I’ve recently installed a woodburning stove in my lounge and I totally love it. So when Daniel said:
Doddsy, wood foraging next week?
I said YES! Daniel is a wood foraging pro:
Back in the day when we worked at Changeworks, I dreamed of getting a stove but most people told me it was a bad idea. Most people, but not Daniel. He had a stove and pointed out how easy (and fun) it was to forage for wood in Edinburgh. Four years later and there we were.
My bow saw was a bit smaller than Daniel’s so it took me a bit longer to cut through the logs:
This was the pile we cut between us in less than an hour:
Daniel suggested bringing a wheelie bin but I only had a wheelie suitcase. I filled it just as it started to rain:
I felt proud of the wood we’d chopped as I walked back through the trees:
But when I got to the streets I suddenly felt a little self conscious. Did people assume I lived in the wild and had decided to return home and all of my worldly belongings were logs?
When I got home I started my first log pile, hurrah!:
My arm ached a little but I loved the experience of cutting my own fuel and being outdoors. Thanks to Daniel, I’ll be foraging again soon and next winter I’ll have the pleasure of burning those logs!
Just in case you were wondering, the wood was already dead and lying on the ground, we just cut it into bits.
This month I performed at two of Edinburgh’s monthly spoken word events, Blind Poetics and Ten Red. Inviting friends involved me trying to explain what spoken word is. I don’t think I did it justice so I hope this blog will help. A typical conversations went like this:
Me: I’m doing a spoken word gig on Monday at the Blind Poet if you happen to be about?
Friend: What is spoken word?
Me: Some people call it performance poetry…
Friend: Ohhh it’s poetry, so people actually perform poetry? (slightly amused / disbelieving face)
Me: Yeah, there’s a really active spoken word scene in Edinburgh.
Friend: So do people read poems they’ve written or do they remember them?
Me: Monday’s gig includes open mic slots so it’s a whole range, lots of people do read but others remember them…
Friend: Do you read your poems or do you remember them?
Me: I remember them. I’m the featured poet this month (slightly amused / disbelieving face)
Friend: Featured poet, so what does that mean?
Me: Well I have a twenty minute slot. I get paid. The featured poet is meant to be really good (I don’t make eye contact). Last month they were on tour from Berlin. This month it’s me.
Friend: I’m sure you’ll be grand, my wife’s got an exam the next day so I won’t be doing anything, I should be able to make it. Blind Poet Right? Spoken word (smiles, nods).
Thinking about it, I have friends who’ve never been to any of my gigs or any spoken word gig ever. For some of them, the idea of a night out watching someone perform poetry sounds at best dull and at worst, embarrassing. For those people and for anyone else who’s not heard of or been to a spoken word gig, I wanted to try to explain a bit about what spoken word is and what I love about it.
My first exposure to ‘performance poetry’ was watching the film ‘So I Married an Axe murderer’, it was entertaining and intriguing but nothing like seeing it live. A few years later I saw Phillip Attmore, a Broadway actor and dancer perform a poem he’d written called ‘Move’. It included a tap dance, as ridiculous as that sounds it was and is amazing. It wasn’t just the quality of the performance, the clever lines, the rhymes and the rhythm. It was more than that, it made me want to get up and do something with my life. To write, to move, to speak, to express. Here’s a video of this year’s world poetry slam champion Harry Baker, it’s along the same lines. He’s performing a poem about bees but it speaks to the heart, it makes me want to do something, to be something, to change something. Words have power and we can listen and move on or we can listen and move. Here’s Harry with the bees:
That’s a bit about why I love about watching spoken word but what’s it like on the other side of the microphone, what’s it like to perform?
Performing solo for 45 minutes in a packed out book shop during the West Port Book Festival last year was wonderful and intimate and totally different to being part of an evening like TenRed earlier this month. At Ten Red ten poets share ten minutes each in a cosy back room in a pub in Leith. Every other person was a writer and it was as much about sharing a pint, as a poem. I loved being part of a team of performers and the performances I saw were entertaining, challenging and inspirational. This was the line up,
It’s not all good, I feel physically sick before a spoken word gig. Once I’m performing I’m fine. I like to involve the audience, I love chatting to them, for me it’s about connecting, sharing and having fun together. I know spoken word artists who feel energized when they perform, for me it’s the opposite. I feel totally drained afterwards, I’ve given a part of myself and it takes me a day to recover. I love to get feedback, especially from people I don’t know and I’m always really encouraged by it and glad I performed (despite dreading the gig beforehand and wondering why in the world I’d agreed to it).
