In two weeks, I will be celebrating eight special years on DeviantART. I know I have expressed this before – but I – and others here I have been privileged to know – have come a long way since the early years on site. We have weathered many changes, experienced enjoyable highs and disappointing lows, and have certainly become a much stronger, unified community, that I am very honored to be a part of, everyday. I continue to be amazed at how we have all grown wonderfully together, forming a unified kinship!

Many here know of my invaluable experiences on the Community Relations team. As I celebrate another year of Deviousness, I reflect fondly on my memories and experiences on the team. Sometimes, it seems surreal that this journey for me began three years ago; it still feels like yesterday having had the rare honor of working alongside beloved Literature deviants like `GeneratingHype, who I still miss terribly, everyday – the wonderful !lovetodeviate, who has long since left the site, but Aditi's mark is tremendously felt, just as Bill's always will be. And, of course, `StJoan, who was always the team's core strength. I never ceased to be amazed at the memory of Ali's strong determination to see things through. And one of my most dearest of friends here; who I simply cannot imagine DeviantART without – $wreckling, who has had quite an exciting journey himself. I am honored to have served with him, and am very proud of his DeviantART achievements. I also wanted to take a moment to again thank the lovely $fourteenthstar, who presented me with the Deviousness Award three years ago, as a reminder that my hard-working efforts towards the community I so love have not gone unnoticed.

I am indeed truly fortunate and blessed to have had rare opportunities to serve the community I deeply cherish. I will be forever indebted to all of those who saw something reflected within me far greater than I could have imagined at the time. These continuing efforts to stand by my side, offering me unfailing support today, will always mean the world to me. This caring support has meant a great deal throughout my seven years on DeviantART. I fondly look forward to several more anniversaries – hoping to serve as an example to those looking for a role model. I do desire to continue to advocate the importance of positivity and unity. For those looking for a beacon in the darkness to help guide them, I pray they know that they are not alone here.



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Thirty-One.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
The Sweetest Deviant has been announced!
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
The CVs are resurrecting The Exquisite Corpse.
Check out This Interview with Liam Sharp.
Love Prose? Venture on over Here and lend the CVs your expertise.
The Literature CVs want to Talk About the Lit Community.
The #Elocutionists are hosting a Poetry Slam. The deadline is May 31st.
`GrimFace242 wants you to write About Dialectical Desserts! The deadline is June 21st.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' April Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
^neurotype goes in search of Funny Lit Deviants.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit and discovers dAuthors.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
=TwilightPoetess calls for Literary Conversation.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage, #minimalit, #WritingUniversal, #Peculiar-Poetry, #FreeVersePoetry, #All-For-Writing, #TheWritersWareHouse, #The-Asterismos, #OfSweetSerendipity, #TheMarmaladeTree, #wordsinwaves, #Poetry-Watchers, ~Bird-And-Bear, #Audio-Available, #Written-Expressions, #Writer-Promotion, #theScienceofPoetry, #DeviantWritersUnited, #WRITE-THE-LITERATURE.
#We-The-Writers, #Freedom-In-Words, #Free-Write-Project, #sanguinesmiles.

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Lit Community Leaders

Biscuits and YouWe used to fight over the custard creams. Not over who consumed them, but about the art of tea dunking. He would always criticise my dunking technique and I'd retaliate. I personally thought the best way to dunk a custard cream was to eat the first half, remove the cream and then only dunk the second half; I've always done it this way. He on the other hand treated the custard cream like its Oreo cousin and went for a twist, lick and dunk. They're not the same as Oreos- dunking Oreos in tea ruins both tea and biscuit alike.

Our tea drinking, biscuit dunking ritual was our time together with nobody else. The conversations started light; usuall Absenceas fingers on ivory and ebony - the waltz between alto and soprano
between drum and violin; the duets that never left karaoke bars.
as a war widow in a graveyard that does not contain her husband's worm-ridden corpse
but she visits anyway, because though he is a foreign country and half a century from her grasp,
the memories - the candlelight and the knee he bent and the way her mother cried at the news -
all remain
and tombstones are a melody she can follow.
as a poet misses the page.
as a dancer misses the stage.
as an alcoholic misses the first sip.
as a lover misses the first lips 
ever she tasted.
I miss you the way a heart beats -
consistently, autonomously, relentlessly -
until the end of my days. I Have Hope I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have to remember to breathe every time those words come, I don’t want to believe it. I still can’t believe it. I remember the first time my counselor looked at me and told me that my depression and anxiety might be something more. Great, I thought, What could possibly be worse than this?

Firstly, PTSD is not a disorder that only affects our war heroes, though that is what it’s commonly associated with. My own first thoughts were: “isn’t that a disorder for war veterans or someone who witnessed war first-hand?“ The truth is there are many causes for Post Traumatic Stress Cain's ConceptionEve has been in pain
for months, it seems, swelling
the way an ocean wave does
until it crashes, and the things
she wants to eat! I do not want
to be made into a murderer,
but she loves bluebirds
with honeycomb, and sometimes
tuber plants. Pecks and pricks
aside, it's worth it when she finds
the taste she wants. Sometimes
she swears her stomach is
kicking, and I tease her. "If
it's kicking, then no wonder it
gets bigger!"

Some mornings she wanders
to plants while I am resting
and some strange bird I haven't
named yet begins to lurch. It is
possibly the worst noise I have heard
yet, and I relate it to the feeling
a skunk'

_{Featuring works by: ^Beccalicious, `Kneeling-Glory, `IrrevocableFate and $wreckling.}

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Najia has a beautiful writing style. Her gallery is packed full of a wide variety of elegant poetry, ranging from narrative to emotional. But, no matter what her style is, she writes it all in a fresh and clever way.  

*toxic-nebulae

Welcome to May!

Spring is finally in full bloom, and so many wonderful things have been occurring. The winter blues are slowly driving themselves away, making much anticipated room for happier moments. With the arrival of May comes my annual Mother's day tradition of decorating my home with a variety of some of Momma Sue's artworks. Not long before she passed away, she gave me the unique opportunity to go through several of her artistic portfolios. Some of these she had saved from the early 1980s. Many of these I was far too young to remember and to appreciate at the time, but seeing them then – and in a new perspective today – made this journey well worth the re-visit. One of my personal favorites includes a beautiful self-portrait she painted of herself in 1985. She was also wearing her favorite heart-shaped necklace in the portrait, of which I was very familiar. And, seeing her wearing and admiring the necklace was one of my earliest memories.

