There is an awful lot to admire in Romalyn Ante's collection Agimat: some beautiful images, wonderful use of language, effective communication of emotion. She seems to treat all her subjects - even the difficult ones (and there are a few!) - with a kind of even-handed respect. And there is a haunting, lyrical quality about … Continue reading “Agimat”
Category: Poetry
“Signs, Music”
When unsure about a volume of poetry, I have now adopted the process of putting it aside for a while (1 or 2 months) and then go back to it. This is paying dividends, and Raymond Antrobus's Signs, Music is a case in point. Second time through I really liked it. The collection is full … Continue reading “Signs, Music”
November’s highlights…
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway A selection of links to recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes out" And a link to my new … Continue reading November’s highlights…
“Bluff”
The beginning of Danez Smith's "anti poetica" in Bluff starts "who cares how long i've spent with my poems" - and frankly, I don't. Many of these pieces are pure gimmickry; 'anti poetica' indeed. There is clearly a lot of rage and anger in Smith's work - and quite justifiably so - but when poets … Continue reading “Bluff”
“The Keelie Hawk”
On one level, Kathleen Jamie's The Keelie Hawk is impossible to read - that is unless you happen to be fluent in Scots. Luckily on every verso page is an English 'translation' of the Scots poem, all of which meant I could only read the translations and not the original poems. Given the musicality of … Continue reading “The Keelie Hawk”
A new book – and highlights from October’s posts…
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway A link to my new book, plus a selection of links to recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes … Continue reading A new book – and highlights from October’s posts…
New book out today!
My new book is based on decades of experience writing, running workshops, mentoring and conversations with other writers. Perhaps you don’t know if what you’re trying to write is the thing you should be writing; perhaps you’re feeling disheartened by years of competition and Agent rejections. Or maybe you’re simply struggling to finish ‘your novel’. Or even … Continue reading New book out today!
Highlights from September’s posts…
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway Here are a selection of recent posts from my Substack site. "Writing until the light goes out" "Writing until the light goes out"
“Lapwing” & “Sky Mall”
I couple Hannah Copley's Lapwing and Eric Kocher's Sky Mall together in this review because they share two traits: the first is a significant degree of repetition in both subject matter and phraseology, and the second is a degree of the prosaic in the writing. Unsure what to make of Lapwing, I put it aside … Continue reading “Lapwing” & “Sky Mall”
A selection from August…
"when you see anything of mine that you don’t like remember that I’m sincere in doing it and that I’m working toward something." - Ernest Hemingway Here are a selection of recent posts from my Substack site. The post on gimmickry in poetry has been particularly well received; plus news on a nomination for a … Continue reading A selection from August…
Ian Gouge - Writer 