I asked the writephoto challenge regulars if they would like to come over and introduce themselves. Today we meet Dorinda Duclos from Night Owl Poetry.
Without those of you who write and read the pieces inspired by the weekly photos, the writephoto prompt would not exist. So, if you follow or take part in the weekly challenge, why come over and introduce yourself too?
Being a regular does not mean taking part every week… so why not drop me a line?
Thank you for having us, Sue! I am thoroughly enjoying finding out about my fellow writers, bloggers and all around talented people. I don’t know where to start, so I guess the beginning would be good.
I was born many moons ago in New Jersey, spent my younger years in Brooklyn, NY, before moving back to NJ, where I still reside. I am an only child (as Mom wasn’t able to have more) who grew up surrounded by my aunt and nana, and many cousins. In school, I was an art major, mostly acrylics and pastels, but gave it up shortly after one of my HS teachers told me I wasn’t good enough. Biggest mistake I ever made. I went on to a career as a pharmacy technician, later working for a computer company who installed the pharmacy systems (I’m a tech geek), and finally, coming back to my artistic roots, working in the wedding favors industry for 15 years. Still my love for writing never left me and so, here I am, again, back where I really belong.
The wedding industry is where I met a very dear friend, who passed away in 2015, who told me I should be writing because I was good at it. I started my blog with political posts, which I no longer do, and eventually took the chance and shared some of my poetry. It took off from there. And so, Night Owl Poetry was born. Night, because it’s when I write, Owl for my husband’s love of them, and Poetry, well, you know.
A little about my poetry, if you will indulge me. If I could pen only dark poetry, I probably wouldn’t hesitate, but honestly, I am not all about the dark. I believe there is light in everything we see, feel, and touch. I am fascinated by shadows because it means there is light nearby. Still, I am a night owl, and as such, I blossom in the darkness of the night, along with my friend, the moon. We get along famously!
I’d like to touch on something that affected me 12 years ago. I was stricken with Transverse Myelitis. This is an inflammation of the spinal cord that affects the central nervous system. It attacked my cervical spine, and left me partially disabled. I have no feeling from my elbow down and minimal use of my left hand (which makes typing a bit of a challenge), among other things. My family likes to tease me because my pinkie finger has a mind of its own. Apparently, it is always drinking tea with the Queen. I’m providing a link that gives more information, should anyone like to find out more about this. The link is www.myelitis.org.
OK, enough of sad, on to happy. I am happily married to my best friend, my rock. We just celebrated 33 of marriage, but have known each other 40 years. I have two beautiful children. Most of you know my Alyssa, and my Jonathan did a few of the covers for my books. I am an extremely proud mama!! I live among the wildlife here, the deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels and birds, and oh yes, the ground hogs. They inspire me and I occasionally break out my camera (insert sarcasm) to take pictures. It’s a hobby I enjoy a great deal. Most of all, it gets me out of the house!
I currently have 13 poetry books available on Amazon and I am in the editing stages of a short story book, based off of Sue’s #writephoto prompts. I have extended the stories beyond the original. That’s it about me. I hope you found out something you didn’t know before. Again, thank you, Sue, for allowing me to ramble on.
Find and follow Dorinda
Night Owl Poetry Blog Facebook Twitter Amazon Author Page
instagram – @dorindaduclos or @thenightowlpoet
Wonderful to meet you, Dorinda! Look at all those books! Inspiring ❤
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Thank you, Alethea! I guess I have a lot to say. lol. By the way, I love your name!
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Thank you, I rather like it too. 🙂
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Thank you, again, so very much, Sue. This was a lot of fun! ❤️
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I am so glad you came over, Dorinda 🙂 Thank you!
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❤
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How lovely to see Dorinda here, Sue. I didn’t realise she had so many poetry books. I have just bought the first one.
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Oh my, thank you so much, Robbie!! ❤
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Great to get an insight into your life Dorinda. Poetry and photography make a wonderful partnership. 😊
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Thanks so much, Jan! I found photography opens my imagination. I love it.
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Photography does open the imagination Dorinda, it captures moments in time that are quite startling sometimes.
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Yes, I completely agree with you. I have captured things I was unaware of until I transferred the photos. Most of history might not be without photographs.
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You could say it’s painting/sketching with an electronic brush/pencil.
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I like that 😊
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That is an impressive library, Dorinda! Nice getting to know the author. 😊
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Thank you very much, Johnny! 🙂
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Thanks so much Sue for sharing this great post on Dorinda!!
xoxoxo
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My pleasure to do so 🙂
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Thank you very much for reading, Chuck! 🙂
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I’m the one that is always thankful for your sharing!
xoxoxo
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❤️
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Hi Dorinda!!!
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Hi Ritu!! 🙂
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Hi Dorinda it is really so great to meet you. You sound like an amazing person.
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Aw, thanks so much, Willow. That’s very nice of you to say! ❤
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It’s true, 💜
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I always have to see what D is up to, lol! And wow, i tried your link on that but it didnt go so just letting you know http://www.transversemyelitis.org maybe its the library system who knows, thanks for sharing your life as well as your writing!
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Thanks for alerting me. Your link doesn’t seem to work either, for some reason, but I have amended it to one that should.
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Ok thanku
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So sorry!! It should be http://www.myelitis.org
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I also noticed a couple of words I missed in my write up LOL
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I’ve got it, Dorinda ( and anything you wish to change I am happy to alter, if you let me know 🙂 )
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You’re the best, Sue!
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Hi, Dorinda, nice to meet another night owl 🙂 My creative brain doesn’t wake up until after nine, lol. Are you a lefty? I noticed you mentioned the numbness in your left hand. I’ve heard of an audible writing program called Dragon, I believe? It might help.
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My son, whose mobility is seriously impaired, uses Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It takes a bit of getting used to, and doesn’t come cheap, but it is very good.
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That’s what I’ve heard 🙂
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Hi Jacquie! I am a righty, but you don’t realize how much you depend on your non-dominate hand until it doesn’t work properly. I have the Dragon software, and I’ve used it to write other things. The problem with using it for my poetry is I am quick to type but not too quick to speak, if that makes sense. I prefer the keyboard to my voice.
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Yeah, I get that. I have enough trouble holding a conversation never mind speaking a book! Best of luck to you.
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Thank you very much! And thank you for following my blog ❤
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It’s lovely to learn more about Dorinda! I’m impressed by the number of books you’ve written, Dorinda. Congratulations on your anniversary! Thanks for hosting, Sue! 😀 xo
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Thank you for reading, Vashti! I had a great mentor, Paul Lenzi, may he RIP, who helped me publish my first. The rest is history. 🙂
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It was my pleasure, Dorinda. 🙂
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Paul is much missed.
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Yes, he truly is. Not only an amazing poet but an amazing human being. 💕
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Yes he was. ❤
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Dorinda, It is great to learn more about you! How little we know of each other and always fulfilling to understand how our paths have unfolded. Your Night Owl poety is lovely.
Best wishes for your new endeavors!
Jordis
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Thank you, Jordis! I love finding out about my fellow bloggers. It gives a better chance to understand where their writing is coming from. 🙂
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I have followed Dorinda for a few years and didn’t know much about her – other than her wonderful poetry. 13 books is amazing and I love how her life is filled with love, far overcoming the darkness. Happy Poeting, Dorinda, and thanks for sharing, Sue. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Diana! Yes, my life is definitely filled with love. I’m very blessed! 🙂
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