Patricia M Osborne

Thank you to Faye for inviting me over to her blog, ‘A Daydreamer’s Thoughts.’ Pop over and check out Fay Rogers interviewing me.

 

 

 

 

Back in September I entered the Brighton and Hove Arts Council Poetry Festival Poetry Competition in the student category. In November I got a phone call to say that I’d won and my prize £150 would be presented by Carol Ann Duffy at The Old Market in Brighton on November 18th, 2017.

Well, how could I not go? To be presented by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy was a prize in itself, worth a lot more than the monetary one. Thanks to a couple of my supporting friends I was able to go to the ball. We headed down to Brighton on the train on Friday evening and caught a taxi to Hove from the station.

What a great venue

My friends treated me like a celebrity and insisted I had a photograph taken outside. Unfortunately I’m wearing my computer glasses as I rushed out with them on by mistake. So not only did I look funny, I couldn’t see very far either.

Because I was a winner it meant I got in free. Quite a bargain when the tickets were £20 a head. But I needed proof that I was allowed in, so my hand was stamped.

Once in there was music in the bar and my friends and I enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco. We didn’t drink it all before the show started, after all I needed to get up onto the stage, so we put the rest behind the bar for the interval. A buffet spread was laid out.

 

The show began:  Hammer & Tongue with Michael Parker and The Big Poetry Slam Competition were up first. This followed with an interval.

After the interval it was the Poetry Competition Awards. Student category first with runners up called out individually to collect their prizes from the Poet Laureate herself, Carol Ann Duffy.

Next was the overall winner for the student category –  which of course was ME – I was accompanied on my journey to the stage with fanfare music . What great fun.

 

 

Carol Ann Duffy presented my cheque and I got to shake her hand!

Hopefully I’ll have a photograph of this in due course, just to prove to you that it happened. Well that’s one thing knocked off the bucket list. Wow, what an evening.

Next was the Open Poetry competition winners –

Overall winner – Liz Fincham with Brexit Blues.

Attila The Stockbroker then entertained the audience for 45 minutes before the final  interval.

During the interval I met a couple of ladies from Brighton Gin who manned a stall for gin tasting. I hadn’t tried gin since I was a young girl. Gin seems to be quite topical so I decided it was time I tried it again. I liked it. The gin ladies were very knowledgeable about its history. I promised to come up with a poem – so watch this space.

 

Following the interval we had one whole hour of Poetry with Carol Ann Duffy – wow – it was worth the wait.

Four hours of poetry at a great venue, receiving first prize in a student poetry competition, and getting to shake hands with Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy.

Yep what an evening!

Here’s my winning poem: I hope you like it.

 

Grandad’s Garden 

I turn the cone upside down,
it changes to a flower,
like the dahlias
in Grandad’s garden
where creepy earwigs
hide inside.

I paint my pinecone fiery orange,
use a green-striped straw for the stem,

wrap it in mistletoe paper,
place it under the tree
as a special present
for Mummy
on Christmas Day,

to make her smile,
cos she cries in bed, every night,
since Grandad died.

You can read the rest of the winning poems and find out more about Brighton and Hove Arts Council from here:

BHAC Poetry Festival

 

Pictures taken from Pixabay

 

So last weekend was a busy one. I had my first public event as an author at my local library in Crawley. Twenty-two authors (including me) turned up to set out tables with books, posters, business cards and bookmarks. We had the opportunity to discuss our books with library readers and sign copies for those that purchased. Around 100 people came through the doors. This was the first time that Crawley Library had hosted such an event,  although they have hosted many other author literary events.

It was quite an experience for me as not only did I have the chance to sell and sign copies of House of Grace but I was also able to meet and chat to other local authors. A good day was had by all.

 

 

I am still working on the Coal Miner’s Son, the second in the series of the trilogy of House of Grace.
I’ve also been featured as a guest on a couple of blogs the last few days. The first was as Debut Spotlight on Shaz’s Book Blog

and yesterday my Swanwick Story was featured on author Elizabeth Hurst’s blog.

Thank you to Sharon and Liz for allowing me space on their blogs.

Another project keeping me busy is my weekly poem slot on Oapschat. Do check out Oapschat’s lifestyle section.

Thank you, Oapschat for publishing my poems each week.

And in other news: I’m feeling quite elated on the birth of  my new grandson yesterday morning.

