Editor's Corner

By Mary E. Adair

MARCH !!

Along comes the month for leprechauns, and the winds of spring. The month that changes its personality with the weather, coming in like a lion to go out like a lamb. Or vice-versa. The dread Ides of March rolls around that was once the actual tax-due day, long ago. Those who remember are probably ancient as I. And those who think I refer to Caesar are completely out of sync. At any rate, this is a changeable month, one of great versatility, variety, vim and vigor. . . . just as this month's literary offerings in Pencil Stubs.

Indeed, the mood of our authors has seemingly been affected by the cold, dire weather during the first part of February, and we have reflective somber verses that tug at your own depths, seeking another who might understand. Then, with the sunnier, warmer days, cheerful and more upbeat rhymes entered my mailbox. So we have a broad spectrum of both talent and emotions this month.

As we promised, we are continuing to re-publish some material from our back issues that were lost online. This can be tedious work, but an activity which rewards our readers and us with some one-of-a-kind tales, and perspectives.

Along with such favorites, we bring new poetry and stories into our magazine for their introduction to the eyes of the web. A few of those eyes may weep in compassion, or with the overexuberance of mirth. But, as you browse through this month's publication, if it reminds you of a piece you've written that you wish others could see, then please do submit that work.

We still get queries about how much we pay for publishing, or how much we will charge to bring something to your attention with the magazine format. The answer remains, nothing. We do not pay for material to publish, nor do we charge to publish those articles, stories, or poems we choose. We want to encourage you to write, then write some more. We wish to promote writing as a talent: a way of life, not just a hobby, but an integral part of living and appreciating life.

For instance, one of the best therapies for anyone, is to journalize your thoughts and dreams, questions and answers. The Artist's Way requires that you write three pages each morning upon rising from your bed, even if you only write "I can't think of anything to to write" over and over. After you do this for a while, you find things to say that may reveal yourself to you or define your feelings for others or for any subject you pick to detail on your pages. There is no demand to share these pages, but eventually, you will be amazed at the clarity of your thoughts, and the symetry of them written down may give birth to a wish to share them.

One thing that helps writers, is reading the work of others. Being online is an excellent opportunity for that. Another thing that helps, is feedback.

Any time you wish to respond to someone's published piece, the quickest way is to post your comments on the work on the forum. Should this appeal to you, please reference that it is a Comment:"Name of the poem/ story/ article/ column" in your subject line. If you wish to comment less openly on something, you can do so by directing such emails to either the editor, marbety@pencilstubs.com or to the webmaster, mike@pencilstubs.com. If you prefer to contact the authors privately concerning their published literary submission, and they don't have an email address, you can write to us. We will make every effort to see that they get the comments.

This is a good-sized issue, so I'll just invite you to start enjoying it. See you in April!!!!!