There are so many brilliant spoken word artist in Edinburgh, if you live here I totally recommend checking out the scene. Why not write something and consider taking part too? Here are just a few of Edinburgh’s amazing selection of spoken word events:
TenRed: Ten Poets perform ten minuets each at the Persevere Bar, Leith. Poets invited to perform in advance by host Kevin Cadwallinder. Cosy back room atmosphere. Check out the facebook page.
Inky Fingers:: Monthly writers group, monthly open mic and a whole host of brilliant special events. Check out their blog, twitter or facebook group for details.
Neu Reekie: Monthly meeting of avant-garde poetry-music-film fusions. Last Friday of the month at the Scottish Book Trust. Supported by Creative Scotland. Check out their blog, twitter or facebook page.
Blind Poetics: Monthly spoken word and performance, first Monday of the Month at the Blind Poet, Newington. Includes 5 min open Mic Slots, introducing slot and featured poet. Big bar, always packed out and a variety of levels of experience. Check out their facebook page.
Illicit Ink: Themed Spoken Word events with food treats and funky badges. Regular events are prose but after a successful ‘happy verse night’ more spoken word events will follow. Check out their website, facebook and twitter.
If you’d like to hear some of my poetry here’s an audio clip of Starling My Darling, a poem about starlings and physics. If you want something longer there’s a 45 minute podcast of my Author Talk at the West Port Book Festival.
I’m the featured performer for child themed poetry event for adults (fundraiser for Theater Paradok) at a new bookshop in Edinburgh, Looking Glass Books on Friday 13th July. Hope to see you there, it’s called Pea Green Poetry. Check out the ‘gigs‘ page on this blog for more info.
This August Arthur’s Seat will be ablaze with the lights of hundreds of choreographed runners in light suits. It’s NVA’s Speed of Light. You can buy a ticket but just to warn you, I’m one of those runners. I ran about in a light tunnel at The Edinburgh Camera Obscurer to create this artists impression of what we might look like.
Actually I’m slightly concerned that you’ll be ooo-ing and ahh-ing at the fusion of public art and sporting endeavours when somebody will shout “What’s that?”. You spot a lone set of lights on the edge of the crags, hurrying to catch up with the others. Perhaps it’s a gymnast about to do something spectacular? No, on closer inspection the lone light appears to be slowing down. It’s ruining the display completely, why is it there? Now the renegade light is lying on the ground, it’s stopped… That will be me if I don’t get fit.
For over a month now I’ve been running every other day. Well almost. I substituted a few of my runs for Zumba and a couple of long bike rides but I’ve still run more than I’ve ever run before. I’m not at the speed of light (or even 10k fit) but I’ve got a few weeks to go.
I persuaded a few bright sparks to sign up to run in Speed of Light including Peggy Hughes, Anna Beswick and Al Innes. Leah Lockhart and Marianne Paget signed up voluntarily!
How’s the training going? Well I’ve got a little bit thinner and I’ve started to almost enjoy running. If I run in the rain people say things like “rather you then me” or “well done!”, I quite like that. Animals do funny things too. I saw a crow sit down on the grass like a duck, crows never sit down. I also often race a vole that pops out of a hole in the wall. He sees me and runs as fast as he can along the bottom of the wall until he gets to the next hole where he disappears.
Now I’m wondering, what will it really look like? There are photos on the NVA website but I’ve found something even better. Hurrah for Wales – they’ve done something similar, light suits and everything. I imagine we’ll all look something like these sheep:
With lots to learn about my new freelance lifestyle I’ve decided to interview the people who make freelancing work. Some hints and tips from the masters, that kind of thing. Welcome to the fifth in the series, meet Fin Wycherley.
