Poetry competition success at York Literature Festival

Photograph YorkMix

I would love her was commended and here I am reading at the awards event in March 2014, though somewhat dazzled by the stage lights!  It took place at the Friargate Theatre, a cosy place which hosted all the winners.  And what a lovely bunch of readers and poems we heard - it does make such a difference when you hear poems and see them on the page.  
This poem, inspired by an encounter on Headingley rail station platform, is here for you to read (scroll down low).  The station stands higher than the surrounding allotments and houses - all were covered in deep snow.  A snow figure had been neatly built on one of the red metal seats.  No one else was around when I arrived and all was eerily quiet.

Good news and bad

The next course I should have been teaching will not run. Where are all the budding writers? Stuck inside because of the snow? Writing alone in their garrets?

Being so snow bound means I've more time to write this blog and here's something that might interest you, as a writer or tutor. Have a look at http://www.shoetales.co.uk for lots of writing ideas that start with shoes. As a tutor you can send away for their pack but there are stimuli on the website too. I can't wait to try them out, though unfortunately I will have to wait until my next teaching assignment comes up!

Meanwhile the next competition closing date looms for me, the MsLexia short story competition closes on 25th January and must be sent by snail mail. Note to self: fingers to the keyboard, ideas to come pouring out of the brain (or should that be the mind? ...)