Author: dairsik

I am the mother of three and have been a hairdresser for thirty years and the Owner of Makin' Waves for twenty years. I am embarking on a new adventure by turning my lifetime love of reading and writing into publishing. I hope to share the process with others and learn from others as well.
Writing and Poetry

The hardest part of writing is self-promotion.

dairsik

So…the book is out and I have posted several times and shared the launch video. I have done a radio show and Instagram posts and I am doing a short book tour out west next week.

Telling others to buy your book and talking about yourself is hard. You have to put yourself out there and hope people don’t get tired of hearing about you and your book.

Every writer wants to be heard. We want you to love our words and feel a connection. The only way we know if that happens is if you tell us. The only way we can reach others is if you share your impressions, likes and dislikes on Amazon and Goodreads and social media. You do not have to purchase from Amazon to review there or on Goodreads.

So there it is. If you have purchased Sunshine in the Weeds, or have been gifted one, I would like your reviews! You are important to me and I want others to find my book.

Thanks for your support, and keep reading!

Deb

D. A. irsik: Author

Writing and Poetry

Sunshine in the Weeds

dairsik

Launched and on the road!

My author reading schedule will take me to SW Kansas, NW Kansas and NE Kansas!

July 10th-Jetmore City Library 4:30 PM

July 11th-Hays Public Library 9:00 AM

July 12th-Concordia Franklin Library 10:00 AM

August 1st-Cimarron City Library 5:30 PM

I would love to see anyone in the area and share a few poems and life lessons! Much of the poetry is about our beautiful state and our shared blessings.

All author-signed books will be discounted 10% at each of these events.

I look forward to visiting with you there!

Writing and Poetry

Book Signing

dairsik

Book Signing!

Middle Ground Books

606 Commercial – Emporia, Kansas

Friday, June 14th at 6:30 P.M.

After a short author reading there will be an open mic event.

Deb’s books will be available for sale after the book talk.

Author-signed copies purchased at this event will be 10% off.

Light appetizers will be provided by Gourmet to Go!

Writing and Poetry

Coming soon

dairsik

My Poetry book, Sunshine in the Weeds, will be officially launched on June 1st by Anamcara Press. I am proud to be a part of this family.

I want to share a few of the poems from each chapter in the coming weeks!

The first chapter is Memories and Reflection.

Grandma’s House

Memories stir as I drive by

Grandma’s buff-colored stucco house.

Most of my early years

unfolded between those walls.

Playing paper-dolls;

making Kleenex angels

endless hours watching

 my brother’s train go

round and round, changing tracks.

We tried to get it to hold our Barbies

as they traveled between imaginary towns.

We played dress up in the backyard,

had cook-outs and ran with cousins;

carving our names in the old oak tree,

Or swinging in the tire.

We tried to rescue baby birds,

begging Grandma for milk

 to put in doll bottles.

She nodded her head and let

us learn our lessons

of life and death.

We rode bikes and

rolled in the fall leaves that

smelled of dirt and sun.

We danced in the rain;

became pirates and princesses,

cowboys and Indians.

Such were the happy days of childhood.

Praise for Sunshine in the Weeds

Thank you, D.A. Irsik for sharing your sunshine. This deeply personal gift reflects the giver: thoughtful, generous, kind, motherly, beautiful in word and in fact. Your devotion to life and love glows in every word.

Jerilynn Jones Henrikson, is a retired English teacher who dreamed of being a writer, has produced eight books for kids, a humorous memoir, a YA novel, and a creative nonfiction novella based on her grandmother’s childhood.

Writing and Poetry

Snow Day

dairsik

I want to share a poem from “Sunshine in the Weeds,” due out in March! Watch for pre-order updates.

