Nothing quite as satisfying....

.....as people laughing at a poem you have written.

Went to the Lindum Scribes (www.lindumscribes.org/) on Tuesday night and read out a poem (And the band played on) which, although I wrote a few years ago, I don't think I have ever read out. I had been carrying it around in my folder for a few months and the more I looked at it the less funny I thought it was.

But then I read it out and had a great reaction!!

Workshop Planning

I have volunteered to run a workshop at The Lindum Scribes (www.lindumscribes.org/ ) entitled 'KickStart Your Writing New Year.' It will be based on a workshop that I led in 2004 for the then Determined Writers Group.

As part of the planning, I have just been back and read through all of my posts on this blog. Feeling a bit embarrassed that the great novel has still to be written, but at the same time I am quite impressed with some of the little gems I have collected over the past few years.

Starting on the research for the workshop has already begun to make me think about where my writing will be focused in the coming year. As I intend to set the group a couple of exercises, I am (obviously) having to do them for myself and this is making me seriously think about the direction I am going in.

Love Is....

Love.
Can never be.
Permanent.

For a smile,
And a kiss,
One day.
Become.
A tear,
And a goodbye,
The next.

So.
A passionate embrace.
A few stolen kisses.
Means more.
To me.
Than a thousand nights.
Of 'Marital Bliss'.

For.
Love is not eternal.
It is here and now.
In spoken words.
Whispered lies.
'Forever' embraces.

It is never between two.
But between one and many.
Though different people.
At different times.
It is still love.
A feeling of want.
Of needing.
Of care.
Something everyone should share.
All the time!
Altogether.
Forever.
Now.

Not waiting around.
For one true love.
For they will never be found.


Published in Poetry Now Eastern Regional Anthology 1993, edited by Pat Wilson Poetry Now, Peterborough (1993)

The Lincoln Target of October 23rd 1993 wrote; 'Look out for Joanne Borrill's Love Is... '

An MA in Creative Writing?

A couple of years ago I enquired about the MA in Creative Writing at Lincoln University. I suppose I thought that if I joined the class it might make me a 'real' writer, as well as provide me with an MA which might shut a few people up!

At the time of enquiring the course fees were £4000 a year (full time) and I thought that was expensive! Since them I am sure the fees have risen and will continue to rise, so I was pleased to read a recent article in Mslexia (www.mslexia.co.uk/) Oct/Nov/Dec 2011 entitled; 'Are You Wasting Your Money?' The conclusion of the article (as I saw it) was a big YES!

Writing can be learned, but that doesn't necessarily mean it can be taught.
The only thing they (students) really need to become better writers is a library card.

So I shall spend my money on something else. Perhaps a specific Arvon course (www.arvonfoundation.org/) would be more suited to me. But first I need to get back to some 'serious' writing....