Writing, teaching, crafting

Two weeks' residency coming to a close- one session left to take- Atmosphere in poetry.  It's been amazing encouraging already creative boys to try one word, one line poems, images, texture, symbols of Australia, Explore... 14 techniques across the year levels, all that I've written.

I love to be also challenged to learn new words, ways of looking at things and be challenged in my own writing of poetry.

Even learnt some origami.

And tried out some challenging techniques for year 6- Atmosphere.

Thanks to Li in the library and the wonderful supportive staff at Sydney Boys' Grammar, Edgecliff.

Writing(Of course)

Well yes I've been writing, but in a different direction-writing poetry strategies to encourage others to write also.

I've used poems in my latest collection : 'Guinea Pig town and other poems about animals' as a basis to explore such topics as:

• Texture
• one word to a line poems
• adverb poems
• simple repetition poems, 'over leaf, under leaf'

In the process, I write an example poem then construct scaffolding for others to 'take the plunge' into the fascination and satisfying realm of writing.

Here's a sample from my texture poem.

'feathers made into moon faces

when owls hunt at night"

And of course another wonderful photo of animals (and Quinn) at my recent book launch.

Talking...

I've been to a local school- very special because it is in the area where I grew up and for some reason, the minute I drive into that area I'm inspired.  Memories crowd in, possibilities arise...

Any way I spent the day at Holy Rosary school with the lovely librarian Eva, who plans to teach poetry to the classes.

Here is a snapshot of the information board she prepared prior to my visit.

It makes me realise that I need to update information on my website too!

If you are after a way to write a new poem here's a website I was on during poetry month.

http://www.lorrainemarwood.com/news/writing-your-own-poem

Thanks for hosting Laura Salas.

Authors need a trick horse

Yah on Wednesday my new book ' Guinea Pig town and other poems about animals' had a book launch in Bendigo at the conservatory gardens and in conjunction with the Bendigo library.  Thank you Tammy.

There was a huge crowd.

We had an animal farm and guinea pigs to hold.

Then we headed to Woodend for a second launch- what a fabulous day!

But I think every author needs a trick horse- here is Eskimo and he stole the show.

Thanks to all my family, supporters and kids for coming!

Happy World Poetry day

Of course let's celebrate by a sneak preview into the covers of my soon to be released poetry book
'Guinea Pig town and other animal poems.'



And look what arrived in the mail today today- from my family in UK to celebrate all things to do with Guinea pigs and poetry.

What poem wil you read on World poetry day or maybe you might write one!

(c) Lorraine Marwood

A short story and craft

I've had a few creative few weeks.  One of the excitements has been my story "It's not your picnic Oscar' published in the March edition of 'School Magazine.'

It's actually a rather gruesome cover, but Oscar is a harmless little dog wanting to discover an Oscar party all his own.  This idea germinated in a park in Western Australia from a comment a lady with a dog made.  I tried many versions, mainly picture book  text until Oscar evolved into the story of an dog who lived with old Jim at the local rubbish tip.

Some stories can years to shape.

As well as writing, I've enjoyed two forms of craft.  I've wanted to knit some dish cloths pattern here.

And these are what I've made so far from thrifted cotton.

Then there is my need to do beading.  I've finally figured out how to make necklaces.

Here is a sample.

I do love crafting and writing- similar in some ways, immensely satisfying.

New book coming out April

Welcome to the Next Big Thing Trail Blog

I’m following on from Janeen Brian who posted on her blog

http://janeenjottings.blogspot.com.au

last Wednesday- take a peek to see what great books are coming out this year from Janeen.

What is the working title of your next book?

Guinea Pig town and other poems about animals

Where did the idea come from for the book?

A joint idea from my publisher and myself. 

Sarah Foster is very keen on poetry and a book about animal poetry flows on from my other two collections with Walker books- ‘Note on the door and other poems about family’,  A Ute picnic and other Australian poems.

What genre does your book fall under?

Children’s poetry, a very lonely genre, but an exciting genre.

What actors would you choose to play the parts of your characters in a movie rendition?

Obviously there would be a flamingo, a whale, a hippo, a snake, etc…

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

All that is unique, characteristic and playful about animals, both domestic, wild and Australian come together to celebrate poetry for children.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

My book will be published by Walker books Australia.  I don’t have an agent.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

Over a year of writing new poems, researching, finding the right tone for the animal and arriving at a title poem to centre the collection around.  Some poems were even written in the UK- for example ‘Flamingos’ was written after visiting a restaurant with roof top gardens in London.  ‘Narwhal’ was written after visiting Blair Castle in Scotland.

‘Working Sheep dog’ gained its inspiration from Country Clare Ireland and of course my own Australian landscape and farming background.

Many more poems were written than actually made it into the collection.  Then came revisions, changes, editing.  Over 80 poems are in this collection, including two longer prose poems.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

That’s a hard question to answer as very few poetry collections are published in Australia.  I think it compares to my two previous collections with Walker around a central them of Family and Australia.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I love poetry, its brevity yet rich vision.  Sarah Foster and the landscape and world around me inspired this collection - much to celebrate and enjoy.  And the shape of a collection comes together over time and is a challenge to incorporate variety, mystery, drama and emotion.

What else might pique a reader’s interest?

I think the variety in format and style, even to some rhyming poetry.   a reader can dip and savour throughout the book. 

For example:

The poems are categorized under the town theme such as:

Wild Thing Lane, Precious Pet Parade, Seascape Drive, Creepy Crawly Crescent – to name a few.

The poems themselves are often little moments in time, in observation, presented in sensory detail and lend themselves to a pattern for writing by the reader.

My aim is to allow the reader to look at the world from a new perspective and marvel and enjoy.

Next Wednesday   27^th of February Claire Saxby will be in the next instalment of this blog tour.

Click over to :   http://letshavewords.blogspot.com.au