Winter Clouds

Barren boney-fingered trees

Reach to the heavens

Searching for

Life in winter clouds

Brooding dark filtering light

Holding back the warmth of the sun,

Teasing

With glorious sunrises

Sunsets that dazzle

Waiting for the melting

Season

Heavy with snow or icy rain

Turning the boney fingers

Into a crystal wonderland

Sometimes

Dumping random mounds

Of white, Cossack hats

Accents to counter

Starkness

Winter clouds the canopy

In nature’s rhythm

A time to gather strength

Storing nourishment preparing

Sun

Breaks through the gray quilt

And warms the earth

A peek at the fluff of white

Soon

Light will come with

The thunderheads of

Spring

And

Summer skies

Writing and Poetry

SUNSHINE IN THE WEEDS

dairsik

A lyrical odyssey into the human heart, where love, faith, and nature intertwine. Deb Irsik’s debut poetry evokes emotions and takes you on a journey from shadows to sunshine. Explore the bonds of family, the healing power of nature, and discover the divine in the smallest moments of life.

This is a short description of my poetry collection, Sunshine in the Weeds. I am honored that those who have read my manuscript have such beautiful words to describe it.

Since we have had a good amount of snow and winter weather will share a winter poem that appears in the collection.

Winter Clouds

Barren boney-fingered trees

Reach to the heavens

Searching for

Life in winter clouds

Brooding dark filtering light

Holding back the warmth of the sun,

Teasing

With glorious sunrises

Sunsets that dazzle

Waiting for the melting

Season

Heavy with snow or icy rain

Turning the boney fingers

Into a crystal wonderland

Sometimes

Dumping random mounds

Of white, Cossack hats

Accents to counter

Starkness

Winter clouds the canopy

In nature’s rhythm

A time to gather strength

Storing nourishment preparing

Sun

Breaks through the gray quilt

And warms the earth

A peek at the fluff of white

Soon

Light will come with

The thunderheads of

Spring

And

Summer skies

Writing and Poetry

News

dairsik

I am writing today to say wow! Who knew retirement could be so busy. I have been to Italy, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, Missouri, Iowa. and Minnesota in a matter of 3 months. I have had my poetry manuscript professionally edited, once for grammar and once for the works. My projected launch date is March 8th, 2024.

My writing endeavors continue to grow and diversify. I found that I enjoy writing haikus because they are generally about nature and I love discovering hidden gems in our world.

Today will I share the haikus I wrote during a great retreat with my Kansas Author’s Club family and an ABC Halloween Poem.

(Nature’s Dance)

Man, striding briskly.

No time for frivolity.

Missing nature’s dance.

(Iris)

Luscious purple blooms,

Shimmering droplets of dew,

Reflecting the sky.

(Solitary Mann)

Solitary Man,

Walking, hands shoved in pockets,

Drinking morning brew.

(Water)

Water rippling swift

Soon to mate with white foam sea

Man, and wind full sail

(Leaves)

Green leaves shimmering,

Stirred by the soft morning breeze,

Soon umber and orange.

Halloween ABC’s

Abundance of pumpkins

Black cats and more

Creatures of the dark

Dracula and dragons

Emerge from imaginations

Finding footing in reality

Gargoyles and giants

Horrors and hounds

Inky black-eyed ghouls

Jumping out to frighten

Kids parading from house to house

Little ones as

Mermaids and Merlin’s

Night noises surround them

Opening their bags of loot

Princesses and Pirates

Quarry, “Trick or Treat?”

Reaching into the sugary bounty

Searching for favored treats

Tomorrow will bring bellyaches

Upset mothers will groan,

Vow to limit

What they eat and where they go

X-rays assure they will survive

Zombies’ will come next year

Writing and Poetry

Something to say

dairsik

Well, it’s been a while since I posted but I have been busy. My writing journey has morphed into more than poetry and fiction. I have written several short non-fiction stories for consideration in Kansas publications and also a few fiction. I am exploring these genres and enjoying stretching my writing muscles.

My poetry book has been accepted for publication with Anamcara Press and we will begin serious work on getting it published this year. I am also exploring the historical fiction genre for a novel. There is so much rich history and including it in our books is a challenge to educate readers about our past.

Stay tuned for more on the curious tale of Amy Vine and her inheritance. Amy was displaced during the attempt by the British to protect children during the war and she ends up in a convent. Amy knows her first name and was found on Vine Street. Her story will unfold and she will find her place.