Sunday, 2 February 2014
Back again
Great to be back blogging after a break and also to be back down at Coney Island again yesterday. Magical, windswept, Coney Island where the spectacular waves took our breath away as high tide approached. Wonderful, mesmerizing Coney Island where an otter paid us a visit as he ran, disoriented and homeless as the waves crashed over the sea wall. Inspiring, creative Coney Island where its always good to write. :-)
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Judging
We're all familiar with the saying 'Don't judge a book by its cover', but how should we judge which writing competition to enter?
There are so many writing competitions around at the moment - online and otherwise, and unless you're a professional competition entrant you just wouldn't have the time to enter all of them. And unless you have another source of income, you couldn't afford to either. The entry fees to some competitions are quite hefty which can be off-putting. In some cases the entry fees make up the prize money.
So it can be down to the writing genre - is the competition in your preferred genre? Or perhaps its in a different genre, which gives you the opportunity to try something new eg poetry, script-writing. It's worth a try as you might discover that you have a flair in another genre you haven't yet explored.
It's also worth investigating who is organising the competition - are they a reputable organisation? Or is it someone trying to make a fast buck from their garage?
One issue which influences me in deciding on whether to enter a competition or not is who is on the judging panel. Some questions you might want to consider are - Have you heard of them? What do they know about writing? Is their writing opinion respected?
But then, it's all a matter of judgement.
Good luck with your next competition entry.
There are so many writing competitions around at the moment - online and otherwise, and unless you're a professional competition entrant you just wouldn't have the time to enter all of them. And unless you have another source of income, you couldn't afford to either. The entry fees to some competitions are quite hefty which can be off-putting. In some cases the entry fees make up the prize money.
So it can be down to the writing genre - is the competition in your preferred genre? Or perhaps its in a different genre, which gives you the opportunity to try something new eg poetry, script-writing. It's worth a try as you might discover that you have a flair in another genre you haven't yet explored.
It's also worth investigating who is organising the competition - are they a reputable organisation? Or is it someone trying to make a fast buck from their garage?
One issue which influences me in deciding on whether to enter a competition or not is who is on the judging panel. Some questions you might want to consider are - Have you heard of them? What do they know about writing? Is their writing opinion respected?
But then, it's all a matter of judgement.
Good luck with your next competition entry.
Sunday, 9 June 2013
What a writing week!
What a writing week it has been! An amazing, inspiring, encouraging week. I feel humbled to know that in the past week I have had a BAFTA winner (Damian Gorman) and a Whitbread winning author (Geraldine McCaughrean) reading my work! Not only did they read it, Damian gave me constructive Face to face feedback on it and Geraldine judged it to be among the best received in a national competition! It feels like I'm definitely moving forward with my writing. Here's the prize winning poem:
CHERISHED FRIEND
Queen of all ‘pick-me-ups’
We have been lifelong friends.
You have turned up, faithfully
At all my celebrations,
Birthdays, Christmas,
Anniversaries, Easter.
Always welcome, though
Your visits are short.
I seek you out
On dark days.
Always comforting,
You have never let me down.
Queen of all harvests
We have been lifelong friends.
You have turned up, faithfully
For seasons of celebrations,
Planting, Growing,
Harvesting, Selling.
Always welcome as
Your presence nourishes.
We work with you
Every day.
Always sustaining,
You have never let us down.
CHERISHED FRIEND
Queen of all ‘pick-me-ups’
We have been lifelong friends.
You have turned up, faithfully
At all my celebrations,
Birthdays, Christmas,
Anniversaries, Easter.
Always welcome, though
Your visits are short.
I seek you out
On dark days.
Always comforting,
You have never let me down.
Queen of all harvests
We have been lifelong friends.
You have turned up, faithfully
For seasons of celebrations,
Planting, Growing,
Harvesting, Selling.
Always welcome as
Your presence nourishes.
We work with you
Every day.
Always sustaining,
You have never let us down.
Friday, 7 June 2013
Cherished Friend
Very excited! This has definitely been a good writing week and it all started last Saturday in the Writers' Room. I found out today that I'm joint runner up in the Divine chocolate national poetry competition!
Off to celebrate with some chocolate!
http://www.divinechocolate.com/uk/poetry/runners-up
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
Back at the MAC - meeting Damian Gorman
I had a very useful meeting with Damian Gorman today at lunchtime. He is currently writer in residence at the MAC and as part of his residency is offering feedback to aspiring writers.
What a wonderful experience!
He read over some of my stories and offered useful, constructive advice that rings true. He seemed genuinely interested in my work and in offering to help. It was a very worthwhile use of my time. Feeling highly motivated now to act on his advice and work at improving my stories!
Thank you Damian!
What a wonderful experience!
He read over some of my stories and offered useful, constructive advice that rings true. He seemed genuinely interested in my work and in offering to help. It was a very worthwhile use of my time. Feeling highly motivated now to act on his advice and work at improving my stories!
Thank you Damian!
Sunday, 2 June 2013
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