Go From Me ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~ read by Juliet Stevenson

To celebrate the birthday of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Poetry lectures and workshops opportunity

I've booked myself a place on to Is there a doctor in the house: The Poetry School's PhD Festival. The day consists of mini lectures and micro workshops and it takes place on Saturday 15th March. See the link for times, cost and venue. If you see me come and say hello!

Serious? Well, on a good day!

Some reading time

How seriously do I take myself as a writer? Kind of depends on the day or the week. I have very good periods when my seriousness involves a lot of writing, editing, submitting, reading and looking for opportunities. There are other times when I don't feel good about my writing when I let things slide for a few weeks. I go off and do other things, then feel guilty that I am not putting in the effort or hours.

When I get a positive response, an acceptance or encouragement in some way I throw myself into things. When rejections come, I have to go away, lick my wounds and wonder whether it's all worth it, if I am kidding myself. At those times I try to look at what I have achieved, if there is progress and try to push down those niggling thoughts that I may be as far as I am every going to get. It's hard.

I also know I can be lazy, get waylaid by other things. Sometimes I use them as excuses why I 'm not writing. Do you ever feel like that? Often I have to push myself  and sometimes I just don't want to and I stand back. It's a roller coaster!

I recently had one of those down times when a small batch of poems were returned. I just shoved them aside and left everything until I was ready to reassess the situation. Now I am working my way back. I've looked at the poems again and one of them I have re-edited and will be submitting along with another poem shortly. I'm also thinking about 'what next' but don't want to commit myself to more courses right now. I might think about a workshop or two but I really need some space.

One little thing I thought I'd pass on to you all is The Poetry Society Campus which you can sign up to for free (it's a bit like a social media site but much more). You can take a quick look before signing up and here is link to a book list to help in the technicalities of writing poetry. News of The Poetry Society courses are usually here too. So if poetry is your thing it is really worth getting involved whether you are a beginner or a published poet.

Distractions...or what stops me writing!

We all have them, those distractions, excuses etc., that stop us from writing. My problem is that I indulge in too many things, over commit myself and begin then to wear down.

If anyone who reads this also reads my other blog you will know that I am attending several courses both online and at a London College which have nothing to do with writing at all. Then there are my regular classes, sport on a Friday (I'll be off shortly!) and singing in Euphonix Community Choir on Wednesdays.. Occasionally these things clash, say when a concert comes up on a Friday. This is happening in two weeks time and though I will really miss playing my sport, my music comes first.

If I had to list my main interests in life - those I couldn't live without - it would be music, writing, reading (but there are so many offshoots from these!) I guess I could live without playing sport, but I've played some sport practically all my life and when I had to give up for a while through injury it was a awful. I've been back playing for about two years now and hope to go on well into my senior years.

But back to writing. I have actually put a great deal of work 'out there' this month and I am beginning to edit my story. Yet I know I have over committed myself with all these other courses and I am really looking forward to half term when only choir will meet. I guess having an inquiring mind is good for a writer. Certainly some of my other interests have produced a piece of writing, or given me ideas for writing but I find a new interest exciting and these then send out little threads to possible new fields of study, either within an interest category or a completely new one. (I forgot to mention my interest in art history - all those galleries and exhibitions to see.....it never ends!).

I've always had these interests but since the early 2000's these interests have taken off, by which I mean I want to study them. Blame the Open University....that was the start of it all! My writing has also always been there but again I began taking it more seriously around the same time, so now all my interests are competing! However, I'd say that writing was the very first interest I had as a teenager.....ooo actually music was there too. I was writing lyrics at a young age!  Oh heck, when I think about it sport was the only thing I enjoyed at school. I was good at running and netball.  You see? However, I am a late developer. Having left school at fifteen I am now finding a passion for learning.

I feel I am rambling now! At the moment I have an idea for a series of poems, perhaps to work towards a pamphlet. Despite all these other distractions I am finding some time to write. Of course I haven't even started on the everyday distractions of housework and the aimless doing nothing while trying to work out what to do! Also at the moment I am running a short Bible study group for our Mothers' Union branch which means a period of preparation for me and hosting the small group one evening a week. My diary is pretty packed up until almost Easter but I bet I'll be fitting something else in if I can, even when I say I won't!

