Reflecting on Assignment 4

Last week I received feedback from my latest assignment and I'm very happy with my tutor's response: This is a good submission and focusing on more open forms has allowed you to write some beautiful and unusual pieces. The length of your poems is really varied which is also excellent - it takes courage both to … Continue reading Reflecting on Assignment 4

Slow but Sure

I've finished a poem that I'm happy with. It took some time to get going which frustrated me. I had to push back my deadline for assignment 4; not something I wanted to do but knew if I didn't, my work wouldn't be at its best. I've found this assignment to be the hardest. Perhaps … Continue reading Slow but Sure

You’re invited to my pity party

Poetry is hard of late. Yesterday was spent conjuring up lines and stanzas for one poem that I've been working on for what seems like an age, only to think fuck it, it's not meant to be. I've written 10 lines of poetry so far; I've got 70 to go. All to be finished by August … Continue reading You’re invited to my pity party

Trying to ignore my inner monologue

Starting a new assignment excites me. I read the course work material, make notes, think about what I'd like to write, take my pen and then...nothing. Not even a spark. Reading poetry helps. The recommendations from my tutor have opened my eyes to some extraordinary contemporary poets. My current favourite is Fiona Benson. For me, … Continue reading Trying to ignore my inner monologue

Reflection on Assignment 3

Yesterday I received feedback from my tutor on Assignment 3. Dear Rachelle, thank you for submitting your third assignment for this course. This is a good submission and it’s great you’re experimenting with forms such as heroic verse, syllabics and rhyme. I do want to sound a note of caution though - whilst these aspects … Continue reading Reflection on Assignment 3

Onto the Next One

Assignment 3 is now with my tutor and I feel relieved that I met my deadline without having extra time to complete it. I will endeavour to meet all deadlines from now on; it's important for me to have structure when completing an assignment. I have read through Part 4: language and construction and the poems … Continue reading Onto the Next One

Thoughts on Assignment 3

Baked first came to fruition during an exercise from The Ode Less Travelled by Stephen Fry. It is an attempt at heroic verse. The exercise itself was to try a short dramatic monologue, à la Browning, in which a young man in police custody, clearly stoned off his head, tries to explain away the half-ounce … Continue reading Thoughts on Assignment 3

Pressure and Prose

Gah! I am frustrated this week as I haven't kept up with my blog and my poetry isn't forming as I would like. I managed to write two poems yesterday which is unusual - my deadline is approaching and I'm feeling the pressure. My tutor recommended a poetry book by Wendy Cope called Serious Concerns. This has provided me … Continue reading Pressure and Prose