Storytime

I've been told that I write the same story- dark, sad, full of despair and betrayal- over and over again. Have even been challenged 'can you write a happy-ever-after story?' The answer is yes. My story in 100stories for Queensland is a love story. I wrote a poem for the mother of the groom to read at her son's wedding. I HAVE written stories and poetry with a sense of humour, that engage a smile or even a laugh or chuckle from the audience. But I do admit most of my stories (and poems) have a darker side. This is partly personality (mine) and the fact I am more of an observer than a participant. I find people intriguing, their interactions and the reasons behind why they do things fascinate me. And lets face it, the story of girl meeting boy and living happily ever after is boring. Throw in a few dragons, an evil guy wanting the girl for his own and a step-mother or two (wicked of course)- and we get a bit of interest. And I may write the same 'style'...

How many people does it take to move a library? Lots. Well it's done. We have moved from our temporary site .... To our new home. There was a lot of boxes involved - packing books into them- dismantling shelves- then at the other end, mantling shelves (?) and of course unpacking.... Moving house is easier. I know it's hard work but honestly - you move- and if all you do is set up a bed to sleep in, put all the boxes marked kitchen in that area - you can muddle for a few weeks (or months) before you discover where everything is. Moving a library is more difficult. Items have to be placed correctly, in the correct area, correct shelf and even in correct order. (picture teams of shelvers perfect ordering, bless their cotton socks) But we are home... (well it actually has walls now) - and home we will stay. None of us want to move again. We are settled, secure and looking forward to all that a new surrounding has to offer. This is looking into the children's...

I'm always impressed when writers can put together a poem, short story, or even a novel set in the place they live. I read poems set in inner suburbs, tramping grounds of the poet who lives just around the corner. Short stories set in streets that are seeped in reality, down to the pigeons on the statue of some long forgotten founder that stares morosely to the west. I've written about where I grew up as a child, but where I live now? Perhaps I need to live in the gritty inner suburbs? The rambling countryside where the view is of cows and haystacks? Or in a small coastal town where life revolves around the weather? Perhaps I don't feel at 'home' where I live? I have attempted poems set in my suburb. But I find it so hard to get the right emotional contact. I don't want it to sound cool or mawkish, remote or seeped in purple prose. And don't get me wrong, I love where I live. It's a suburb with one general store cum post office, tennis court...

I went out Saturday afternoon (rush of music, something uplifting and demanding applause)- to the Word Tree in Upwey. I haven't managed a 'poetic' event for so long- mainly due to work- so it was wonderful to get out and about and listen to some wonderful poets. To come away whirling with concepts and images and the desire to put pen to paper. Always a good sign. Unfortunately the advertised feature poet couldn't make it but, Emilie Collyer stepped in. I must admit to being a tad biased, because I totally LOVE Emilie's work...she lures me from the first word. Her images captivate, her words can draw smiles (or blood, depending on the poem) It was a good afternoon of poetry. As one poet mentioned, a lot of work auto-biographical which does resonate with an audience. The part I found interesting - and difficult- was deciding what poems to bring to read. Should I bring a spoken word poem - one that relies heavily on stage presentation - on the ability of the ...