January Update

paper variously coloured with swirling patterns laid out on a small round dining table

I've been having a lovely time making visual poems for my workshops at Trowbridge Museum which I wrote about here. This work lead me to think about ways to extend my visual poetry practice, greatly helped by an article by Geof Huth at the Poetry Foundation, and, in particular, the following quotes which gave me… Continue reading January Update

Out and About Again

The image is of a country road surrounded by greenery

Although not back to how it was before the pandemic, I am increasingly venturing out in the world to attend poetry events and readings, as well as still going to online things. Trowbridge Stanza, the monthly poetry group I organise, is meeting in person again, not monthly, as we previously did, but every other month… Continue reading Out and About Again

July Update

The image is of oxeye daisies photocopied and painted by Josephine Corcoran, with the words 'Grow Wild' added

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 list… Continue reading July Update

Diary Snippets, weekending 14 March, 2021

The image is of various different types of flowers in a small blue and white vase

Saturday and Sunday Saturday was spent driving our son back to his student flat in London. It was the first time we'd been that way since Christmas when we picked him up to come home for the holidays. Everyone says London is much quieter because of the pandemic and of course it's true. Both of… Continue reading Diary Snippets, weekending 14 March, 2021

Recent Diary Snippets

the image is of daffodils in a vase and an avocado plant and a cup of tea on a shelf

Monday and Tuesday It's incredible to think that it is nearly one year since the first UK lockdown, when the whole of the country learned a new way of living. The weather has been gifting us with some spring-like days which I've really enjoyed. My son is going back to his student accommodation in London… Continue reading Recent Diary Snippets

No Big Leaps in February

the image is of crocuses growing on grass in a park, February 2021

What a pipsqueak of a month February is. Over in the blink of an eye, or perhaps that's just me experiencing time whizzing past as I grow older. I finished the Papatango online playwriting course at the beginning of the month. Taking part in the course enabled me to edit and finish an audio play… Continue reading No Big Leaps in February

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 Pavilion… Continue reading A quick update

Finding your way into a poem

It's been really helpful to read these posts by poets writing about how they find their way into poems:  "Writing" Towards Writing by Pam Thompson and fearless creating by Julie Mellor.  As well as containing useful and practical advice, the posts are a comforting reminder that I'm not alone in finding writing hard going at… Continue reading Finding your way into a poem

Reading, writing, planning, etc.

I haven't written much about my everyday life recently so I thought I'd do an update. My once a week job in a school ended in July and very quickly after that I was awarded a small bursary to write new poems about the heritage, history and landscape of the area in and around Amesbury. … Continue reading Reading, writing, planning, etc.

Poet Bloggers 2018 Revival Tour

I'm a pretty regular blogger but I have let things slip a bit recently, mostly because I've been busy doing other kinds of writing.  In a bid to up my game,  I've been kindly added to this list of poet bloggers who are trying to blog weekly in 2018. You can also add yourself to… Continue reading Poet Bloggers 2018 Revival Tour