Keret on Gaza

You’ll have noticed that here, on this blog, I tend to stay clear of political things. That’s not because I don’t have an opinion (far from it!) but because there are other people who can do it better. Like, one of my absolute favourite writers, Etgar Keret, has done in a piece for the LA Times.

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And I’m about back to normal and up to date with things – to the point where I actually got to write new things today. This has been a busy couple of weeks, but worth it. Watch this space for a couple of rather exciting interviews with some rather exciting people. They should be here soon. As should the next issue of Ballista, which contains one of my stories, Counting Rain. I think it’s due out early Feb.

Nearly There

I’m almost back to normal. Emails have been replied to. Work has been done. Things just need a bit of a once over then they can be sent off. Nearly there. Thank goodness.

In the meantime, here are two things I think you might like to have a look at.
This, from Welshcake, makes me very happy.
And this, from Geraldine Ryan for Strictly Writing, is great advice.

A Note To Those Waiting For Things From Me

I know, I know, I know I’m behind with emails and various other things. I am not being rude, I’m just very, very busy, and I will do all I’ve said I’d do, and reply to all things that need replying to, soon.

So to those who are waiting for me: bear with me and I’m sorry. Normal service should resume soon.

A Writing, Who am I, Question.

Those of you who are particularly eagle eyed will have noticed that I have changed the description of what I am above (the bit below the title of this blog).

[Warning: I may ramble]

Now, there is a reason for this: saying who I am and what I do isn’t something I find particularly easy. I do a lot of different things. Firstly I’m a writer. I write. But I write all sorts: poems, short stories, flash fiction, my book for children (which is back in stock at Amazon) – and goodness knows what else. And I run workshops. And a writing group. And I’ve had features published. And photographs.
So. Anyway. I decided, a little while ago, that the most appropriate definition of me, one which would appear at the top of this blog, was: Writer and Poet. 
I kept it simple. 
Last week, I stumbled upon a blog who’d kindly linked to me. It belongs to Emerging Writer and is well worth a look.
What she said initially made me chuckle (in a nice way), because she wondered how I created poems (if I didn’t write them: writer and poet, see?).
And then I worried: had I said something really silly? I scuttled, very quickly, to my OED and was relieved because it said, quite clearly, that writers are people who write (books, stories, articles, as an occupation) and poets are people who write poems. 
But it got me thinking. Of course a poet is a writer. Poets write poems.
The thing is, for me, writing poetry and writing stories are two totally different things. They require me to be in a totally different head space and are created, just, differently. So to me, a writer is different to a poet (and by no means in a bad way). Writing poems and writing stories are two different things. I’m not saying one is better than the other, just that they’re different (actually, I find poetry much more difficult); probably in the same way as writing novels and writing short stories are different.
So, what I want to know is, what do you think?
And I’ve changed my definition of me. Is it better, do you think?
(And thanks to Emerging Writer for making me think.)

An award and a link

Look. I won an award. Whoop! Only my second as well. Who’d have thought it? Thanks to Aliya for this (the blog she shares is rather nifty and well worth a read).
I’ll not give this award to anyone else (specifically).  You can see all the blogs I follow/like below on the right – and I’d give to each and every one if I had time to cut and paste and link. Every one I’ve linked to I think is worth a look.
But, but, but…
I will draw your attention to one specifically. It’s How Publishing Really Works. It’s intelligent and honest and sensible. Seriously worth a look. Go see for yourselves!

And they just keep coming

So all in all, so far, there will be twenty books (inlcuding mine, plus stuff our group have put out) going into the raffle (it looks like that’s the fairest way of doing things) for the World Book Day/Book Aid event. I now have three in my office – and I only asked on Friday!

And I’m touched by the generosity I’ve seen; I really hope what we raise does it justice.
And if anyone else would like to donate a signed book then do get in touch. The people I asked were people I’m friends with and whose email addresses I had to hand. Of course, this is open to any author who’d like to be involved.
And again, a massive Thanks to those who’ve said yes.