Not long after I rediscovered the old artworks and was selecting out my favorites to showcase the first year after her passing, I was surprised to find that same little heart charm from that necklace hidden in one of Momma's old jewelry boxes. I smiled alittle at the memory. Though the charm itself was misshapen and worn from age, I was amazed that she kept it all these years. But, perhaps I should not have been. Terry was the one who had given her the beautifully golden necklace so many years ago, and it meant the world to her. In these littlest things that he (or anyone else did) for her, meant so much. It also serves as a reminder that we should be thankful for these little things, even if they may seem insignificant to us at the time.

Mother's day is one of my most noteworthy reminders to be appreciative for what I had when I had it, and to cherish people and other blessings in my life that I have today. While I do not doubt that there will always be those who may never truly see or appreciate these blessings, I do realize that there are a far greater amount of those who do. Take those opportunities to say 'thank you' to your mother, or to anyone who has made a difference in your life – whether it be a father, sister, brother, uncle, anyone. Cherish family and the memories that you create. These memories are the very things that will sustain you on those empty days and nights once your loved ones are gone. Mother's day is not just about celebrating mothers. The day is also about remembering what matters: love, kindness, hope, joy, and making a difference.    



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Thirty-One.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
The Sweetest Deviant has been announced!
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
The CVs are resurrecting The Exquisite Corpse.
Check out This Interview with Liam Sharp.
Love Prose? Venture on over Here and lend the CVs your expertise.
The #Elocutionists are hosting a Poetry Slam. The deadline is May 31st.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' April Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit and discovers dAuthors.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
=TwilightPoetess calls for Literary Conversation.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage, #minimalit, #WritingUniversal, #Peculiar-Poetry, #FreeVersePoetry, #All-For-Writing, #TheWritersWareHouse, #The-Asterismos, #OfSweetSerendipity, #TheMarmaladeTree, #wordsinwaves, #Poetry-Watchers, ~Bird-And-Bear, #Audio-Available, #Written-Expressions, #Writer-Promotion, #theScienceofPoetry, #DeviantWritersUnited, #WRITE-THE-LITERATURE, #We-The-Writers.

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Ladies of Lit Contest Winners

SnowflakesPoised on tiptoes, a
snowflake brushes her mouth like
his Eskimo kiss. haiku of sensesfrom my bath
standing at a mirror
touching the locket he gave me ingenue ardency                                       he took to fixing me

                                             like a genuine man's man

                                             he took to raising me

                                      like a hard-working man

                             he set up his assembly lines

                         and pieced my demure smile and unsure skin

                         he took me without chagrin

                             tending to my comely blossoms and unruly vines

                              with all forbearance

                                     i tried my best to thwart

    Snuggling MidnightSky-stained "His" bathrobe
slopes the crests of your shoulders;
front porch star-gazing. Your Daughter has Sold Hundreds of Local PapersBut listen to me: I will tell you
how to love a bedspread;
a car seat; a sun dress
that you cleaned two months ago.

and should they find her
in the breast of a riverbank
or a cabinet,

I will tell you
facts about scavenger birds;
kettles, wakes and how to chair a committee
with a body on your desk,

as scavenger birds do. The Garden, IvyThere was a beautiful woman
On the patio this afternoon.
Her knuckles were the pebbles of a beach
And her skin was as smooth and moved
Under the tides.

I asked her if she'd eaten,
Told her I'd moved away from home and
That I was in love.

"Glyn," she replied –
As if that were my name –
"Where are we?"
She was on the patio
Because the nurses felt it was a grace
To let her feel the wind,
But her body was a cave

And when she would take no more water
Or bread, or meat
Or even chocolate,
We sealed her up
In a tin
And loved her ashes instead.

_{Featuring works by our winners, plus a special deviant feature! =SilverInkblot, `jade-pandora, =Sammur-amat and =TwilightPoetess and *Gay-Mountain}

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Najia has a beautiful writing style. Her gallery is packed full of a wide variety of elegant poetry, ranging from narrative to emotional. But, no matter what her style is, she writes it all in a fresh and clever way.  

*toxic-nebulae

Everyday, the DeviantART community does things that make me so proud to be a part of it. In my seven years (and counting,) I have experienced so many wonderful moments. Especially in times of turmoil and trouble, several cherished friends rallied by my side to show their support. These invaluable, treasured moments on site remind me daily of what it truly means to be "deviously deviant." I often try to do my best to give back to the community as much as I can. The rewards from this are plentiful and touching. I continue to be amazed by the outpouring of positivity and unity, which have always been my primary objectives as a `senior deviant, actively seeking to be a role model for the community I deeply cherish and respect.

In the tradition of promoting positivity, I host contests and projects in this vein to encourage it. The Sweetest Deviant is of no exception. Some may wonder what makes this one different. There is a plethora of selection for those looking to contribute and promote, but the thing that has stayed with me these past few weeks was the outpouring of love and support. In the first week, at the very start of the project, I had received over seventy notes! To say I was incredibly touched by what other deviants here were sharing with me about those who impact them on a daily basis – is an infinite understatement. I am so proud to say that I could be someone who encouraged deviants to come forward, share a part of themselves, and to show their love towards others. In my opinion, this is the ideal of unity: giving part of one's self unselfishly, in love.

There were those of you who also took precious time to remind me how "sweet" you believed I was. And, though excluded from my own project for obvious reasons, I was beyond honored and deeply overwhelmed. I wanted to take a moment to thank these wonderful deviants now: `Infinite-Heart, `KathrynODriscoll, `jdrainville, and =Sammur-amat. All four of you have impacted me in ways you may never truly know. I wanted to share with everyone what they had to say:

"`LadyLincoln is one of the sweetest and most awesome members of this community. She's always willing to help others. She's really inspiring and always gentle and kind."

