Need inspiration?

Andrew Burke hosting Poet’s Corner, May 2008.

I’m shocked!  Andrew Burke has always seemed particularly inspired but wrote on a FB message to me that his writing “has stalled and needs a push start downhill, in gear – like in them good old days” ending with a smiley face.

It shocked and saddened me; I honestly can’t imagine that quick, witty, incisive brain NOT being inspired.  He’s always been such a  prolific poet  dabbling in many genres (even documentary)  inspiring and supporting others with his blog.

But first I got to wondering why…  As John Lennon once said “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”  A totally appropriate quote to use for Andrew because he’s an accomplished  writer, but very much a musician in his soul.

He even has a Wiki page!  (How do you get a Wiki page?)

I also discovered an e-book ‘Blue Rose’ on Smashwords which I have just purchased for a measly $4.99 (!) and because Andrew has inspired me (once again) I’ve joined the site to explore the possibilities for my own words.  (Thanks, Andrew.)

Often as writers needing the head-space to write,  life overwhelms us with what we HAVE to do.

Be selfish sometimes and take a moment to do what you NEED to do, too… we’ll all be better for it.

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Changes

Now that internet is ‘old hat’ I don’t feel the need to have multiple ‘pages’ spread all over the place although they serve me well when people Google my name, I’m slowly reducing the information on my official web pages here:  http://francesmacaulayforde.com to cut down the repetition.

Of course I’ll keep my presence on professional sites where I have full membership such as the Australian Society of Authors, the Australian Writers Guild, Australian Poetry, Australian Literature, SCWBI or crew pages: Screenwest, Film & Television Institute, ABC Tales   IMDB  and others.  There’s even an interview on Fremantle Press.

So in future, I’ll just focus on regularly updating Facebook (for all the goss), LinkedIn (for professional networking), ABC Tales (to post writing regularly) and here, where I’ll keep in touch with my followers in gratitude for their interest.

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Self-published books

I spent 14 glorious months living and learning everything I could in the ‘Cradle of Storytelling’, Ireland.  I became a member of  Munster Literature Center in Cork and attended inspiring weekly workshops with masters of poetry and short story.  I also joined the Midleton Writers Group and attended their monthly meetings, welcomed warmly by local writers.  Anne, Joan and Mary shared many an inspiring pub lunch and writerly discussion.

The opportunity to publish my first book of poems arose and I took great advantage. The book was very well received and reviewed and I thank all those who encouraged me to go ahead, particularly my partner Padraig.  

Cover ‘Hidden Capacity ~ a poet’s journey’

Since returning to Perth, I’ve had the self-confidence to publish more:

Pages Cafe ’05

Pages Cafe ’05 a thank-you to the 60+ poets who participated at my Poets Corner events during 2005 National Poetry Week.

‘Rail Tales’ a chapbook of just those pieces written on the train travelling between Perth and the Northern Suburbs, previously published in my first Irish book.

‘Love’ a book concentrating on poems written about that universal theme of love.

‘Santa’s Swim’ a children’s story with pictures.

The last three were necessary to have something to offer when the invited guest of the Avon Valley Writers Festival as my first book was sold out.

I still have some copies of the last three book available – there’s further information regarding purchase here:  http://francesmacaulayforde.com/buy_books__postcards

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