All pieces of writing – whether it’s poetry, short stories, haiku, or a novel – need to be carefully constructed and delivered, so as to entice an audience. After all, your work has to sell. But even before that crafting stage, there has to be a spark of an idea, an interesting theme; something that will not only capture an audience but will capture the writer enough so that they go on to finish the piece.

I took the opportunity to make note of what the writers at Cork Spring Literary Festival chose as their topics. You can read What’s the Theme? over on the official festival blog.

Although writers always send out their best work when submitting, there is a danger that when you reread it later in your career, you can´t help noticing flaws and mistakes. That´s because writers are always in motion, learning and improving their craft.

I had the poem “Redundant” accepted by Open Wide Magazine (page 11, pdf) back in 2002, but I´d never managed to get hold of a copy while living in Spain. I liked this magazine which fosters new and established talents, but I´d heard it had gone out of circulation.

Luckily, the magazine is alive and well. In it´s 23rd running, it has shifted to online publication – a reflection of the economic climate, no doubt. I always feel a little sad when quality publications stop publishing in print, but the positive spin is that Open Wide Magazine has the potential to reach a wider audience. It also has all the backdated copies so I finall got a copy of my own contribution.

Read “Redundant” in Issue 2, page 11, in Open Wide Magazine.

Aesthetica magazine announces the winners of the 2009 Creative Works competition.  Congratulations to the finalists and winners of each category. I was extremely happy with my commendation.

I’ve read before, but it was pretty disastrous. My voice was so shaky I think the spatter of applause afterwards was more a sympathy vote than appreciation for the poetry. So I’m rather proud of the fact that although the list was full when I arrived at the tent, I begged my way onto the list to perform.

First major poetry slam

I’m not a natural performer – I can address a crowd in factual situations (presentations, teaching or training) but there’s something raw and difficult about reading your own poetry. I’m also conscious of my north-eastern accent. Don’t get me wrong – I like accents – but mine is blunt and harsh and my intonation often gets me into trouble.

Anyway, I pushed for it and got what I wanted. The biggest obstacle was over, but there were a few surprises waiting:

1.    lots of children
2.    a huge crowd

The presence of so many children meant I decided to read the only non-erotic poem I had and it was the one I’d not practiced and had the least confidence in. The poetry slam hosts and some of the performers were so funny, that the riotous noise from the tent brought more and more people, until there wasn’t enough room in the tent. By the time my turn arrived, the crowd had swelled to around 150 people.

Somehow, it was much easier this time. I don’t know whether it was the size of the crowd or the fact that I broke the ice by knocking the microphone off its stand, or because I had the postcard to read as a lead-in.

The result? I made the crowd laugh, fluffed the last line, got a few cheers and came in third. None of that seems important – the amazing thing is that I went through with it and came away wanting to do more. I also learned the following:

1. follow your instinct (I should have read Silence)
2. practice your work

I´d recommend that anyone serious about writing gets their name out there not only online and through publications, but by facing a crowd. It gives a different persepctive and gives the solitary task of writing a solidity, a purpose. And if it falls flat, it´ll teach you something so you improve next time. Like the art of writing – it just takes time, effort and practice.

I love this site, because of how raw it is. That’s why I’m always pleased to be included on there. This submission was added some time ago but I forgot to update the site. So here it is… Priceless on Word Riot.