I first met Fin at a monthly get together for Edinburgh Freelancers, Freelance Friday. It’s been great getting to know her over the last few months, she’s one of the most social media savvy woman around. I always learn something new in a chat with Fin and recommend listening to her debating in the wee small hours. She’s entertaining, encouraging and interestingly…. she’s a ghost writer:
Fin has a background in law, direct marketing, speech writing, journalism, usability and business radio. She recently started her own business working as a Content Marketer helping companies increase their Google rankings and clients. She builds their social media network by producing content that is shareable, engaging, targeted, regular and branded. So if a business or entrepreneur is completely befuddled by the whole social media thang, Fin can take it off their hands completely (Fin doesn’t recommended this unless absolutely essential) or devise a cunning content marketing strategy and train them up on all the tools and platforms (Fin says this is much more sustainable and authentic).
How did you get started?
I kind of fell into it really. I had a pretty successful blog on arts and culture that had good circulation and local businesses were increasingly asking me for a hand or for tips and tricks for developing quality content. Eventually, when the advertising agencies came a-knocking, I realised my business had just landed in my lap.
The problem for the ad agencies was that they would set up their clients with the whole online merchandising, Twitter and Facebook infrastructure, with training and then the happy business would set off on their social media journey all enthusiastically.
Of course, within 3 weeks they’d run out of stuff to say. They quickly realised you can’t really ‘sell’ on social networking sites, so they were stumped as to what to say, without talking about breakfast and the weather and all that garbage.
That’s where the business name came from, Supersize Blogging. It’s all about taking the business blogs and social media and really supersizing them with cracking content including great photography, videos, design, keywords, etc.
If you could go back to when you started what advice would you give yourself?
Whoah, I’ve only been doing this for around 6 months or so, so it’s still early days. But I suppose I’d say, “Get a move on” cos even though the content marketing industry is pretty new, it’s growing very rapidly and clients are needing more and more support as they begin to see the benefits.
What do you like best about being a freelancer?
I work at the David Lloyd gym mostly and when I need a break, I go off and do a Tai Chi, Body Pump or Zumba class. Or on Fridays, I’ll just have a cheeky wee sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. These days, it’s getting even better cos the outdoor pool is now open and it’s such a thrill.
I don’t understand why more freelancers don’t come and work here. You can break out for a chat with others and there’s free wifi. Very sympa and half the price of working in an office.
What do you find most challenging about being a freelancer?
At first, it was managing my time, but that’s improving. Then there’s the billing and invoicing and accountancy bit which I’m working through. Plus I didn’t really have time to set up a business plan. Still don’t.
I guess that’s what you’d call a lean set up – bootstrapping and working out the kinks as you go along. Waaaaaay better than getting bogged down in funding, banks and public support.
How do you know when to stop working?
My family start shouting at me. My five kids get merciless when it’s diner time so I’ve just gotta be there. Luckily most of them are self-sufficient but they still like Mummy being around.
What do you do in your breaks?
Swim, etc as above.
Are you being paid to do what you love or do you do something else to finance what you love?
Oh yeah, totally loving this. It feels like I’ve always been developing targeted content at specific audiences that informs, educates and entertains. Plus I’m working alongside some very talented folk in video, web design, photography and graphic design, so it’s a real honour to learn from them and be inspired by them.
What are your top money saving tips?
Set up your office at David Lloyd (I’m not an affiliate). Fun, cheap, friendly and gets you fit.
What new projects are in the pipeline?
I’m working on a big contract with one of Scotland’s top law firms. I’m being flown down to London to deliver a one-hour inspirational speech with 20 mins Q&A. Yikes, but it will be immense. Plenty of clients moving down the sales funnel, and I’m looking to take on an extra pair of eyes / hands / brain over summer. Good times.
Follow Fin’s on twitter @FinWycherley, read her blog on www.supersizeblogging.com and she’s also on FB, LinkedIn and all the usual social venues, including Pinterest, her new addiction!
If you’re an Edinburgh Freelancer why not join the next Edinburgh Freelance Friday on the second Friday of the month, 5.30pm at Sofi’s, Leith. More here.
