Lindum Scribes here!!

A few months ago, at a meeting of the Lindum Scribes, it was decided that there would not be an August meeting as there would be so few members to attend and it would not be worthwhile paying the venue.  At this time I volunteered my garden; saying we had a lot of space and, as long as there weren't too many people, I would be able to accomodate.  I was expecting 7 of us but in the end there was a nice 6 to sit around my dining table.

The meeting went ahead as usual, with the usual Chairman and each attendee reading out their work.  One of the attendees was an original member (as she likes to tell anyone who will listen) had just returned after a spell in hospital.  It was really nice to see her fit and well again.  However, this feeling was short lived as she totally dominated the evening.  I read one of my poems and, rather than the members discussing what they thought, she jumped in on an entitrely different subject and I sat there quite deflated.

After the evening I am afraid to say I felt very upset.  This was (one of) the reasons I left last time.  I remember going to meetings and spending far too long discussing TV programs etc.  My time is so precious now and I attend groups for feedback on my writing!  I know this has been discussed at Poison Pens and it was felt there was too much gossip there, but at least that is writing related.  I had expected an intellectual evening, sat around my dining table, but the reality turned out to be far from that!!

I did write an email to the Chairman expressing my views, who said she would discuss this with the other committee membners.  She had noticed what had been going on but she herself was feeling less than well.  The member in question can be a very difficult character.  She complained during the meeting that the committee did not have her correct email address.  I suspect she had not actually sent it around.  But the group cannot continue to let her get away with her interruptions or there will not be any time left for anything else.

Fingers crossed, this does not happen again.  If it does, I am afraid I may have to think seriously about my membership.  It costs me £24 a year and I need to ensure that it is a valuable use of my money and my time. 

Apologies

It was a meeting of the Pimento Poets on Monday and I found (once again) there were too many things in the diary and so I had to send my apologies.  Along with my apologies I attached a copy of my poem 'New Job' and was pleased to receive replies and useful comments from three of the members.   In return I sent comments on a poem that had been sent to me. 

It has also been useful to use the forum that Ash set up for the group, where we can swap comments and poems.  So far I have only shared three of my haiku's on the site, but comments from members helped me to decide which one to enter into a recent competition.

I really do hope I can make the next meeting - family commitments willing!!

More Competitions

Have today entered a couple of competitions.

Firstly, I sent my poem All The Shades Of Black to the Nottingham Open Poetry Competition, run by the Nottingham Poetry Society.  The entry form states the sole adjudicator is Neil Astley.  When I looked him up on the Internet I found that he is editor at Bloodaxe Books and edited one of the books that I have on my book shelf - Staying Alive (2002) which was a present from my poetry friend Liz.

Not really sure if I have any chance with this competition.  In the Introduction to Staying Alive, Neil says; 'The best contemporary poetry is life affirming and directly relevant to all our lives.'  He goes on to discuss 'important personal connections.'

The second competition I have entered is the Hysteria 2012 Poetry Writing Competition.  This is a competition open to women only.  Poems are to be 15 lines maximum.  Luckily they accept entries which have been previously published.  I therefore decided to enter Drunk on Love http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/drunk-on-love.html

Judges for this competition are Meaghan Delahunt and Anne Orchard.

Haiku Competition

Have continued to try to write a Haiku a day (see http://theonlyconsequence.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/other-ways-to-express-your-creativity.html) and have today entered one into the Writing Magazine 'Write a Haiku' competition - closing date 15th August.  I was lucky enough to receive some encouragement from the Pimento Poets and the haiku that I entered is not a traditional haiku, so we shall see what they were looking for in a few months when the winners are announced.....

In the meantime, here's one that got away (and didn't get entered):

A quiet morning

The glass jar hit the floor fast

Simple life. Shattered.