The exhibition featured artwork by Lindsay Tether and poetry by Sue Johnson and was part of the 2019 Evesham Festival of Words. Sue wrote poems in response to Lindsay’s paintings and Lindsay created artwork in response to Sue’s poems. Each item in the exhibition tells a story. They are all linked in some way.
The exhibition and workshop on Monday 16th September was a sell out.
Many thanks to everyone who attended the workshop and/or viewed the exhibition and left us such lovely comments.
I’m very happy that my historical story ‘The Glass Prison’ is published in the new issue of ‘Woman’s Weekly Fiction Series.’ Venice is one of my passions and getting this story published has been an exercise in persistence.
If you’ve written a story that you feel passionate about, then stick with it however long it takes. It will get there.
P S Since the publication of this story, two further stories that other editors didn’t like have been published. They could so easily have stayed in the computer file they were skulking in! #amwriting
Buy yourself a notebook (if you don’t already carry one). Use it to jot down ideas for stories, brief descriptions of people and places and fragments of overheard conversation.
Use the information to create short, experimental pieces. Aim to finish one every day. Aim for 100 words. (This can be developed and expanded into a longer story).
Treat the stories and information you gather like money in the bank or a harvest of fruit or vegetables.
Almost exactly a year ago I went into a shop called Quilters Corner, opposite the library in Evesham, Worcestershire. It was a wet Saturday in March 2018. I was attracted by a beautiful quilt hanging in the window. It was log cabin pattern, using a variety of dark green, rust and cream fabrics. As a former patchwork addict, it was like a magnet. However, more surprises were to come! Inside the shop I came face to face with a black and gold Naumann sewing machine similar to the one owned by my Great Grandmother and passed on to my mother on her marriage to my father. It was the machine I learned to sew on – with varying degrees of success!
I stood gazing at the machine as time span backwards, did a loop the loop and left my brain spinning. I left the shop, went to the nearest café and sat writing a torrent of ideas. A year later, the result is this book. So far, this book has exceeded any expectations I had. The book signing in Quilters Corner (held on a wet Thursday in early April) was an amazing event (photo of me with Charlie Gannon, owner of Quilters Corner). The book is selling well – I have a small following in Germany – and appears to be leading to other projects I would never have thought of doing. I am also researching another novel set in Liverpool and Belfast.
Several people told me not to bother with this project. I am so glad I disregarded their advice and just did it.
The book is continuing to do sell well on Amazon and via my website www.writers-toolkit.co.uk
I’m developing some of the ideas as short stories. Never waste a good idea by only using it once!
I am really excited to report that this is now live and ready for download on Audible. You can listen to a free sample of it on my Amazon page. I also have some free promo codes – if you would like one, please get in touch via my contact page.
The Girl With Amber Eyes was originally published as a ‘My Weekly’ Pocket Novel.
It is now published as an ebook and a paperback. This is available on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble and via my website www.writers-toolkit.co.uk
Local singer-songwriter Colin Pitts, Evesham poet Bob Woodroofe and I have united to produce a CD of poems and songs called ‘A Town Like Evesham.’
The CD is available from Jellypicklejam café and by getting in touch with Colin at www.colinpitts.co.uk or Bob at www.greenwoodpress.co.uk or email me at sue.r.johnson@outlook.com
The three of us will be performing ‘Along the Avon’ – poems, stories and songs from along the Avon on Thursday 24th October at Number 8 Community Arts Centre, Pershore.
Evesham Festival of Words photographer, Angela Fitch, and I have joined forces to produce a book of poems, recipes and images featuring some of the beautiful cafes in Evesham.
The work has involved visits to the various cafes (and drinking coffee and eating loads of cake), meeting the lovely owners and – in my case – being inspired to write a poem about the experience.
We unfortunately couldn’t fit everyone into this book – but if this one sells there will be scope to do another one next year. Copies are on sale at The Almonry Tourist Information Centre, Evesham, Jellypicklejam café, Brew Bear café and other featured cafes. You can also order a copy from me by emailing sue.r.johnson@outlook.com
There will be no meeting in January as this falls on New Year’s Day!
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 5th February at Jellypicklejam in Vine Mews. The meeting is for anyone who is interested in anything creative – and we also welcome readers. (Every writer needs readers!) We start at 10.30 and stay until about midday. The aim is to give people a chance to network, discuss ideas and promote anything they may be doing. Please bring any leaflets, business cards, books – and come and enjoy great company, good coffee and lovely cake. For more information, please contact me on 01386 446477.
Almost exactly a year ago I went into a shop called Quilters Corner, opposite the library in Evesham, Worcestershire. It was a wet Saturday in March 2018. I was attracted by a beautiful quilt hanging in the window. It was log cabin pattern, using a variety of dark green, rust and cream fabrics. As a former patchwork addict, it was like a magnet. However, more surprises were to come! Inside the shop I came face to face with a black and gold Naumann sewing machine similar to the one owned by my Great Grandmother and passed on to my mother on her marriage to my father. It was the machine I learned to sew on – with varying degrees of success!
Evesham Festival of Words photographer, Angela Fitch, and I have joined forces to produce a book of poems, recipes and images featuring some of the beautiful cafes in Evesham.