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Official Home of CJ Heck, Published Author and Barking Spiders Poetry |
Hi, I'm CJ. Welcome to my online home.
To quote Daniel Webster, "There is nothing so powerful as truth." There is also nothing
as powerful as the truth and gentle honesty of a child. Children have such an innocent view
of the world and their surroundings, sometimes with thought-provoking insight.
I love writing -- I write fiction, essays, memoirs, and poetry of all kinds, but my favorite
is, and always will be, poetry for children -- and for the child within us all. I love looking
at a child's truthful innocence and finding the humor and beauty and then putting it into a
poem, from their point of view.
Besides poetry, I'm happy to share five of my children's stories. While I try to never be
pushy, each story does have a subtle message, which I hope will help children to
understand the sometimes puzzling world they live in. There are also a lot of tongue
twisters, which I've always loved, and some silly poems for children to finish.
I offer my books to you on the book store page, autographed and with extras, like
bookmarks, stickers, and even a doorknob sign for a child's bedroom door. If you've
never heard of me, that's okay -- there's even a "Who the heck is CJ Heck" page!
For schools, there is information about my school visits; a contact page; excerpts from
each of my books on the book's dedicated page, and I've created a special page for my
long-time friend, Russell Daily, who is a gifted children's poet. I had the distinct
pleasure of co-writing some poems with Rusty and they're here, as well. There's also a
special page for my partner, Robert Cosmar, and he talks a about his first book. He also
has another book coming out soon.
So, readers and friends, pull up a chair, sit back and get comfy and have a look. I again
welcome you and thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy yourself and, just maybe, get
reacquainted with your own child within again. ~Hugs, CJ
"May you always see the world through the eyes of a child." ~CJ Heck |
Website Feedback:
"CJ, Thank you for your input. I read every thing from top to bottom. You have answered all of my
questions. I'm so tired of sending in my poems to see them blown away with rejection notices and then
watch the same publisher publish boring, pitiful works from others. I've gone about things allwrong.
Everyone who reads my poetry -- at fast food places, beauty shops, etc., can't wait to read more. They
beg me for more. The everyday people, the young teenagers and young adults are my nitch. Self-publishing
and developing more of a following is my key. Thank you for your energy, suggestions, and your publishing
clues. I'm sending my work to the wrong people! You opened my eyes to many things. Thank you. Your web
site really rocks. From a little old lady with potential ..." Carol Eastman
"Hi CJ,
I am so thrilled to visit your website. Thank you for all the valuable information. The poems are fantastic!
I will come back and read every word.
I have learned by trial and error. I love the writing and learn more about marketing every day. This has
been a slow process for me. However, I have met so many wonderful people along the way. I am
self-published and have had the pleasure of having input in the illustrations. The printer assigned the
(number) and I've learned on your website, that he is probably the publisher. I am amazed at the cost of
printing. WOW, this has been a learning experience. Any more suggestions about marketing will be
appreciated.
I am thankful to call you friend.
Hugs,
Billie Sue"
| "Barking Spiders 2" |
One Summer Morning
I woke up this morning to a snowstorm that must have begun last night, because there
are several inches already on the ground. It's pretty, but at my age, I've grown weary of
the cold and snow. Southern climates are starting to appeal to me more each year.
Anyway, as I was having my coffee, I thought about a hot summer day years ago...
It had been a long, hot, sticky summer. I was driving home from Walmart one morning
and already it was promising to be another sweltering day. A few blocks from home, I
saw a small homemade lemonade stand that was set up in the grass along the sidewalk.
It reminded me of how we used to make bookcases, back in the late 60's, to hold a
stereo system. It consisted of two cinder blocks piled one on top of the other at each
end, with a wide board laying across the top.
A large hand printed sign was taped to the front of the board and hanging down. It was
perfect for the little stand, printed in crooked capital letters with crayon -- even the
'N's" and "E's" in the word LEMONADE were printed backwards, which added to the
mystique. It was so adorable, I just couldn't resist. I parked my car and bought a glass
for fifteen cents and told them they could keep the change from my quarter.
Jacob, (8), and Sissy, (6), took their business very seriously. With loving teamwork,
Sissy held the plastic cup, while Jacob poured in the lemonade from the pitcher.
Playing my part as a satisfied customer, I drank ALL of my lemonade -- even though
there wasn't NEARLY enough sugar in it.
I couldn't stop thinking about the little lemonade stand and its entrepreneurs. There
was a poem in there, somewhere, and I eventually gave my imagination free reign.
Here it is, and there's a special little twist at the end.
The Lemonade Stand
(from the book, "Barking Spiders 2")
by CJ Heck
Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Hurry, 'fore it's gone.
We made it just this morning.
See the table that it's on?
We promise that you'll like it
and there's sugar in it, too --
not like it was the other day
when mom and dad said "Ewwwww."
Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Boy, grownups sure are funny --
they smile a lot at little kids
who are trying to make money.
Thank you, ma'am, and thank you, sir,
you've helped us out a bunch.
Sissy, let's go make some more.
It's almost time for lunch.
Get your ice cold glass of lemonade!
Only fifteen cents a glass!
We've got to make more money
and we've got to make it fast.
Daddy said it wouldn't work,
that people wouldn't stop.
They'd hurry right on past us
and then they'd laugh a lot.
One last glass of lemonade!
This was so much fun!
Let's get this table put away
and then we've got to run.
Sissy look ... it's snowing!
But that will be all right.
Now we have money for presents
and Santa Claus comes tonight.
Oh, and even thinking about that summer day, my cheeks still ache from the
lemon-sour pucker.
| For my grandsons, Will James and Matthew |
All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced in any form, by any means, other than brief quotations or printed reviews, without prior permission of the author. |
Note to Bookstores:
My books are available to you! Please
order through CreateSpace!
My books are available to you! Please
order through CreateSpace!
I got the cutest business
cards from Moo! You
might want to check them
out. They're smaller than
regular cards. Choose
from a lot of designs or
even design one yourself!