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Poetry vs DIY, plus a few upcoming deadlines

It’s easy to lose the rhythm of blogging – I’ve been lacking the motivation lately, partly out of a feeling of ‘what is there really to say that makes a difference?’ And yet, there are always interesting things to say.

I’ve recently been admiring Josephine Corcoran’s commitment to blogging every day during November – sometimes in-depth pieces and other times brief updates or musings. It’s all interesting. Similarly, one of my all-time favourite blogs is Jean Tubridy’s Social Bridge – impossible to classify in terms of its content, and always compelling.

So what’s on my mind at the moment? Firstly, an increasing need to stay away from Facebook, TV news, the media generally. Is that an age thing – when nothing under the sun really seems new, or if it is, it often seems inconsequential? Perhaps also a ‘winter’s-coming-and-the-days-are-getting-shorter thing?

Secondly, we’re approaching our first winter in our new home and the to-do list is as long as ever. It’s such an absorbing project that sometimes I’d just rather strip down a window sill or paint a door, than put pen to paper!

And thirdly … quite a few poetry thangs coming up in terms of events, deadlines etc:

The Rialto’s first poetry pamphlet comp closes on November 30th – I did imagine I would enter, but my pamphlet offering(s) are in horrible disarray at the moment, so not good timing for me. But you should go for it! Fee is £22 (or £16 for Rialto subscribers) and Hannah Lowe will pick the winners from a shortlist of 50.

The Cinnamon Debut Poetry Collection prize also closes at the end of the month, costs £12 to enter.

Other imminent comp closings, in case you’re feeling lucky – Cafe Writers Poetry Competition, judged by Andrew McMillan with no sifters – closes November 30th. Fee is £4 per poem or £10 for three, and there’s an extra prize for the funniest poem, which makes a refreshing change!

In events news, this coming Monday 28th November I’ll be reading a poem at Anne-Marie Fyfe’s Coffee-House Poetry at The Troubadour, along with a number of other contributors to Live Canon’s 154 Anthology. The second half (main event) features Luke Kennard, Martina Evans and more. Should be a fantastic night.

It looks like there’ll be a block of Telltale poets in the audience at the T S Eliot award readings on January 15th at the Festival Hall in London. Hurrah! I always love the atmosphere at this event, and the chance to hear so many fine poets all in one sitting. Only downside is that getting home is always a MARE and who knows what skeletal service Southern Rail may be operating by then.

Oh, and I’ve given myself a deadline of the end of this month to finally finish finalising (!) the second ‘all about Twitter’ ebook, which now needs some rewrites having left it 6 months, and I need to get it out before Twitter pops its clogs.

Now, back to some paint-stripping – oh no, silly me, it’s dark … and what’s more our boiler has just packed up, so this evening I’ll be under a duvet on the sofa with a hot water bottle. Possibly rummaging through my pamphlet poems again

Published inAngstBlogBloggingCompetitionsEventsReadings

8 Comments

  1. Maybe it’s the way you say it that makes the difference. Enjoyed reading this. Thank you!

    • Robin Houghton Robin Houghton

      thanks Maggie 🙂

  2. Thanks for the mention, Robin, that’s so kind of you! Weirdly enough, the pressure to blog every day has made me more productive in other ways and I’ve managed a big submission (I won’t say where so as not to jinx myself) and I want to get a few smaller subs out before the end of the month. Best of luck with all of your ventures and I’m loving the look of that sash window – it’ll all be worth it in the end! 🙂 x

    • Robin Houghton Robin Houghton

      hi Josephine – I think you’re right, I did find that when I tried writing a poem a day for a month, it got easier and it got me thinking about other projects more creatively. Good luck with your big submission – look forward to hearing about it! x

  3. Pen Pen

    Nooooo dinnae stop bloggin pal! I enjoy your blogs and it re-inspires me about all things poetry related 🙂 Ooh thanks for the submission reminders too!

    • Robin Houghton Robin Houghton

      Ha ha! thanks so much Penny! 🙂 x

  4. Hi Robin, so many thanks for your kind words. You really caught me off guard. And thanks for the poetry deadlines.
    Good luck with your various activities. j

    • Robin Houghton Robin Houghton

      You’re very welcome Jean, and thank YOU for your wonderful blog. x

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Robin Houghton 2021