"I nominate `LadyLincoln because she has love so strong that even when she is in pain, there is love left over for me, and many others. She supported me through dark, dark times without question, and does this for many other people, too. She constantly tells me she loves me because she knows my mental state means that I forget too easily. She watches over me and keeps me safe."

"You wear your heart on your sleeve, you are kind, considerate and absolutely a treasure on DeviantART. You are involved in projects that push the idea of kindness, love of literature, and all around compassion."

"`LadyLincoln is exactly as her signature states her to be, an internet praise machine. Jenene's profile is inspiring in so many ways what with her beyond beautiful writing, her feature and support wonderful causes and not to mention her regularly updated lovely ladies of lit article. Also, if you ever need someone to send a prayer your way, Jenene's your go-to person. This woman is the definition of kindness and sweetness to the point where I've come to the conclusion that she must be diabetic, (heaven forbid!)"

To those who have felt that I have made a difference in their lives, I am truly blessed. Everyday, I am so thankful of everyone's faith in me. Reaching out to impact others is a rare gift that no one should ever take for granted. So, walk your paths today with love and understanding, you never know whose lives you touch.  



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Thirty.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
April is NaPoWriMo (National poetry writing month!) Ready for the challenge? Check out these Tips, and also there is the new group #NaPoWriMo that you can submit your poetry to. And #Expose-Lit has a Map to help guide you.
Not in the mood for poetry this month? Check out Camp NaNoWriMo!
Poetry writers, novelists, and those writing scripts! You are Half Way There!
FotoFriday is Relaunching!
Who is the Sweetest Deviant you know? The sweetest deviant will be announced on May 1st.
`HaveTales-WillTell is hosting a contest showcasing Brevity in Lit. The deadline is April 30th.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' March Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
=TwilightPoetess calls for Literary Conversation.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage, #minimalit, #WritingUniversal, #Peculiar-Poetry, #FreeVersePoetry, #All-For-Writing, #TheWritersWareHouse, #The-Asterismos, #OfSweetSerendipity, #TheMarmaladeTree.
#wordsinwaves, #Poetry-Watchers, ~Bird-And-Bear, #Audio-Available, #Written-Expressions.

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Favorite NaPoWriMo Selections

MuselingRed wine rambles
curdle the air, but still
you dream; half-moon
body curled in the

lamp light. I am leaving,
I am leaving, choking on
some holy word—
the floorboards creak,

a sonata for my
changeling shadow
whilst you, hair tangled upon
the pillow, are spun gold. Sonnet XXIYou’re always at the forefront of my mind:
spontaneous and irreproachable
you, trying unavailingly to find
a dim, sequestered, unapproachable
sphere—some profound, inspired tranquillity
in which to sink. Pedantic, gorgeous soul!
I think of you, of your ability
to move me, of your heartfelt, noble goal.
You are the captain of a capsized ship—
you’re kept aloft by lofty, vague belief
and superstition—you are in the grip
of notions of divine, sublime relief.
Enrapture me with fervent words, my dear:
paint me the world, all glittering and clear. communicateit took a thousand paper planes
to defeat the silence;
aching through stubbornly
vacant ephemera,

(   but nothing lasts forever -
the world is quick to remind you   )

it took a hundred thousand questions
to produce this listless answer

yet still you are insatiable
incorrigible, glorious and true
in your imperfections

and so you dance, alone
unfettered in the dusk,
pirouettes in the dust; for

there is no-one left
to whisper with you
anymore Forget Me NotYour fingertips
play upon my ribs
like piano keys
and I can feel the rhythm
of your pulse
throbbing in the metal drum
of my chest
with resounding crashes
of thunder
along the lightning rod
of my sternum.
I cannot breathe,
think or walk away
when you
have those dark, demanding eyes
locked upon my skin;
I cannot deny you.
You make me burn,
flare up like a fireball of need,
necessity,
to know the contours
of your sculpted shape,
to read your body
like braille
and memorize the story
of your flesh
so that I may never forget
the majesty
of your perfection.

_{Featuring National Poetry Writing Month works by: *Concora, *toxic-nebulae, =susurrousity and `dreamsinstatic.}

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Though I have only had the pleasure of watching this deviant recently, his romantic and powerful work has struck a cord within me. There is a wondrous beauty in each piece, whether you are reading it in his native language or in English. Either way, there is much to be discovered and enjoyed within his gallery.

*lombregrise

Welcome to April!

Spring in the Midwestern United States has officially begun, but no one would know it based on the falling snow. I suppose this is a sign that April will be an interesting month. The ending of March was, in fact, very productive.

I am sure that many are curious how things have progressed with Ed. The question on my mind before I drove over to visit with him on Momma's (would have been) sixty-fifth birthday was if he would be present, and if so, how he would react to seeing me. Fortunately, he was positive and receiving – and home. I caught him on an off day. Though, I should not have been surprised, given what day it was. On the happy side, he was affectionate and interested in what was going on in my life. We talked for a good two hours about the things we had missed, and were still missing. He spoke softly of Momma with tears in his eyes, telling me that others were pressing him to get re-married and that he could not bear the idea of replacing her, and I said: "though Momma and the memories you have of your life together will always be irreplaceable in your heart, you are allowed to love someone else, and to reach out to others. Momma would not have wanted you to be sad or lonesome." He commented on how strong I was. I said I was not given a choice.

On the opposite side of things, seeing the disarray of the house he and Momma had lived in slowly falling apart really upset me. While I realize most people (like me) are fortunate to have the time to set aside to clean, it was getting to the point where I longed to offer to help him tidy up, though in reality, only he himself can make the endeavor. Honestly, there were – and still are – days when I struggle(d) to get out of bed to face the day, and daily tasks, because I felt miserable. But in spite of it, I knew that I had to keep on living, no matter how painful it was at times. The lack of motivation was always a persistent quality of his. Momma was one of the few people in his life who were able to push him towards a healthier and happier path. I never forgot how she expressed her fears privately to me that something dreadful might happen to him after she passed away, when she was not there to look after him and offer her protection. I tried giving re-assurances that Ed was stronger than she realized, and could look after himself, but Momma was never entirely convinced. I revisited some of these terrors last March. Without saying a word to me, all of the empty wine and beer containers indicated the he was also turning back towards alcoholism, which was, or so we all hoped to believe, a long defeated demon of his from years before.

