I have just posted two new episode to my podcast: 1 - "What is Poetry for?" - an article which looks at the function and worth of poetry. 2 - "17 Alma Road" - the draft beginning of a work-in-progress which may turn into a novel or novella. You can find both here.
Category: Poetry
Haiku Play
One of the 'Haiku Plays' produced during the 'Write-on Ripon' meeting of 28th February. the black cylinders of automatic rifles bitter liquorice black burns the sore throat stinging flavour grasping breath gagging the stomach skin shred like flailed rags seeping scarlet oozing slow warm blood-flecked spittle peaceful people all must suffer at others' hands prey … Continue reading Haiku Play
Yesterday & Today: 1st March
A good way to finish the month, yesterday was busy. First a quick run-through of Crash with about a dozen lines removed. 40 minutes seems set to be the running time. Then a couple of hours residency in the library during which time I did some more planning of 'episodes' in my project "C". The … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 1st March
Yesterday & Today: 28th February
It was a good day yesterday in terms of "C", completing the character profiles. The next stage is to work through these to pull out ideas for the episodes I need to write in order to build the characters in the narrative e.g. the character profile may have identified an influential event from the character's … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 28th February
“Ship’s Log”
In "Ship's Log", David Punter has harvested extracts from the letters and diaries of former SS Great Britain passengers and crew written during 19th Century voyages from the UK mainly to Australia, and used them as a kind of 'jumping off point' for poetic responses which attempt to echo the essence of the letters and … Continue reading “Ship’s Log”
Yesterday & Today: 27th February
During yesterday's run-through of Crash, I think I recognised that there are a few lines in a couple of places that need to be cut. They're the kind of lines which work well enough on the page, but in a 'performance' of the piece seem to cost momentum. This is the first time I've had … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 27th February
Yesterday & Today: 26th February
I surprised myself by getting a large slug of "C" planning done yesterday, attempting outline how I might fill in the gaps between the narrative bookends already written. Putting potential books on the shelf, if you like. The next exercise on this particular journey should be completion of six character profiles; these will then help … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 26th February
Yesterday & Today: 25th February
If I'm honest, the first draft of my as yet unpublished article "What is Poetry for?" started out by adopting something of a harsh and confrontational tone. However, following on from the splendid Contextual: 15 evening on Thursday, when I was redrafting it yesterday, I was forced to soften my stance somewhat. Given I still … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 25th February
Yesterday & Today: 24th February
Without doubt yesterday's highlight was the Contextual: 15 virtual poetry reading I hosted in the evening. Not only did we have our highest ever attendance which peaked at 28, we were treated to some superb poetry from Kerry Darbishire, Tom Larner, Kate Miller, Gillie Robic, and David Thompson. My profound thanks to our readers and … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 24th February
Yesterday & Today: 23rd February
Things didn't quite go to plan yesterday as my Crash rehearsal had to be cancelled. However, I made up for it to some extent by indulging in a read-through in my study - doors closed again to protect the innocent! I tried to up the pace a little, which I managed to do - but … Continue reading Yesterday & Today: 23rd February
Ian Gouge - Writer 