Here’s our latest addition to the Penta Decima from Maxine Rose Munro. Thank you, Maxine, for sharing, For a Given Value with us.

If anyone else would like to attempt a Penta Decima and share it, please feel free to add in comments or email me on patricia.m.osbornewriter@gmail.com and I’ll add it to the blog.

Maxine’s Poem. 

Hey, Patricia! Below is my effort. Some flaws, including a slant rhyme (though in my defence there is a full rhyme in the same line, more if you count my slight overuse of the word “can”!). Bit of a word play one, but was a highly enjoyable exercise. Thanks for encouraging everyone to give it a go.

For a Given Value

For a given value of ok, I am.
If we ignore insults and injuries
to my person, I’m just fine.

Fine to get a move on and
kickstart the day, fine to face
that music and dance.

Despite it all, I think still I can
paint a smile on, I have kept
necessary supplies always

close at hand, I can pretend
it’s real as real can be. Honest
to god, I promise.

But it’s a lie. (to tell the truth)
So, now, I wonder – how the hell
are you? (for a given value?)

 

 

Hi everyone

Well I am still working on my draft, Monochrome, in my new invented form the Penta Decima. How are you getting on with it?

Daniel Crowley has taken to this form very well. Here’s his early draft.

SHE HAS RISEN

She’s like a dolphin coursing through the sea-
though the waves are rough she stays on course,
her heart is set upon her highest goal.

And all that matters in this to me,
is that she finds her way despite the wrecks
which litter life at every point.

She made her choice to live completely free
of ties which might hold her down,
so every time she’s trapped she races

to the highest points by which she
navigates, to find the way ahead-
her family of dolphins follow close by.

I hope she never looks back too far,
her path is now one of forward drive
which might fail to be her guiding star.

Daniel Crowley (2017)

 

Colin Ward author of his debut novel To Die For

has also had an attempt  using the rules, and then experimented within them. And what a great attempt it is, wouldn’t you agree?

The Final Fight

Darkness: do not betray me now
Sink me amidst your velvet swirls
And mask me in mystery

Shadows: hold back your furrowed brow
Embrace me in your bordered reach
Don’t hide your sworn sympathy

Night time: be light in fear somehow
Spare me the peace of silent bliss
So truth might lose sincerity

Blindness: never forget your vow
Open my ears to freedom sounds
And guide me to new clarity

So that my soul might season a new sight
As each obstacle crosses a cruel fate
And no single battle may weaken my final fight.

CW
09/2017
(Draft 1)

 

I’d love to hear what you think of Colin’s and Daniel’s poems.

Here’s a reminder of the rules if you’d like to give one a go yourself too.

 

Rules of the Penta Decima

A Penta Decima consists of:

15 lines.

5 stanzas written in tercets.

The first line of the first four stanzas rhyme with each other.

First and third line rhyme in the final stanza.

The lines are not syllable controlled so offer freedom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year at Swanwick Writers’ Summer School, Alison Chisholm (Poet, Judge and Tutor) set us the theme of working with seasons of the year on a four-hour Poetry Course.

Have you ever thought about inventing your own poetry form? Well that’s the task Alison set us on Tuesday for the spring season, using a prompt – New Beginnings.

Not wanting to be beaten, I stayed up half the night on Wednesday evening to reach a first draft in the form of my own invention, a Penta Decima.

A Penta Decima consists of: 

15 lines.

5 stanzas written in tercets.

The first line of the first four stanzas rhyme with each other.

First and third line rhyme in the final stanza.

The lines are not syllable controlled so offer freedom.

Here’s my first Penta Decima which is in its very early stages so subject to change but it will give you the idea.

I’d love to hear what you think of this form and feel free to have a go and post your own.

*

My first Penta Decima   (subject to change)

Monochrome

The 12 x 10 space is cold and bare,

Georgian windows stripped from drapes,

footfalls echo through the house.

 

A heavy drop reveals a chair,

married up with a double couch,

leather upholstery steals o2.

 

Muscled men settle a bed on the stair,

they take a deep breath, then heave.

Rooms start to take shape.

 

A black-framed print boasts a polar bear,

Royal Doulton’s Top Dogs claim the mantelpiece.

Fixtures and fittings form a new I.D.

 

Today a monochrome mold-

Time to shade in colour, create

tomorrow’s me and throw out the old.

 

 

The above picture is local artist Vanessa Cumper’s vision of  the fictional Bamber Street in Wigan from House of Grace .

