A garden and a library

Cicero is attributed as having said, "If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need". 

This afternoon our writing group was treated to a tour of Kilmacrew House and garden in Co. Down, where local writer Helen Waddell once lived. Lovingly restored by her family, we saw artefacts and curios from her life, heard about her literary connections and saw the comprensive curation of her works, along with those of her extended literary family.

After enjoying coffee outside we had a guided tour of the garden. We were lucky to see the tail end of the many azalea and rhodedenron blooms as well as the spectacular candelbra primulas.

With a soundtrack of birdsong and buzzing bees, we left this truly idyllic place, our heads full of books, art and flowers, energised and inspired.

I can't imagine what else anyone could need in this beautiful place.

In the footsteps of writers

While I took a break from writing on holiday, I found myself inadvertently following in the footsteps of writers as we enjoyed a break from the routine. Glorious Lake Garda has many literary associations including Virgil, Byron and Tennyson. DH Lawrence was apparently inspired by beautiful Gargano and Limone writing his collection 'Twilight in Italy'.

Arriving in Sirmione by ferry, we were greeted by a statue commemorating the Roman poet Catallus who wrote much of his work in his villa in the town.

As we made our way round the town considered to be one of the prettiest on the lake's shores, we stumbled upon a garden commemorating Italian Noble laureate Grazia Deledda.

Now, back home with piles of ironing to attend to and deadlines looming I'm ready to get back to writing.

Drama Critiques

It's been a great run of theatre trips over the last few weeks in a range of theatres with both amateur and professional productions.

At the recent Ulster Drama Festival finals at Ballyearl Theatre we heard the adjudicator's constructive and generous comments which were very insightful into all aspects of what makes a successful production.

The two performances we saw were 'Steel Magnolias' and 'Bouncers'. While both were very different, it was easy to forget these were amateur productions, such was the high standard. It was great to hear that 'Bouncers' took the title of best play during the festival.

At Belfast's Grand Opera House we saw Agatha Christie's 'Death on the Nile', a production touring the UK and Ireland.

During the interval I overheard someone in the row behind us critising the acting and the use of the stage - a would-be drama festival adjudicator perhaps! They seemed to be unjustifiably negative and were also very critical of the captions for the hard of hearing! I felt sorry for how miserable they must be feeling to be so negative of such a spectacular production with superb acting, authentic set and fabulous costumes.

On a smaller stage at The Santuary Theatre we saw 'A Bomber's Moon' and 'The Hop on Hop off Bus'. Both plays are set in Belfast, though very different again. While the stage and cast may have been smaller in these productions, the acting was excellent. Thankfully no one was sitting behind us critising these productions and spoiling our enjoyment as they were a very welcome escape from other dramas going on in my life! 

Breaks from Routine

It was good to meet up with fellow writers yesterday and exercise my writing muscles again after a short break. Fuelled by coffee and apple and cinnamon muffins, we caught up on news and did some spring themed writing. It was amazing what we all developed from the same prompt.

After a few lovely days away in Scotland it was good to get back into a routine again. While there was little opportunity to write while I was away, I did manage a few museum visits - including seeing the last letter Mary Queen of Scots wrote (currently on display in Perth museum) as well as making time for a return visit to one of the palaces she lived in at Falkland. 

It was also great to have time for some reading - I enjoyed Tracy Chevalier's 'The Glass Maker' over the Easter break and I got the chance to dip into a lovely anthology which includes a short story I wrote. 'Spring at Bluebell Wood' is in 'Tiptoe Through the Tulips with Me'.

Now to get back to writing - with some new projects on the horizon, it's going to be an exciting few months ahead.

All Booked Up

I'm still buzzing from being at the recent Children's Literature Conference at the Seamus Heaney centre in Belfast. It was great to hear so many speakers and panels talking about a range of issues impacting being creative and also sharing their very varied experience. 

Events like these are great for making connections and re-connecting with other creatives and professionals in the children's literature world. It was great to be there to support and encourage local creators, catch up with writing pals and meet others I'd previously connected with online in person at last.

It was a packed programme, but I managed to squeeze in a very quick tour of Oliver Jeffers' exhibition at the Naughton Gallery at Queen's.

It's amazing to reflect how the local kidlit community is thriving, spurred on by the success of so many local creators producing work of such a high quality. Below are just some books from my collection of signed copies of books for children and young people created by local writers and illustrators. 

What's most encouraging is that this pile keeps growing as more and more local writers and illustrators for children are getting their books published. This can only be good for young readers and writers from here.

Re-energising Writing

There's no doubt the appearance of the sun these last few days has put everyone in better form.  Longer, brighter days bring a new creative energy I'm trying to harness - torn between enjoying working in the garden and writing.

There's been so many local writing events on lately, that I've had diary clashes and been unable to attend everything I'd like to. Yesterday was a case in point when the launch of a new local picture book publisher coincided with our writing group meet up.

I would have loved to have gone to the launch event, but I'm glad I made the decision to stick with my original plans and attend our writing group meeting. Sunshine on a sparkling sea, coupled with a fresh breeze helped blow away any remaining winter cobwebs.

Over coffee and chocanana muffins we caught up on news and exercised our writing muscles. A good writing workout ensued, stretching those muscles and keeping them in good shape. Now to keep going....

Literary City

This weekend I've taken part in a couple of great events in the Look North festival. Yesterday morning I participated in a fantastic short story workshop led by local writer Jan Carson. There were lots of new tips as well as some fun writing exercises.

This afternoon saw the launch of Issue 5 from New Isles Press. I was thrilled to pick up a copy of this anthology at the launch event and read one of my poems in UlsterScots included in it at the event. 

As well as readers showcasing a wide variety of work, there was also a good panel discussion.

Earlier in the week I'd called into the Linenhall library in the final days of their Fragments of Scotch Poetry Exhibition. It was good to read all the poems from this Poetry Jukebox curation, including my poem, 'Ballooning' now displayed before tge exhibition finished.

After a weekend of literary indulgences in our wee city, the sign I noticed in the car park today seemed very fitting.