The Chorley Writing Circle
As if being invited to a writing circle meeting for the first time wasn’t daunting enough having been, pretty much, confined within the four walls of home for the last twelve months. But then to arrive and discover one should have brought along a pen, pencil or quill in order to join in the writing that was about to take place… OMG!
I was always taught about the six p’s… Originally five p’s methinks, yet of late an additional one seems to have crept in there…
i.e. PRIOR PREPARATION PREVENTS P*SS POOR PERFORMANCE!
Well, last night I was stumped and as the visiting guest my whimsical excuse of having neither brought along the quill or parchment required to be included in said task seemed to fall on deaf ears. I was promptly provided with tools for the timed twenty minute task ahead…
Writing off the hoof has never been a strong point for me. Editing has been a laborious task, and re-writes often seem endless. So, writing and bearing the notion of also having to read out this poorly planned manifestation that was half-cut in panic, was a most fearful experience. So fearful that I can’t even remember the topic…
Here is a Keat’s quote that reflects what I think we were supposed to be writing about, typed rather more succinctly than I can explain!
When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain, Before high-piled books, in charactery, Hold like rich garners the full ripened grain.
John Keats: 1818 ‘When I Have FearsThat I May Cease to Be’.
I set about this daunting task and called it ‘Procrastination and Regret.’ Here it is. Forgive me but it was written in 20 minutes without prior warning!!
Procrastination and Regret
The feeling was one of utter contentment
but it hadn’t always been that way
several years blocking ideas from one’s mind
a lack of self belief had led him astray
Something better would always pitch up
any excuse not to start it today
But as summer’s passed
leafy Autumns
and frosty winters too
his body began weakening
he would soon have to sit around
with nothing better to do
Regret can be harsh and saddening
But at the time he didn’t realise what was happening
It was only now he could reflect
from the confines of his wheelchair
It was NOT too late to stop procrastinating
he could save himself from despair
He slid his vehicle under the grand and dusty desk
released the mighty QWERTY from its unnatural mahogany rest
Tip Tap, Tip Tapping
his fingers began to race
unable to stop them producing verse
tears running down his face
For all those years of procrastination
it was only now he understood
Tip Tap, Tip Tapping
like a carpenter carving his wood
his grey matter had stored all those ideas
like ingredients to create something really good
Over the years in his mind
all he considered to be bad
was now being forged into something beautiful
like a coiled spring he could begin to unwind
as page after page was forged from nothing
every sentence became a golden rhyme
Finally his fingers began to slow down
and sweat replaced the tears
as he read through this masterpiece
he regretted his lifetime’s fears
Nowadays, procrastination conquered, this man can always be found
by searching through the corridors and following the Tip Tapping sound!
THE END
Yeah, pretty awful I know… No punctuation blah bla blah…But give me a break it was unplanned and raw!
Anyway, the point of this post was to inform those about The Chorley Writing Circle and let people know that on November 15th, a London Literary Agent (Hannah Sheppard) and Bestselling author (Carys Bray) will be giving a talk at The Coach House within the inspirational grounds of Astley Park. It should be a great event and with places limited, any authors (or anybody else) wishing to attend will need to get their places booked fairly promptly. The contact information for buying tickets is below.
Have a great day and keep writing!
