On Improving As A Writer

I wanted to work with my PhD supervisor because she’d written on pro-wrestling academically. But also, because she’s a poet. From the beginning of our professional relationship, I have believed a poet’s perspective could push my prose to new heights. And now I have a full draft of my novel behind me, that moment has come.

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses

As a novelist, I adore writing dialogue, and like to think I have a decent ear for it. It’s only natural, then, for me to focus a lot of energy on this aspect of a novel. You’ll already know this if you’ve watched my short video on writing process, but I tend to hear voice first, then fill in visual details – faces, clothes, rooms etc – later. When I get to this ‘blocking’, most of the time I can do a decent job. But here comes the weakness – in this prose I know that I am not much of a lyricist. Now, I fully accept that Nabokov I am not and will never be. I don’t attempt to plough out simile after simile, because I know fine well that most are going to be ‘misses’. But I do want to improve my rhythm, my imagery. And so…

Writing prompts

After a conversation with my excellent supervisor, she introduced me to a writing prompt. Now, despite efforts to push against my instincts, I normally find writing prompts a bit derivative, unnecessary. Yes, okay, I’m a snob. But this writing prompt… I’m not exaggerating when I say it brought me a lot of joy and energy. I’m tempted to build it into my daily routine.

Here’s is the original prompt below from poet and playwright, Savon Bartley.

@savonbartleyofficial

Writing poetry can be hard sometimes. Especially when you don’t know what to write about. Here’s a writing prompt to stir up some inspiration if you’re looking for it. Write a poem about where you’re from. The only rule is you can’t say where you’re from. Instead, decribe the sights, sounds, smells, and memories you have from this place. Let me know if you want more prompts in the comments. #poetrylines #poetrylover #poetsoftiktok #tiktokpoetrylovers #tiktokpoetry

♬ original sound – Savon Bartley

In summary, it’s a challenge to write a poem – something I never do – about where you’re from, without actually saying where you’re from. In other words, you have to lean on imagery.

My attempt

While using this prompt in my novel is still a WIP, instead here’s my efforts about my own home town:

I’m from market traders setting out fruit and veg, nick-nacks and flowers on wooden benches

I’m from England lost a football match against Portugal, so let’s trash the Turkish kebab shop

I’m from dogwalkers in wellington boots meandering by the frothing river

I’m from Tory tongue-clickers and famous fish and chip shops

I’m from the Black Bull and the Red Lion and the George & The Dragon and the Three Legs

I’m from good transport links and expensive house prices, and, second-hand in charity shops, expensive clothing brands

I’m from streets named after animals – foxes and badgers and deer

I’m from old railway lines and drinking cider on patches of secluded grass called the Devil’s Toenail

I’m from dressing up as St George on St George’s Day

I’m from greetings card shops and estate agents and cheese shops

I’m from jumping into the shallow river every summer off concrete platforms

I’m from newsagents selling fags singly

I’m from petitioning the opening of new supermarkets

I’m from the Chinese restaurant serving fourteen-year-olds Tiger beer

I’m from a stone bridge, above a beer garden, above an arrangement of white roses with the sign: Yorkshire in Bloom Winner 1999