Sometimes the universe seems to line things up, so that it feels as though you are receiving a domino-chain of affirmation – random things, unrelated or only tangentially so, that fall into place with a sound like yes! Yes. Yes. See, we’re aligning for you! Yes. Yes. Yes. Synchronicity, in other words. I try not to be superstitious (or …
Oh, Canada!
One of the great perks of being a freelance creative writing teacher is that I get to read a load of books of poetry and claim that it’s work. And one of my favourite targets for this is (or possibly are – grammar?) the annual poetry anthology. I love anthologies. Especially this sort, which limit selection to …
Tasks to while away a wet afternoon …
One of the things I’ve discovered this year is the joy of citizen science. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the concept, it’s a way of putting the vast connectivity of the internet to actual use in solving scientific problems. No, not in the sense of using the wisdom of crowds to somehow make …
Spring 2016 CPC Readings
Blossom all over the lawn? Check. Blackbirds having dogfights through the trees? Check. A mixture of t-shirts and wooly jumpers strewn about the house Because Of The Freakin’ Weather? Check. An almost uncontrollable urge to get up in front of strangers and air my new poems? Check. That can only mean one thing … The Spring Readings …
Teaching poetry – Kate Clanchy article
I was recently sent a link to a gorgeous article in The Guardian written by Kate Clanchy: the story of The Very Quiet Foreign Girls poetry group. Having spent the weekend revisiting the deep pleasure of being a student (despite nearly dislocating myself trying not to butt in and teach over the top of poor …
A Dark Feathered Art 