(5 maximum)
Develop a House Style for myself by the end of January 2012.
Attend a workshop on writing poetry in 2012.
Enter at least one competition a month in 2012.
Take a new piece of writing to every meeting of The Lindum Scribes in 2012.
Every day write something or do something that moves me towards the writer I want to be.
Friday 30 December 2011
Exercise One: Imagine yourself as the writer you want to be and write a book blurb on yourself
(5 lines maximum)
Joanne Borrill was made Poet Laureate in January this year after a lifetime of achievements. To date she has had 7 poetry collections published and 14 humorous children’s books. She has recently completed a couple of ‘laugh out loud’ chick-lit novels and hopes to use her residency as Poet Laureate to show poetry doesn’t have to be boring.
Joanne Borrill was made Poet Laureate in January this year after a lifetime of achievements. To date she has had 7 poetry collections published and 14 humorous children’s books. She has recently completed a couple of ‘laugh out loud’ chick-lit novels and hopes to use her residency as Poet Laureate to show poetry doesn’t have to be boring.
Kick Start Your Writing Year Workshop
As I said in November (http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.com/2011/11/workshop-planning.html) on the 10th January 2012 I have volunteered to run a workshop at The Lindum Scribes (www.lindumscribes.org/) entitled 'Kick Start Your Writing Year'.
Preparing the workshop has been very good for me as it has helped me focus on my plans and resolutions for the new year. I have decided to focus on my poetry this year and as such my resolutions revolve around poetry. While planning the workshop I have re-discovered the many books I have on my shelves and I intend to read and re-read as many as possible this year. I have also treated myself to a book that I have seen on a number of reading lists: 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem by Ruth Padel and a collection of poetry by Carol Ann Duffy: The Bees. I just need to find time to read them all. This is the main focus of my workshop so hopefully all the members - including me - will find more time for writing in 2012!
I have this week sent out the two exercises that I want members to complete before the night.
I have also sent them my attempts!
Preparing the workshop has been very good for me as it has helped me focus on my plans and resolutions for the new year. I have decided to focus on my poetry this year and as such my resolutions revolve around poetry. While planning the workshop I have re-discovered the many books I have on my shelves and I intend to read and re-read as many as possible this year. I have also treated myself to a book that I have seen on a number of reading lists: 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem by Ruth Padel and a collection of poetry by Carol Ann Duffy: The Bees. I just need to find time to read them all. This is the main focus of my workshop so hopefully all the members - including me - will find more time for writing in 2012!
I have this week sent out the two exercises that I want members to complete before the night.
I have also sent them my attempts!
Tuesday 27 December 2011
The Jam Jar Illustration : Part Two
I have mentioned the Jam Jar Illustration before
http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.com/2009/05/jam-jar-illustration.html but a few weeks ago I received a forwarded email from my good friend Lucy. I don't usually have time for these emails but I gave this one a few minutes and was glad I did. It takes the Jam Jar Illustration one step further....
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine theory...
A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items on his desk in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first", he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the good things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."
http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.com/2009/05/jam-jar-illustration.html but a few weeks ago I received a forwarded email from my good friend Lucy. I don't usually have time for these emails but I gave this one a few minutes and was glad I did. It takes the Jam Jar Illustration one step further....
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine theory...
A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items on his desk in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES."
The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first", he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the good things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.
Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend."
Wednesday 21 December 2011
It's The Thought That Doesn't Count (Ode to my Mother-In-Law)
Your Christmas card arrived today,
You forgot to add a stamp.
I can see it once said ‘Love Brian,’
So I can tell its second hand.
Every year when Christmas comes,
I know what I’m getting from you.
Presents that are worse than shoddy tat,
Is this really the best you can do?
The socks you gave that were full of holes.
The slippers that had two left feet.
Knickers that don’t appear very clean.
Cut price beef, when I don’t eat meat.
I only have a shower at home.
Thanks a lot for the bubble bath.
My bathroom is white with silver fittings.
So I have no use for gold taps.
A knitted toilet roll holder,
Someone else might think it pretty.
An ugly Scunthorpe United scarf,
When I support Lincoln City.
You bought me once a size eighteen,
But you must know I’m a ten.
One year you bought me a glasses case,
I was wearing contacts by then.
