What’s been up with my writing lately, you ask?

Crazy, mi gente. Crazy. I haven’t guest-posted on anyone’s site just yet (though I’m open to the idea), and I haven’t had a huge link from a big blog in a while, but certainly things are on the up and up. I already started looking into finishing my own book (finally), and got an offer to appear in another book (sweet), not to mention that I’m making a couple of handbooks for a prominent organization which I’m an active member of (see sidebar) as well as my job (and they’re going to need first aid after this one.) I’m also still designing the

All this energy I’m putting into these special projects has left a lot of stanzas scrolling through my mind, few of which have made it into a Word document or my MySpace. I’m pushing to get that next poem out, but I realize that, the more I write, the less I’m able to just “force” it out. With my poems especially, I need to feel a certain type of way. I need to feel angry, depressed, in love, determined, excited, the other excited, strong, weak … anything, but not this … poetic indifference. And something brilliant will come up as I’m walking to take the train, but I know it’s not a strong enough idea because I don’t write it anywhere.

Then again, maybe it’s because all my words are focused in these projects. Maybe it’s because my strongest evangelists don’t want to see me come weak on anything I write or I might as well “hang up the pen.” (Then again, some of them would prefer I not retire this blog.) Maybe it’s because every one of you who read from all over the world (no, really) encourage me through your e-mails, comments, and searches to read me every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Maybe it’s that little “Thank you” whenever someone likes something I wrote.

What keeps you writing? I know some of you practically blog every day. Others only write a couple of times a week. Others of you only show up once a month, but will write glorious pieces when you come back.

TALK TO ME, people!

Also, I got a special project for you all to get involved in with me, so tune in, and keep the comments coming …

jose, who will dedicate his blog to a legend soon …