I’ve been blessed this past week with inspiration from other writers. Last Thursday I watched and listened to Rowan McCabe perform at The Stanza in North Shields. Five years ago Rowan, Andrew Sclater and I took part in Amuse Bouche, a scheme run by Apples and Snakes and Stockton ARC to improve our poetry performance skills. We three enjoyed working together and it was wonderful to see natural performer Rowan in full flow at The Stanza.
The following day I ordered Andrew Sclater’s poetry pamphlet, Dinner at the Blaws-Baxters from the delightful Happenstance Press. This Scottish publisher produced the pamphlet last year. My copy arrived on Saturday morning but I’d already left the house to co-run the third North Tyneside Writers’ Circle at North Shields library by the time it was pushed through my letterbox. I opened the package that evening.
Opening the Happenstance package felt like opening a birthday or Christmas present. What a treat. My excitement mingled with the buzz from the day. That morning I’d enjoyed North Tyneside Writers’ Circle guest, the poet Steve Urwin performing and talking about his work. Inspirational.
I devoured Andrew Sclater’s Happenstance pamphlet on Sunday morning and hope I get to see him perform again soon.
Yesterday morning I ran a workshop for the Cramlington Writers’ group. It was my third visit to this committed and supportive group. I borrowed Jennifer C Wilson’s Ekphrasis workshop idea and shared it in Cramlington. The workshop tried to coax inspiration out of art: painting, photos, sculpture.
Cramlington Writers’ group had done their homework. They brought a wide range of art from their homes including a Balinese wooden sculpture and a 60 year old wood cut from Africa.
Thanks to Rowan, Andrew, Steve, Jennifer, Happenstance Press and The Cramlington Writers’ Group. Your words and actions are inspiring me to write this week.