The last few mornings have had that autumn feel to them - a chill in the air, hazy horizons over the valley when I walk the dog, a dampness underfoot. I really don't want to see the summer go yet - we just don't seem to have had enough of it - but at least on the writing front there are things to look forward to as a new season starts.
On Wednesday September 4th a new poetry venture - "Well Versed" - is starting at the Muffin Man in Cheltenham with a mixture of invited guests, music and an open mic. I'm delighted to have been invited to take part in the first evening. Perhaps you might like to come along too - 7-9pm. It should be fun. The following Saturday, September 7th, sees "Poetry In Store" at Waterstones bookshop on the Promenade from 11 -1pm - a variety of poets (myself included) will be reading their own work and that of others. I'm not sure of the date yet, but my monthly poetry group will also be doing a fund raising evening for the Global Footsteps Cafe charity later in the year - watch this space for details of that one.
But the piece de resistance has to be the Gloucestershire Writer's Network evening at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Monday October 7th! Tickets go on sale as from next week. I loved the event two years ago (when I was a runner up in the poetry competition); that year it was held in the amazing Spiegeltent with its nineeenth century carved pillars, huge mirrors and coloured lighting. Sounds like a more mundane venue this year I'm afraid, but I'm still looking forward to it no end! The winners and runners up in both the poetry and short story sections will be reading their entries, followed by Jennie Farley reading some of her work on the festival theme of "Memory".
Most usefully this week I've received the judge's critiques on my winning entries for the GWN poetry competition and the Onward Short Story prize. Whilst I know only too well that I have an awful lot still to learn, it really is very heartening to be congratulated when you have mastered something you've really been struggling with! So both lots of comments (edited highlights below) were most welcome.
"The winning poem is a gem, using as its metaphor a Victorian sampler embroidered by a 13 year old girl ... during a hard Welsh winter, each coloured thread representing dreams of summer. This memorable poem is as carefully worked as the sampler itself, not a stitch (or a word) out of place." Jennie Farley
"What’s really striking in this story is the strong sense of place and the use
of detail from the natural world. There is some beautifully cinematic writing,
as though we are watching a film. The story also knows just where to begin and
end, which sounds simple, but is one of the most difficult aspects of short
fiction to judge correctly. The author also understands the ‘tip of the
iceberg’ technique where little details are used to suggest an awful lot more
in the reader’s mind. Combining elements of French travelogue, ghost story, and
contemporary family issues, this is a rich and well crafted story." Prof. Ursula Hurley
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