Since I started teaching at Polytech (sounds so official, doesn't it?), I've had to re-immerse myself in the hundreds of writing exercises that I've collected. Which has been good – I'm finally starting to write again, even if only quite minor poems. At least I'm writing. And it feels good! So, so good. One thing I …
The NZPS anthology saga continues (even more)
I spent pretty much all of Monday getting the proof copies out so that all the contributors can check their poems. It's a simple enough job, but it always takes sooooooooo much longer than I expect. Even when, like this year, I'm mostly sending out pdf proofs by email rather than posting paper copies. My …
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I love the Olympics. I know it's "not done" in a lot of circles, but I love them. There's something wonderful about watching people excel. People fulfilling their potential. And heartbreaking about watching people try, and fail. But even then it's a good reminder of how fleeting and ephemeral perfection is. I was living in Sydney …
What’s wrong with an MFA?
It's interesting to listen to writers on the subject of Creative Writing courses – not just MAs, MPhils, and MFAs, but the generic Creative Writing 101 course, offered by your local Community College or equivalent. So many writers, publishers, and critics will get themselves completed knotted up about the whole concept. Why? The usual reasons …
NZPS Anthology 2008 … the saga continues
Well we now have a title: I've gone with Before the Sirocco. It's a lovely evocative title, and I think does a good job of catching the mood of the poems. So many this year are ... well, almost despairing. Sad, angry, regretful, passionate, rueful. Appropriate poems for a planet in trouble? Nothing overtly greenie, …
A Dark Feathered Art 