Welcome to my blog
Here you’ll find writing tips, techniques and prompts. If you’d like weekly updates on my current writing process and projects, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, Awen.
Writing zuihitsu
Zuihitsu is a Japanese technique that dates back to Sei Shōnagon who wrote The Pillow Book in around 1000AD. It is a collection of personal essays with thoughts, ideas and observations from her time as court lady to Empress Consort Teishi. American poet, Kimiko Hahn uses the technique in her book, The Narrow Road to the Interior (2006), named after haiku poet Basho’s book, The Narrow Road to the Deep North.
How to Write a Sestina
The sestina is a poem made of six stanzas of six lines each, plus a three-line envoi, which sums up what the poet wants to say. The interesting thing is that six words are used as end words in a different order in each stanza. The order of the end words is set and always the same.
Honesty Box
Photo credit: Madalyn Cox on Unsplash
Imagine this is a roadside honesty box where I share what I know how to do with you - open the wooden door and you’ll find little envelopes of techniques, prompts, reading suggestions, workshop ideas and creative inspiration. Next to these envelopes is a box where you can slip in some coins or if you’re feeling particularly generous, a £10 note or two!
I love to think of you reading, feeling inspired by and using what I've written but it does take time and for me to be able to continue, I am trying out ways to make it pay without adverts, paid subscriptions, memberships or paywalls. Instead, I'll continue to provide this content for free, with an invitation to you to donate to my honesty box if you can and would like to. Click on the button below to donate. Thank you!