Let's Talk about Competitions

Last week I wrote about the end of a well-established poetry competition, the Petra Kenney Memorial Poetry Competition, here.  Soon after, I read in Sarah Salway’s blog about this year’s version of the competition she has been running with Lynne Rees...

Around the Bend

As many of you know, over the past few months I have been on my own curving road, a road which has veered, sometimes precipitously, off to the side into sometimes dangerous terrain. I’m talking, of course, about how I stepped out of my life as a diligent though...

Meme and others

What’s the derivation of the word “meme” anyway? And how do you pronounce it — to rhyme with ‘dream’ or as if it was ‘me-me’? The second choice makes the most sense to me, but I’m so often wrong. But anyway, I...

The Virtual Life and John Cusack

Isn’t it a wonder how we can have worldwide conversations with friends new and old without leaving our chairs, roll as they might?  One such conversation is about to begin next week as the very talented Tania Hershman begins a worldwide, “virtual”...

The Best Mariachi in the World

Almost exactly one year ago, I was at my favourite writer’s retreat, Anam Cara, in West Cork, Ireland.  I’m due to go back in a few weeks, so I’ll write more about it then.  But one of the happiest of consequences of these stays is that I get to meet...