Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers’ Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next,… Read More Another great mentoring experience!
“you have to make an effort when putting pen to paper; it’s more meaningful; you leave something of yourself in the marks you make” Caroline, in my forthcoming story “Smoking in the Park”
I like to add some variety to my working routine. Often – as this morning – I make my way first thing to the café in one of our local supermarkets. Usually first or second to be served (black Americano and an almond croissant), I plant myself at the far corner table and open my… Read More Working in ‘the office’…
On Thursday next week I embark on another three-day gig as on-site mentor for a writers’ retreat. The commitment involves running a couple of workshops, some evening sessions – ice-breakers, readings etc. – and individual 1-2-1s with the participants. Based on my experiences thus far, I am probably looking forward to the 1-2-1s most of… Read More Looking forward to mentoring again…
I am delighted to be able to announce the publication of “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”. At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have for… Read More Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I have just added readings of poems from my collection The Homelessness of a Child to my podcast “Walking Thru Fire”. You can find this episode – and many others! – on Buzzsprout, and it should find its way onto other podcast platforms – such as Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music etc. – in the next… Read More New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
I am delighted to be able to announce the forthcoming publication of “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”. At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have… Read More New publication: “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
The best part of a week since I returned from my retreat and, in terms of ‘what next?’, things are now clearly in focus. Which was one of the things the retreat was all about, to answer questions like that. And the ‘what next’ things are tangible and solid. Firstly: finish my next novel; second… Read More After the dust settles…
At the beginning of the UK’s first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Hamish Wilson began writing a series of sonnets. With one a day for the first twenty-five days of the period, these poems eventually became “Lockdown Journal”. Many single Covid / lockdown poems written at the time seem to me to fail for two main… Read More “Lockdown Journal”
06:55 – 13th May 2022 Another decent day yesterday with the majority of my time spent on editing ‘Reunion’. Some work on the Sonnets as I edge closer to drafting #80. Plus I started work on my Reviewers’ list by reestablishing control over my Goodreads author profile. I think I’ll be doing some work on… Read More Retreat – Day 3
A good day yesterday. Most of the creative effort went into editing “Reunion” plus some sonnet-dabbling. Had a snooze after lunch to try and catch-up on Tuesday’s poor night’s sleep, and another short walk before dinner for cobweb-blowing. The highlight was the ‘open mic’ though. I read my short story “Downsizing”, two sonnets – “Pilgrimage”… Read More Retreat – Day 2
07:15 – 10th May 2022 (Day 1) So what does today hold? A walk up to the station after lunch to remind myself of the genesis of ‘Degrees of Separation’. A certainty if it’s dry (it was damp yesterday eve and is gusty this morning – typical edge of Pennines/Cumbria weather). Options: start revision of… Read More Retreat – Day 1
I have just added readings of a few selected poems from my collection First-Time Visions of Earth from Space to my podcast “Walking Thru Fire”. You can find this episode – and many others! – on Buzzsprout, and it should find its way onto other podcast platforms – such as Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music etc.… Read More New Podcast Episode
the old life in almost every kind of light his forearms mimic the skin of a snake about to slough or a paper-bag used too many times wrinkle-thin about to crack wide open yet it teases at a capacity for something else as if waiting to be filled with what all that’s left are memories… Read More the old life – a poem
For as long as I can remember, when it comes to my writing I have always found myself desperate for positive endorsement – both my own and from others. In the first instance we’re talking about self-esteem; in the second, about reviews, comments, feedback, sales. Actually in my case it’s about more than just endorsement;… Read More Imposter Syndrome – the worst possible thing for a Writer?
A small number of places remain on Writers’ Retreat UK’s June retreat in Lincolnshire. Having been on a number of retreats now, I know just how stimulating and rewarding – and productive! – such retreats can be. You can find details of the retreat here.
I have been wondering how I would answer if someone asked me what I was up to – in a literary sense, of course! In the broadest sense I think I am trying to build something, firstly in relation to my own writing, and secondly with Coverstory books. In many respects the second is easier… Read More Trying to build something…
I have now published six episodes to my Walking Thru’ Fire podcast. Four of these comprise selected readings from some of my poetry collections: Walking Thru Fire (podcast introduction) Collected Poems, 1979-2016 Human Archaeology Punctuations from History There are also two extracts from my non-fiction work Shrapnel from a Writing Life. I plan to add… Read More “Walking Thru’ Fire” Podcast update
Well, I couldn’t not read it… After all, a poetry book winning the Costa Book of the Year..! When did a poet last win?! (ans. ’99 & ’96 Seamus Heaney, ’98 & ’97 Ted Hughes) I needed to know what all the fuss was about. Well, there are some great poems in Hannah Lowe’s “The… Read More “The Kids”
I have decided I need to reconsider my relationship to the ‘Open Mic’ i.e. to adjust not only my expectations of what I should expect to get from such events, but what I should contribute too. I might as well say it straight out: Open Mics have nothing to do with good writing. Don’t get… Read More About open mics…
Ian Gouge, Writer 
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