One last quick post for 2015. As we embark on the Festive Season, I wanted to wish everyone an amazing Christmas and a truly spectacular 2016. Hope you are all full of anticipation as we go into our new writing year - I know I am and I am very excited about it because I have decided to devote the whole year to poetry.
Don't get me wrong. Writing for children is a wonderful gift and I truly cherish it. When My Writer was published in February and, by all accounts, seems to be maintaining sales, I knew I'd be hard-pushed to follow it up. I tried several new ideas - and am, in fact - still working on a couple. But my poetry has really been neglected and that is where I have had most of my success over the years. I am still writing it a lot, but I am then doing nothing with it. So in 2016, I will start entering competitions again, submitting to poetry magazines and sites and make it my aim to publish at least one collection of it by this time next year. And in 2017 - the year I turn 60 - I will spring a new children's book on the world and dedicate it to my mother!
I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and a healthy, happy & successful New Year.
Love you all my silent readers. God bless.
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Feeling A Little Blue ...
I love Christmas, don't you? It is the only thing - apart from my beloved writing, of course - that I have carried into my adult life with the same anticipation, pleasure and excitement that I did as a child. Our beautiful tree is up, presents wrapped, larder stocked, little Christmas touches here and there - and I love it. It gives me a warm glow. It reminds me of family, togetherness, peace and a feeling of contentment - Christmas films being advertised on TV, all those annoying adverts tempting us to buy, buy, buy.
This Saturday, I am having a little party for my Young Writers. On Friday, I shall buy little tangerines, little Christmas chocolates, some hula-hoops, crisps and maybe some squash or cartons of drink. I am expecting about a dozen youngsters and I think it will go really, really well. Then that will be it, until the first session in January which falls on the 16th.
Yet with all this preparation, this hustle, bustle, tinsel, carols and sparkling lights, I am still not quite in the zone - and I know why. It will be our first Christmas without Mum. Christmases with her this past few years have not been like they were. As she became more and more frail and needed more and more care and attention, we all had to adapt a bit so that our brash Christmas world did not upset her fragile sensibility. As her birthday is 27th December, we used to gather at the care home and they always laid on a little tea for her and sometimes as many as two dozen of us would turn up - and she would be exhausted within the hour. But despite that, as we adapted, that became the way it was; it was the best we could all do under very difficult circumstances - and at least she was there.
This year she isn't there.
It hasn't felt right, somehow, not to include her - no telephone conferences between us three sisters as we decided what to buy her for birthday and Christmas that would be of some practical use - fluffy blanket, warm socks, diabetic chocolate, nice bath foam, talc and shampoo, no big party to arrange, no cake. It is as if she has been tucked away somewhere and forgotten and that, my friend, breaks my heart.
We are all struggling with it. And I really don't know if it gets better or easier or harder as the years go by. But I do know it is very difficult this year.
I am the biggest kid in the world on Christmas morning. Am I, at 58, the biggest baby in the world to admit I miss my mum? Not just miss her but need her? I don't know and don't suppose I ever will.
God bless her - that's all I can say.
This Saturday, I am having a little party for my Young Writers. On Friday, I shall buy little tangerines, little Christmas chocolates, some hula-hoops, crisps and maybe some squash or cartons of drink. I am expecting about a dozen youngsters and I think it will go really, really well. Then that will be it, until the first session in January which falls on the 16th.
Yet with all this preparation, this hustle, bustle, tinsel, carols and sparkling lights, I am still not quite in the zone - and I know why. It will be our first Christmas without Mum. Christmases with her this past few years have not been like they were. As she became more and more frail and needed more and more care and attention, we all had to adapt a bit so that our brash Christmas world did not upset her fragile sensibility. As her birthday is 27th December, we used to gather at the care home and they always laid on a little tea for her and sometimes as many as two dozen of us would turn up - and she would be exhausted within the hour. But despite that, as we adapted, that became the way it was; it was the best we could all do under very difficult circumstances - and at least she was there.
This year she isn't there.
It hasn't felt right, somehow, not to include her - no telephone conferences between us three sisters as we decided what to buy her for birthday and Christmas that would be of some practical use - fluffy blanket, warm socks, diabetic chocolate, nice bath foam, talc and shampoo, no big party to arrange, no cake. It is as if she has been tucked away somewhere and forgotten and that, my friend, breaks my heart.
