Storytime

We've all heard stories of the writer wrestling with his/ her novel, perhaps in a cold dingy attic, or maybe after the family have gone to bed, sitting up at the kitchen table, tap tap tapping away on the computer. Alone.....always alone. Years ago I was lucky enough to meet with a group of writers and over time we formed the Lazy River Writers .  On the weekend we celebrated fifteen years together and I wanted to share fifteen reasons why this group works for me. 1. They make me accountable . I can't imagine turning up at one of our monthly meetings saying  I have written nothing. Not an idea down, not a first draft, not an edit of a haiku. Nothing. I'm positive over these fifteen years there have been times when this has happened, but it would be rare. I like the fact that this makes me do something, even if starting an ideas folder. 2. At the moment there are eight of us (a good number) and we have totally differing view points and opinions. Different lifest...

Sometimes, just sometimes, when I know I should be writing and I even know what I want to write, I find it damned difficult to start. I mean where exactly should I begin? With this word, this phrase, this moment, with this action or perhaps over here? And yes, I know we are told to simply write and before you know it you'll be in knee deep and problem solved....however.... Remember those workshops you did where the tutor/ speaker/ author would start a writing exercise with those words 'I remember...'. That's because we all do, remember that is. Something, no matter how close or distant, there is always some memory that catches us off guard and before we know it, we are putting it (and all its emotional baggage) down on paper. Often used when facing the dreaded blank page...writers block...or simply a way to find a way in. Last week at Storytime I was giving the usual 'hints' to what the day's theme would be. In this case it was ducks, and I talked abo...

Everyone knows that old show business saying 'Never work with children or animals.'...yet my job revolves around me working with children. Every day. Mostly small children. It's a job I love (when it goes well) and I have learnt a lot that can be helpful when speaking to an audience ...whether an open mike or a poetry gig....an author talk or running a workshop. During the school holidays one of my programs was Zoom into Outer Space! We had a good turnout and sitting there with his smaller brother was one seven year old, who could not only read well (so knew when I was ad-libbing during the stories) but regaled us with ALL the information he knew about space. And he knew a lot. He knew about planets and stars and gasses surrounding planets and which would be the best planet to live on - Earth says he in a very condescending tone, it's the only liveable planet! So what have I learnt over the years of 'performing' for children - and it is a performan...

Where on earth is the year going? I'm sure it was only a week ago that I pulled down the Christmas tree, swept up the last of the pine needles and hid the wrapping paper covered in laughing Santas. But without missing a beat the year has marched ahead, against my will I must add....and we have just had Easter. A time, in my household, for too much chocolate and great family get-togethers. This year not only did we have son and his family( my excuse for an Easter egg hunt, as if I needed one), daughter and her husband (that is so strange to write let alone say)....even if separate occasions a day apart- but also other half's mother and my dad popped in. To top it off, we had some lovely weather. Won't talk about the unwanted wasps that made the al fresco Easter lunch turn into, quick grab the plates and head inside. Of course now that we have over indulged on chocolate...we open glazed eyes to discover that it is now April and half way through autumn. (side n...