What inspired you to start writing poetry and join this group?

I have always written poetry on and off over the years but when I was working, I didn’t have the time. When I retired, I found that I wanted to be a bit more creative but  I don't do very well on my own. Joining a group helps me, it  gives me prompts and a purpose and I need other people to inspire me.

In my first ever poetry group though, I was very nervous and I nearly didn't go. But that's where I met Jayne for the first time and it was just so amazing. It got so much creativity out of me that I couldn't get enough. We started a “Writing for Pleasure” group here at the library (Mowbray Gardens) and being with each other inspired us to write.

When the Spread The Word sessions started, I just embraced the fact that we were being given somebody to lead us and teach us new ways of looking at things. It definitely helped that I had accessed some other writing groups and workshops before.

Can you share the story behind one of the favourite poems you've written?

It’s the poem I wrote as part of Musuem of the Moon in November 2023. It was so inspiring to write about because it brought out the magic in my writing.  I wrote a poem called, “Dancing in the Moonlight”. It was very sort of childlike and fun and I just enjoyed playing with the words and the theme and then they got published. It was a real journey from the idea to seeing it in print on the postcards given out at the event. I even performed a poem in Rotherham Minster because I had never, ever done that before. It’s something I would never have done on my own so it’s definitely inspiring having others go through the same process with you.

How has being part of this poetry group influenced your writing?

It's given me confidence and, I suppose, I feel a validation that my work stand’s up against some other people's, that I can do it.

I'm not used to sharing the things that I've been writing but everybody's really positive. We can all have the same prompt but everybody does something different and it's brilliant to hear so you are inspired by the prompt but inspired by what others write too.

What themes or topics do you find yourself most drawn to in your poetry?

Definitely being playful and magical. I'm not a realist. I think when it gets too dark and emotional, I tend to stray away from that. I'd prefer more light-hearted. I feel there is too much negativity in the world so I don't want to focus on that in my writing. My poetry gives me an escape from that and that feels therapeutic.

Who are some of your favourite poets and how have they influenced your work?

I like lots of poetry. I like listening to a broad range.  I do like Roger McGough because I find that he's quite witty and yes, he plays on words. I like clever poetry. I do like the old poets too and I like Simon Armitage because you can really relate to what he writes about. Also, Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas,  I absolutely love the lyrical sound of it.

Can you describe your writing process and do you have any specific rituals or routines?

I don’t have any rituals and in terms of routine it is very ad hoc. But if you give me a prompt and tell me to do something, I will do it.

I live such a busy life and I'm always doing something that somebody has got to sit me down to get me to write. I am working my way through something called “Yellow Book of Poems” which is interesting but meeting up once a week definitely helps me to actually write and put pen to paper. In order to do it as a hobby I need other people alongside me.

How and where do you find inspiration to write?

I'm more likely to sit down and write in the winter months because in the Summer I am just out in the garden. I don’t often go back to what I have written in the group but one of my Winter jobs is to collate everything I have written so far.

What role do you think poetry creative writing plays in society/in Rotherham today?

I think it's quite early in Rotherham but it's becoming more well known with the Grimm poetry nights and the other the open mic nights. It seems like something that is growing and something that other people are getting to know about.

I also think that if somebody sees something is going on in their neighbourhood, they may be more likely to say,  “I might like to try that” so it brings greater access for people. Having somewhere where there might be a group, where you could go, is helpful to get you started.

How has sharing your work with the group impacted your confidence and development as a poet, creative writer?

I would never, ever have shared anything previously but now I don't mind. It’s a really supportive atmosphere and that helps with the confidence of sharing. Everybody finds something positive to say and when somebody says to me “read it again”,  that's a proper validation.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in poetry?

Try not to take yourself too seriously and find a group that you feel comfortable with. Just take pleasure in what is coming out of the pen, rather than setting yourself a goal or being too hard on yourself, and see what flows.

 Anything else that you want to say?

Don't ever leave us!

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