We are all struggling with it. And I really don't know if it gets better or easier or harder as the years go by. But I do know it is very difficult this year.
I am the biggest kid in the world on Christmas morning. Am I, at 58, the biggest baby in the world to admit I miss my mum? Not just miss her but need her? I don't know and don't suppose I ever will.
God bless her - that's all I can say.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
ONE WRITER TO ANOTHER - AYW Welcomes Ciaran Murtagh
Had a brilliant Young Writers session on Saturday. A local writer - Ciaran Murtagh - came along and did a little talk and watching him fired up the writer in me no end! His way with the children was a joy to see. He knew exactly how to reach them at their own level and did they ever love him for it! I was chuffed to see they'd brought in lists of questions to ask him and he did brilliantly, talking about his writing career, reading from one of his books, coming up with the simplest yet most effective way of igniting the creative flow I have ever seen (and I have met lots and lots and lots of writers over the years all of whom had something to contribute) which I am even going to try myself next time I get stuck in Writersblocksville. We even exchanged autographed copies of our work which was great since I wasn't able to actually pay him a fee. It all went so well I am going to double my efforts next year to get other local writers in. It can only be beneficial to the Young Writers to get a different perspective. And it all helps them to develop their skills. So huge thanks to Ciaran for making such an occasion out of that 45 minutes - and, of course, to the library staff for hosting the event.
So how are your Christmas plans coming along? Steve and I still haven't finished our Christmas Shopping! Every time we think we've got close - up pops another relative! But I do think we are actually pretty close now. We spent all afternoon last Saturday wrapping up stuff for the grandchildren and I did another two and a half hours worth last night. Surely there can't be much more?
I will add a bit more to this later. Have a good day.
So how are your Christmas plans coming along? Steve and I still haven't finished our Christmas Shopping! Every time we think we've got close - up pops another relative! But I do think we are actually pretty close now. We spent all afternoon last Saturday wrapping up stuff for the grandchildren and I did another two and a half hours worth last night. Surely there can't be much more?
I will add a bit more to this later. Have a good day.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Blowing Kisses To The Moon ...
Did you see Wednesday night's full moon? It was absolutely astonishing! Huge and bright and looking down on us like some kindly old grandma watching over her charges. I just could not take my eyes off it as I was walking home! It filled my heart with a light and a hope that has been largely missing since my mum passed away. It did not surprise me one bit - though Steve would think I was nuts - that, as I got to my front door, I instinctively turned round and blew that moon a great big kiss ...!
Spent two hours last night catching up on AYW admin. Had three Blue Membership certificates to print off for new members - and at least eight assignments to read and comment on. Children write the most amazing poetry you know. One little girl's piece about fireworks nearly blew my socks off; her observations of the sight, sound - and even the smell - of Guy Fawks' Night could have been written by someone at least three times her age! I guess that is why I run this group! I just love nurturing that Creative spirit.
So have you got a busy weekend coming up? Steve & I are off to Twickers for a couple of rugby games tomorrow afternoon and on Sunday - hopefully finishing our Christmas shopping ... but we'll see. I know what we are like ... or at least what Steve (shopoholic) is like!
Spent two hours last night catching up on AYW admin. Had three Blue Membership certificates to print off for new members - and at least eight assignments to read and comment on. Children write the most amazing poetry you know. One little girl's piece about fireworks nearly blew my socks off; her observations of the sight, sound - and even the smell - of Guy Fawks' Night could have been written by someone at least three times her age! I guess that is why I run this group! I just love nurturing that Creative spirit.
So have you got a busy weekend coming up? Steve & I are off to Twickers for a couple of rugby games tomorrow afternoon and on Sunday - hopefully finishing our Christmas shopping ... but we'll see. I know what we are like ... or at least what Steve (shopoholic) is like!
Friday, 13 November 2015
Long Time No Write ...
Where on earth have I been since my last post in October? I had no idea I'd been gone so long ( I am writing very poetically today, don't you think?) and had quite a shock when I realised I hadn't been back in almost a month!
Well - as you have no doubt guessed by now - I am truly fine and dandy. The tooth extraction is but a bad memory - or a good one depending which way you look at it, I suppose - and I just need to be thinking about booking myself in for those fillings. And I will - eventually. As it is, this is only my fourth day back at the day job since my midweek break in Scarborough and I am well-pleased with how it is going. But even better! I came back from Scarborough last Saturday evening with a brand new children's book dancing around my head! At long last! I was beginning to think it would never happen again!
