And a Good Time Was Had by All
Month: March 2007
One Down
and one to go.
The poetry event I attended and read at on Tuesday was good fun. My Writing Group went and every one of them impressed me (even the ones who were a little nervous before hand). So, well done chaps.
The evening was slightly spoiled though. The person who’d organised it had booked the pub’s back room. A good idea, no? A family had booked a table for dinner and somehow were given a table in the same room. Not so good. Them, expecting a nice evening out having to compete with a bunch of poets who had also expected a nice evening. Luckily they were good sports and kept the noise down (which they really shouldn’t have needed to do) and we made a point of apologising and saying a lot of thank yous.
I’ve another tonight so hopefully we’ll be able to hear ourselves read. We shall see.
Editing
And this is in spite of me having some sort of hay fever which has made me feel a little lethargic. Life goes on.
I’m attending a couple of local poetry events this week and have been pondering what to take to read (to the people there – not because I’ll be bored). I wrote one about Fairies the other week and I’m keen for that to feature. As for what else, I’m not so sure. I’m sure I’ll think of something. Trouble is, I’ve never been to a poetry event before so I’m not sure what to expect. I will, of course, let you know how it went.
And yet more
Yes, even more plugs. But I don’t mind because they’re all both very nice people and great writers.
So, and in no particular order we have…
Leena‘s Blog
I think that’s it.
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I’m still enjoying this lull in productivity. Which is nice and (I reckon) deserved. Yesterday was spent cleaning my office. And when I say cleaning I mean CLEANING. It’s so clean you could eat your dinner off it. I wouldn’t like you to do that though. Especially if you were having, say, beans for your dinner. Or anything with brown sauce. Pale carpets, you see.
Hmm, I’m rambling. I think it may be time to focus my mind on work again.
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Actually, thinking about it, there is another writer’s blog I want to mention. It’s Kay Sexton’s. She knows what she’s talking about – lots of fantastic writing advice to be found there.
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And congrats and best wishes to Roger, whose latest has just been released in the United States.
More plugging
It has been very cold up here today. Very, very cold. But no snow or ice.
Anyway, here’s what I wanted to tell you. Another very lovely and very talented writer’s website has just gone live. Here’s the link. The writer is Sarah Stovell. Have a look at the uploaded writing bit – it’s very good.
And this reminds me that I need to update my website. As always, so much to do…
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And thanks to Judy Hughes (again) for her help and support with the work I’ve done with Wilmslow Prep and everything that goes with it (including selling and sorting those extra books I left with her). Much appreciated!
PLUG!
You can tell I’ve not been quite so hard at it today, with me posting twice! What’s happened bewteen this post and the last? Well I worked on a poem and I had a phone call from Anne which was lovely. Always nice to speak with other writers especially when they’re that nice.
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And Rambo and Leroy, a great band, two thirds of which I know, have updated their myspace page. Loads of new stuff on there – check it out!
Snow Way!
I had a rather pleasant weekend. We met up with friends Ruth and Gary (and possibly had one too many stouts), relaxed, went to dinner for Mothers’ Day and had snow. The latter of which is still here. Just. It is a bright and sunny day so that won’t be the case for much longer. But I’m enjoying it whilst it’s here.
This week’s going to be a bit of a lull before I start the rewrites of my novel. I’ve a few writing things I need to do and a couple of schools to visit to sign some books. I might even find time for the gym. Time will tell…
Last year I spent a considerable amount of time in my local library. A very nice library in Bollington.
I led six workshops there for children for World Book Day.
I led a creative writing workshop for Adult Learners’ Week.
I presented awards to the children who’d completed the summer reading challenge.
I set up camp there for a day with the Roaming Roman Book Tour.
And since July have been running, every Tuesday evening, a writing group there.
On February 27th I attended a talk given by a local chap who’d self published his memoirs. The book’s called From Bollington To Zanzibar and is mentioned in this blog. I think it’s important to support these kind of things and people.
I was in the kitchen with my girlfriend earlier, flicking through my local rag. They covered this recent event and the article was in there (they’ve covered my events there as well).
The article said:
‘The first ever talk by a local author at Bollington Library featured a speaker better known for his firefighting escapades than his writing skills. But Graham Hibbert managed to keep the audience enthralled…’
Needless to say this is wrong and I am incredibly cross. I’m not the sort of person who wants his picture in the paper. I’m quite shy. I get extremely frustrated though, when people don’t do their jobs properly. This is lazy reporting and shows a complete lack of professionalism, competence and care on the paper’s and the reporter’s parts.
And Breathe
I finished the the first draft of my novel yesterday morning and it feels good. I know there’s plenty of work ahead but knowing I’ve done stage one is rather pleasing. What’s also good is that I know a lot of what needs doing to it already so I have in effect given myself a heads-up.
I spent yesterday afternoon writing a poem. A treat for me as I don’t normally get the time.
I didn’t do much today. I was going to have a tidy up/spring clean but thought better of it. I think I deserve a bit of time off. I did redraft my poem though.
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Fellow writeworder Colin has just set up a blog. He’s kicking the booze for a month, so drop in and wish him well. I do. Best of luck with it.
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Tonight I’ll be eating Indian food.
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And if you fancy a bit of funky music then have yourselves a look here. (as long as you’re over sixteen).
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Here’s a nice blog I stumbled across. It belongs to writer (and soon to be debut author) Faye L . Booth. Check it out.