Saturday, March 30, 2013

Easter Treats

I have a writing/reading den at the top of our garden!!!

I am so excited and also frustrated - it needs to be warmer so I can stay out there longer. It is a lovely space with the sound of birds and flowing water. Traffic noise not off putting as not that close.

I am hoping this will help me get a few projects off the ground. Having found I write best on trains I am hoping this will be a similar space and as productive.

I am so grateful to my lovely husband for all his hard work - it looks lovely and I have to be more graceful in accepting gifts like this. I didn't think I was worth the bother but I am hoping it is a healing space as well as creative.


Friday, March 29, 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Moody March


Been away too long from here...

I was just beginning to feel energised and hopeful when the snow and cold returned.

I think I should only have one blog and forget about being 2 different people out in blog land. I cannot separate my professional and personal identities - they overlap too much.

I went to a literary event yesterday in Hexham - Kate Atkinson  reading from her new book. It was so inspiring and so many ideas around writing and life in general. I really enjoyed it.

Went to meet Annie Barr  to discuss "what next" regarding the training and support of health care assistants. Again really inspiring and I hope much will spring forth from our energetic musings!!

Spent last Sunday print making with Theresa Easton and think this was the start of my recovery. Don't seem to be so low and feel that the book lurking inside me might be getting nearer the surface and that my poetry ideas not as bonkers as I think!!

I have been on twitter and have found this nourishing - connecting with folk and sharing ideas and concerns in 140 characters - appeals to be the immediacy of it all.
Learning a lot and want to share

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Writing from the Edgelands: Book to buy!!

Writing from the Edgelands: Book to buy!!: My friend Kate Evans' book has been published. I believe it will help many!! Will be recommending it to anyoe who passes in Academia and...

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Moodling + paying attention

Moodle is a term I came across in Brenda Ueland's book - If you want to write. In it she says "So you see the imagination needs happy idling, dawdling and puttering" (p. 32). I love this idea and provides a holding space  to let thoughts wander. I have been preparing a writing workshop today - I have also made these two folded books as I moodled!! I have just realised that if you stop rushing about you notice more, increase your ability to concentrate and take it in, absorb it, embody it. Placing this together has taught me a lot - reflexivity in action


Mapping Poetry Making (1)


 
Losing (2)


Notes
(1) Based on words from Don Paterson found at http://www.thresholds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Advice-to-young-poets-visiting-museums.pdf

(2) Excerpts from One Art by Elizabeth Bishop found at http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/176996 read by Cameron Diaz in the film "In her shoes".