Workshops and creative work

Picture book idea month is a great way to commit more thinking space to writing.

I am on track and not the most brilliant ideas are coming out but I am jotting them down and looking again at picture books written by other authors.

Even something like this- those unexpected unexplained moments get the creative juices going.

A native crimson Rosella in the lounge room.  Funny that the towel we used to gently catch it matches the overall colour scheme.

Just when you thought there was nothing fresh to write about a Rosella appears!!

And Friday I took part in a Ford street workshop day with local schools participating in three workshops listening to a variety of authors.

The best question asked for the day- describe what you want to achieve in your writing in one word...

Mine was 'hope'.  What would yours be?

Blogging

Wow I can't believe that I'm blogging over here.    It is making me think of different ways of engaging with an unknown audience and also thinking a bit about my writing journey.

I have conducted many poetry workshops lately and I'm constantly reminded that many children need this mantra to be foremost- poetry doesn't have to rhyme.  Also poetry doesn't have to have big picture content or be about life, death and love but about the tiny moments that kaleidoscope a day.  To me this is true poetry.

Here is my latest inspiration and distraction.  Welcome Monti.

Spring

October and I'm working on a new book.  I love getting into the rhythm of regular everyday writing and when I do I wonder why I haven't disciplined myself enough before now to make it an unyielding habit.

This week I am workshopping into Melbourne schools, both primary and secondary, so no writing then, but showing the love of writing poetry.

Two of my techniques that I've pioneered- incident writing and images will be demonstrated again.  Such satisfying and fully attainable poetry techniques, always bringing new poems into existence.

I am continuing my blogging over at Christchurch kids blog.

We also will welcome a new puppy into the family.  I haven't looked after a pet for years, so this is both exciting and challenging.

Here is his welcome pack so far.

My writing friend Janeen Brian and her husband Jon visited so of course we talked and talked and talked.

Hello Janeen!!!

Ohh, where did September go?

I've been out into the Wimmera/ Mallee teaching poetry for a week and writing new poems.

To be ready to teach from Prep to year 12 took several weeks to prepare new techniques and organise.

But it is always a privilege to help children to write!  And now I have written new techniques to use in other teaching settings as well.


But here's a link to look at  http://christchurchkids.wordpress.com/author/zackids/  I will be
author of the month and blog about all things writing as they affect me...

Walker books has a blog post about 'Guinea Pig Town and other animal poems' here.

Meanwhile I am writing for a new collection of poems- more about that later.

Happy reading and writing.

August catch-up

I can't believe that I haven't posted for awhile.  I've been involved in The Bendigo Writers' Festival and lots of projects that need re-writing, discipline, perseverance and TIME!!!

Here I am with Ambelin Kwaymullina,  Dianne Wolfer and Pam Harvey and yours truly!  What a great company of children's authors.  A festival like this re-energises my craft and determination and re-kindles my love all over again for writing and reading.

(c) Lorraine Marwood

And here's a poem re-printed in the latest edition of 'School Magazine' New South Wales- nearly ten years ago it was one of my first poems published in the magazine.  Love the opportunities for poetry for children!

To Queensland and back

Yes I've been away teaching and travelling.  All great consumers of writing time but what benefits in ideas and a chance to observe and learn.(As well as catch up with one part of my lovely family.)

I particularly loved seeing specimens of the bottle tree- how amazing!

As well as a chance to indulge in a passion I've never lost - looking for little beach treasures and lately sea glass is top of the list.

A few lines written in my note book, various short poems all written for a collaboration project with my daughter Tamara for the Bendigo Writers' festival coming up soon, were the main pieces written.

A meeting with my editor and publisher has given me more direction also in the re-writing of two manuscripts.  Now to re-establish writing routines.
How do you manage to make writing, creating a priority in your life?

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.