Without Momma there to uplift, encourage, and motivate him towards the positive, I secretly fear the worst. I pray that his inviting me back into his life will be a step in the right direction. Though I know I haven't any right to tell him what he should or should not be doing, cannot make the "right" choices for him, or ever take my Momma's place, I do desire to help and be a friend to him. Even if he ultimately chooses not to accept my advice or encouragement, I wanted him to know that he had a shoulder of support to lean on. Afterward, he sent me a text: "thank you for today. Thank you for so many things. I'm sorry for how I treated you."

My parting words for him, and for anyone else in need who may wish to hear them: "…there are going to be days more difficult than others. Days when we are unsure of ourselves and scared to face the world…just know that you are not alone. You have never been alone. My shoulder of support is and always will be here. Stay strong, you are loved."  



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Thirty.
Don't forget to take part in the Ladies of Lit Mini-Contest. Your deadline is April 20th.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
April is NaPoWriMo (National poetry writing month!) Ready for the challenge? Check out these Tips, and also there is the new group #NaPoWriMo that you can submit your poetry to. And #Expose-Lit has a Map to help guide you.
Not in the mood for poetry this month? Check out Camp NaNoWriMo!
FotoFriday is Relaunching!
Who is the Sweetest Deviant you know? Nominate them today! Your deadline is April 15th.
`HaveTales-WillTell is hosting a contest showcasing Brevity in Lit. The deadline is April 30th.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' March Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
=SilverInkblot looks to read your Found Poetry
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage, #minimalit, #WritingUniversal, #Peculiar-Poetry, #FreeVersePoetry, #All-For-Writing, #TheWritersWareHouse, #The-Asterismos, #OfSweetSerendipity, #TheMarmaladeTree.


--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Beautiful Blonde Bombshells

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Though I have only had the pleasure of watching this deviant recently, his romantic and powerful work has struck a cord within me. There is a wondrous beauty in each piece, whether you are reading it in his native language or in English. Either way, there is much to be discovered and enjoyed within his gallery.

*lombregrise

Momma would have turned sixty-five this year. It is an age milestone for some – in the United States, it usually means that you can officially (or unofficially, depending on your situation,) sign up for Medicare, and begin looking forward to retirement. Momma never had this opportunity. She took ill the February right before her semi-retirement at the age of sixty-two. She died ten months later. To this day, it has unsettled me that she never received the opportunity to fully enjoy her retirement from her thirty-six years as a senior administrator at her company. She started working there in 1974 – five years before I born. And yet, after all of this time, her friends and fellow co-workers still tell me how devoted and hardworking she was. We all miss her.

I feel indifferent about most family holidays now, without her. They just are not the same, nor will they ever be – but birthdays are still the hardest for me to face, most well know this. This year, I hope to attempt to re-connect with Momma's husband, Ed. It has been two years since we communicated, and it still stings. Right before Momma passed away, her last living request was for me to protect him, help see to his welfare, and try my best to be a good friend and daughter to him. I gave her my promise that I would. Since then, it has been a very frustrating ordeal, and this is defining it nicely. Since Momma's death, I sent card after card of sympathy, called numerous times, sent texts, offered to pray, drove by at different times/hours of the year on the off chance that I might see him (he was never home and never opted to share his schedule with me, though I asked,) I offered to buy him lunch/dinner on any of the off days I had from work, and again, he never bothered responding to anything.

After an exasperating year of this, I struggled with the notion of giving up on him. Everyone I sought council from in regards to this said I should. However, I could not, in good conscience, walk away without a fight. Though his slights hurt me deeply, I continued to hang on and reach out in the vain hopes that I might someday – finally – reach him. He never once asked how I was feeling, went out of his way to send sympathies on death anniversaries, or to remember a birthday – hers or mine. He still hasn't. And, despite all of the complications of Momma's past relationship with Terry, he put everything aside, and showed his love and support towards me. Granted, he has been a part of my life much longer, and I consider him to be my one and only "father figure," but it's the principle of the situation. Why couldn't Ed show some of the same consideration towards me? For a long time, I felt guilty for giving up on him. I felt that had I done so, I would be letting Momma down. After another long year of reflection (and more bittersweet silence on his end,) I realized I had done everything humanly possible.

On March seventeenth, Momma's birthday – I am going to try again, one last time.

I am going to drive over, pray with him, and remind him of Momma's beautiful spirit. It is still alive and well – in that she is never truly gone, because we are holding onto her precious memory by living out our lives the way she would have wanted: with love, strength and unwavering courage.



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Twenty-nine.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
^Beccalicious wants you to Write a Prompt. She also has Writing Opportunities for you. And, while you are at it, go Sponsor Her, to support Cancer research!
In honor of Poetry Forms week, ^Beccalicious and the CV gang are hosting a Poetry Contest. The deadline is March 25th.
`KathrynODriscoll's Review Project is back for March. The deadline is March 31.
Who is the Sweetest Deviant you know? Nominate them today! Your deadline is April 15th.
I am excited to announce the winners of the Unexpected Love Contest! They are:

First Place: Love Letters On the Train by =RosaryOfSighsx.

Second Place: There He Goes Again by *nightshade-keyblade.

Third Place: Strangely Fulfilling, Like Rabbit Hearts by =AzizrianDaoXrak.

Honorable Mentions:

Came But For Friendship by `mirz-alt.
Waiting by ~Raisonneur.
Last Chance by ~changers-n-mash.

And, by far, our most visually creative: Half the World Away by *ThornsofPurpleRoses.

Thank you to those who participated and donated prizes! See all entries here.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' February Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
=SilverInkblot looks to read your Found Poetry
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#through-the-pages, #Painted-From-Words, #Escape-To-Poetry, #BeautifulSong, #NovelHaven, #TheDesireProject, #PenToPage, #Literature-Out-Loud, #ScribesAndAll, #LiteratureJunkies, #Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, ~TheQuillAndInk, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage.
#minimalit, #WritingUniversal, ~HurtingPoets, #Peculiar-Poetry.


