Welcome
Well met, dear reader!
This blog is my place to explore a wide spectrum of topics – from the experiences of travel, work, and socializing to the larger concerns of a more-than-human society. I devote many words to my passions: music, nature, and poetry. And from my perspective as a disabled woman, I strive to forward proposals for peaceful and empathetic integration: practical solutions for daily irritations and challenges to common ways of considering and representing disabled people in the twenty-first century.
Here, I borrow Milton’s words and “consider how my light is spent.” I reflect on my abilities, perception, and experience – and find ways to direct that light outward, to nurture a spirit of genuineness, civility, and empathy.
I write about my disability because I value that experience. As a writer, I draw from my life because it is mine. I write about disability because there aren’t enough voices talking about disability in a way that encourages people to acknowledge our equal share in humanity. My perspective is not valuable because I’m blind—and therefore unequivocally different from you, the nondisabled or non-blind reader. My experience is valuable because it is a different perspective among people who are equally different. The norm is a myth.
Why do I write as Modwyn? Click here.
I hope you enjoy what you find in this civil space.
I welcome your suggestions for future topics in the comments below.
About the Writer: Emily K. Michael (Modwyn)
I am a blind poet, musician, and writing instructor living in Jacksonville, FL. I design grammar and style workshops for multilingual learners and developing writers. I love to crochet, cook, sing, and read. My latest project is learning to bird by ear.
Find me on Academia.edu, Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, Poets & Writers, and Twitter.
Bibliography
Creative Nonfiction
- “Sounding Out Poetry.” AWP Writer’s Notebook, 2017.
- “Shades of Shame.” Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disability. Temple UP, 2017, pp. 151-156.
- “Working Resonance: Concerto for Guide Dog, Handler, and World.” The Hopper. 29 May 2016.
- “Border Talk.” Mosaics: A Collection of Independent Women (Vol. 2), edited by Jessica West. DayDreams Dandelion Press, 2016, pp. 183-190.
- “Stylish Negotiations.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 10, no. 1, 2016.
- “Designing the Parachorus.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 9, no. 2, 2015.
- “Quartet Beyond Measure.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature vol. 9, no. 2, 2015.
- “Barbershop singing: A true test of vocal prowess, with or without straw hats.” Classical MPR. 18 Feb 2015.
- “Voices in Error: Counting against Competence.” Disability Rhetoric. 18 Dec 2014.
- “Introducing my guide dog to the world of classical music.” Classical MPR. 14 Oct 2014.
- “Sight and Singing.” Breath & Shadow: A Journal of Disability Culture and Literature, vol.11, no. 4, 2014.
- “Review: Courtney Lewis leads the Jacksonville Symphony in a rousing Symphonie Fantastique.” Classical MPR. 30 Sept 2014.
- “Expecting the Invisible.” I Am Subject Stories: Women Awakening, edited by Diane Z. DeBella, Wild Ginger Press, 2014, pp. 117-122.
- “Therapeutic music: Edith Moore-Hubert on the healing properties of classical music.” Classical MPR. 3 Sept 2014.
- “Lightspending.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 8, no. 3, 2014.
- “Dialogue on Blindness and Writing.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 8, no. 3, 2014.
- “The Tutor’s Voice: Exploring the Magic of Writing Tutors.” NCLCA Summer Newsletter, 2014.
- “Answering Blindness: A Poet Makes Amends.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 8, no. 2, 2014.
- “Surprising summer reads for classical music lovers.” Classical MPR. 27 May 2014.
- “What is opera like for a listener – and singer – with limited vision?” Classical MPR. 5 Mar 2014.
- “Surprised by Disability.” Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics, vol. 3, no. 3, Johns Hopkins University, 2013, pp. 207-210.
- “In the Care of a Chorus.” The Pitch Pipe, 2012.
Poetry
- “4PM.” Saw Palm: Florida Art & Literature, no. 11, 2017.
- “Small Hours.” Nine Mile Magazine, Fall 2016.
- “Inside Jokes.” The Fem. 22 Aug 2016.
- “Kiwano.” The Hopper. 19 Aug 2016.
- “Trading Threes.” The Deaf Poets Society, vol. 1, no. 1, 2016.
- “A Phenomenology of Blindness.” Rogue Agent 16 (2016).
- “Crushed.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 10, no. 2, 2016.
- 2 poems: “Wordbomb” and “Old Music.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 9, no. 4, 2015.
- “Green time.” Bridge Eight, vol. 1, no. 1, 2014, p. 63.
- 2 Poems: “Comparing apples” and “Travel.” Compose: A Journal of Simply Good Writing., vol. 2, no. 2, 2014.
- “Cello.” Artemis Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, 2014, p. 19.
- 2 Poems: “Transcription” and “Conversation with the Adjacent Friend.” Wordgathering: A Journal of Disability Poetry and Literature, vol. 7, no. 1, 2013.
Permissions
Unless otherwise specified, all posts on this blog have been composed by me. If you would like to republish or reprint essays that you find on this blog, please consult with me first. In the past, my blog posts have been reprinted without my knowledge in other publications. While I was correctly listed as the author, these editors did not ask my permission or notify me in any way before republishing my work.
If you’d like to contact me privately, use the form below.
Diane Croft
/ June 16, 2014I have been writing for over 30 years but only dream of writing like you do. I’m mesmerized by your choice of words – they spring to life as I make contact with them, as if in a dream state. Your language is alive. You have a gift.
Modwyn
/ June 16, 2014Thank you, Diane, for such kind words. I appreciate you stopping by, and I hope you continue to enjoy the blog!
pattibrehler
/ July 6, 2014I’m not sure how I stumbled on your blog but I am glad I found you. I’m loving your stories of Guide Dog training – I am a volunteer puppy-raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind. I am also a writer and my current blog documents the Leader Dog prison puppy raising program in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Thank you for sharing your stories!
Modwyn
/ July 6, 2014Thanks so much for reading, Patti! And thank you for being a puppy raiser! I can’t wait to meet my dog’s puppy raisers in a few days.
pattibrehler
/ July 6, 2014Oh, that is so great that you can meet them! I remember the days when everything was kept secret. I think completing the circle benefits everyone. Enjoy and I look forward to reading more of your adventures with York!
somethingtomakeyousmileblog
/ November 25, 2016Hi there Professor Michael,
Your interview on Eyes On Success was moving. I am awe struck by all your endeavors to convince the public of the need to be aware of the stereotypes we face. Good for you.
My name is Joe Kovach. Two years ago I set a new life goal to make people laugh. The vehicle I have chosen to accomplish this task is writing. I write very short funny stories. I have a sampling of them on my blog site which is still under construction, but getting there. I was hoping you might be willing to check them out, and offer me some advice.
I am new to the world of professional writing. I only know I enjoy writing them, and I hope I might bring a smile to someone’s face. My secondary goal is to generate some needed income.
Thank you for your time.
My blog site is somethingtomakeyousmileblog.wordpress.com
Oh, I also have to add that in the spring I hope to have another blog site up and running for sightless birders.