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....

Quality is.....

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.

John Ruskin (1819-1900)

Happy 4th Birthday Blog!!

Today I am still feeling under the weather due to a cold that I seem to have acquired as the temperature outside rapidly drops as winter approaches! I also think this has been brought on as I have been feeling 'run down' lately and trying to do too many things at once. I know I need to be calmer and go with the flow more....

Did I mention that I had joined a book group down the road? Well, I have decided to drop that commitment as I think it is one too many.

And I briefly considered attending to write a novel in a month - 50,000 words in 30 days (see: www.nanowrimo.org/ ) but due to stress levels and time constraints I think I will pass on it this year. While contemplating it however, it did give me an idea for a book, so we shall see!

Since attending the Lindum Scribes in September I have become a member of the group. I feel this is a good thing as the meetings are held locally and the members are a nice bunch. I also continue to attend the Poison Pens who continue to be a great source of inspiration and knowledge. Both groups have a different mix of people so the comments I receive at one regarding a piece may be different from the other group.

I have had a number of ideas lately with regards to themes for poetry and hope to attempt to do some free verse in the near future. Having a toddler means that time has to be found in small amounts and this is more conducive to poetry writing than novel writing (at least for me!).

As I say, time continues to be my main problem. However, I must remember not to push myself so hard, not to try to control everything so much, to use writing as therapy when things get too bad and to Relax!!

The Saddest Thing

He is everywhere.
He is in my thoughts.
He is everything.
To me.

The reason for existence.
The reason that I breathe.
I need him
Just
To be.

But..

The saddest thing.
Is that I know
He's never noticed
Me.


Published in Winged Words, Edited by Heather Killingray, Poetry Now, Peterborough (2003)