--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Unexpected Love Contest Winners

Love Letters On the TrainDear Stranger,
I'm leaving this post-it tucked in the side of the train-seat. If you're reading this, you've seen it. I've seen you sit here every few Monday mornings, sometimes tapping a bent, unlit cigarette against your thigh, sipping from your tea (who brings a tea cup onto a train anyway?); sometimes staring at the rain outside, or reading your well-worn, beaten copy of Jane Eyre (I hate that you fold the corners down - it's bibliophilic abuse. I wish the book would papercut you to defend itself a little, but I digress).
You seemed so sad this Monday morning past. Please smile again. I love it when your eyes catch the light of something There He Goes AgainSo far, I can’t think of anyone who doesn't live for the end of the school year. The lie-ins, the longer days and the lazy afternoons feel like they might never end despite the fact that school hasn't released you. It’s just given you a head start before it comes creeping up when you least expect it, when the days have blended together and your calendar and alarm clock have been gathering dust.
Summer Lovin’ was just a song that brought back memories until the summer before my sixteenth birthday. My friends Ed and Hayden invited me to celebrate their birthdays since they turned 16 before school was out. We would go see a film at the cinema and take a meal, in any particular order. Their friend Ross was also invited, along with Ed’s girlfriend, Angela.
And Leda, most of all.
She arrived at school in February from the Caribbean where she had been living for three years. I'm not sure what she felt, landing at the corner of Afric Strangely Fulfilling, Like Rabbit HeartsI was a hawk,
a sweeping, broom-winged raptor;
a scent of violent and raw hearts on the air
eating my fill of rabbits—

brown and copper-breath’d,
witch of the western woods
sipping my hemlock-spiked tea.

I distrusted words like “always”—
something about the way the mouth falls open,
the throat muscles that clench, chicken-necked.
Fragility has its dark side,
a biding time, like Snow White
as-yet un-poisoned.

I wonder if you smelled me,
smelled the challenge on my dustland sighs.
I know I could smell the thief on you.

You came from my own forest,
a sleek and curly-haired monster
indigo and antler’d.

You Came But For FriendshipSome people believe in love at first sight. I can't say I'm one of those people. Seems that every single person I found myself attracted to ended up being a dud in the love department. Sure there were good times and some laughs, and even a bit of romance. Though none of them ever amounted to anything more than a few weeks of fun then a lot of tears and heartbreak.

That is, until I met the serial killer.

Okay, I'm being a bit extreme, he wasn't a serial killer, I just thought he was a serial killer. Well, that's not quite right, either. I didn't know if he was a serial killer, but he could have been. He certainly looked like one.

All right, Waiting                                                                                HIM/HER
                                             I was simply sitting there/I stood at the door
                   Skimming lines I'd read many times before/Then took a hesitant step into the library
                                                          Hoping to find something deeper
                                        Than the shallowness I had been seeing around me
                                                     I thought perhaps here I would find it
                        Looking for meaning within the absurd/Among books, among scholars Last ChanceJohn slowly lowered himself into the seat beside a young man of roughly twenty years of age.  He rubbed his knees as they gave an audible moan of relief after walking from the escalator to the airport terminal.  He placed his walking stick against the arm of the chair and dabbed the beads of sweat off his forehead with the handkerchief he produced from his tweed jacket.

Having replaced his horn-rimmed glasses onto his large crooked nose, and now that he was feeling quite settled, John noticed the young man beside him was stifling the quietest of sobs, his cheeks smeared with tearstains.  John had seen heartbreak before; the tell-tale red eye

_{Featuring the works of: =RosaryOfSighsx, *nightshade-keyblade, =AzizrianDaoXrak, and honorable mentions `mirz-alt, ~Raisonneur and ~changers-n-mash.}

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Shane is a down to earth, creative, beautiful soul who never fails to touch me – and others – with his well crafted poetry and prose. The honesty and enduring quality of his writing makes his outstanding gallery well worth reading, time and again.  

`thetaoofchaos

Welcome to March!

With spring and a new season for us just around the corner, I hope to encourage everyone to begin this month with a renewed start, joining us within the community to continue to celebrate its ongoing, successful growth. It never ceases to amaze to see how many deviants join our ranks everyday, impacting us with their writing – and community spirit.

Recently, in honor of this revitalizing spring spirit within the Literature community, I asked other deviants to introduce me (again) to some wonderful writers, and still encourage it now. Everyday, nothing pleases me more than to have the honor to come across other writers that I have not had the opportunity to meet, or better yet, to discover some new, breathtaking work. One of the exciting things for me here is still having the chance to feature someone else that the community might not be as familiar with, or to have the change to re-introduce someone who has impacted me as a writer. I have discovered so many wonderful Literary deviants and friends through Ladies of Lit and 30 Writers to Discover. I smile at the impact it makes. I still wonder in happy amazement at times, what might have happened to me if I had not the good fortune in discovering deviants who now I cannot imagine being on DeviantART – my second home – without. They are beautiful ones, like the sweet *AGMeade, $wreckling, `Kneeling-Glory, =RosaryOfSighsx, `KathrynODriscoll…and so many others within the community who impact me on a daily basis with their gorgeous writing and beautiful, creative spirits.

Seven years here has given me so many wonderful, rare opportunities to also improve my craft, and I beyond thankful for it. When I began taking my writing somewhat more seriously towards the end of the nineteen nineties, I still have DeviantART and several of its fantastic deviants to thank for giving me the extra boost of daily encouragement to keep writing from the heart, and to share my stories. I might never have had the courage to pick up my pen and share those rare fragments of my soul, otherwise. It is such a blessing to continue to have the opportunity to read, share and make an impact. As cliché (but tried and true this is), writing does fuel the world. It also drives my daily passion to keep us all united with a common cause: finding your niche, and picking up the pen to make a difference.    