Lastly, if you enjoyed this interview, you might like to read the following interviews with Edinburgh Freelancers;
If you want to know what goes in the red and blue curbside recycling boxes in Edinburgh or if you want a sneak peek into my kitchen, then the latest Edinburgh Council Video is for you.
I’d just like to point a few things out first:
1) I have a very serious face. This is not because recycling is very serious. I was concentrating on my instructions (wash the jar again) and didn’t realise my head was in shot!
2) That is David Tennant. I did offer to take it down but they said it was authentic. No I don’t have children.
3) It is very windy outside. We filmed the morning of the great hurricane. You weren’t allowed to travel after 3pm. So there were a few takes with bags blowing off down the street!
4) I use rechargeable batteries (not that you care)
5) Lastly, I don’t normally crush bottles with my bare hands, I stamp on them
I recently became a full-time freelancer. With lots to learn about my new lifestyle I’ve decided to interview the people who make freelancing work. Some hints and tips from the masters, that kind of thing. Welcome to the third in the series, meet Jonathan Melville.
I first met Jon in March at an award ceremony. Jon interviewed me and totally put me at ease despite the camera. The subject was volunteering and I recall saying “see a need, meet a need”. Afterwards Jon asked if I’d come up with it, “No” I confessed “it’s from the Disney film Robots”. I proceeded to tell him how brilliant Robots was since he hadn’t seen in. It was only after that I discovered Jon was actually Scotland’s premiere film expert, there I’d been with a lot of enthusiasm and a less than eloquent description of a children’s film.
Since then I’ve got to know Jon at various Edinburgh events and through social media. I’m always impressed by the number of projects Jon works on. He’s well known in Edinburgh and in social media, a big person with a big personality (and I didn’t steal that from Disney).
Although Edinburgh-based Jonathan Melville graduated from Napier University with a Publishing degree firmly rooted in the world of books and magazines, it’s online that he has made his career over the last decade.
Jon managed websites for organisations such as VisitScotland and Standard Life Bank. He then worked for an Edinburgh-based digital agency for three years before fully embracing freelance life as a digital editor and copywriter in 2011.
Now entering his fourth year as film columnist for the Edinburgh Evening News, Jonathan works with Creative Scotland on a number of film-related online projects and runs film website, www.reelscotland.com, voted 10th Best Scottish Website by The List in 2011.
How did you get started?
I started back in 2008 writing arts reviews for the Edinburgh Evening News while working full time as a website editor for various public and private sector companies. I started to get more serious about the idea of going full time freelance in 2010 after a university course I was accepted on fell through. I was finally pushed into taking the plunge in 2011 when two things happened: I was offered a substantial contract with Creative Scotland to manage a number of online projects and my full time employment ended when I was made redundant. I signed the Creative Scotland contract the day after I received my redundancy letter so thought that perhaps it was a sign that freelance life was worth committing to.
If you could go back to when you started what advice would you give yourself?
If I’d known in 2010 the way things would go I would certainly have saved more money at the start of the year, and I think that’s something that’s worth doing even if you’re aren’t planning to go freelance right now. I wasn’t expecting to made redundant and it can, as we see on the news every day, happen any time. Cheery thought.
What do you like best about being a freelancer?
It’s great to be able to take some chances on projects I’d have no way to be part of if I was working 9 to 5 for someone else. I’m still constrained in that I have to make enough to pay the bills each month but this past year has been the most creative and downright fun I’ve ever had. I like that I can’t afford to be complacent about things.
What do you find most challenging about being a freelancer?
Although I always thought that working from home must be the best way to work, I do sometimes miss being in an office with a team. I’ve been working in an office at Edinburgh Napier University for the last few months which means adjusting to a new routine for a few days a week while working from home the rest of the time. There’s a lot to be said about maintaining a regular 9 to 5 day, even if you’re not working on a paid for piece of work.
I suppose the biggest challenge is putting in the effort of finding new work and not knowing what you’ll be doing in a few months time. If you start to think about that too much it can be daunting.
How do you know when to stop working?
I try to stick to the regular 9 to 5 I mentioned before, but if something needs to be finished outside of those hours then I’ll do that. As well as the work I’m contracted for I run ReelScotland in my evenings and weekends, so it’s never quiet around here.