So what has been going on? Well ...I have been busy thinking up new exercise sheets for my young writers and I am so happy with the way things are going! I am horribly behind on the admin for it but I will catch up sooner or later! I have been writing quite a lot of poetry of late - mainly haiku and senryu. Here are a couple:
little bit of love
warms the cockles of your heart
then kisses your soul
veteran soldier
living on the streets after
all you've done - shameful
the poppy petal
memories in scarlet that
say we won't forget
Do you like haiku? They are, I think, one of the most exquisite forms of poetry ever. Some of the real old Masters can say more in a 17 syllable haiku than some writers ever get to say in a million words! Quite, quite profound!
As for new book - well - let's just say the prologue is done ...
Well - as you have no doubt guessed by now - I am truly fine and dandy. The tooth extraction is but a bad memory - or a good one depending which way you look at it, I suppose - and I just need to be thinking about booking myself in for those fillings. And I will - eventually. As it is, this is only my fourth day back at the day job since my midweek break in Scarborough and I am well-pleased with how it is going. But even better! I came back from Scarborough last Saturday evening with a brand new children's book dancing around my head! At long last! I was beginning to think it would never happen again!
So what has been going on? Well ...I have been busy thinking up new exercise sheets for my young writers and I am so happy with the way things are going! I am horribly behind on the admin for it but I will catch up sooner or later! I have been writing quite a lot of poetry of late - mainly haiku and senryu. Here are a couple:
little bit of love
warms the cockles of your heart
then kisses your soul
veteran soldier
living on the streets after
all you've done - shameful
the poppy petal
memories in scarlet that
say we won't forget
Do you like haiku? They are, I think, one of the most exquisite forms of poetry ever. Some of the real old Masters can say more in a 17 syllable haiku than some writers ever get to say in a million words! Quite, quite profound!
As for new book - well - let's just say the prologue is done ...
Sunday, 18 October 2015
I MADE IT!!!!!
Okay - so here I am on a sleepless night at precisely 2.00 am GMT. I was fine when I hopped into bed at 10.30. I read for about half an hour and then felt ready to sleep. Went out like a light but woke up an hour ago and just cannot get back. So I thought I'd do a Blog Post to while away some time. Hopefully when I finally go back to bed I can sleep until the alarm goes off at 5.45. Whatever happens I will be fine till mid afternoon then I will doubtlessly be fighting to keep my eyes open at the day job. Still I can cross that bridge when I get to it. Right now I need to get my head clear and feel my eyes get heavy again.
So where was I last Blog Post - oh yeah - dentist. You may be be surprised to hear that this dentophobe did attend the appointment on Friday and did have the troublesome tooth removed. I actually walked in, filled out the form and waited for half an hour. The lovely little nurse popped back to the waiting room a couple of times and each time I said "Don't worry. I'm still here. I haven't run away." I actually felt surprisingly calm and serene about the whole thing! When I finally met Ian - the dentist himself - (introducing myself as The Pathetic One who'd emailed) he shook my hand as if greeting an old business associate and asked about my bad experience when I was seven. Finally I got into The Chair and he took a look. Yes the tooth was badly decayed - did I want it taken out? Oh Yeah! I'd got this far. If I'd said no then, the tooth would still be there giving me a hard time! So he took an x-ray then injected (quite a lot) of anaesthetic into my gum and after a while the entire right side of my face was completely without feeling. That was when he removed the tooth. Despite being rotten and as dead as a door nail, that tooth did not want to leave its warm bed and took some persuading. But Ian knew his stuff and, at last, the stubborn little blighter popped free of its moorings and wound up in a dish. It looked disgusting and I was glad then that I'd decided to get rid of it. Both he and Carley congratulated me on seeing it through. Ian said that despite the fact I hadn't been anywhere near a dentist for almost ten years, the rest of my teeth are pretty strong and healthy - I just need a couple of filling now - and a polish (sounds like we're talking about a car).
Two days later, there is still some aching in the jaw but I am hoping that is because of the amount of novocane (or whatever it was) he used and the fact my jaw was wide open for almost an hour. If the aching has not subsided in another day or two, I will drop him another email and see what he thinks. Where the tooth was feels ok but further back is still tender - so we shall see.