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Twenty-nine.
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
The Literature CVs need your Feedback on the Literature Gallery Restructure!
^Beccalicious wants you to Write a Prompt. She also has Writing Opportunities for you. And, while you are at it, go Sponsor Her, to support Cancer research!
The winners of the Unexpected Love Contest will be announced on March 15th, as per my monthly journal update.
In honor of Poetry Forms week, ^Beccalicious and the CV gang are hosting a Poetry Contest. The deadline is March 25th.
`KathrynODriscoll's Review Project is back for March. The deadline is March 31.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' February Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
=SilverInkblot looks to read your Found Poetry
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
^NicSwaner uncovers an amazing E-Literature Catalog.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#through-the-pages, #Painted-From-Words, #Escape-To-Poetry, #BeautifulSong, #NovelHaven, #TheDesireProject, #PenToPage, #Literature-Out-Loud, #ScribesAndAll, #LiteratureJunkies, #Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion, #PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, ~TheQuillAndInk, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo, #WriteInWinter, #Writers-Drive, #TheTitlePage.

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Of Love and Poets

Poets have the loneliest hearts.I drink morphine
like peach tea;
down 6 pills by morning
just to keep my mind
filled up
with nothing.

& I know I can go days
without speaking a word
but-

I want a moon shy girl
with wolves at her back,
bite mark ankles &
a bottle of writer’s tears
tucked under one arm.

I want to be end of the war
kisses bruised into her hipbones;
the epilogue written over her
tiger-striped skin.

With these wisteria limbs
February cold, &
these weak lungs
exhaling coralline whispers,

I’ve got a tongue for words
but still have no idea how to love
a universe girl. In absence of a poem.I chewed my pen to the nib
and swallowed the ink thoughtlessly,
but no matter how long I thought,
I couldn't say what you mean to me.

I tried, I tried and I tested,
every word in my diminutive range,
but I screwed up more pieces of paper
and happened upon something strange;

I noticed words, which have served me,
for all of my formative years,
had no power to convey my gratitude
for the times that you dried my tears.

Whenever I doubt myself (often),
You're the one who tells me I'm wrong
You lift up my chin and remind me, wait
for the good things that will come along.

I can't find a way to express how
you are the saving grace in my head.
So My words are flightless birds      Hey, is it okay now?
     Is it alright to tell you how
     I cannot eat,
     I cannot sleep, I always,
     Always want to weep
     I look for you in lonely corners
     Of bus-bus-busy streets;
     Turn around

           You are nowhere to be found

Can you keep my secret?
I don't want to keep
Regretting
Let me spill, shout it out
I long to know all you're about

I want to feel
Your steady gaze
Stuck on my skin
As I graze
Your lips with mine; I cannot find
My head, lost in a maze
Of you
I am unscrewed, feigning
Shrewdness

     My words are flightless
     Birds whose
     Heartbeats cause erratic echoes
    desire in minor keyif only i were strings on your guitar,
to be touched and teased
till tremendous tremolo echoed
in these hollowing bones
fretting for your affectionate fingers to thrum
percussion gently along this rough curvature
my unvarnished body, natural concavities
resonating the rhythm of your sweet phalangeal beats
the heat, in each of your lovely palms, washing over me -
bending me, until i sing into the void
an anthem only yours
give me a voice
pluck calloused, never callously,
the notes growing slowly outward
from this sonorous garden,
my musical soul
sighs a song for you
each note hung, neatly strung, and laced
through my being -
would you find them all for me?
could you release each one,
with the delicate strums from your easy hands?
arpeggiate me amorously
away into the evening
until my frame is fully known
and the very molecules in me hum
as those caressed in your guitar
gently balanced upon your knee
the strings of which you touch and tease
and strum the love
to me

_{Featuring the works of: ~DearPoetry, `KathrynODriscoll, =Sammur-amat and *0hgravity.}

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by #The-Novelist-Club and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Wanting to keep an eye on all things Literature on DeviantART, and not sure where to turn? Your official Literature home #CRLiterature, is the place to find everything you could possibly want, from generalized information, resources, contests and more, so do not miss out.

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Shane is a down to earth, creative, beautiful soul who never fails to touch me – and others – with his well crafted poetry and prose. The honesty and enduring quality of his writing makes his outstanding gallery well worth reading, time and again.  

`thetaoofchaos

While the busy month of February continues, I carry on with strength in my heart – as one of the most difficult monthly anniversaries approach. To say the very least, it has been a wearisome last few months. Though, the endless support and love, especially amongst the community here has been nothing short of marvelous. Spending precious time with my cherished friends here is one of the brightest parts of my day. The tremendous feeling of joy often outweighs the sadness, and I feel blessed.

I have found that we discover our little blessings at times when we are not looking for them. Recently, I prayed to find a joyful distraction for my pain. While I was searching for the answers in the end that I knew were inevitable, the journey was worth making. I have spent a great deal reflecting and holding onto those priceless fragments of hope and love. And, February is the season for remembering how important love is. However, I never need an excuse to express just how important my loved ones are – as I make it a point to do so every single day of my life. This is a healthy habit to develop. Reaching out to bring joy to others also makes a difference in his or her life, and it does matter. Sadly, there are so many unhappy souls that need the support. This is a difficult time of year for many. I know from my own past experiences how bittersweet that feeling of loneliness can be. On occasion, you feel as if you may drown in your sorrows. The trick is to not allow them to defeat you.

It is always best to look for the happiness in life, and hold onto the love. Sometimes, we discover this in the most unexpected of places. I will always believe in some aspects of fate, and that everything happens to us for a reason. We may not know the logic or lesson for it at the time it occurs, but the higher being has a plan for us. Everyday, we encounter other individuals who change us, mold us, and alter our perceptions, making us wonder how we lived without knowing them. At times, the lessons are painful. My Momma wisely reminded me that intertwining souls travel the same roads for a while, and then, after a time – once they provided what the higher being felt we needed – the paths changed course and separated. I asked her why this had to hurt so much, and why we must let these people go. Then and now, I dislike(d) burning bridges without a fight. She re-assured me that if the love we were fighting to hold onto was strong enough to keep us united, and then the conflicts that were attempting to ultimately divide us would not stand a chance.

I have never forgotten that lesson she taught me, or the importance of giving others the benefit of the doubt. All my life, I watched her fight until her last breath to hold onto something that meant the world to her. In the end, she finally gained the happiness that she desired. I was overjoyed for her, and continued to pray for that same bliss and uplifting strength for myself, as I followed my own path. Just remember that no matter what roads we choose to follow, and how it impacts us along the way; never stop believing that reaching out to love others, for better or for worse, makes a difference.



