Another Literary Magazine
Another literary magazine I subscribe to is Freexpression. I’ve been getting this little publication for at least six or seven years now, and try to read each issue cover to cover. I look forward to receiving this periodical each month. It has been my delight to have several of my poems and stories published in it over recent years.
Contents
Freexpression includes plenty of poetry, a few short stories and articles and occasionally articles on writing. There is always a section listing upcoming writing competition details and a page advertising contact details for buying subscribers’ books. I always find that this magazine is very readable with a wide range of writing styles and topics included in each issue. Some issues are thematic but stories and poems on other themes are included in the themed issues.
Contact details
The magazine does not have a web site but the editor Peter Pike can be contacted at frexprsn@tpg.com.au or by post at PO Box 4 West Hoxton, NSW Australia 2171
Writing Competition
4 Comments »4th April, 2006; Category: Competitions, Events, General, Magazines, Poetry, Short Stories
Had some bad news in the mail yesterday. I received the results of a literary competition run by an Australian magazine. I had submitted three poems and three short stories. None was successful. [Update: That last sentence should read: “None were successful.” See comments for an explanation.] Same result as last year, but with a different set of poems and stories. Oh well, all it means is that the judges didn’t like what I wrote. Print them out and resubmit elsewhere is the usual advice at writers’ seminars and workshops.
The poetry judge actually made comments on every poem submitted. The only comment on one poem was “Inventive.” Mmmm, wonder what that means? Does it have some merit? Is it worth resubmitting elsewhere, or does it mean that the judge couldn’t understand it? The comment for the other two poems was “Attempt a rewrite”. Yes, I have done that over and over and over until they were both so different from the original draft that they were essentially new works.
Judging literary competitions must be a thankless task. I’ve never done it and I’m sure it is very hard. I’ll try not to be too despondent – and try again elsewhere. Trouble is, my hit rate has taken a battering in the last 2 years with far more rejections than acceptances. (My success rate is around 10%) You get that. Now on with the next project.
Your Life is a Metaphor
10 Comments »2nd April, 2006; Category: Articles, Devotional Writing, General, Novels, Poetry, Short Stories
Inspiration
Inspiration comes to writers – and people in many other spheres of life – in many, varied and sometimes strange ways. For example, a few years ago I had a sudden insight during a sermon at church. Something that was said – I don’t remember what it was – gave me an idea for a children’s novel. Over the next few months I actually wrote that novel. It is now in the final stages of editing and will be soon ready to send off to a publisher.
New Inspiration
During today’s sermon, Daryll, our pastor, used a string of metaphors to introduce his topic. Immediately I was inspired to write a series pieces using metaphors. It’s only an idea at this stage. Not sure if these pieces of writing will be articles, stories (true or fictional), poems, devotionals, whatever.
Daryll found the list in chapter 5 of the Rick Warren book “The Purpose Driven Life.” (published by Zondervan).
Some Metaphors for Life
- Life is a three-ring circus.
- Life is a minefield.
- Life is a roller coaster.
- Life is a puzzle.
- Life is a symphony.
- Life is a journey.
- Life is a dance.
- Life is a carousel (sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down, and sometimes you just go round and round).
- Life is a game of cards (you have to play the hand you are dealt).
- Life is a race.
- Life is a marathon.
- Life is a battle.
Of course, both the author and Daryll forgot to mention my alltime favourite from none other than that great philosopher, Forrest Gump:
- (Insert southern drawl) “My Mama always said:’Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you are going to get.”
Actually – that last one is in fact a simile – not a metaphor. Oh well, never mind.
The point is this; inspiration for writing is all around us, in the commonplace, in those we meet everyday, in ordinary situations. We just have to open our eyes, our ears – all our senses – to the possibilities.
And that idea is far removed from the main thrust of Daryll’s sermon this morning.
Life is like a maze: just when you think you have found the way out, another interesting path opens up before you.
My Latest Publication
I received a magazine in the mail this morning. It was the current (April 2006) issue of Compendium, a literary magazine I’ve subscribed to for many years. It is the newsletter of the Australian Christian Writers’ Fellowship which was founded in 1971. It includes letters, stories, poems and articles written by members. From time to time it includes writing hints and ideas as well as articles about writing. Sometimes there are details of writing competitions.
Poem
Over the years I have had a few poems and articles included in Compendium. This issue included my poem ‘A Handful of Sunshine’. This poem was written a few years ago when my wife was in hospital recovering from surgery.
Writers’ Week in Adelaide
Writers’ Week
Today I attended the Thursday sessions of Writers’ Week in Adelaide. This is a regular feature of the Adelaide Festival of Arts which is held every two years. Prominent writers from all over Australia and selected writers from overseas are invited to be guest speakers. Previously I have been unable to attend because of work commitments.
Adelaide Parklands
Writers’ Week is held in a beautiful section of Adelaide’s parklands, about 200 metres across the road from the Festival Centre and about five minutes walk from the CBD. The organisers have set up two large tents filled with chairs. Over the years the Writers’ Week sessions have proved so popular that the chairs spill out of the tents and over the adjoining lawns. Being 31C today every shady spot nearby also sprouted chairs filled with eager readers and writers listening to the speakers.
Book Shop
In between the two tents is the Book Shop which sells mainly books written by the guest speakers. Many avid readers snaffle up these books and then proceed to the table where the eager writers are waiting to sign their books. Next to the Book Shop is the very essential food and drinks tent. South Australian wines are a popular and well patronised feature of the drinks section.
Speakers
The writer I enjoyed most today was Simon Armitage, an English poet. His talk was very entertaining. Simon entertained the large crowd of well over a thousand, illustrating his talk with some of his excellent poetry. Another entertaining speaker was Australian writer Michael Robotham. He also entertained the audience with tales of his experiences as a ghost writer of the “autobiographies” of some celebrities, including Rolf Harris, Lulu and former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell. More recently he has turned to writing novels, including the highly popular “The Suspect.”