 5 donkeys, one horse, two pussycats, two dogs and three llamas denotes it as a ranch. Continue to enjoy your writing. Richard LP