After the sudden death of my brother-in-law recently, I wrote this poem. An empty space at the table. Setting for 6 not 7 this year. An empty space at the table. No more can we share the love, the laughter, the… An empty space at the table. Where are you sitting this year? Is [...]
I was shocked recently by the news that the mother of one of my daughter’s friends had died suddenly, after being diagnosed just two days previously with a terminal brain tumour (she had been suffering for months with headaches). How people get through such a devastating loss is beyond my imagination. It is moments like that [...]
Ok, own up, how many times have you asked yourself or your better half, this question? Personally, it will have been many a time, and not just that, but, ‘Do I look fat in this?’, ‘Am I too pear shaped’, ‘Does my stomach stick out?’ For most of my life, I have had a questionable [...]
Ok so let's get it out of the way: yes I know it's been over six months since my last blog, but I have been, ahem, busy. I've started a new job at a local secondary school and whoop, whoop, been accepted onto the foundation stage for the Golden Egg Academy! So, it's been a [...]
It’s not long now until the kids start a new academic year. And for me, September is also a new start, or restart to be precise. Not only do I start a new job as a TA but I have to mark September, for this year at least, as a fresh start to my writing. [...]
Following the terror of last week, some words came to me during a morning walk. Warm sun cloaks my shoulders, through the trees a soft breeze whispers and birdsong cheers my heavy heart. In between dark shadows a brightness shines. Miles away twenty-two roses cut, their beauty still and silent mourning. Balloons stand tall [...]
Recently I read The Raqqa Diaries: Escape from 'Islamic State' by *Samer. Horrified and often driven to tears as I read, I felt inspired to write a poem, which is not something I do very often. In fact, not something I have done since obliged to do for my MA in Creative Writing at Hull [...]
Last Saturday, as part of the WOW Festival in Hull, I attended a comedy writing workshop hosted by Lucy Beaumont. Lucy is a comedienne and was the winner of the BBC New Comedy Award in 2012 and nominated for Best Newcomer in 2014 Fosters Comedy Award. She has run many workshops over the years and [...]
January has got to be the most depressing month of the year. You’ve celebrated Christmas with loved ones, enjoyed some extra time off work when everyday felt like Sunday and seen in the New Year. But now you face a month or two of back to work routine with no doubt larger debts, feeling like [...]
What is your comfort zone? According to Alan Henry, Editor-in-Chief at Lifehacker.com ‘Simply, your comfort zone is a behavioural space where your activities and behaviours fit a routine and pattern that minimises stress and risk. It provides a state of mental security. You benefit in obvious ways: regular happiness, low anxiety, and reduced stress.' If [...]
@eastyorknat writes 