am having so much trouble uploading my poems can someone help in moron terms. I am full member now.

I was recently persuaded to read the Twilight series of books. I have already seen the Twilight film and loved it so thought 'why not?' First book and I was hooked, as was I when reading the second. The third book took me longer to get through; 3 days to be precise....but, oh Stephanie, what was you thinking with the fourth book. I am 200 pages from the end and lost the will to live. My friend had to tell me what happend in the end and I am saddend to say I am pleased I did not waste my time in reading it.....However, I have seen the trailer for New Moon and cannot wait!

While recently queuing in California’s Disneyland, a middle aged lady whipped out a breast and openly started feeding her young child. I am no prude and know this act is ‘natural’ for some if not most mothers but as my husband pointed out “It’s natural for a guy to take a leak but I wouldn’t do it while standing in line for Peter Pan!”

If only he asks me out… my life will be brilliant! If only he tells me I’m beautiful…my life will be brilliant! If only he asks me to marry him… my life will be brilliant! If only he stays faithful through the ups and downs… my life will be brilliant! Ah. True love. It blinds us into thinking that if we get our hands on what we desire then everything that’s wrong with our life will transform and we’ll be as happy as one of those shiny, sunny faces peering out from some lifestyle magazine. And isn't writing just the same? If only I finish this wip, if only I get an agent, if only I get a publishing deal, if only my sales are superlative, if only I publish story after story, if only my contracts are renewed year in year out… But achieving literary success will not heal all our ills, will not cast asunder all our emotional baggage. We’ll still be us – just like all those years ago when finally dating cool Tom from Year 10 didn’t erase the acne or extinguish exam jitters.

Writing and writing projects really are like the lover from hell.
Remember that awful feeling? The relationship is over – it’s stale, it’s going nowhere. You just haven’t told the other person yet. You ask for outsiders’ opinions, they tell you to try again but it’s too late, you’ve already got your heart set on someone else. Does this sound familiar? When you’re sick of a project and a new one is calling to you, making you feel disloyal for the excitement it ignites in you, for the resentment you feel at the old words and sentences you’ve reworked to death all those months before. Moving on - it’s a difficult thing. But when the time is right – and you’ll know – whether it’s after a stack of rejections or after some brutal advice from an editorial agency, or simply a voice in your head telling you that your plot and themes just don’t work… The deed has to be done. Cruel to be kind. Onwards and upwards. Allow yourself to fall in love with a new plot and set of characters.


Read Full Post

The giant bubbles towered over poor diminished Joshua Reynolds and his palette, reflecting the Georgians facades of the surrounding RA buildings. When we stood up close, they also threw back our own distorted images, like a funfair ¡¥Hall of Mirrors¡¦.


Read Full Post

Tonight's the night! Strictly Come Dancing, the show to which our blog pays homage, is bringing its warm, friendly glitter and glamour back to the screens.

Brucie will crack the same old cringe-worthy jokes and then say 'think about it' in case we're too thick to understand. Viewers at home will lament the ditching of Arlene. The dancers will nervously await their first moment of glory, and across the land grumpy dads on sofas will comment “never 'eard of 'im,” and “who's she when she's at home?”

Read Full Post

It seems that each week we are here in our new life in Americaland we move a step closer to being Properly Settled In. Nested, maybe.

Read Full Post

October 8th, for those of you who might not know, is National Poetry Day. Which is a very good thing.

Another good thing is below, an interview with Jo Bell. Jo's a poet, the organiser of National Poetry Day (October 8th) a runner of workshops and, amongst many other things, a very lovely lady. So, on with things...

So, Jo Bell. Who are you? What do you do?
I have no idea, actually, but I always seem to be busy. I call myself a ‘poetry professional’ because most of my work is poetry based. I work freelance and my main job is to co-ordinate National Poetry Day across the UK. I also write commissions such as a recent series of poems on food for the National Trust. I do readings and performances such as themed evenings based on Christmas or gardening. I run workshops to help people write poetry and I’m doing a lot of work in Derby, where I hope to be poet in residence at the new hospital next year.

What is National Poetry Day? How can people get themselves involved?
National Poetry Day is the biggest celebration of poetry in the UK, and this year it falls on Thursday October 8th. Our theme is ‘heroes and heroines’ (yes, technically ‘heroes’ would cover it). The Poet Laureate herself, Carol Ann Duffy, has written a poem for us and you will hear a lot of poetry on the radio and TV. There will be hundreds of events across the country run by poetry-lovers; poetry marathons, readings at libraries and festivals, children’s events, performances. Visit our website www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk to find out what is going on near you. If there isn’t anything listed, then do something yourself – get your writing group to discuss poetry, organise a poetry reading at the library….


Read Full Post

I was meeting a friend for a drink in the Compton Arms in Islington last week. As I was waiting for him to turn up I overheard a conversation between the barmaid and a punter.

“That’s Keanu Reeves’ pint pot,” said the barmaid, nodding towards something wrapped in a plastic carrier bag.

“Who?”

“Keanu Reeves. He was in here the other night. Must have been filming nearby and he came in for a pint of Guinness. They like to try things, don’t they?”

“Who do?”

“Celebrities.”

Read Full Post