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Timothy Hicks

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My name is Timothy Hicks, and I've been writing for 5 years now, since I was 13. My main hobbies include writing, playing my piano, origami and bicycling.

I'm a bit OCD about some things and some would refer to me as a nervous pacer. I like to do outdoor activities, but at the same enjoy my alone time where I can sit and write. I'm a very avid reader and enjoy several different genres: horror, science-fiction, fantasy, and mysteries such as Sherlock Holmes.

I've had several different jobs including shakerboarder, pizza-make and cotton candy maker-and-distributor.

I like to think of myself as someone that can fit into almost any crowd and I always try to stay on the bright side of things. I swear very little and hardly ever get mad at people. I believe spreading smiles is a much better practice than sharing negativity...

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What Do Friends and Family Think?

Blog Posted by Timothy Hicks: 5/12/2016 2:27:00 PM

Hello again Soupers.

It doesn't take long at all to realize that poetry communities are a very tight nit bunch. We support each other, inspire, build up, and so and so forth ... but my question to you is, what do your non-poetic friends and family think about your curious hobby? Are they supportive? Politely disinterested? Think you're strange? Or do they even know about it at all?

For a long time I never showed anyone the stuff I wrote, excluding one friend who was a bit of an eccentric like myself. In the back of my mind I always thought it was either too weird or even a bit girlish (now I find that a bit silly, considering that some of the most famous poets were men) ... When I finally showed my family I got mixed reactions ... I showed a poem to my mom, and to my surprise she was in tears. I then proceeded to show the same poem, a couple weeks later, to my brother, and got a single word response ... "Cool" ...

What has your experience been? For the most I've stopped showing my family and friends, because it's very difficult to force interests on people. I find myself rather saying they didn't like what I wrote rather than pretend that they did, when I know deep down, poetry just isn't interesting to them ...

-Tim

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Tom
Quigley

Date: 5/16/2016 10:52:00 AM

Howdy, Tim! By and large, I'm on this site because FB friends and fellow trail runners/triathletes responded to my stuff with resounding blank stares...some local friends like it, but I don't regularly trot it out. Haven't tried it at work, not gonna. My wife enjoys what I share with her. Our oldest daughter writes on this site as well, and it's a really amazing connection for us. Our son is mildly intrigued. Our youngest daughter (8 yo) wants to be a part of everything, and it's not yet clear if she's genuinely interested. Grateful for this community.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/16/2016 5:40:00 PM

I've shared poems over Facebook before ... I got some encouragement at the beginning, but then it trickled out, and people lost interest ... Wasn't aware your daughter was on this site, too ... I'll be on the look out if I see her.

Tom Quigley
Date: 5/16/2016 10:53:00 AM

I'd also add that I've had a poem published in a professional journal in the "arts" section, and I've had a couple positive comments...

The
Grahamburglar

Date: 5/15/2016 7:29:00 PM

The thing is, often the poetry I write is more about me playing with words to create something...it's not always representative of my own values, and certainly not always true to my own experiences. Perhaps it's all in my head, but I don't know that I necessarily want people who know me well to evaluate those works because I don't necessarily want my writing to influence or alter their perception of me...if that makes sense. What I do choose to share through the odd facebook post or whatever, has generally been either well received or ignored. I haven't really had any "haters" or anything like that.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 5/14/2016 6:00:00 AM

Hey Tim: I'm attending a 2 hr writing workshop today led by Carrie Snyder, a Canadian author. Her novels have garnished national acclaim... and her novel, The Girl Runner, is truly stunning. I write fiction as well as poetry. Actually, I believe poetry has improved my fiction, given it layers that it once never had. So, I will spend two hours surrounded by other writers, writing and discussing writing. The truth is only writers REALLY understand writers. My hubby and girl will hold down the homefront and I have no idea what I will face upon my return. Haha! I encourage others to find workshops or writing groups in their area. It's good to connect and find that commonality.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/16/2016 5:38:00 PM

That's great to hear Cyndi ... you have some excellent points. I've often thought about writing groups before, but never had the gumption to go out and look where they might be ... it is awesome to talk in person about where your interests lie ...

