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sitting in the room. beer flowing freely. conversation turns from easy books to tv to wrestling. an unfamiliar subject. i fall silent. they talk of moments, characters and moves. past greats and legends. the intricacies of contracts and politics. president in passing. the make up is put on. the costume adorned. they enter the ring. loud music pumps their arrival. the crowd goes wild. enormous hands wave approval. the zebra signals the start. a bell rings. two forces clash and hurl. the cry of the crowd. a head encased in arm. a crash to the ground. groans and cheers. all is lost to me. i think of haystacks and big daddies. of women in curlers. chips to hand. small crowds and small venues for small rewards. a name on a sauce bottle. the conversation turns to comedy. i take a sip of beer.

2022 and all that

Featured | Posted by theworddoodler

Well, 2022 brought a number of changes which impacted on what I write here. I have been submitting a new novel for consideration. But primarily, I have been writing a lot of prose-poetry. This has led me to the new outlet for my writing of Spoken Word.

What is Spoken Word?

Spoken word is when you perform any piece of writing to a group of people. It is often poetry but can be a story, monologue, or something else. It is quite flexible as to format.

Due to writing a lot of prose-poetry and sharing at my favourite writing group, I was encouraged to attend a Spoken Word night. I went along, sat, watched, then thought: I want to set up one of those. And where better than my favourite bookshop in my local area. So far they have been going well and I have been exposed to some great fresh writing that excites me and always leaves me thinking. Such a variety is on offer. All unique voices that should be heard.

Children love Spoken Word and enjoy writing poetry so it is a great thing to do for World Book Week. Why not start by enjoying watching some Michael Rosen, Benjamin Zephaniah, John Hegley, Kate Tempest, or Anthony Joseph?

As well as Spoken Word, I have been plotting and writing another one. I have changed my approach and audience for it. I’m venturing somewhere new. It is challenging and exciting. I’m trying to apply some of the approaches I use for my prose-poetry to the novel writing. I’m not sure it will work. Only time can tell.

What have you been doing?