J. Delaney-Howe
Bio
Bipolar poet. Father. Grandfather. Husband. Gay man. I write poetry, prose, some fiction and a good bit about family. Thank you for stopping by.
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Stories (100/0)
Writing Talk With Melissa Ingoldsby
When I am a fan of an author, I love to know what inspires them, what drives them. In the Facebook group Vocal Writers Sharing Group, we are playing a game called “Not My Shoes”, where we are paired up with someone randomly, and we interview each other and write a piece about it. (If you are not in that group, you should be. Everyone who participates in the games sees a sharp increase in their reads, and it is a very safe, open, and welcoming group. You can find that group here.) I was paired with Melissa Ingoldsby. If you aren’t familiar with her work, you have probably seen her posting and interacting with other Vocal creators in the Facebook Vocal groups, offering encouragement, feedback, and interaction along the way. You can find her Vocal profile here.
By J. Delaney-Howe2 years ago in Interview
On The Banks of Grimes Creek
The sun was bright on that hot day in late August. The cicadas were buzzing loudly as the crickets chirped in chorus. It was uncomfortably warm without a cloud in the sky. The worries and cares of the life waiting for us back home started to melt away in the heat.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Humans
- Top Story - November 2021
- Top Story - November 2021
Conversations With My New Friend OnegTop Story - November 2021
Social media is great, isn't it? Especially for Vocal creators. Facebook has many groups dedicated to Vocal creators. In the group Vocal Writers Sharing Community, there are many games and contests that help feature creators and increase reads for those who participate. (If you haven't already joined this group, you can find it here). One of the challenges posed in this particular group is called "Not My Shoes Interviews". We were randomly assigned partners to interview. One problem-I have never done an interview. So I approached it a little differently. My interview partner and I didn't have a laundry list of questions for each other; we just had conversations. That is how I get to know people. And I love getting to know people.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Interview
A Collaborative Halloween Playlist on Spotify
This year for Halloween, my teenage daughter and I are planning a Halloween party with our circle of people. (All vaccinated). The guests are all family and close friends. Aunts, Uncles, siblings, grandkids, teenagers, young adults, gen-Xers, and baby boomers. A multigenerational melting pot, or should I say, cauldron. We have the best time when we are together, and this party will be no exception.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Beat
Vocal Inspired
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” – Winston Churchill Three months ago, my life was different. I felt like my primary purpose or objective was to manage my bipolar disorder and the physical symptoms of my brain disorder. I kept my house clean on the days I could get off the couch. If I felt like painting wooden signs, I did. If I wanted to work on furniture pieces that I have yet to finish, that is what I would do. If I felt like writing or had something to say, I would write, only it wouldn’t go anywhere. I was not content with any facet of my life—even my marriage. I was miserable most of the time. I was in a funk of my own doing.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Motivation
I Hate Housework
I don’t work outside of the home. After brain surgery for a Chiari Malformation and with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, I was taken out of work. It has been five years now, and while I still struggle with the physical symptoms and am not able to do the thing I used to, I have settled somewhat. I have accepted that where I am at is as good as it gets. I will not get better. Because of the surgery, though, I will not get worse. The bipolar disorder will never go away, but it can be managed. I have a fantastic mental health team, and an excellent support system made up of friends and family. It doesn’t escape me how blessed I am to have both of those things.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Humans
The Ghost of Christmas Dysfunction
Before we get to the story, let me tell you who I am. No one talks about me on their Christmas cards or in their “Christmas edition” family newsletters, which by the way, is just to show everyone they are keeping up with the Jones’s. No group of carolers will be singing my name or singing about me. There are no tv specials or movies about me. Everyone likes to pretend I don’t exist, but oh, I do. All the drama, chaos, and general holiday fuckery you experience during your holidays? Yup. That’s me. I’m the Ghost of Christmas Dysfunction.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Fiction
Darkness
I feel its darkness lurking. I know it is there, so I expect it. Even so, I am never prepared for it. It's black, twisted vines reaching out like tentacles from some ancient sea beast. The vines ensnare me, grappling my legs and wrists the whole time, pulling me ever closer to the darkness. Suffocating, all-enveloping darkness. A place where my mind is no longer my own.
By J. Delaney-Howe3 years ago in Poets