On Saturday, I began my own series of writing sessions in inspiring places that I have a connection with. First on the list was the William Morris Gallery & gardens in Walthamstow. I have a strong connection with Walthamstow, having lived there for several years and I still have family and friends in the area. I have delivered numerous workshops in Walthamstow, in partnership with Mendham Writers http://mendham-writers.com/ and two projects for the Words Over Waltham Forest Festival last year. This included working with the drawing shed & Arvon as one of two Writer’s in Residence for Stranger Neighbour. We were based in William Morris Gallery, Lloyd Park and the Winns Gallery during the Stranger Neighbour Residency. It was wonderfully inspiring to be in the house of the teenaged William Morris who believed in education, freedom, art and beauty for all.
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| The gate to William Morris Gallery Gardens |
While the sun shone on Saturday, I sat in a corner of the gallery with my notebook & pen and I wrote. I didn’t have an agenda. I just knew I needed and wanted to write. Writing anchors me. I warmed up with I’m thinking of to get focussed. Through this, I decided to draw from poetry written earlier in the year. The poetry had been inspired by looking at lyrics in some of my workshops. We had concentrated on the idea of juxtaposing unlikely/unexpected concepts and images. It was surprising where this lead. Returning to the work on Saturday, I selected some of the words/lines that stood out, editing as I wrote – keeping it flowing. Here are some of the words which made it through:
‘When we met, I melted and bent like a cheap spoon.’
‘The windscreen wipers orchestrate their own rhythm.’
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| View of the gardens at William Morris Gallery |
Where do you find inspiring?
Go there and write! You don’t need an agenda. Just start moving the pen. Look out of the window, write what you see. Just start writing.
Where shall I write next week?
Post your ideas on the blog! I would love to hear from you.
Dates for your diary:
Wednesday 26 March: Playing with Poetry & Words, Themed Workshop, Muswell Hill, 7.30pm. The workshop is in celebration of World Poetry Day:
Saturday 29 March: I will be delivering another workshop for my fellow London Lapidus members at the Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden. We will be focussing on colour. This year is the 20th Anniversary of Derek Jarman’s death and there are events going on all year to celebrate his work. Jarman wrote ‘Chroma’ – observations and thoughts on colour, when he was losing his sight. Non-members are also welcome to the workshop on Saturday. Lapidus – Words for Wellbeing: http://www.lapidus.org.uk/
Thursdays 1, 8, 15, 22 May – Four new Thursday evening workshops in Muswell Hill. This is your opportunity to experiment with a range of writing ideas in a supportive environment. Early Bird offer on this block of workshops on until 1 April:
Bye for now & happy writing,
Nichola