Happy Writing Christmas

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas!

Every year I send an email to all those writing friends I have collected over the years, and this year was no different. This year I attached a copy of my Christmas poem (An Unopened Present) and a photograph of Jamie and me in the recent snow.

It was nice to get replies from many of my fellow writers and to catch up - if only with a few lines. One even said my poem had 'undertones of T S Elliot in parts'. I have entered it into a competition so can't 'publish' on my blog just yet....

I intend to get 'out there' a bit more this year and hopefully see more of my writing friends and be able to share some more of my writing with them!!

I have joined an online reading group and our first book is The Snowman by Jo Nesbo. I don't intend to start it for a few days yet as I have a lot of things to do this week and once I start a book I find it hard to do anything else!!

Writing as Therapy: Part Three

Pain is part of life, but one of the great gifts of creativity is to use to turn that pain alchemically into wisdom and healing through the act of writing.

Catalyst Newsfrom AnnA Issue 83- December 10, 2010
www.creativecatalyst.co.uk

Saturdays Meeting Cancelled

So have given you an arty photo of the current weather instead.

Competition Entry Completed...

......and sent off. My entry to the Christmas Poem competition in www.writingmagazine.co.uk/ A little bit of tweaking of the first verse and a change of title at the last minute and its on its way......

I am glad I left it a few more days and didn't send it off straight away. Coming back to it after a few days 'rest' always gives a poem a new perspective. The poem has actually been through 9 incarnations - including the title change - so I am hoping it is the best it can be.

The.........

According to John Dugdale in The Guardian, quoted in January's Writing Magazine http://www.writingmagazine.co.uk/ book titles beginning with The are generally more successful than those which begin with A.

It's been a long time....

Todays Stars: A technical breakdown makes life miserable. You'll have to learn to live without the convenience of a kitchen appliance, car, computer, or mobile. This disaster could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe it's time to enjoy more contemplative pursuits, like reading or writing. Spend a few hours curled up with a good book or making a blog entry. It's been a long time since you've listened to your own thoughts.

www.asdamagazine.com/horoscopes/ from Russell Grant

Ten Secret Laws Of Good Writing

Thanks to Anna from: www.creativecatalyst.co.uk who highligted Petruska Clarkson’s (therapist and writer) Ten Secret Laws of Good Writing.

She was much mourned, says Anna, but her work through her books is still available and I hope she would have approved of my passing on her list to you. By its very tongue in cheek nature, I think she would have!

1 It will always take at least twice as long as you anticipated.

2 70% of your efforts and resources will be wasted.

3 Cultural and personal demons in your head will attack it.

4 As soon as you really get going you will be interrupted.

5 You will think it is the worst thing you ever did.

6 You will reach a sdtuck point where you feel despair.

7 You will feel misunderstood.

8 You will be judged and criticised.

9 There will always be people who do better and worse than you for no clear reason.

10 If only for a moment you will think it the best thing you ever did.

See: http://petruskaclarkson.blogspot.com/