What do you do in your breaks?
Because my days vary, so do the breaks. I try and get away from the computer screen at least once an hour and take a walk outside during lunch.
Are you being paid to do what you love or do you do something else to finance what you love?
That’s a tricky one. The Creative Scotland project has found me promoting Scottish cinema and filmmakers via various websites and has allowed me to travel around the country meeting fascinating people in the process. Meanwhile, ReelScotland finds me doing the same but it doesn’t earn me a penny. So I’m doing what I love which also pays me to do what I love. Does that answer the question?!
What are your top money saving tips?
Make your own lunch. Walk instead of getting the bus. Don’t buy too many DVDs.
What new projects are in the pipeline?
There are a few more film related projects that I’ve had meetings about as well as some regular content writing jobs. I’m also developing some new ideas for ReelScotland.
Last month was National Poetry Day and my busiest day as a poet yet. I spent the morning running workshops with 10 classes at Flora Stevenson Primary School, Edinburgh. Then I whizzed over to West Lothian to run the final ‘Tree of Life’ workshop with a retired arts group, Generation Arts. Here are photos of the ‘Tree of Life’ at Howden Park:
Tree of Life, posted with vodpod
I’ll share a few of my favourite poems from the Children at Flora Stevenson.
First a bit of background. The theme for National Poetry Day was games. Children like having fun and playing games so I based creative thinking activities around that. One of our games was guessing objects in a feely bag. We described the objects and talked about what they reminded us of, we were thinking like poets. The key messages I wanted children to take away were:
Poetry is having fun with words, today’s workshop is about having fun.
This isn’t about spelling, it’s you ideas that make you a good poet, it’s what’s in your head.
You have a unique way of seeing the world, unique memories and imagination and that’s what’s fantastic about you and will make your poetry different to anyone else.
Enjoy being you, enjoy the way you see the world and enjoy expressing it. Differences are brilliant!
Encourage one another, you might be sitting next to a future J.K Rowling, Ronaldo or Matt Smith.
Each workshop was half an hour with lots of short fun activities and challanges. I worked with two classes at a time and altogether worked with four Primary 1 classes, two Primary 5 classes, two Primary 6 classes and two Primary 7 classes. That was five workshops in total. We focused on riddles to tie everything together and I set the older groups a riddle writing task to do following the workshop. Here are some of their riddles:
I walk a bit slack,
I can’t run back,
I hang like a bag
on someone’s back.
What am I?
Chris Peden, P6
I cost a small sum
I melt in the sun
I taste yum-yum!
Stella Soutar, P6
I hang onto trees,
I walk on land,
I float on air
and I love shiny things.
What am I?
Ethan Gillespie, P6
I was impressed by the children’s creativity and enthusiasm and the work they produced is excellent too. Primary 1 had only been at school a month or so and yet they were fantastic at listening and participating. My last group of the day were Primary 6. We neared the end of the workshop and I checked to see how we were doing for time. The pupils and teachers said they didn’t want the workshop to end, neither did I and since I didn’t have anywhere to be right at that moment I agreed to 15 minutes more. They guessed some more riddles, persuaded me to perform a couple more poems and asked me lots of brilliant questions.
I’d like to thank everyone at Flora Stevenson for a fantastic day. It was a lovely surprise to see one of the teachers, Miss Broadly at my West Port Book Festival performance later that week. I also met a P6 teacher’s Mum. Mr Jackson couldn’t make it to my performance but told his Mum to go along and see me, she’s a writer too.
Finally, I wanted to tell you I met with Elspeth Murray to talk through my workshop ideas at the planning stage and she gave me some great suggestions, feedback and encouragement. Thanks so much Elspeth, here’s what one of the teachers said:
“It was one of the best workshops I’ve attended. The children were drawn in from the start and the way the sense of touch was used to kick-start their imaginations was inspirational. The whole class returned to the classroom fired with ideas to start writing, some examples of which I enclose.”
Simon Jackson, Primary 6B teacher, Flora Stevenson Primary School
Freelance Friday is for Edinburgh freelancers who’d like to go for a pint on a friday ‘after work’.
