Another Week

Last week was more discussion than writing. Old photographs were tenderly pulled out of envelopes and stories wove from lips to paper in intense interplay.

Our reference was the Cavafy poem on Ithaca. A poem of travel and journey. One that all of us encounter in one way or another.

'Have Ithaca always in your mind. Your arrival there is what you are destined for. But don't in the least hurry the journey. Better it last for years'..........

Write a few sentences about yourself: When you were age 12, 18, 30 and now. Write in the third person.

Taken from a hill in Dullstroom Mmpumalanga

May your journey be long and filled with adventure.

Memories & Moments continued

The evocation of memories is not something magical or even very difficult - a photograph, a song, a scent can send one on a wonderful meander through memory lane.

This past week the group fingered photographs which crumbled on the edges and filtered memories through the years. Memories which may even have been a figment of our imagination.

With St Valentine's day off the 2011 calendar already, why not write about a 'love-moment' you have experienced or perhaps use the prompt below?

As he gave me the rose, he turned and walked down the gravel path.............................

Memoirs & Moments

Well the creativity has begun and Wednesday mornings will be filled with the sound of pencil on paper for the next few weeks.

Czeslaw Milosz write and Nobel prizewinner, who died at 94 said: 'I lived in a time when huge change in the contents of the human imagination was occuring.........  This was the starting point of the Wednesday Memoir and Moments writing group.

After reading more of the quotation we settled into discussion and some quiet writing time.

From there we did a 'pencil labyrinth' walk with more discussion and writing and finally did a quick 'Intention collage' for our writing in the next few weeks. The group left stimulated and prepared to write, write and write some more.

Writing exercise:
She strolled down the path. As the pebbles crunched beneath her sandals she heard .................

Wednesday Morning Writing

Most exciting the new writing group starts on Wednesday 2 February!

We will start with the simplest of prompts and exercises which will start our journey into the marvelous jumble of letters which help us form words and eventually sentences that people actually want to read!

From colour to words, from words to sentences and then eventually a whole page of our own creative writing. Regular prompts and updates will be added. Try the one below.

Write about:
1. As I walked in the garden I saw a rose. I remembered the day........................

Two New Writing Courses - Poetry & Memoirs

Greetings and a very happy and creative 2011 to you!

Many people have asked about 'writing courses'. Many of us have done more than one! Here are two that might interest you: One on Memoirs & Moments which is 10 weeks long spread from January to July and one on Poetry, a short, succinct four week course which starts on 26 January.
Booking for both courses is essential.
Please contact Anne-Marie should you be interested at dmoore@iafrica.com

Moments & Memoirs: BEGINS MONDAY 24 JANUARY 2011
Monday mornings: 09h30 to 12h00
Cost: R1,200.00 for the course
OPTIONAL: June Weekend Away: R2,200 per person sharing

Take a thought and a family. A photograph and a snatch of conversation. Weave these snippets together to create a treasure of lasting memories.

Weeks 1 – 2 - January 24, 31
How Far are we from Home?
A look at Ancestors and Heritage
Weeks 3-5 - February 14, 21
Who ate my chocolate?
Family Myths and Fables
Week 6 - 7 - March 14, 21
Dancing in the Rain.
Love and Friendships
Week 8 - April 11
Surprise?
Family Traditions
Week 9 - May 16
Taste and Style
Food and Fashion

OPTIONAL: Weekend Away: 16 – 20 June R2,200.00 per person sharing
Explore the Memory, Remember the Moment

Week 10 - July 4
Another Road to Take
This is just the beginning

POETRY COURSE: Sketch Your Year in Poetry
Since my poetry book has been published, there has been interest in a poetry writing course and I have compiled one based on my book 'Sketch Your Year in Poetry'.

The course begins on Wednesday 26 January for four consecutive weeks at my studio 4 Sixth Street Houghton from 9h30 - 12h00.
Sketch Your Year in Poetry
A four morning course which will help aspiring poets to begin the journey of words.
R800 for the course plus R130 for 'Sketch your Year in Poetry'

Week 1 - 26 January
The Root and the Word

Week 2 - 3 February
Free Writing and Prompts

Week 3 - 9 February
From Pantoum to Haiku

Week 4 - 16 February
And the Poetry starts here

I look forward to hearing from you.

Of Book Stores & Selling

Well the hype has hyped and it's now the week after the launch and sales, while most pleasing need to be expanded.

So what better thing to do than visit some books stores. All very well if you are promoting other people's books. So different if they are your own words!

Well the cover is exciting and the content acceptable, so what's the stumbling block? Simply that the book is poetry and 'poetry doesn't sell'. Well this is more than a poetry book. It is a 'how to' poetry book and surely that is a little more encouraging? Who knows - only sales will tell.

Fortunately there are agents who deal with most of this sort of distribution [and person]. Suddenly shop owners who were once friendly to customers become aloof and difficult to contact! Sigh - a most interesting situation to be in!

Anyway - the book remains 'out there' and I wait to hear the sound of resounding success.

'Nana' reading page 10 of Sketch Your Year in Poetry'

Books available in some Gauteng bookstores otherwise from the author [that's me] or Porcupine Press.

Book Launch

The Cover and the book

What an experience to see one's book on display in the stores

Hazel and Anne-Marie in a pensive moment. Hazel, a special friend, calligrapher, artist, author was my 'co-host' for the evening. I read poems, chatted to Hazel and we shared some gentle moments.

 Nana's greatest fan - Rachel holding up Sketch Your Year in Poetry. The girls were helpful and delightful adding some real moments to the evening. With friends and family, guests and colleagues, a delightful gentle evening was shared.

The 'Author' signing books. What fun! 

Book available from the author or www.porcupinepress.co.za