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

If I missed something, do not hesitate to let me know. I have been absent for a month, and am trying to get caught up on all of my messages from January.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Twenty-eight.
I am in dire need of your suggestions for March 7th's article, so note me!
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project and Devious Writers Feature.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
^Beccalicious wants you to Write a Prompt. She also has Writing Opportunities for you. And, while you are at it, go Sponsor Her, to support Cancer research!
Check out my new Unexpected Love Contest. The Deadline is March 1st.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' January Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
=SilverInkblot looks to read your Found Poetry
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#all4poetry, #Poems-Galore, #Good-Literature, #The-Writers-Study, #the-writers-workshop, #TheRoyalScribe, #wordsfromyoursoul, #ShadowPoetry, #9bottles, #DA-Poetics, #through-the-pages, #Painted-From-Words, #Escape-To-Poetry, #BeautifulSong, #NovelHaven, #TheDesireProject, #PenToPage, #Literature-Out-Loud, #ScribesAndAll, #LiteratureJunkies, #Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion.
#PassionforLiterature, #INeedAPen, ~TheQuillAndInk, #WritingMoreThanWords, #Literaturean, #NaHaiWriMo

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Abraham Lincoln: Patriot

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
`thorns         DD Suggestion Guidelines.      

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Jen's caring nature shines through in every piece of heartfelt writing in her gallery. Her beautiful words often convey to us her unending, endearing story about her tenderness and strength of heart.

*BeyondJen

Welcome to February.

First, I wished to thank all of you who offered their support to me while I was away. This wonderful community has always deeply touched and honored me with its thoughtful generosity. I took my quiet time away for much needed rest. I feel that I do not have enough words to express to everyone how greatly I missed them, but I am hopeful that all of you have been well and happy. I am also eager to hear from everyone – do write and share how January has kept you, and send a smile or two my way.

For a long time, I drifted back and forth, fighting with depression, emotionally and physically. Granted, I still am trying to find my way back, but it is difficult. The hardest part of this portion of the year is the realization that the one person who understood me far better than anyone else…is forever gone now. And, as the days turn into years, the light of her precious memory that I am fighting to hold onto grows dimmer. I fear that I might eventually lose sight of her face, her voice, and her strength. Toward the first half of last December, we lost two patients. One of these patients reminded me so much of my momma. As everything began to escalate beyond my control, I grew horrified, and it was one of the few times I struggled with being in the role I was in, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. All I could see was my momma's face. And though there was nothing more to be done, I just could not get past that reoccurring feeling of failing – while it continued to bring back painful memories of my Momma. Over and over, the same heartbreaking questions began to haunt me: what more could I do? Why couldn't I try to push my Momma to take better care of herself? And, why couldn't I take better care of her, and these two patients that now needed me?

My dearest friend tried re-assuring me that everything that could be done (in both instances in the past and present,) was done, but the agonized feeling continued to gnaw away at me. My horrible insomnia came back in staggering force. I think I may have slept maybe between fifteen and twenty hours the entire months of November and December. Every day, when made to face the ER, tears swelled into my eyes and I found it difficult to focus on my daily tasks. But, I kept forcing myself to go to work, because of so little staff, and guilt for desiring to call in, when RNs were desperately needed, as the flu season was making everyone miserable, including me. Patient intakes were off the charts, and everyone was either tired, frustrated, or both. When not working, (which was rare!) the frequent, ongoing upsets in my personal life also came to head, before and after the holidays, which led me to my near-breaking point.

Needless to say, I am somewhat recovered now, since I have prayed about it daily, and gotten some serious rest, but I am still fighting to keep my positive spirits up. I thank God everyday for the support I received, and continue to receive. For without it, I might not have been strong enough to keep fighting to push myself away from my inner demons, pull myself up, and see the positive. It is easy to forget how close you are to the edge when you are hurting so badly, but hope is always a powerful force. One of the most important lessons I learned throughout this was to keep a strong faith in yourself, even when you feel at odds with your battling demons. You may never truly know the power of your own will until it is tested. We alone make the choice to allow for it to destroy us, or to make us stronger. I choose the latter.



For those not as acquainted with me, my journal is a wonderful place to find some tidbits about what is going on in the Literature world. However, that being said, you will want to keep an eye out also for various other news postings from your Literature Community Volunteers, and please take a moment to add them to your watch, so you will not miss out on a thing! Oh, and do not forget about our own resident tweeter, *Lit-Twitter, who always does a fantastic job collecting several more tidbits for us in all things Lit. Scrolling down, you will also find information geared towards other contests, groups and other news various links all related to Literature, so be sure to check them out.

My monthly Ladies of Lit series officially arrived last August. At any time, if there is a literature female deviant that you feel merits a feature; please Note me. Also, not sure who has already been featured? Take a look at the current listing. Along with that, I host a variety of group projects, a tri-monthly 30 Writers to Discover series, and the ongoing Writers Welcome Wagon.

If I missed something, do not hesitate to let me know. I have been absent for a month, and am trying to get caught up on all of my messages from January.

Do not forget to go and congratulate our newest Seniors. Especially our Literature deviants, who I am so proud of! `dreamsinstatic, `FuzzyHoser, `GrimFace242, `MagicalJoey, `mirz-alt, `OfOneSoul, `raspil, `thetaoofchaos, and `vespera.

Ladies of Lit Issue: Volume Twenty-eight.
I am in dire need of your suggestions for March 7th's article, so note me!
Latest Volume of 30 Wonderful Writers.
Writers Welcome Wagon Project and Devious Writers Feature.
Do not miss your chance to meet and mingle with other writers.
A wonderful Resources and Critique article courtesy of the #LitResources staff.
Get yourself Exposed, and read up on some tips for getting to know Deviants in Lit.
^Beccalicious wants you to Write a Prompt. She also has Writing Opportunities for you. And, while you are at it, go Sponsor Her, to support Cancer research!
`thorns Complaint Challenge is back. The Deadline is February 9th.
`KathrynODriscoll is hosting a Review Project. The deadline is February 14th.
The Lit Moderators are also hosting The Alternate Universe Contest. Need ideas? Click Here. The Deadline is February 18th.
Check out my new Unexpected Love Contest. The Deadline is March 1st.

