‘Listening to the cricket again?’ says the book. ‘I think I’ll join you.’ ‘What do you mean, ‘again’?’ I say. … More
Category: Writing
Hugo Williams
In the summer of 1986, when he was poetry editor of New Statesman and not long after Writing Home had … More
The next book
‘That thing you mentioned the other day,’ the book says. ‘Is it true?’ ‘What thing?’ I say. ‘About there being … More
The ambition thing
‘How have you been?’ says the book. ‘Fine,’ I say. ‘You?’ ‘Tired,’ says the book. ‘I’m tired.’ ‘Me too,’ I … More
Separate people?
Jack Palance: Do you know what the secret of life is? Billy Crystal: No, what? Jack Palance: This [he … More
On silence, by Jorie Graham
I think I am probably in love with silence, that other world. And that I write, in some way, to … More
Stealing
One of the joys of working on the Teachers as Writers project is that I get to steal. As … More
My stats
This isn’t about numbers, but my relationship with them. It isn’t about giving you a figure. (By the time you … More
On not having cancer
On certain afternoons I am certain it has come back. A twinge in my right side, where the pain … More
Lost poem
I had begun the poem after work one day, on a pad of work-related notes. Get in, get out, I … More
The Arvon effect
When the Arvon student is put in posession of that creative self, which was hitherto inaccessible, two things, in particular, … More
Pencil
I am returning to the pencil. The premise of which remark signifies consciousness that at some point I left the … More
Peter Bourke
In 1991 we moved to a house in Brixton, south London. Of all our welcomes, that of our neighbour, … More
Living and breathing Arvon
‘I’ve been at the field.’ This, spoken by one of the teachers on last week’s writing residential at Totleigh … More
The Other Writer
I think I need the Other Writer much more than they need me. Off the top of my head I … More
A new poem: The Future
I am delighted to announce that Ink Sweat & Tears have published a new poem, The Future, today. With thanks … More
Giving up writing
Last week I gave up writing. For about a day. I had been given a book by one of my … More
Guest blog post: Away with the Dinosaurs, by Chrissy Williams
I am delighted to welcome Chrissy Williams to enthuse about a poet who may be unfamiliar to UK readers. – … More