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.