What has Write Out Loud done for you?
I had been writing poetry on and off for many years. Poetry has always been important to me and I have written on and off for many years, mainly for special occasions or when commissioned. The quantity of work increased significantly when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Whilst talking to some friends at work about my work, about reaching a wider audience and developing as a poet,'Write Out Loud' came up as a recommendation. I was told it was a friendly group of poets who were supportive to new writers. I joined the organisation and quickly got support and constructive feedback on my poems from its many members. The continuous constructive feedback has and continues to help improve the quality of my written word. After a setting up my own page on there the next challenge for me was performing my work.
Eighteen months ago I went to my first ‘Open Mic’ at the Howcroft Inn in Bolton and to say the least I was nervous. My performance was shaky and was not helped by my stammering problem. The warmth of the welcome and applause gave me such a buzz. That night I was bitten by the WOL poetry bug. I got allot of support to get over my nerves and was recommended to become part of a stage show called, ‘A Crow of Murders’ by Dominic Berry, to help with this. Thanks to the techniques taught in this show, my performances have and continue to improve. WOL has given me the confidence to write and star in my own show, ‘Emotional Rainbows’.
Thanks to the support and fellowship WOL has to offer; I have a widening circle of friends, become part of the poetry family, been to gigs down as far as London, taken part in workshops, written my own book, entered competitions, my poem chosen as ‘Poem of the Month’ and have now opened a WOL ‘Open Mic’ night at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale. The one thing that impresses me greatly is that poets old and new are just accepted for who they are, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. All poets and writers share the love and appreciation of the written word.
With collective support long may ‘Write Out Loud’ continue to grow.
Whilst talking to some friends at work about my work, about reaching a wider audience and developing as a poet,'Write Out Loud' came up as a recommendation. I was told it was a friendly group of poets who were supportive to new writers. I joined the organisation and quickly got support and constructive feedback on my poems from its many members. The continuous constructive feedback has and continues to help improve the quality of my written word. After a setting up my own page on there the next challenge for me was performing my work.
Eighteen months ago I went to my first ‘Open Mic’ at the Howcroft Inn in Bolton and to say the least I was nervous. My performance was shaky and was not helped by my stammering problem. The warmth of the welcome and applause gave me such a buzz. That night I was bitten by the WOL poetry bug. I got allot of support to get over my nerves and was recommended to become part of a stage show called, ‘A Crow of Murders’ by Dominic Berry, to help with this. Thanks to the techniques taught in this show, my performances have and continue to improve. WOL has given me the confidence to write and star in my own show, ‘Emotional Rainbows’.
Thanks to the support and fellowship WOL has to offer; I have a widening circle of friends, become part of the poetry family, been to gigs down as far as London, taken part in workshops, written my own book, entered competitions, my poem chosen as ‘Poem of the Month’ and have now opened a WOL ‘Open Mic’ night at the Waterside Arts Centre in Sale. The one thing that impresses me greatly is that poets old and new are just accepted for who they are, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. All poets and writers share the love and appreciation of the written word.
With collective support long may ‘Write Out Loud’ continue to grow.
Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:00 am
