Poetry Bus Poem - Night

This week's prompt came from the wonderful TFE, see link http://totalfeckineejit.blogspot.com/2011/01/behold-tis-mighty-poetry-bus.html 
and it was all about taking time out and listening to oneself by breathing etc etc.  My plan was to do so early on Sunday morning, but events took over and this plan failed completely.

It was a good day though, filled with lots of extra bits of the unexpected, so why the dark melancholy late at night when I finally stopped reading and decided  at long last to go to bed?

I wish I knew, but wide awake with the rest of the house asleep, and the normal mountain breeze that sweeps across the valley taking a temporary holiday, I found myself in silence.

Maybe it was the damnation of depressing January, or the absence of Christmas chocolates, or the dark winter night waiting for the snowdrops to peek up and tell us that it will soon be Spring, but for the life of me, I can't remember when I listened and I heard so little back.

I think perhaps it's time I got out more, but the end result, a dark poem, roll on the snowdrops!

Night

It is late, in the restlessness of night,

infrequent sounds, stark interruptions,

to silence gently carried by the breeze

that now creeps across the valley.

It is the very absence of real noise

that echoes the spell of loneliness,

‘as quiet as the grave,’

no wild bellows from the depth of earth.

Nor the voices of others asleep,

even my own, loud normally inside my head, stops,

no longer busy, seeking, running away from,

and the silence deafens.

The eerie nothingness invades.

And so I breathe,

because I must,

the harshness is in the silence I hear back.

Thought for the Weekend - Albert Einstein

'Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death' - Albert Einstein

One to be remembered!

Writing Group - Call for New Members

Lucan Writers Group- Call to New Members

Lucan Writers Group meet every second Saturday in Lucan Library, Co Dublin from 11 a.m - 1 p.m. The next meeting is Saturday the 22nd January 2011.

Currently we are open for new members.  The criteria is simple, if you are over 18 and have a keen interest in writing, whether it be prose, poetry, novel or script writing, then you will fit in.

We are a diverse group and over the years, we have hopefully achieved an environment that fosters and encourages the art of writing.

Normally the meeting kicks off with a writing exercise, after which people are free to read their work to the group for constructive feedback.

Some bloggers known to you are already members, like myself, http://120socks.blogspot.com,
http://variouscushions.blogspot.com ,
http://domesticoubliette.blogspot.com ,
and http://davidmohan.wordpress.com. 

Feel free to visit these wonderful blogs or check out our lastest Creative Writing Retreat @ http://120socks.blogspot.com/2010/09/writers-retreat.html.

Since the beginning of the Lucan Writers Group in 2006, the group and many of its members, have individually and collectively picked up numerous awards, including taking second prize in the National Group Writers Award in 2008 (see http://www.lucanwriters.ie/).

Along with giving prestigious readings, work from group members have been published in magazines, anthologies and independent books of their own, as well as taking part in various collective exhibitions, including 'Paint the Town Red', an art/literature project.

But more importantly Lucan Writers is an open and constructive group, with a keen interest in supporting those with a love for creating the written word.

If you want to find out more about becoming a member, you can email me @ phillips.louisem0@gmail.com .

What's in a Number??

Well, seeing as how January is well and truly here and we are all wondering what 2011 will bring to us, and seeing as how, I have not posted any Numerology Gems in a while, this seems like as good a time as any to dabble in the optimistic and possibly ridiculous, but sure what the hell!

How to work out your Personal Year number for 2011 and what does it mean?

To find out your Personal Year number for 2011, you take the month you were born, let's say October, which is 10, add date of birth, let's say the 25th and then the current year, 2011.

10 + 25 + 2011 = 2046 Reduce to single digit 2+0+4+6 (12)= 1+2 = 3 

Easy -See below for Personal Years 1 - 9

(Please note I did not create these forecasts, I was very simply drawn to them through idle curiosity or roughly translated, looking to do something other than all the things that I should be doing!)


1 Personal Year
This is a new beginning time. Embrace courage, openness, and initiate new ideas. Energy is behind you supporting new directions, self definition, and new ideas. Follow your dreams and begin cultivating what really motivates you. It is not a time to wait around as you could miss out on what this year has to offer. You really are setting the pace for the next nine years.

2 Personal Year

This year requires cooperation, patience, and continued development of what you began last year. Time is needed to put everything into motion. Continue to focus on your motivations and step by step progress so that what you began last year can further develop. Relationships are also an area of focus throughout the year.

3 Personal Year

This year wants to expand your life and focus. It brings increased activity and recognition. Enthusiasm moves into the picture. You may find yourself quite busy with more social interaction. Seeds can be planted in the hearts and minds of those around you. If you become confused by too many directions, pick the one that excites you the most. Expression and Creativity are highlighted.

4 Personal Year

Organization is key in this year including continued development and focus. You may feel a little restricted in some ways but keep in mind the reward ahead from you efforts. This is a foundation year and asks you to finish details where continued support is needed.

5 Personal Year

This year promises rewards and progress from what you developed the previous four years. Often opportunities come your way to advance in various directions. The year asks for flexibility, and may bring some risks, but rewards are what the year wishes to bring. Sometimes relationships at a distance and travel are highlighted.

6 Personal Year

Relationships with family, friends, and co-workers is key this year. The spotlight shines more on domestic matters. Love interests are often highlighted as well as the passion that connects us to our creativity. There is also a focus on self-love, connection, and nurturing.

7 Personal Year

This is somewhat of a sabbatical time. Much is gained through reflection and personal refinement. You may want to ask yourself some important questions like what your Life Purpose is and what you want your life to be like. It is a time for seeking a deeper understanding into your inner nature. Solitude is often needed in order to quiet your mind and get in touch with what really matters to you.

8 Personal Year

After the reflection of last year, it is time to move from the inner world into the outer world and manifest in greater ways what you have been working toward during the last seven years. Material issues, career, and worldly accomplishments come to the forefront. Organization is again important and monetary gain is possible.

9 Personal Year

Much like the 7 Personal Year the 9 invites you to pay special attention to your inner world. You have graduated from a cycle of experience. It is a time for completing many areas of experience so that you can move freely into the next cycle ahead without carrying forward outgrown or unneeded baggage. There is a letting go of the old as anticipation of future possibilities exists within you. Gratefulness and compassion are especially important at this time.

Thought for the Week - http://xkcd.com/

I seem to have slipped in my duties as regard to the 'thought for the weekend' as far as last friday was concerned.  Blame the christmas/new year, one hour, one day, one week, falling into one another, until you reach a point where you need to switch on the television to get your bearings.

So as I missed the slot, I am subsituting 'thought for the weekend' for 'thought for the week'.  This one is from a site highlighted the other week Kate, 'Emerging Writer' @ http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/and further such wonders can be found at http://xkcd.com or for those of you that can't increase the image size to see it, you can just log on to http://xkcd.com/349/

Poetry Bus Poem - Whisperings

This week's great poetry bus prompts came from 'Emerging Writer' @ http://emergingwriter.blogspot.com/ , and they were certainly varied and interesting.

I got tempted by the first prompt which was based on the revenge of the critic, and being one for leaning to the dark and depressing side of things at times, I got swallowed up by the idea of this little gem.

Hopefully I moved to the light and the positive nearer the end, which is a much more rewarding state of mind!!! 

Whisperings

Have you heard the whisperings?
The doubts and uncertainties that seep and soak,
visiting at unexpected hours,
like in the dead of night,
or just before you take a chance,


Having a language all their own,
one that charms your ear, in silence and in noise,
leaning to the dark, clawing at belief,
with a subtlety of self,
that fools the pupil it knows best.


A sombre thought indeed, that our biggest critic hides within us all,
who consumes with glee and skill of viciousness,
turning us into mere shadows of ourselves,
by its slash of minor beliefs, or pride,
enthusiastic wonders that bring a smile,


Hinting one might achieve,
a small or soft or great,
or even gentle murmuring,
that would gather in arms of strength,
harnessing against the dark whisperings of self.


For revenge of this critic is perhaps the sweetest of them all,
for in it lies the secret of success,
think hard how foolish he or she might seem,
if you were not taken by their spell of doubt,
but rather silenced,


The one most feared,
who knows us far too well and yet not at all.
This knowledge means their game is up,
for when you listen to their whisperings,
you must turn, and make them listen back.

Challenge Writing Competition

For Those of You that like a Challenge & Good Causes!!

Challenge Writing Competition

www.challengewriting.co.uk

Judge: Lord Robert Winston, leading writer, scientist and television personality.

Prizes: First prize: £300 + a premium Parker/Waterman pen & handcrafted Italian leather journal.
Second prize: £150 plus pen and journal as before
Third prize: £50 plus pen and journal as before
Shortlisted entrants will receive a Parker Jotter pen.
All prizes are sponsored by www.theonlinepencompany.com

Theme:Challenge. To be interpreted as freely as possible but at least one female character must be included.

Details:Short story of 2000 words. All entries to be typed on single-sided A4 paper and double spaced. Manuscripts should have only the title shown and not the author’s name. A cover sheet should be included with story title, author’s name, contact details and word count. If you include an email address, we will email you to say that we have received your manuscript safely.

Entry fee: £5 per entry. 100% of all entry fees will go to the Cycle China challenge and Women for Women. Cheques should be made payable to The Institute Trust Fund.

Send to: Challenge Writing short story competition
17 Rosehill Drive
Bridgnorth
Shropshire
WV16 5BP

Closing date:Feb 12th 2011

Notification of winners:All winners will be notified by email/post by the end of May 2011. The names of winners will be published on this website along with the three winning stories. Right of ownership of the stories stays with the author.

 

The CWA Debut Dagger

Fancy a stab at crime writing?

Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Competition for 2011 - will run from 30th October 2010 to 5th February 2011.

This Award is open to all writers who have not had a novel published commercially. Entrants are required to submit the first 3000 words of their crime-themed novel, plus a 500/1000 word synopsis.   The short-listed entries are not only circulated to all the editors and agents who are members of our Association, but also to an increasing number who contact us asking to see the list.   Since its inauguration,  two dozen winners and short-listed authors have obtained publishing contracts.  It's a wonderful opportunity for would-be crime writers to jump the slush pile and get their work seen by leading editors and agents.  

Further details can be found on www.thecwa.co.uk (click the 'Debut Dagger' link).

Thought for the Weekend - T. S. Elliot

As the coming weekend brings 2011 upon us, I figured this might be a good one to keep in mind for the year ahead.

'For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.'
- T.S. Eliot


May the words of 2011 be mighty!

The Naming of 120socks

How to get over difficult obstacles - Just go for it! - 120 socks

(I hope this video link works)

As 2011 is approaching, I figured it is time to clear up this small mystery, as many people have asked how the name 120socks for the blog came to be.

The real credit for its creation has to go to the mad person in the green kayak, namely son of 120 socks.  So here is the story:

Having been away at a writers retreat, (see link on side bar) I was convinced by other crazy writing people in my company, that I should start a blog.

When a name was requested, I remembered how the previous week I had tidied my son's bedroom and in an effort to find a FLOOR, I had ended up picking up 120 odd socks. 

So being a person of limited imagination, 120 socks seemed as good a name as any!

Over time I have grown quite fond of it, so to the green kayak lunatic, I now say a big THANK YOU.