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 5/14/2016 6:03:00 AM

www.evensi.ca/words-in-the-woods-huron-natural-area/175935702

Carrie
Richards

Date: 5/13/2016 5:17:00 PM

I rarely share my poems with family or friends, ..only on occasion. I think it comes from being afraid to "toot my own horn", or having them only indulge me. I have a talented family, where others are gifted writers, singers or musicians, and my meager offerings seem less than brilliant. I guess my hopes are that they will find them someday, and appreciate the words I've left behind, and maybe think they are worthy. (Wishful thinking?)

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 5/13/2016 5:15:00 PM

Great blog, Tim. My hubby is very encouraging and supportive of my writing, but he does enjoy my fiction more than my poetry. However, recently, he has shown more interest in my verse and even offers suggestions. I have a cousin-in-law (an English major) and she is always rooting for me. I have two aunts who encourage me and read my work. I am lucky, I know! Friends are more interested in the concept that I write for children, as well. I say poet to most people, eyes bug out, a strange smile spreads across the face... some do find it fascinating, in a Quasimodo in the bell tower kind a way.. ;) I think they want to ask where my throwback Renaissance shirt is, the one with the long, full sleeves and frilly cuffs? LOL... Either that or they're expecting me to wear a black turtleneck, say, "cool daddy-o!"

Lyva
Marty

Date: 5/13/2016 3:38:00 PM

i'm just a bit lucky since my circle of friends is into poetry, writing... we share our drafts and get feedback.. belonging to a literary club helps a lot, not to mention teaching creative writing among college stusdent.. but, but, members of my family are less involved though they read my works, and try to understand what the H--- i'm saying, lol... thanks, i have a niece and a nephew who are really keen on poetry... that;s the way of the world!..huggs

Nette Onclaud
Date: 5/13/2016 3:44:00 PM

ohh, how did this get to someone's account?.. i've been getting error system for hours now...

Robert
Stoner Jr

Date: 5/13/2016 7:59:00 AM

I'm quite surprised by the comments of some of the best poets on site. I scatter my poetry to the winds. Family, friends, everywhere I go I pass out business cards with links to my poetry sites. I talk poetry in biker bars, car shows, restaurants, if there's an ear I bend it. As for support interest flows freely. I have 117 dedicated Facebook followers who share my work and most i I've never met. My wife is very supportive and proof reads everything I write. Don't be shy raise you flag with confidence it will build readership and improve your work.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 5/14/2016 5:44:00 AM

Bingo!

Robert Stoner Jr
Date: 5/13/2016 5:26:00 PM

Well Tim, they say you must kiss a thousand frogs to find one prince. The same goes for poetry, knitting is more popular. You cannot depend on your family to find support. For each found supporter comes another from their circle of friends. Keep kissing those frogs my friend there are thousands of princes awaiting your words.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/13/2016 3:22:00 PM

Hey Rob. Nice to meet you. I appreciate your confidence and encouragement. I wish I had it ... the problem is, that at times, showing something I wrote to family member can feel like pulling teeth. You show the same thing to fellow poets and there's much enthusiasm ... but to family, the responses you get are like a buzz kill.

Becca
Teagan

Date: 5/12/2016 4:19:00 PM

Hi Timothy... I share some of my poetry with my family, occasionally. My husband tries so hard to be interested when I want to read him a poem but I try not to torture him too often. My kids really liked the poem I wrote in the style of Poe... they especially love Tom's reading :D Nice blog.

Stephen
Pennell

Date: 5/12/2016 4:12:00 PM

one mate writes songs his fault I started the thought of creating something original inspired me, but I cant play so poetry appealed, 1st poem was written for a girlfriend its on here still a fave of mine. very few others friends or family have read a poem of mine , so hush its a secret I write poems.

Mark
Woods

Date: 5/12/2016 3:48:00 PM

Great blog. I hide behind the veneer of the strong silent type. While my family know I write the odd "thing" my wife and kids would be quite surprised at the number. I've got a few I've written and posted on Facebook but I think most people would think I've ripped it off from somewhere, after all how could a behemoth like "him" have an opinion or a satirical look at the world. lol

The Grahamburglar
Date: 5/15/2016 7:14:00 PM

This is me too. My family knows I write...I post an occasional thing on Facebook...butt I think they'd be surprised at how much I've written in the past year or so...haha. Whatever, I do it for myself more than anyone else.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 5/12/2016 3:44:00 PM

oh I forgot to say. There are a few church ladies I visit every month. Two of them love getting my poems. So that makes me feel good!