It started in my first week as a full time freelancer, I invited a few freelancers for a beer. People seemed to think it was a good idea and since then we’ve hired out a room once a month and it’s been just brilliant getting to know a bunch of creative ‘regulars’ and we’ve met lots of interesting new people too. I wrote a bit more about it here. If you’ve not been please do join us….. because you don’t have an office, it’s the end of the week and it’s good to meet other freelancers.
Expect a warm welcome, good craic and free snacks.
So far we have web developers, jewellery makers, magicians, fashion folks, journalists, PR people, podcast makers, poets, life coaches, illustrators, ghost writers, polar scientists, translators, editors, artists, radio presenters and authors. Whatever you do you’re welcome, full and part time freelancers.
If you’re coming let me know I’ll look out for you. Drop me a comment below or I’m @auntyemily on twitter. The hash tag we’re using when talking about Edinburgh Freelance Friday on twitter is #edff. I’ve also made a twitter list of Edinburgh Freelancers. Just let me know if you want added.
I’d like Freelance Friday it to belong to everyone who comes so please invite friends, share it, blog about it. If you’ve been before then help welcome those newbies, but you’re friendly folks who would do that anyway.
Interviews
I’ve started interviewing some interesting local freelancers to get hints and tips from the masters. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them, I thought we could all learn from each other. I’ll add to this list as it grows:
Lots of us are Leith based, town is busy on a Friday and there are some lovely pubs in Leith that let us hire out their back room and give us free snacks. They serve food too which is great if you end up staying out late. In October I planned to stay for an hour or so but I had such a good time I was there until gone midnight and ate wasabi peas for tea. Next time, I’ll get proper food.
Glasgow
Freelance Friday starts in Glasgow in December too, hurrah! If you know any Glasgow Freelancers please pass on Christopher Barr’s blog about it.
*Christmas Special: 16th Dec
Because it’s Christmas, every hour on the hour there’ll be a quick (5 mins max) entertainment slot. Magic tricks, that kind of thing provided by freelancers who do entertaining things. I’ve got a few confirmed already but If you are an entertaining type of freelancer please let me know if you can do a wee slot. But not pressure. And no longer than 5 mins, it’s not the X Factor.
A month ago I became a full-time freelancer, I wrote about it here. I found my first week really hard but one positive was I invited Edinburgh Freelancers for a pint on the Friday ‘after work’. Six of us met and many more got in touch to say they’d like to another time. People seemed to think it was a good idea so…
Edinburgh Freelance Friday is back!
This time we’ve hired the back room at Sofi’s in the Shore from 5.30pm on Friday 21st October.
If you’re an Edinburgh Freelancer, join us because you don’t have an office, it’s the end of the week and it’s good to meet other freelancers. Expect a warm welcome, free popcorn and good craic.
Full and part time freelancers welcome, the list above includes poets, app makers, life coaches, journalists, jewellery makers, editors, podcast makers, ghost writers, educators and much more besides.
If you’re coming let me know so we can look out for you and I’ll add you to the guest list above. Drop me a comment below or I’m @auntyemily on twitter. The hash tag we’re using when talking about Edinburgh Freelance Friday on twitter is #edff. I’ve also made a twitter list of Edinburgh Freelancers. Just let me know if you want added. I can’t seem to add myself which is rather annoying!
Please pass this on, hope to see you Friday! (:
Freelance Friday Interviews
Lastly, because we can all learn from each other, I’ll be posting a series of interviews with local freelancers on this blog, YEY! First up we have top International Literary Agent (and writer) Allan Guthrie and editor, writer and man of mystery behind the brilliant Broughton Spurtle Alan Mackintosh. I’ll be asking:
How did you get started?
If you could go back to when you started what advice would you give yourself?
What do you like best about being a freelancer?
What do you find most challenging about being a freelancer?
How do you know when to stop working?
What do you do in your breaks?
Are you being paid to do what you love or do you do something else to finance what you love?
What are you top money saving tips?
What new projects are in the pipeline?
I’m looking forward to reading their answers and just so you know, there’ll be others too. I won’t only interview people called Alan, Allan or indeed Allen.