Within the community, there are several Literature chatrooms to visit that might be of interest to you. However, if you feel uncomfortable in these chatrooms, you might find what you are looking for in the revamped Literature Forums. There are also several critique and prompt groups available for use towards all of your Literature-related needs. Below, you will find just a small sampling of what the community has to offer you:

#CRLiterature The official DeviantART Literature chatroom.
#Writersforlife Write, mingle, learn and keep writing for life.
#Writeroom Looking for tips, ideas and more, the Writeroomies are here for you.
#Cabal Srs bsns of literary discussion.

#CritiqueIt DeviantART's Quality Critique Club.
#Writers-Workshop Where the Writers Workshop Writing.
#ScreamPrompts Are You A Writer?
#HammeredPoetry Sick of clichés…Us Too.
#transliterations From One World to Another.
#LITplease A Club for Every Writer.

Throughout DeviantART, there are a number of resourceful news articles filled with features, contests and much, much more. Several deviants keep the literature community in the know with these articles. I am honored to present the creme of the crop, and invite you to fully explore what each article has to offer.

The Lit Gallery Volunteers' January Lit Daily Deviations. and Official CR Journal Updates.
`IrrevocableFate Loves DA Lit! Contests, Various Groups, Workshops and More.
~wyldhoney finds Writers With Promise.
*SadisticIceCream has Publishing Resources.
`apocathary also has a collection of Miscellaneous Resources.
=julietcaesar does as well in Her Journal.
=SilverInkblot looks to read your Found Poetry
`GrimFace242 is looking for some Group Therapy and Undiscovered Deviants in Lit.
~Mahi-Fish shares a Handy Poetry Checklist.
`mirz-alt helps us follow a Literary Compass.
=star-blazer picks out amazing Monthly Daily Lit.
=DrippingWords wants to Talk Writing.
`HaveTales-WillTell is all Lit Up.
`Kneeling-Glory's got an eye for those who are Demonstrably Deviant.
*SadisticIceCream answers questions about Publishing.
`IrrevocableFate spotlights a League of Lit Groups.
`Jon-Law writes A Brilliant Writing Guide.

With the official groups feature in full swing, there is a whole array of Literature groups to join and support. Below, you will have the opportunity to check out just a few of the newest ones on DeviantART. And, if there is a group not listed here that may interest you, you might want to check out the official Literature Group Hub.

#all4poetry, #Poems-Galore, #Good-Literature, #The-Writers-Study, #the-writers-workshop, #TheRoyalScribe, #wordsfromyoursoul, #ShadowPoetry, #9bottles, #DA-Poetics, #through-the-pages, #Painted-From-Words, #Escape-To-Poetry, #BeautifulSong, #NovelHaven, #TheDesireProject, #PenToPage, #Literature-Out-Loud, #ScribesAndAll, #LiteratureJunkies, #Elocutionists, #Authors-Anonymous, #Book-Sanctuary, #confessional-poetry, #Forgotten-Fiction, #LiteratureDomain, #Beautiful-Poetry, #ToWriteTogether, #World-of-Literature, #WrittenLiterature, #Poetry-Clubhouse, #OurProse, #Writers-At-Heart, #AllLiteratureWelcome, #Glory-Be-Project, #LitLoveCommunity, #Writeandread, #The-Writing-Group, #PennyStories, #skinnywords, #How-To-Write-A-Book, #paper-forests,  #Poetry-Passion.

--Any other Literature news that you would like to see in this reserved space? Note me.

Abraham Lincoln: Patriot

If you stop by, and would like to begin your journey on my DA homepage, may I suggest starting here. Also, if you are new to DA and need further assistance, please feel free to contact me if you cannot find what you are looking for in the FAQ section found here.

My official DeviantART Prayer Support Log. If there is someone you know who is in need of support, do let me know at any time and I will add them to the log.

I like to support Literature here by adding literature clubs/groups to my watch. If I have yet to add yours, feel free to leave me a comment.

Who is serving the Literature Community and what can they do for you? Your Community Volunteers for Literature are listed below as follows, along with their guidelines. You can freely contact them at any time with your questions or concerns.

^Beccalicious DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^neurotype   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
^NicSwaner   DD Suggestion Guidelines.
`thorns         DD Suggestion Guidelines.      

And, of course, here are some lovely stamps, to show your support!





Please stop by and feel free to join us, whether you are a writer, a poet, reader, or even a critic - we'd love to have you. We are currently accepting regular submissions and various pieces for our Workshops, so please show your support to these wonderful writers and stop by.

Looking to join a fun group which supports the exciting era of Abraham Lincoln by paying homage to his memory with fun panel discussions, Q and A sessions, book reviews and much, much more? Then #TheLincolnLegacy is the perfect place for you. Walks of all artistic life are warmly welcomed here.

#LungCancer-Awareness was created to bring awareness to a well-known cancer that has not only impacted the daily lives of the members of my own family – but so many others around us. Anything that you can do to promote awareness within your community can and will make a difference!

Looking for some of the latest news about your Daily Deviations or that news article you may missed over the course of the month? Well then, #LitResources may be the very place for you to catch up on all of the latest happenings.

Everyone is welcome over at our group, And we realize that every writer has their own personality, interests, strengths and weaknesses, so we aim to provide unique pathways into the community for everyone. So go on - sign yourself up and get exposed over at #Expose-Lit.

Our judges at #TalentedWritersGuild are looking for your quality literature! So, if you have something that you feel will simultaneously move us, challenge us, and inspire us as readers - then we are the very group for you.

Looking for a delightful and positively charged environment to post your work and give others some encouragement and support? Then look no further than #ProjectPositivity.

I have added several updates to our local club #Indiana-Deviants, so if you are from Indiana, or just interested in Hoosier related news, please, by all means, join us! We would be more than happy to have you there. We are always looking to accept new submissions.

Jen's caring nature shines through in every piece of heartfelt writing in her gallery. Her beautiful words often convey to us her unending, endearing story about her tenderness and strength of heart.

*BeyondJen