Seven Days

Monday 9th November 2015

Finished reading ‘No Plot, No Problem’ this morning. Tried some seat of pants fiction straight from the head to the hard drive. Surprised at how quickly I reached the daily quota. Of course I’ve no idea where the thinly veiled autobiographical piece could go. Just wanted to see how my hands would hold up at the keyboard. Something to think about anyway. Been working on and off all day. Got lessons planned, some paperwork, washed some clothes, tidied kitchen. I tried to read a Stephen King story at teatime but fell asleep on the couch. Got an email from 2-13-61 asking if I owned a signed copy of Get in the Van. Mine isn’t but a few of Hank’s other titles are signed. Queen Forever on Spotify. Best compilation of album tracks and hits available, I’d say. Hellish wind outside tonight. Hope the house is okay or I’ll be skint. 10.49 pm.

Tuesday 10th November 2015

Surprisingly warm day. Pleased to get the green light for Wishing Tree Writers anthology. Aiming to have it printed tomorrow. Did a half-marathon this afternoon. Pulled a few good pieces out of the ether. Poor turnout this evening. Hope the people who have stuck it out are finding the journey worthwhile. Tried to do prep for tomorrow on the bus home. 10.36 pm.

Wednesday 11th November 2015

Today has been a good one. Arrived at Waddy to be told the Wishing Tree Writers anthology pages were done. Got the covers printed this afternoon. Had a canny session on stanza shape, titles, rhythmic lists and added more lines to the group villanelle. Got the itch to put on another full writing marathon to kick-start creativity in 2016. Aim to carry momentum with it. Already people interested. Been watching Kim Addonizio and Tony Hoagland poems on YouTube. Chuffed that they’re reading in Newcastle tomorrow evening. Never thought I’d see the day these two would read in the UK. Just had two V for Vendetta eggs (in baskets) for supper. Hoping to get a good night’s sleep. Out much of the day tomorrow. 11.15 pm.

Thursday 12th November 2015

Workshop at Mind went well. Got a few drafts down that might lead somewhere. Rehearsed poems for next week’s set at the Stanza. Will have to record them so I can just listen whilst assembling chapbooks. Lovely to meet up with Jenni for a carvery at the Goose. Seems like ages since I last piled my plate with second helpings of mash and mint sauce. The elderly couple next to us appeared to be Goose virgins and blown away by the amount of food you can get for a really low price. Really enjoyed the gig at Culture Lab. Mixed responses to Choman Hardi, Tony Hoagland and Kim Addonizio. Bought Tony and Kim’s latest books. Lots of my others signed by Kim. Looking forward to reading. Good to chat to Sheila and the Newcastle poets afterwards. Not putting much in the journal these days, to be honest. Just want to get through all the events before austerity bites deeper in the new year. Ok. 10.28 pm.

Friday 13th November 2015

Tonight is gale force making eaves creak

Computer droning on forever ominous

November air swirls around stocking feet

Eyes scan a web page while Mr May sings

What is it to share yourself with others

Whilst alone in a bedroom of yellow light

Long Away fades and the drone gets louder

Tomorrow the rains will be much worse

The art calendar contains December conflict

Punk in Gateshead or Chinese in Durham

Shelf dust and floor awash with paperbacks

It can’t be poetry but gets published anyway

Saturday 14th November 2015

Folded 25 sets of Wishing Tree Writers anthology pages. Read some Killarney Clary poems. Heating on much of the day. Hands have been okay. Fell asleep on the bus over to Jen’s. Lots of stuff on Facebook about terrible events in Paris. 11.04 pm.

Sunday 15th November 2015

Morning pages then stayed in bed chatting. No politics show. Me and Jen went to Apples and Snakes Scratch Club this afternoon. Jess Green led the workshop. Feedback on poems/performance, status games. Chat with participants afterwards then off to sees Jess Green and the Mischief Thieves ‘Burning Books’ show at Alphabetti Theatre. Excellent. Bus back was late. Egg on toast. 11.41 pm.