Articles and Poetry

The recent Article Competition was adjudicated by members of the SAW (Scottish Association of Writers) committee and lovely secretary Jen Butler and treasurer Jacqueline Murray came all the way down to Erskine to deliver the welcome results and comments.

Congratulations to all!

Winner                    Peter Marrison
2nd                          Marjory MacKellar
3rd                           Kate Gordon
H. Commended      Wilma Ferguson

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Last week, we were delighted to welcome poet and novelist Michael Malone to the group where he delivered a very interesting workshop on poetry.

Using examples from his own and other work, he covered:

• the human connection and using emotion 
• finding the right (specific) word 
• an imaginative use of nouns and verbs
• the difference between abstract and concrete words and phrases
• using rhyme carefully - imagery and metaphor can make a difference
• write poetry regularly - and read it
• write fast without editing, then go back and find the right word and phrases
• poetry can misdirect the reader - apparently about one subject but may have a subtext
• lose empty words like 'was', 'that', 'had'

And now to put it into practise, members should submit their poems to the competition Michael will be judging by Tuesday 7th February.