Two weeks ago I said goodbye to Changeworks and became a full time freelancer. People keep asking me what I’m up to. So far it’s gone like this:
Week 1: Run away
Week 2: Holiday
Week 3: Get on with it
That’s maybe too brief.
Week 1 was week really difficult, people and community are really important to me. I suddenly felt I wasn’t part of anything. On Thursday I felt lonely. That was the day that everything broke. The shower, the phone, the internet…
I wanted to believe I could do it but everything seemed so difficult. That night I had a poetry gig called Stone Soup. I didn’t feel like performing. There were over 50 people there, loads more than expected. There were some great bands, a lovely atmosphere, I sat next some lovely ladies, the gig went well. But nobody I knew was there to see me. I couldn’t help feeling like I’d chosen the path of a freelance lone ranger and the rest of my life would continue… alone.
Friday, I booked a ticket to be somewhere where I knew I’d feel loved and safe. I couldn’t just go because earlier in the week I’d arranged ‘Freelance Friday pints’. Since I’d arranged it, I made an effort and had a really good time. Sometimes it’s good to do things when you don’t feel like it or think you can. Six freelancers met, Alan (The Broughton Spurtle), Shell Bryson, Ally Tibbitt, LillyLyle and Jaimie MaccDonland in the Brass Monkey, Leith. Others said they wanted to come next time, Milo McLaughlin (AKA Clear Minded Creative), Jon Melville, Elspeth Murray, Tom Allan, James Coltham, Tony Bibby and Michael MacLeod. It was a bit noisy so if you’ve got a suggestion for a better venue, do let me know? Also if you’re a freelancer and you’d like to join us another time just drop me a comment or tweet me.
I went straight from the ‘Freelance Friday’ pub to the train. I spent the next few days with my sister Julia and her family, then with my folks on my Dad’s newly fitted out canal boat (it was his retirement project) and lastly with my sister Ruth and her family for two days. They all stay in England, It was my niece’s fifth birthday. She cried when I left and said she wanted me to stay forever. It was good to be part of a team again, I had a role, I had something to contribute, I was part of the family. We decorated this brilliant cake together.
The Rest of My Life
I’m back and I’ve just started week 3, I’m feeling more positive. My flat is tidier. The future is exciting and unplanned and I know there are advantages to taking the freelance path.
This week I’m running creative writing workshops in a school in Edinburgh and for a retired arts group in West Lothian. I’m recording podcasts for Greener Leith, meeting other freelancers and doing things I need to do like get my hair cut. I’m enjoying seeing friends too. Next week I’m in the West Port Book Festival so I’m preparing for that.
My future plans?
I was freelancing half my week already, here are some of the things I plan to keep doing:
running training, especially storytelling training for adults and teachers
writing curriculum linked shows, workshops and stories for museum and other education providers
pitching new ideas to CBeebies. The pilot I’ve already made with BBC Scotland could become a series so if that happens I’ll be pretty busy with that (and overjoyed).
writing for websites
offering consultancy in education, science communication and new media
I’ve started running creative writing workshops as an Author. I’ve really enjoyed working with adults with mental health problems; I definitely want to do more of that. I’m also excited about visiting schools
I want to establish new working partnerships. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Elspeth Murray on a few projects lately. She’s been a wonderful encouragement. I’m so grateful to her for helping me to move forward as a writer and poet. I’d like to work more with creative and inspiring people like Elspeth.
I want to write more, I want to get picture books published. I’m going to apply for the Scottish Book Trust Mentoring scheme to try to help make that happen (fingers crossed).
I have some ideas for projects to run in Edinburgh, art / poetry related
I’ve started to learn to play the ukulele, I realized during the fringe show that the guitar is too heavy to carry around and I kept bashing people on busses. A uke is safer, smaller and funkier.
Basically I want to be an influence and use my creativity to make the world a better place. The ukulele will not achieve that at first so bear with me.
And if you hear of anyone looking for an audio trailer, a curriculum linked education workshop, storytelling training, a author visit, some web text, a TV script or a bad ukulele player…. I’m your woman.
