What a difference a day makes

 We were back down at Coney Island yesterday for our writing group meeting. And while we all know autumn is on the way, it arrived with a blast yesterday.

The bright blue skies and sparkling sea we'd left behind at our writing retreat had gone, and had been replaced by grey clouds, drizzle and an angry sea. The dreich weather didn't dampen our spirits as we caught up on news over coffee and seasonal blackberry and ginger muffins.

We did some writing exercises, stretching our writing muscles. Later yesterday when the rain kept me indoors back at home I settled down to dip into a back copy of 'The Author' borrowed from one if the writing group.

This afternoon outside in the sunshine I enjoyed the tail end of summer and this magazine - there's some very interesting, informative and helpful articles in it.

In a blink it was over

And in a blink it was over! It seems no time since our writing group was preparing for our annual retreat. All year we look forward to spending a couple of days in a tranquil setting with fellow writers who have become friends.

My last minute preparations included baking summer berry muffins which went down a treat - Writers need writing fuel!

After we'd navigated our way through a traffic jam (rare at Coney) we settled in with coffee and muffins while catching up on news. This year a sandcastle competition was taking place on the beach as we arrived  - the cause of the traffic jam and the perfect inspiration for a group of children's writers.  I was amazed by the wonderful sand sculptures and sandcastles 

and inspired to put pen to paper at one point in response to these marvellous pieces of art.

My favourites were definitely the mermaids - I named this one Shelley

It's difficult not to be inspired in such a beautiful location where no two days are ever the same.

And we were blessed with beautiful weather which enticed us on to the beach for a paddle  - it was glorious in the evening sunshine - the perfect way to relax before dinner and after a day of writing.

New Anthology

Earlier this year I submitted a piece of work for consideration for a new poetry anthology being facilitated by the Creative Ireland programme.  Some time afterwards I heard my poem, 'Eau de Phosphorose' had been selected. And this week a copy of the anthology, 'Chasing Shadows' arrived in the post.

I'm enjoying delving into this gorgeous anthology  finding pieces written by writing friends from across Ireland. 

Sources of Inspiration

It's been a wee while since I posted on the blog. I've been really busy these last couple of months. We had a big family celebration last month and I was chief party planner, so unfortunately my writing had to take a back seat in the run up to the event. 

It was a privilege to be able to plan and organise my auntie's 100th birthday celebrations in Scotland. And I'm really pleased all went according to plan. She is an amazing lady who has inspired me and I'm pleased she inspired my nieces to write a poem to celebrate this milestone event. 

I was looking forward to getting back to Coney to see my writing pals when I returned home. But it was not to be. 

After avoiding the plague for the last two years, covid caught up with me and floored me for a few days. The fatigue lingered longer. I dread to think how I might have been without vaccinations. Thankfully it's behind me now and my former energy has eventually returned.

I was however able to join the Coney writers by Zoom - they were all there in person and I chatted with them. It was good to see them to relieve the monotony of self isolation but I soon tired and had to go and lie down! 

To help build up my energy and strength, we ventured out to a local park one evening for a walk. I'd heard from a friend that my poem 'Land of Linen' was on display here so we set off in search of it. After checking almost every tree in the park we were about to give up when we found it, in a very obvious place 🤣 

Seeing my work on display, alongside writing by Lord Carson and David Lloyd George (prime minister when my Auntie was born) helped remind me why I write and how much I've missed it recently.

So last week I sat down and wrote something new. Inspired by my new writing nook in the garden, I took the opportunity to enjoy the good weather when a couple of ideas nudged me to pick up my pen again. 

Back to Coney

With signs of spring appearing every day, and some gorgeous sunny days last week, it's been a bit of a shock to the system to be experiencing cold weather again. So yesterday morning, when we woke up to frost, it seemed it would be a day for the big coat again. Choconana muffins baked, I headed back down to Coney to meet writing friends. 

We caught up over coffee and shared our writing news (One of my writing pals had spotted my poem 'Land of Linen' on display in Randalstown). 

We made some writing group plans and then did some writing. It's so lovely to be able to meet up again in person and all the more lovely on what turned out to be a beautiful spring day.

Coney never disappoints. 

Catching up Again

Over the last few weeks I've taken part in a couple of very enjoyable and helpful online writing workshops. On dark, wintry nights they can be much more appealing than having to venture out in cold, wet, windy weather. Not only were they enjoyable, but I managed to write new pieces as a result of the inspiring facilitators - thanks Shelley and Shirley!

But on a beautiful, sunny spring morning yesterday, it was lovely to be back for an 'in person' workshop at our beloved Coney.

It's good to see more 'in person' events being organised again. Over the last fortnight I've taken part in a couple of 'in person' workshops locally, and it's good to be back in a real room with fellow writers once more, learning from each other. 

But yesterday while we were at our regular writing workshop in Coney, there wasnt much writing done. Our focus was very much on catching up with each other. Over coffee and (of course) muffins

we spent more time sharing our news and pieces we've been working on, than doing any writing. It's a indicator that there is so much more to writing than committing pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. Equally important are the connections we make as writers, and if we are very lucky with supportive, like-minded people.

As well as talking about the recent workshops I've attended, I shared my news that I'd had a poem published in the Belfast Writers' anthology, 'Worlds within Worlds', now available in ebook form as well as in paperback, Buy Worlds with Worlds

I've also had two poems for children published on The Dirigible Balloon. You can read them and also hear me reading them here It's Very Dark and What the Sea Saw

 

All things come to those who wait

It's felt a bit like groundhog day (ok - officially Groundhog Day WAS last week) every day for a while. We're still living in strange times and still interacting remotely to keep safe. In the last few weeks I've taken part in a few online writing workshops and at the weekend our Coney writers met up remotely.

It was good to connect over coffee, catch up on our news and also to write. We really stretched ourselves with some difficult writing exercises from the comfort of our homes, while the stormy weather raged outside.

We do miss meeting up in person, but thanks to technology we can still stay connected. With signs of spring appearing, hopefully it won't be too long until we can meet up together in person again.

Today The Belfast Writers' Group launched a new anthology  'Worlds within Worlds'. It's been a while since I submitted a poem for consideration for this project but I knew it had been accepted and the anthology was in development. It's understandable that many projects have taken longer than anticipated in the last two years with so many other challenges. 

So it's exciting to see it come to fruition and it's definitely been worth waiting for. It's now available to buy on Amazon here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RWZNB8P