Walking out this morning i reflected on the events of last week. I was a member and a Co Chair of a writing group. I came in to this writing group with my eyes closed, my heart open, displaying my natural enthusiasm. I came to literature late in life, because of a lack of confidence. I did not talk till i was 4 years of age when i did talk i had a stammer. However my reading ability amazed my teachers because my reading ability was far advanced beyond my age. Yet I could not spell, being left handed in the 1960’s my writing was not good either. My reading kept me from going into a remedial class and i stayed in main stream. I struggled terribly, teachers humiliated me i day dreamed a lot and mitched off school, i wanted to be anywhere other than that classroom. It was not till my forties when i sat three A’ Levels that they discovered i was dyslexic, i thought i was stupid.( I passed the three A’Levels too) Yet i devour books and i still do. I am a poet, a published, performance poet. Poems published in magazines and anthologies.Self published my booklet I created and host poetry event in Cardiff, called Rhyme and Real Ale. I have also written a novel “Forbidden Love” waiting to hear from publishers. The writing group that i was a member of, was not inviting they showed elitism . Some members used critiquing as a form of intimidation i often would read poetry and they would remain silent, this was awful, they took me back to the classroom of my youth this broke my heart. Though i am a surviver and i found the courage to leave. Please do not mistake, kindness and compassion for stupidity some of us have experienced a lot in life and know what is like to suffer, growing up in poverty and living with low self esteem. These are the reason why i feel and express so much kindness and compassion,and why i and two of my friends will be setting up our own writing group to encourage others to read and write.
Well done Julie I’d love to join your new writing group xxx
I will tell you all on Thursday thank you for the compliments. xx