January 2023...

and I'm partway through the (yearly) process of editing, proofreading and formatting the 100 or so poems I'd written over the previous year into a completed and readable book!

This is always a labour of love, something I enjoy doing and with each new collection I really think I'm evolving and progressing as an artist and publisher. Nothing is ever perfect of course and I'd never ever try to suggest that any of my work comes even close to perfection; but I'm happier with each new book I produce and that in itself is rewarding.

Having relocated to Lincolnshire, it was always my intent to find some sort of evening or adult courses to undertake and due to a variety of factor; I've ended up ding a 'Scriptwriting' course at The Grimsby Institute! I've never considered doing any sort of script creation but as it was available and I could get onto it; I thought I'd give it. go!

Well, what a revelation! Keith and I ('Mitchell&Mellhuish' and 'UnderTow' music) are working on a double CD Prog album and I realised quickly that the narration I've been writing for it is in essence a script! More than that, this course has provided me with new tools and approaches to my creative work and I'm now looking at different aspects of my work with a new perspective.

I've even written my first 'proper' script! Called 'Our Bench' I submitted it to the Institute for inclusion in a pool of scripts that could be filmed by the Film & TV Students. It didn't get picked but I didn't expect it to be - it's a melancholic and gentle 2 minute piece on a bench between 2 people (that was the brief) which is quite sweet - certainly not 'cutting edge'. However, they have asked to put it into the Institute's 'Script Bank', which is nice.

Anyway, it's the last session next week but I'm hoping to get onto another course starting at the end of January, this time regarding Creative Writing itself. I'm enjoying a different perspective in my writing and looking forward to turning an idea I've had about a certain place in Louth into a full story and maybe even a script for TV!

Opportunities come in all forms, at various times of your life and it's important to take advantage of them when able. So, back to sorting out the latest collection whilst, at the same time, starting on the new collection for 2023 (working title 'In Quiet Tones').

Wish me luck, and keep on reading!

Alan