At last it’s nearly here, – too late to back out, too much of other people’s work recorded and too many promises made. This last couple of days the realisation that my spoken word entertainment website listenupnorth.com might actually be up and running suddenly hits me - at first with with a giddy rush of exhilaration and then the realisation that despite 18 months of preparation there is still so much to do and many important decisions to be made. I think Wonderhubby has long resigned himself that his wife won’t be bringing in any more money to the household budget at least not until I’m queuing up at the Post Office (if there are any left by then) to draw my state pension.
Last Saturday I had a very fruitful 4 hour meeting around my kitchen table with Dean from zimt website design who is at this moment putting together my baby and guiding me through the minefield of what I need to do. Some of those decisions have been a great joy and I have included Wonderhubby and Teen 2 in the process such as the design for my website, the photo of NE icons to illustrate it and preparing my content – text and audio. Other decisions have been rather more frightening and in such a new field as digital media there are often no blueprints to follow. I have just been sorting out legal obligations such as terms and conditions for the website, privacy policy, insurances and registering for the Data Protection Act. These things have not been as straightforward as you might expect. Yesterday I spent an afternoon on the Information Commissioner’s Office website being passed from one link to another and I was still no clearer as to whether I need to register for data Protection. When I ring their office and describe what I am doing, they don't know either and are going to send me a 175 page document to read over! Longingly I look through the window at the sunshine outside and the spring flowers pushing through in the garden
Most frighteningly, I have actually got to be responsible and accountable for this venture. Whether I can make it into a business or even make it break even remains to be seen and sitting at my desk buried under these pressures, I feel it’s so easy to lose sight of why I’m doing this. Looking up I’m reminded why by the sign on my wall, bought as an anniversary present by Wonderhubby a couple of years ago. It’s an old Quaker proverb: ‘Let Your Life Speak,’ and so I hope at the very least to bring my work and that of other writers to an audience.
Along the way I have been helped by friends who at the moment are planning their own creative events:
Poet Keith Armstrong (18 Jan10) and friends are presenting ‘From Segedunum to The Spanish City’ Featuring poems, artwork and photographs by local people, this new book celebrates the heritage of North Tyneside. Come and hear poetry readings from the book as well as sea shanties from Jim Mageean and poetry from writer Gordon Phillips who is recording one of his short stories next week. The book has been previously reviewed (02 Mar 10) , this event will take place at Whitley Bay Library on Wednesday 21 April 2010 starting at 10.30am. To book your FREE place contact Whitley Bay Library on 0191 200 8500. Refreshments provided
Gordon Phillips is also running a writing class: 10 weekly sessions begin on Wednesday 28 April from 10.30 am until 12.30 pm at the WEA Regional Office, 21 Portland Terrace, Jesmond, close to Jesmond Metro Station. For more information contact Gordon Phillips on 0191 2747803 or e mail [email protected]
Gordon is also very busy as a tutor on Songsville: songs, their lyrics and history. This course will concentrate on songs and their lyrics, which have historical references, useful for any budding songwriters and lyricists. Songs studied will include ones from Tudor times, the American Civil War, Victorian Parlour Songs and from the British Folk Tradition, right up to some strange fruit and humble American pie. 10 weekly sessions begin on Monday 10 May from 10.15 am until 12.15 pm at Newcastle City Library. For more information contact Gordon on 0191 2747803 or e-mail [email protected]
Starting late July, acclaimed Brampton novelist John Murray will be hosting power-packed fiction writing weekends in his lovely North Cumbrian farmhouse. John was one of the first writers to record for listenupnorth and has over 20 years experience of teaching for the Arvon Foundation and Madingley Hall, Cambridge, and he believes these small group weekends will offer something new. These intensive but enjoyable courses will run with a maximum of three students meaning each participant will get maximum individual attention. In addition John who is a noted cook and host will be providing gourmet vegetarian dinners each night! Other attractions include a guest author on the Saturday evening. The courses will run from Friday teatime to Sunday teatime.
For bookings and more information www.johnmurraynovelist.wordpress.com or email [email protected]
Writers Rosalind Wyllie & Alison Carr and dramaturgist Degna Stone (known collectively as ‘The Rascally Scoundrels’, are putting on a preview performance (rehearsed reading) at in the Gallery Bar at The People's Theatre in Heaton on Thurs 22 Apr at 8pm until approx 9pm before it heads off to the Prague Festival Fringe in June. This is a fundraising event to help get the production to Prague, so any donations on the night will be gratefully received. They are also planning a preview performance at The Live Theatre at the end of May - date TBC but details will be announced shortly. Both Rosalind and both Degna have had their work recorded for listenupnorth and Alison is currently writing a drama for us.
