Writing prompts (blog post ending with a line by Shawna Lemay) (LentBlog29)

after Shawna Lemay Write a poem about the rain. Or the wind.Write about what you learned at university.Or did … More

Meditation on an envelope (LentBlog24)

Anne Lamott suggests an index card, and I have used these, but they suggest something pre-planned, organised. The envelope, especially … More

It isn’t often that you read something that you know as soon as you read it has the capacity to … More

Having left FB a week or two ago and quickly decided before I could persuade myself to do otherwise to … More

I always think of myself as working at a rock face. Ninety days out of ninety five, it’s just a … More

After Charles Wright Strives for perfection-ThursdayIs begun day after votingsOld envelope from the hospital) Will not contain … More

I am not sure how this is going to turn out. It was something somebody said in response to my … More

‘What’s up?’ says the book. ‘It’s nothing. Really. I’m fine,’ I say. ‘For a person with their head in their … More

I was in a waiting room, having cycled, a bit out of breath, a book on my knee, trying to … More

(After Andy Brown) Because my children are briefly sleeping under the same roof Becuase Col and Lucy and M and … More

‘Good Christmas?’ I say. ’Fairytale,’ the book says. ‘Grimm.’ ’Are you here all week?’ ’Unlike some of us.’ ’It was … More

‘So I was thinking,’ the book says. ‘Going anywhere nice for Christmas?’ ’Do you want a lift somewhere?’ I say. … More

Here are my most frequently-read blog posts of 2018, according to my WordPress stats. First, from the Lifesaving Poems … More

I am delighted to be publishing Deck Shoes, a book of enthusiasms, influences and memoir, with Impress Books, next year. … More

After what feels like a very long wait since the publication of Riddance in 2012, I am delighted to be publishing … More

Next year is going to be a big year for me. I am going to have two new books out … More

‘Do you mind if I ask you a question?’ the book says. ‘Why are you wearing my slippers?’ I say. … More

‘What do you want?’ says the book. ‘Who’s asking?’ I say. ‘Me,’ says the book. ‘I am asking.’ ‘What do … More