h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The course has finished. That's not just because this course has run its course, so to speak, but because the CCE (Centre for Community Engagement) which organises these things, has closed down. The University of Sussex has decided it can't afford to run them any longer.

I can go on writing. As I left my narrative, Brian is reeling from the Mayor's veto of their plans to renovate the barns for b&b accommodation. And Alison has accepted a job at Les Saules restaurant, working for Francois Allombert. I have a plot, so I know what happens next. I have little biographies for my major characters. I need to do some research but I can do it as I go along.

But I need encouragement and feedback. The group of us that has gone through this two year course together has proved very supportive, and cohesive. We've got good at hot seating and workshopping. We've enrolled, more or less enmasse, for a course of Advanced Writing Workshops being run at New Writing South in central Brighton. Many of the courses being run by the CCE are moving to New Writing South, so our previous tutors will be there.

That doesn't start until October, and, even then, it's only once a month. In the meantime, I'm feeling

Hah! Good to check in with the plot. I am involved. These people are in my life.

You feeling ?? . 'Tis strange isn't it, when one has been working closely in a group, and then it disperses. One gets used to the support and the belonging.

At least there will be some kind of continuity, in October, even though its once a month. Was your course a weekly event?

I think artists need fellow artists, like a trusted tribe.

In fact, I think we all need a trusted tribe, or a trusted circle, or some kind of belonging. Perhaps a trusted spiral. .


Take care, dear poetlady

Speak soon.

cc

I like the idea of a trusted spiral! With my trusted spiral I could go anywhere in the

My course was weekly - the highlight of my week, which otherwise consists of housework, shopping, cooking, and my once a week Citizens Advice Bureau stint.

But would-be writers aren't all like that. I've met some who think they're very good when they're not. And some who are very hard on other writers.

if you want to take your writing, or your photos out into the wide, dangerous world, beware of the hard critics. That's when you need your trusted spiral.

Bonjour dear poetlady.

Greetings from the trusted spiral.

Hah, yes, we need a spiral smiley.



No way I'd take my work into the worlds beyond the trusted spiral. .

It would be a good challenge, especially when things are going well, and even dealing with the ruthless cutthroat world of critics with their claws, but I'd be like a beetle trying to cross a motorway. . Splat!

Do you feel tempted? I think you are a stronger beetle than me. In fact, I don't think you are a beetle. . I wonder, what would be your power animal talismanic image?


Art as medicine, as a healing process, a lifeline in the depths of breakdown, that's always and ever where I come from, because art saved my life, and I must speak out for it. Yes, this is my galaxy. .

In fact, I think I'll try and find a way of writing about that. I feel a hootoo journal entry coming over me, like a fever on a hot night. How do I write about it? Ponder ponder.

Thanks for the inspiration.

My Aunty worked as a volunteer for CAB, really hard work, but she found it challenging and rewarding. In fact I have two friends who also work for CAB, I just remembered , one full time pro, the other part time volunteer.

Do you know the Kipling Gardens in Rottingdean? Yesterday I cycled the Undercliff track, ventured into Rottingdean, and discovered the gardens. Amazing. One of my favourite places now!

I should be interested to see what you write about art as therapy, if you feel you can share it in the trusted spiral.

To put your thoughts, and worries and even into words, or images, should be a way of dealing with them. I do have a few dark poems in my collection, but I don't usually inflict them on people.

Do I have a power animal talismanic image? I don't know. A perhaps , or a hedgehog - prickly but harmless? It would be nice to be a beaver, that works away in the dark and produces something that people notice.

But if you are a beetle, you can be a scarab, that pushes the sun across the sky.

I'm off to France on Thursday, so au revoir.

OK and thanks for all, and bon voyage. Have a lovely holiday.

Interesting, about your power animals. Very interesting.

Scarab! Yes! That is better than my roach image. heheh. Pushes the sun across the sky? I love that. I wonder is that a known legend, Egyptian or something, or from the mind of Mrs Poet Lady. I will have to check. Cool with that, as long as I avoid scuttling across motorways.

Ah France, the light, the herbal fragrance in the air, the pines!

Take care

CC Scarabfeatures

PS

If you ever felt like sharing your dark poems, like, in the trusted spiral, I am of course interested.

(Scuttles off, waving antennae. Do scarabs have antennae?)