Storytime

Deciding what to read at a venue that offers open mic...is a minefield. Is it a case of shutting your eyes and choosing the first few poems that you point at? I feel comfortable enough at a few venues ( Word Tree ...and Poetry in the Hut ) that I bravely venture with new work. Test the water (cliche I know) so to speak. Difficult to let new work fly....often I'm editing minutes before I get on stage ....often I'm editing as I read. And there are regulars that will tell me what they 'really' think- will offer up 'that was too long...you repeated yourself in the last stanza....or even...you had them.' But what to read at a venue that you have only visited a few times? How do you know what sort of audience you will have? Plan A is to always bring more poems than you intend to read. There is nothing worse than knowing you have time to read 3 poems, bring 3 poems then notice that the audience is not getting into any of them. Honestly, those are the times whe...

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 ...