Image by ZEDZAP-Nicholas via Flickr

I recently decided to explore Haiku.  It is a beautiful form of Japanese poetry – simple, creative, evoking emotion in only 17 syllables.

Haiku is non-rhyming and most typically, traditionally, speaks of seasons and nature. It is structured with three lines, having 5-7-5 syllables respectively. Some more modern Haiku branch from this, but I have chosen to stick with the traditional way.

There is a lot more to this ancient art form. As I learn, I will write more.  For now I thought to share with you my first creations:

Winter winds bluster.
Wrapped in a thick woolen coat,
My trembling lips smile.

Rose petals open,
Embracing Earth’s elements,
Flourishing with joy.

Snowflake lands softly,
Uniquely on my mantle,
Sharing her design.

Clouds weep steadily.
Trees wave limbs furiously.
Roofs ripped – no mercy.

I asked a friend of mine, Lee O’Hara, to share his thoughts about writing.  He authored, “Beef Secrets Straight From the Butcher”, a popular book that gives a complete education about beef. He also produced several DVDs on organic gardening.

I was pleased when Lee agreed!  Below you will find his article.  Please feel free to ask Lee any questions about his writing adventures and successes. 

Lee is passionate about his subjects and is very knowledgeable.  Although he is very busy, he will personally respond to each of your questions. 

If You Love To Write, Write!

By Lee O’Hara

The professor of the specialized education class I was in during my last year of college told us that the expected papers we were to write would require at least 5, maybe 10 or 20 pages.

We were to discuss in detail a new and controversial book, complex and thick. He had read and graded our papers and was going to go over the assignment. All but one of the 20 or 30 in the class hadn’t gotten it, he complained. He would now read the one that had nailed the essence of the book. It was a half page; a few paragraphs. To my immense embarrassment, it was mine.

Until graduation, whenever the professor saw me on campus, I was in for a lecture about how I should write professionally.

Sex, murder, mystery, mayhem and busted heads are stories that sell. I never wanted to write on those subjects, though I did love to write. There was just nothing that would provide enough income that fell within my band of knowledge. I had a wife and kid to support and there was nothing I knew anything about that would interest anyone. I satisfied my desire to write in compiling reports, letters, etc., relative to my profession as a real estate broker and appraiser; not very compelling story lines.

A couple of years ago a good friend wanted to put up a web site for me. She was awed at the quality of the food we served and had a variety of questions about meats. The more I told her, the more she insisted that I share my knowledge, so I took some pictures and wrote some “how to” explanations to go with the photos.

In the following months I had so many “thank you” emails and so many questions that I started writing in more detail. A friend of my wife, a book publisher, wanted to read what I had, loved it, and insisted I finish it up so she could publish the book. I did, and now I’m a “published author.” The success of that book inspired me to now finish what people have been asking for since my organic gardening DVD’s went on the market—a book that goes more in depth to follow and expand on the data in the DVD’s. I hope to soon finish that work.

There are 3 things about writing that stopped me, because I never believed them: 1) If you love to write, write! There are people interested in things you know or can imagine, regardless of how mundane you imagine your offerings might be. 2) Ditto. 3) Ditto.

To learn more about Lee’s book visit: www.meatbasics101.com

To find out about his DVDs, please visit: www.organichomegardener.com