Find out why this street is featured in House of Grace and if you agree with Vanessa’s vision.

There’s no better time than now as the Kindle version is on special offer for 99p / $1.29 but the clock is ticking…

 

Free with Kindle unlimited

Also available in paperback version from Amazon @£7.99 / $11.99

Pick up your copy now for summer reading…

 

 

 

 

Mrs Jackson has chosen House of Grace as her summer read. Why not make it yours too?

Last week I went to Leamington Spa for a holiday. Unfortunately the rain had other ideas. However, I did manage to get into Stratford-upon-Avon.

First stop was Anne Hathaway’s Cottage where I managed to capture a photograph of my book outside.

Below: – Grace knocking to get inside Anne Hathaway’s cottage

Next stop Shakespeare’s birthplace.

Below: Exterior

And inside…

Let’s make it interesting and see how global Grace can go.

I’m conducting a House of Grace walkabout on Twitter where you can tweet a photo of your copy of my novel at your favourite place or famous landmark. You can choose whether to be in the photo or not.

To join in the Twitter fun – tweet your photo @PMOsbornewriter #Houseof GraceWalkabout

Why make House of Grace your summer read?

Just a few of the feedback comments that have popped into my inbox …

Well my lovely Patricia… What can I say? I’ve just read your book… I thoroughly enjoyed it… a few shocks and surprises too on the way… (Maggie Gallagher)

Thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn’t put it down… (Audrey in France)

Have finished House of Grace, I enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. I would recommend. (Lesley L)

Loved it. Couldn’t put it down. When’s the next one? (Sue, West Sussex)

Hi Tricia, I’m so enjoying your book. Hope another one is coming out soon. (Elizabeth K, West Sussex)

Read it yourself and see…

It’s available on Amazon Kindle for as little as £1.99 less than a cup of coffee or if you prefer the paperback – only £7.99.

I look forward to seeing all of your tweets. If you don’t use Twitter, share them here or on my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/triciaosbornewriter/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Let’s get Grace globetrotting…

 

 

What are you going to be doing this bank holiday? We’re getting such lovely weather at the moment, will it last? How about a good book to read in the garden or park?

As a special treat for the bank holiday I’ve reduced House of Grace on Kindle to 0.99p from Friday, May 26th, 2017 for one week only. Please tell your friends.

Order now for the bank holiday weekend or if you’re busy the bank holiday, why not think ahead and order for a holiday later in the year, or for reading in the garden during the summer sun.

If you’d rather have a paperback, don’t worry, you can still order a copy at £7.99.

 

I’m a bit late posting this but a couple of weeks ago I popped down to my local library to enjoy New Faces of Fiction where Hannah Vincent and Umi Sinha just happened to be taking part.

I am lucky as both Hannah and Umi have been my creative writing tutors at some time. Hannah when I studied the Open University’s Advanced Creative Writing course and Umi when I completed my prose module with Brighton University last year. I can vouch for both when I say if you get the opportunity to participate in a course or workshop with either of these ladies then snap it up because I guarantee you’ll receive great value.

Hannah and Umi were under spotlight at Crawley library on Monday, May 8th, 2017, and being interviewed by librarian Clair Stanton who questioned them about their writing. I find Hannah and Umi quite different personalities. Hannah is so vibrant and her powerful energy rubs off in no time. Umi, however is more gently reserved, but none the less she has an equally powerful voice. I am privileged to know both these authors as a student and reader.

I have read both of their debut novels, published by Myriad Editions. Hannah’s – Alarm Girl and Umi’s – Belonging and again I believe I can vouch that they are both fantastic writers. Both of these novels have been discussed in my reading group and everyone enjoyed them.

Hannah and Umi are both in the process of writing their next novels. I wonder who’ll be first or will they by chance be released at the same time. What will they be about? Umi hinted people may still be alive to interview this time and I think childminding in some form could rear its head in Hannah’s but I shan’t say any more.

If you’re an unpublished writer with a novel or short story collection in progress, Myriad Editions are conducting a first draft competition. It’s a fantastic opportunity for new writers. Umi and Hannah praised Myriad as a brilliant publisher to work with. You can find details of how to enter here:

http://www.myriadeditions.com/competitions/first-drafts/first-drafts-competition-2017-how-to-enter/

Well done to Crawley Wordfest. It was a great evening’s entertainment and what’s more, a free event.