The last couple of weeks have been strange with a real mix of emotions being experienced at various points - highs and lows.
Nearly a fortnight ago we heard very sad news that one of our very dear friends in our writing group, had passed away suddenly. We're all still reeling from this news. During the last week we gathered at one of his happy places to remember him.
We went along to the Black Box where he had regularly been a Tenx9 contributor and remembered him and also supported one of our group in her first Tenx9 story. A very special night.
I've just returned from a blissful few days at The River Mill writing retreat where I've enjoyed good company, the best of food and had time to write.
https://www.the-river-mill.co.uk/rooms-prices
It has been a sensory indulgence, spoiled by gorgeous food, February sunshine warming the garden between the storms. DJ the cat is the perfect host.
I took advantage of time to read and write and made progress on a new project. While I was there I received good news about a couple of very exciting writing projects, sprinkled with a couple of rejections.
More news about one of them soon I hope. 😀 While I was here I made new connections and memories. One of the abiding memories will be sitting at my desk watching for the first time a video made of my poem 'The Journey Home's Soundtrack'. I'd written this as part of Translink and Ulster University's 'Poetry in Motion' campaign. I'd heard earlier in the week that a video had been made with an actor reading my poem and was delighted at how it brought my poem to life. It's perfect. Here's The link to the video
https://x.com/Translink_NI/status/1892880850791899402?t=aY2knBIyZUyTsBcukeFmqg&s=19
Dragging myself away from the River Mill's delicious food back home was a challenge - but made all the sweeter when I returned to find my contributer copies of Yarns 4 had arrived. I'm delighted that two of my poems made it into this Ulster Scots anthology along with so much good work.
