We were very lucky to have weekly sessions with a REAL writer for our second Reading Round, courtesy of the Royal Literary Fund. As well as reading selected stories and poems to us each week, Alicia was kind enough to share some of her insight and wisdom with us, which may provide some encouragement to those of us who find reading and writing a bit boring or challenging...
Why do you write?
I write because writing is where I am most free. It allows me to express what I feel, explore what I am most interested in, and I have control over what goes onto the page. I can write what I want and no one can stop me!
What is the point of poetry????
I can’t write poetry, but I wish I could. Poetry is language at its most powerful, stripped down to its essentials. A poem is a work of art that you can carry in your mind. You can hold a poem in your memory, turn it over in your thoughts, file it away and then go back to it at different moments during your life and it will keep giving you new things.
What advice would you give someone who is finding it hard trying to write?
Writing is difficult. I’ve said it’s where I am most free, but it is also hard work, and sometimes all writers struggle to get the words down on the page. It’s important to remember that this struggle is an important part of the writing process, that is what writing is, it does not mean that something is wrong. And there are things you can do about it. Making sure you do it regularly, even if you are not happy with what you are writing, rather than waiting for inspiration, is a good helpful thing. It does not matter then if your writing doesn’t work one day, you know you’ve another chunk of time set aside tomorrow or the next day, which takes the pressure off. ‘Free writing’ is another good technique to break through a block. Sit down with a blank piece of paper and a pen and write whatever comes into your mind for five minutes, it does not matter what, just don’t stop that pen moving until the five minutes is up. You will see the words on the page, and they will keep coming, and that helps to break down the fear of starting.
Advice to someone who finds reading poems boring:
Poems are meant to be read aloud. If you can’t get to grips with reading them to yourself, try speaking them. The feel of the words in your mouth, the sheer magic and strangeness of the language, might surprise you. And remember there are lots of poets to try, lots of different voices to experience. If you don’t get on with one, there will be another that grips you. Poetry is most similar to music, but made with words rather than notes, and just because you don’t like some kinds of music you don’t tell yourself you hate all music, do you ?
They keep making us read things at school – HELP?!?!?
Keep reading, if you don’t enjoy some things you are told to read, try others. You might find, too, that sometimes things you initially don’t get on with you suddenly see the point of, and your opinions change (that has happened to me, a lot). There is a world of words out there, and some of those voices will speak to you, will matter to you.
Do writers really use all these techniques and devices on purpose?
Yes, writers do use certain techniques on purpose. Writing is a craft, there are ways of doing things that you can learn to do, and use in your own work, when you want to. Just like any craft, you learn the basic techniques so that you can choose how you want to make something. Having said that, if you read a lot you will find you absorb different writing techniques without even realising it.
Why is writing good for us? And reading?
Humans need connection. The feeling that we are being listened to and understood is very important to us. Writing allows us that connection, gives us the chance to express what is important to us, gives us a voice. You put things down in words so that other people can share them. Reading, then, is simply the act of connecting with another human being, and it gives us entry into other experiences, other lives, other worlds, without us even having to leave our room.
You can learn more about Alicia and her writing here:
and here:
