I have two new poems coming out in The North magazine, should be very soon. In the same issue, I’ve reviewed poetry collections by Maria Taylor, Katherine Stansfield and Jackie Wills. I’ve also had an acceptance for a poem in 14 magazine which will be published later this year. Many rejections which I won’t listContinue reading “July Update”
Tag Archives: the writing life
Two Chopsticks and a Pencil for the Hyacinths
A lovely neighbour brought over the gift of a bowl of hyacinths when the year was brand new, and now, in the very last weekend of January, three pale yellow flowers have bloomed gloriously and our hallway is filled with a sweet and spicy scent that we have grown to appreciate (we weren’t sure, atContinue reading “Two Chopsticks and a Pencil for the Hyacinths”
Proper Weeping
This week there has been a lot of weeping – proper weeping of the wet face, snotty-nose, aching chest variety. My daughter has moved out of our home and into a house share in South West London, not that far from where she was born, in fact, although she doesn’t remember that, being not quiteContinue reading “Proper Weeping”
Corona Diary: Lockdown Continues
Last week started off gloomily with instructions from my local police force – and other police forces – that the UK lockdown meant people weren’t allowed to drive even a short distance to find open space to exercise. The thought that I’d be breaking the law if I drove somewhere nearby to stomp through woodsContinue reading “Corona Diary: Lockdown Continues”
Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?
I’m not sure if this strange time had a proper beginning and I certainly can’t see its end. This week I haven’t wanted to be online much even though there has been an explosion of people offering online workshops, readings and classes. I’ve been slightly ill and still feel under the weather but I’m sureContinue reading “Corona Diary: Possibly Week 3 – but are you counting?”
Corona Diary: One Week In
Things I’ve done this week for the first time in my life: attended a webinar about what older women want to read (unfortunately I kept losing my internet connection). went to my writing fiction class via Zoom (never heard of it before). Overheard comments: “I should’ve worn make-up!” “I’m not switching my camera on becauseContinue reading “Corona Diary: One Week In”
Corona Diary – Day One
Hello out there, dear readers. I thought I’d share with you how I’m getting used to living in the new normal of a global pandemic. As yet, our household of four adults isn’t showing any signs of having the virus – no continuous coughing or high temperatures. Our daughter is a student at Oxford UniversityContinue reading “Corona Diary – Day One”
Belatedly, Happy New Year
Happy New Year to you all. A very low-key New Year’s Eve for me, a tiny amount of alcohol drunk, some good food, perfect company in the form of my husband, A., and – for him – a lot of taxi driving for our two young adult children who he ferried around through the nightContinue reading “Belatedly, Happy New Year”
Notes from a Cluttered Desk
Like Julie Mellor and many others in the Poetry Blogging Network, I try to put something up on this blog each week. Like Julie, I don’t always manage it but, also like Julie, I thought I’d try again this week. I don’t always have something to say so I wonder if it’s worth blogging. AtContinue reading “Notes from a Cluttered Desk”
A quick update
I’ve been quiet on the blogging front recently. I’ve done a few readings and events this year, all noted on my Diary/News page. My review of Filigree: Contemporary Black British Poetry (Peepal Tree Press, 2018) has been published in the current issue of Under the Radar magazine. I’m currently reading new collections published by PavilionContinue reading “A quick update”