One thing is for sure, my life is never dull and everything I learn can be used somewhere in the lines of a poem or story. I'm going now......yes really......I have badminton and short tennis courts waiting for me and as I'm going to have to miss a few weeks I want to make the most of it!

Free writing course

Free offers don't come often but the OU is offering a free Start Writing Fiction course online from 28th April for eight weeks with around three hours study per week.  They describe the course as hands-on, helping you to get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of cresting characters. The course can be found at Future Learn. I am sure the tuition will be first class as all courses with the OU are. They say there will be a chance to feed back on others work and you will receive the same in return. Do tell me if you sign up!

Prize night celebration in Kingston

A quick snatched photo after the readings

Tuesday 21st January was the poetry prize giving evening at Kingston Library. In an earlier post I spoke of my elation at being runner-up. This was the night I would have the chance to read my poem and receive my prize of £30 worth of book vouchers.

I was delighted that a few of my friends were able to come along and support me and was also surprised to see two members of the former Malden Arts Association there (something I also belonged to). They had no idea I would be there!

Nibbles and drinks were laid on both before and after the event. It was a small group, possibly around 20 or so and all the finalist were present. Before we read there was a short introduction and the local poet and competition judge Alison Hill read from her forthcoming collection, as did another poet, whose name I have sadly forgotten in the nerves running up to it all!  But later she asked to see my poem and said how much she liked it.

The theme for the competition was water and there was a prize for the best poem set in a Kingston location which was read before the third place poem and then I got up to read.  I'd practiced at home but there was no microphone so I had to be aware of that.  The reading went well and everyone clapped. I'd been running on adrenalin up until then after which I felt rather shaky and wasn't giving the winner's poem the attention it deserved. I've just read it online - wow!

After the readings and prizes individual photos were taken, then several group shots. We were then asked for quotes. All this was due to go onto the website.  It's been coming in dribs and drabs and I'm still not sure the photos are coming!  The link to the website is here and gives the names of all prize winners along with their poems as well as other information relating to Alison Hill and Rhythm & Muse, which I have been to once.

I am very proud of this achievement and I learned a lot about networking, how to read and that I could do it again!  My hubby videoed it but missed the first four lines as he was trying to take a quick shot with my camera (unsuccessfully) but my techie son has an idea to 'rescue' it. The video also helps me look at the way I perform. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this and one thing I noticed is that my head is down more than I'd have wanted. But you learn from these things and I did remember to look up occasionally (I had a mental check list of stuff!). I had a chance to chat to Alison whose first collection I have read and speak to the other poets. Looking at the photos my hubby took I don't look very relaxed! But as I said the adrenaline had warn off.

It was a lovely evening and the next day I sat down and wrote another poem! These kind of highs spur me on, give me encouragement, inspiration and drive to carry on.  It's was wonderful to share this moment with my friends and I appreciate very much their support. I'm very pleased to be able to share this with you, my readers. This is another step (I hope) on the long ladder!

Deadlines will be the death of me!

I have just ordered the Mslexia Writer's Diary. Yesterday I realised that I need to keep better records of work. I do have a notebook where I write what I have sent out, the date it went and to whom and sometimes I write when the winners will be informed (if it's for a comp). I also record rejections and acceptances but it's those deadlines for up-and-coming submissions that get me.  I read them and mentally record them which means I either check back too late and the deadline has passed or I find I have a day or two left and then panic to find something suitable!

Yesterday afternoon I dug out the OU Poets stuff to get my votes in for the Anthology and saw that I actually had until nearly the end of February to do it....BUT the deadline for poetry for the next workbook was 6th January!  So began a hectic search through my files.  I can submit up to three poems but this time I submitted two along with my comments on the last editions poetry.  Thank heavens for email!  Good girl that I am I then sorted out my votes and sent those out and renewed my subscription.

Some years ago my hubby bought me the Mslexia Diary and I loved it so I know I shall enjoy this years one when it arrives as it brims over with information, resources and contacts as well as space to record all those submissions and deadlines.  Maybe I will finally get my writing life a little more organised!

I've put a new list of competitions up here on the side with deadlines!  The list covers poetry, short stories, flash fiction and pamphlets.  Good luck.