So - are you proud of me? I'm quite proud of me, I must admit because I seriously never thought I'd see the inside of a dental surgery again. Pray note this historic date - 16th October - the day the world's biggest coward went to the dentist ...
So where was I last Blog Post - oh yeah - dentist. You may be be surprised to hear that this dentophobe did attend the appointment on Friday and did have the troublesome tooth removed. I actually walked in, filled out the form and waited for half an hour. The lovely little nurse popped back to the waiting room a couple of times and each time I said "Don't worry. I'm still here. I haven't run away." I actually felt surprisingly calm and serene about the whole thing! When I finally met Ian - the dentist himself - (introducing myself as The Pathetic One who'd emailed) he shook my hand as if greeting an old business associate and asked about my bad experience when I was seven. Finally I got into The Chair and he took a look. Yes the tooth was badly decayed - did I want it taken out? Oh Yeah! I'd got this far. If I'd said no then, the tooth would still be there giving me a hard time! So he took an x-ray then injected (quite a lot) of anaesthetic into my gum and after a while the entire right side of my face was completely without feeling. That was when he removed the tooth. Despite being rotten and as dead as a door nail, that tooth did not want to leave its warm bed and took some persuading. But Ian knew his stuff and, at last, the stubborn little blighter popped free of its moorings and wound up in a dish. It looked disgusting and I was glad then that I'd decided to get rid of it. Both he and Carley congratulated me on seeing it through. Ian said that despite the fact I hadn't been anywhere near a dentist for almost ten years, the rest of my teeth are pretty strong and healthy - I just need a couple of filling now - and a polish (sounds like we're talking about a car).
Two days later, there is still some aching in the jaw but I am hoping that is because of the amount of novocane (or whatever it was) he used and the fact my jaw was wide open for almost an hour. If the aching has not subsided in another day or two, I will drop him another email and see what he thinks. Where the tooth was feels ok but further back is still tender - so we shall see.
So - are you proud of me? I'm quite proud of me, I must admit because I seriously never thought I'd see the inside of a dental surgery again. Pray note this historic date - 16th October - the day the world's biggest coward went to the dentist ...
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
If I Must ... I Must ...
Toothache. That one word triggers horrors for me. The discomfort I can put up with. But going to the dentist requires strength and courage that is hard to find. I am sure this stems from a visit to the dentist when I was seven or eight years old. Up till then dentists had seemed as normal to me as visiting the doctor or going to the clinic for your childhood vaccinations. But on this particular occasion, the dentist in question decided to give me several fillings at one sitting. I cried throughout the entire procedure and ever since have avoided going unless it is an absolute emergency. Well, as much as I hate to admit it, for the past week I have had that emergency. Today I will bite the bullet ... a particularly appropriate phrase considering my situation ... and book myself in.
I went to the doctor last night to get some antibiotics because I thought there must be an infection which ought to be cleared up before I take the next step. Ever since last Friday when I realised I had a problem (I am not in agony, by the way, just achy), I have been trying to find a local dentist who I liked the sound of. Someone who will understand my phobia and help me through it. I found one and he has been an angel already - and that is just by email! The doctor last night (it was not my usual one and I was not comfortable with her anyway) said to me - quite without compassion - "There is no infection there - just a rotten tooth that needs pulling." Charming lady. "Go to the emergency walk in centre and get it sorted," she said. When I got home - totally disillusioned with this particular doctor - I looked up the local emergency walk in centre. The first review that sprang out at me read the emergency dentist was patronising and unhelpful. So I am going back to my angel.
When my experience is over, I will come back to you and write about writing again. Till then, wish me luck - I am going to need it.
I went to the doctor last night to get some antibiotics because I thought there must be an infection which ought to be cleared up before I take the next step. Ever since last Friday when I realised I had a problem (I am not in agony, by the way, just achy), I have been trying to find a local dentist who I liked the sound of. Someone who will understand my phobia and help me through it. I found one and he has been an angel already - and that is just by email! The doctor last night (it was not my usual one and I was not comfortable with her anyway) said to me - quite without compassion - "There is no infection there - just a rotten tooth that needs pulling." Charming lady. "Go to the emergency walk in centre and get it sorted," she said. When I got home - totally disillusioned with this particular doctor - I looked up the local emergency walk in centre. The first review that sprang out at me read the emergency dentist was patronising and unhelpful. So I am going back to my angel.
When my experience is over, I will come back to you and write about writing again. Till then, wish me luck - I am going to need it.
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