"you have to make an effort when putting pen to paper; it's more meaningful; you leave something of yourself in the marks you make"Caroline, in my forthcoming story "Smoking in the Park"
Category: Poetry
Working in ‘the office’…
I like to add some variety to my working routine. Often - as this morning - I make my way first thing to the café in one of our local supermarkets. Usually first or second to be served (black Americano and an almond croissant), I plant myself at the far corner table and open my … Continue reading Working in ‘the office’…
Looking forward to mentoring again…
On Thursday next week I embark on another three-day gig as on-site mentor for a writers' retreat. The commitment involves running a couple of workshops, some evening sessions - ice-breakers, readings etc. - and individual 1-2-1s with the participants. Based on my experiences thus far, I am probably looking forward to the 1-2-1s most of … Continue reading Looking forward to mentoring again…
Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I am delighted to be able to announce the publication of "Selected Poems: 1976-2022". At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have for … Continue reading Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
I have just added readings of poems from my collection The Homelessness of a Child to my podcast "Walking Thru Fire". You can find this episode - and many others! - on Buzzsprout, and it should find its way onto other podcast platforms - such as Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music etc. - in the next … Continue reading New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
New publication: “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I am delighted to be able to announce the forthcoming publication of "Selected Poems: 1976-2022". At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have … Continue reading New publication: “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
After the dust settles…
The best part of a week since I returned from my retreat and, in terms of 'what next?', things are now clearly in focus. Which was one of the things the retreat was all about, to answer questions like that. And the 'what next' things are tangible and solid. Firstly: finish my next novel; second … Continue reading After the dust settles…
“Lockdown Journal”
At the beginning of the UK's first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Hamish Wilson began writing a series of sonnets. With one a day for the first twenty-five days of the period, these poems eventually became "Lockdown Journal". Many single Covid / lockdown poems written at the time seem to me to fail for two main … Continue reading “Lockdown Journal”
Retreat – Day 3
06:55 - 13th May 2022 Another decent day yesterday with the majority of my time spent on editing 'Reunion'. Some work on the Sonnets as I edge closer to drafting #80. Plus I started work on my Reviewers' list by reestablishing control over my Goodreads author profile. I think I'll be doing some work on … Continue reading Retreat – Day 3
Retreat – Day 2
A good day yesterday. Most of the creative effort went into editing "Reunion" plus some sonnet-dabbling. Had a snooze after lunch to try and catch-up on Tuesday's poor night's sleep, and another short walk before dinner for cobweb-blowing. The highlight was the 'open mic' though. I read my short story "Downsizing", two sonnets - "Pilgrimage" … Continue reading Retreat – Day 2
Ian Gouge - Writer 