Commissions - are they possible?

This week I called in at Holmes Chapel Library to talk to the chief librarian. One of my core commissions is to write something for the opening of the new extension – words that may appear on bookmarks, on window vinyls, and possibly in stone! The small and busy library seemed dwarfed by the building rising behind it. The floorspace is to be doubled in a time when many libraries seem to be contracting. Some of the older customers are up in arms that the library will be shut for eleven weeks, depriving them of reading and talking books – but they are allowed, even encouraged, to take away stacks of books for the duration.

I think libraries are so important, even though the Internet is now first port of call for reference for most people. A library is a meeting place, a network, a constant celebration of the relationships between people and words. While I was there a customer discussed the word ‘carboys’ with the librarian – it was a crossword clue that didn’t seem to be right.

I came away with a few reference books about Holmes Chapel, and a lot of pictures of the building site. How will I start to write about this? No idea, frankly, but I know that I have to move away from the commission before coming back to it. I have to find a point of contact that means something to me – not just a dull reworking of conventional ideas. I only hope I can do it…

The new Library extension will be a great place for local writing workshops, and poetry readings, as well as all kinds of community events. So I hope some of these will happen in the summer.

Andrew Motion gets some stick from Roy Hattersley in the Guardian, for writing about uninspiring subjects: ‘I have more respect for Andrew Motion’ he says ‘than to believe he could possibly be moved by the thought of Prince Charles reaching civil-service retirement age.’
http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1703302,00.html

He’s got a point, but I think it’s worth taking some risks to try and get poetry in front of a wider audience. Will that happen at Holmes Chapel? Watch this space…

Poetry and Workshops

Last night at First Thursday, Heswall… A highly recommended venue and reading – First Thursday takes place in the back of an excellent bookshop, and provides a very entertaining evening. It includes a ‘Painting of the month’, a favourite poem, a guest poetry reading, some virtuoso live music and a brief open mic slot. Listening to poetry is so intense, I think a ‘mixed media’ evening like this is a great idea which opens it up to a wider audience.

Paul writes about workshops and feedback:

'It was actually exhilarating and really exposed the bits of poems that needed work, as well as surprising insights that even the author hadn't seen. I miss this experience greatly. As a consequence of not having such a group - I write much less than I did then!'

I think this ‘workshop’ experience is so important. It affirms new directions which you might be really unsure about, and sometimes demolishes things which need demolishing. In my experience this is the scary part. In a good workshop trust builds up and people are not destructively critical about others’ work: but sometimes just reading a line or poem in this context you realise that it doesn’t work – it kind of self-destructs. This is much harder to experience on your own. If you can’t find a good workshop it’s well worth starting a correspondence with a couple of kindred spirits. I’ve sustained an exchange of letters like this for the past six years, and it has enriched my writing hugely. I say letters, not email. For me the leisurely pace of sending off some poems then getting feedback and new poems in a couple of months is sustainable – an email whizzing back the same day is not.

Workshops and correspondence are as much about giving as receiving – what builds up trust is the close reading and feedback you give to the others – only then will they be realistic, appreciative and honest enough to help you.