A set of whisky miniatures,
When you know that I never drink.
‘Special Offer’ Eau de Toilette,
Gave off a truly toilet stink.
A big bag of seed potatoes,
Won’t fit in my small window box.
Four big tins of BOGOF cat food,
When I have always had a dog.
Stop buying me video tapes,
I no longer have the machine.
Technology moved on I’m afraid,
And ‘Hitler’s War.’ I don’t want to see.
I thank you for my birthday gift.
A sweater. 50% cashmere.
I know it’s good quality. In fact,
That’s the present I gave you last year.
Please take me off your Christmas list.
Don’t bother spending any amount.
Do you think about those that you buy for?
Yours, is the thought, that doesn’t count.
Joanne Borrill
December 2011
You forgot to add a stamp.
I can see it once said ‘Love Brian,’
So I can tell its second hand.
Every year when Christmas comes,
I know what I’m getting from you.
Presents that are worse than shoddy tat,
Is this really the best you can do?
The socks you gave that were full of holes.
The slippers that had two left feet.
Knickers that don’t appear very clean.
Cut price beef, when I don’t eat meat.
I only have a shower at home.
Thanks a lot for the bubble bath.
My bathroom is white with silver fittings.
So I have no use for gold taps.
A knitted toilet roll holder,
Someone else might think it pretty.
An ugly Scunthorpe United scarf,
When I support Lincoln City.
You bought me once a size eighteen,
But you must know I’m a ten.
One year you bought me a glasses case,
I was wearing contacts by then.
A set of whisky miniatures,
When you know that I never drink.
‘Special Offer’ Eau de Toilette,
Gave off a truly toilet stink.
A big bag of seed potatoes,
Won’t fit in my small window box.
Four big tins of BOGOF cat food,
When I have always had a dog.
Stop buying me video tapes,
I no longer have the machine.
Technology moved on I’m afraid,
And ‘Hitler’s War.’ I don’t want to see.
I thank you for my birthday gift.
A sweater. 50% cashmere.
I know it’s good quality. In fact,
That’s the present I gave you last year.
Please take me off your Christmas list.
Don’t bother spending any amount.
Do you think about those that you buy for?
Yours, is the thought, that doesn’t count.
Joanne Borrill
December 2011
Saturday 3 December 2011
An Unopened Present
Last year I sent all my writing contacts a poem (see: http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.com/search?q=unopened&updated-max=2010-12-26T12%3A20%3A00Z&max-results=20 This year I have decided to publish it on my blog.
An unopened present.
For many years too painful
to sneak a peek. Now, with your arrival.
Demands to be opened.
Dust the cobwebs off the tree.
Empty the battered boxes.
A few broken ornaments tumble out like tears.
Fragile reminders of Christmas past.
A crisp crunch under our feet.
Wind reddening your cheeks.
A ruby robin arrives. Fresh footprints lead us,
from the past to the future.
Warming ourselves by the fire.
Memory breaks through the ice.
The departed spirit of Christmas no one sees.
Eyes glisten as candles flicker.
A twinkling tree transformed.
Little fingers wrestle.
Wrapping paper does battle. Eyes full of wonder.
Open to the magic.
Turkey. Enough for sharing.
Joy and laughter fill our home.
A Family at Christmas. ‘Just what I wanted’.
My heart unwrapped once more.
Joanne Borrill
December 2010
An unopened present.
For many years too painful
to sneak a peek. Now, with your arrival.
Demands to be opened.
Dust the cobwebs off the tree.
Empty the battered boxes.
A few broken ornaments tumble out like tears.
Fragile reminders of Christmas past.
A crisp crunch under our feet.
Wind reddening your cheeks.
A ruby robin arrives. Fresh footprints lead us,
from the past to the future.
Warming ourselves by the fire.
Memory breaks through the ice.
The departed spirit of Christmas no one sees.
Eyes glisten as candles flicker.
A twinkling tree transformed.
Little fingers wrestle.
Wrapping paper does battle. Eyes full of wonder.
Open to the magic.
Turkey. Enough for sharing.
Joy and laughter fill our home.
A Family at Christmas. ‘Just what I wanted’.
My heart unwrapped once more.
Joanne Borrill
December 2010
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