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/16/2016 5:47:00 PM

That's awesome to get some support, Andrea. It all helps. I never would have thought of physically sending them through the mail ... I get nervous as it is just showing someone in person ... lol.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 5/12/2016 3:40:00 PM

Timothy. I am pretty sure more than half my family could not care less about reading my poems. I have one very supportive sister, Jenny, who got a membership here just to read my poems. The other sisters are all proud of me, but I sincerely doubt that they read many of my poems that I sent out every season in the mail to my family members. I print them off and cut them out and paste them all onto several sheets of paper which I keep myself in my files and which I give to close family members and also give out to teachers at the school. Only once or twice has another teacher came to me expressing how she looked forward to seeing them. My mom and dad both read my poems and I think they like it

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/12/2016 5:18:00 PM

My daughter is a hair stylist but she is a very creative person and I keep telling her she ought to write poems again. Also I wish she would get her bio/novel published. It is REALLY interesting. all about her first marriage to a crazy man!!!

Becca Teagan
Date: 5/12/2016 4:34:00 PM

Andrea, I have the same thing with my daughter, she is a published writer and poet, and she doesn't really like to talk about poetry, but she and I have different styles.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/12/2016 3:43:00 PM

My hubbie won't read my poems but was touched by a few I wrote just for him. My son can't stand my poetry (because it is rhymed, but he does not even try to read my free verse). My daughter says she likes it but I rarely see her reading it or asking me anything about it. It's sad to me because my daughter is a writer too. She has written an unpublished novel and she wrote many poems in high school. I was very proud of her and wish she felt that way about her old mom!!

Rob
Carmack

Date: 5/12/2016 2:59:00 PM

Most people just don't care, so I don't even bother telling them. My kids know because they see me on the computer, my daughter especially, when she comes around digging for gold. A few co-workers know and that is it. I write for myself, even tributes, would not matter if the person liked the poem or not, but it is nice when they do.

Jan
Allison

Date: 5/12/2016 2:52:00 PM

I try not to talk about it too much Timothy - I shared with a few friends my hubby, son and mum and with some students at school ... but now my confidence is growing and I've been to a couple of 'open mikes' and will be performing a couple of poems at a charity fundraiser on 20th - so more people will get to know my hobby :-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/12/2016 7:07:00 PM

your story is so fantastic, Jan!! Wish joe liked to hear even my FUNNY poems!!

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 5/12/2016 2:53:00 PM

Oops sorry my comment came in yr reply box dear Jan..oops

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 5/12/2016 2:52:00 PM

They cant understand the feeling of a poet when he gets published..Cant feel the butterflies We feel..: ). My mother in law wanted to give me a nice box where to keep my collection of journals where a poem of mine is published..What She didnt know is that I didnt want those books hidden..but want them on the shelves where I can see so oftenly..even if they suck : )

Charmaine
Chircop

Date: 5/12/2016 2:49:00 PM

My mum is very proud of my writings because She is mum ofcourse : ).Sme friends like what I do,but others wouldn't care less.Hubby used to hate the fact that I stay writing poetry at night..He used to see it as a useless hobby, but d first time I got a poem published in a book..He told everyone, & even when a lyric poem was put into a song ,He was proud .One time I ' ve written a poem for him but He didnt understand it..So I didnt write another for him:). He isnt my best fan..but He improved : ).Re family..I have an auntie & uncle who read me..and even Know who all my fave poets are.So its really a mixture of ideas : ).Such is life. Nice blog :)

Constance
La France

Date: 5/12/2016 2:45:00 PM

Tim, I pretty much have had the same experience as you with my poetry, when I tell people I meet that I write poetry, they sort of raise an eyebrow, my mom and grandma were my biggest fans, now they are in heaven I have one friend who loves my poetry, and my husband used to love me to read to him my poems (in heaven, too) my sister will not read my sad writes but is okay with the others, my brothers say, nice, I tend to keep it mostly to myself now... and here of course, Constance

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/13/2016 3:45:00 PM

Thanks Constance for letting me know ... I believe it's visible now!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 5/12/2016 3:37:00 PM

Constance, I had to do it two or three times. And I think what was tripping me up was that I needed to click on UPDATE to get my contest details to post!!

Constance La France
Date: 5/12/2016 2:47:00 PM

btw.. your contest is showing no details you might want to do an edit, it happened to me also, the second time it worked

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