Welcome to Dragonscale Clippings

Inside the mind of a writer...

My motto for 2012: Quality, not quantity

I am currently exploring the sensation of Sound...

Wednesday 30 November 2011

Touch - 27

The soft damp feel of
autumn rain upon my face
not yet cold-damp 
but the wind blowing from the south-west
hints of winter approaching

Touch - 26

Wind hassled
rain beaten
autumn pounds at me
even indoors
stinging rain
chilling breath
the year decays

Touch - 25

October sun hotter than Midsummer heat
bearing down, awakening plants
quickening soil
giving me energy as the year
darkens

Clippings #3

The third issue of my newsletter is now available to view.

If you would like to read it, please send an email with Subscribe Clippings in the subject line to  H2M


It's only 4 pages long and contains an excerpt from one of my wintry, romantic tales as well as photography by Mick Turner and poetry from Heather Connelly and Claudia Messelodi. 


Let me know what you think!

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Nanowrimo 2011

Well, it was an experience!

A big thank you to everyone who encouraged and supported me, particularly my long-suffering partner!

I'm not sure I'd bother with it again though. I mean, I know I can write 50k words in a month without having a deadline. I thought there would be more interaction between writers but it's actually a very isolationist website. 

The thing that made me laugh was the amount of pep talks that were emailed to me. These were really lengthy monologues on how difficult it is to write (is it?) and how to overcome writer's block (what's that?) I skipped most of them. I was trying to write 50k words; I didn't have time to read pages of other people's opinions!

November is a really bad time for me to be committing to do lots of things. It's my busiest month of the year so I think I'll just put it down to experience. 

The novel, though completely unplanned, went really well. Loads of other things came out in addition to writing about how I cope with my partner who suffers from depression. It was very cathartic and releasing. I will leave the first draft for a few months and then look at it; I'll have forgotten what I've written by then and come to it fresh. 

Meantime, I'm really looking forward to January 2012 A River Of Stones. I love the WOWH community; people know how to encourage you there!

Monday 28 November 2011

Touch - 24

The soft feel of tumble-dried towels;
all fluffed-up and huggable!

Touch - 23

The firm feel of the crust
beneath my fingers
as the knife cuts through 
into soft, springy bread flesh

Friday 25 November 2011

Touch - 22

The slightly giving sensation
of something round and mobile
beneath my slipper feet.
Is it a spider?!
No
It is a small green tomato
that rolled off the window sill.

Touch - 21

Spiked stems of Greek alcanet 
look so soft and furry
but really are
quite vicious!

Monday 21 November 2011

Touch - 19

Tickling fronds of fine fennel leaves
brush my neck in a friendly
teasing fashion
sudden sharp needle-pricks
of rose stab through my jacket
into my back

Sunday 20 November 2011

Touch - 20

Rough skin on my first finger joint
I keep touching it
the skin is broken
worn by aggressive gardening
and in the split, dirt lingers
seeping into my skin

Friday 18 November 2011

A Handful of Small Stones...

I'm so pleased! A Handful of Small Stones has published one of my stones!

If you would like to read it, click here and scroll down until you find 17th November!

Touch - 18

Warm lips pressed against mine
urgent
passionate
conveying his need of me

Touch - 17

Thin cold leaves of green
sharply pointed
leaning towards the light.
Catch the leaf awkwardly
as I pull it up - ouch!
Fine cut
like a paper cut
on my palms.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Touch - 16

Smooth petals like living silk
top a smooth stalk impregnated
with fine thorns 
that bury themselves
in my flesh
like tiny needles
shedding 
blood

Ideas for Christmas...

If you're a bit stuck on what to buy your friends and family for Christmas, or even stuck for ideas for yourself, here are my recommendations: -

A Year of Questions by Fiona Robyn 
It really does help you slow down and fall in love with life again. I really don't rate self-help books because they never help me. This one did. Even if you're not a writer, buy it! It really makes you think and find space once again.  

Pay Attention: A River of Stones
Back in January a whole group of us across the world joined together at A River Of Stones website to write a "small stone" every day. This anthology is a selection of the stones written during that month. (Mine is at the top of page 42!) A refreshing, relaxing and thought-provoking collection of bite sized poems and observations. Ideal for busy people or for those who can't concentrate for long. 

Collecting Cobwebs, Gathering Brambles by Elizabeth Leaper and Jack Williamson
My friend Libby has had an anthology of poetry published! This volume contains both her own and her late uncle's poetry. An absolute must for poetry lovers. 

Better Off Dead by Matt Rowe
Only recently released, this is a book that will get the teenagers in your life reading again. Actually, it'll get everyone in your life reading again so long as they've got a sense of humour! 
Dragonscale Leggings by Freya Pickard
Yes, I'm recommending my own work! If you need to escape from the dire deeds of politicians and faceless corporations, this is the perfect portal for you. If you're seriously depressed or even just feeling a bit down, then laughter is what you need - you'll find it in my tale of a strong heroine who (just about) overcomes against all odds. 

Essellecrafts
An amazing website for those finishing touches for all your gifts throughout the year. I think they only sell in the UK though. Everything is handcrafted in the UK - order your boxes soon!
Esselle

Touch - 15

Fine moisture beading my skin and hair;
cool touch to its delicate fingers, 
morning mist on an autumnal day.

Touch - 14

Smooth-skinned red fruit, 
large plumpness filling
my small hand; 
warm from the greenhouse
slightly giving skin;
ripe, plucked tomato.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Nanowrimo - Halfway there

Thank you so much to everyone who's provided encouragement and advice. I really appreciate it! 

Halfway through the Nanowrimo Challenge and so far I've written only 19,767 words. I'm pleased with my progress seeing as most of this was written yesterday and today!

Monday 14 November 2011

Touch - 13

The silky, clean feel
of new underwear;
unfaded, smooth
making me feel
desirable...

Touch - 12

The dry, crumbly soil giving
way to my insistent
fingers allowing me 
to reap a harvest
of orange
carrots

Friday 11 November 2011

Touch - 11

Softness of short, cropped hair;
it looks spiky and sharp
but feels almost 
velvety.

Touch - 10

Soft, firm pastry;
coalescing into a flour-butter dough,
smooth coolness
as I roll it out thinly
to make crisp, crumbling covering
for egg and bacon pie. 

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Touch - 9

The firm, curved shape
of ripe fruit
red plumpness falling into my hand
as I gently twist the tomato
to release it from the stem;
firmness
slightly warm from the heat
of the greenhouse. 

Touch - 8

The silky feel of crumbled compost
sieved free of twigs and leaf
fresh scented
dark and mysterious
it runs through my fingers
like soft sand. 

Monday 7 November 2011

Touch - 6

The sun's heat
on my skin
caressing, relaxing
yet invigorating; 
opens the pores
strengthens my bones
fills my heart with
thankfulness.

Review: Out of the Silent Planet by C S Lewis

Out of the Silent Planet (Space Trilogy, #1)Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis


My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I started re-reading Out of the Silent Planet last month as I felt the need for refreshment rather than challenge...





It was delightful to re-engage with Lewis' spectucular approach to space travel. I love the sensation of light in this novel and the beautiful descriptions of the planet that the hero is forcibily removed to.





I know that some people have told me that they have struggled with the images on "Mars" but for me it is always refreshing and renewing to read Lewis' prose. I also enjoyed his discussions on arch-types throughout the universe.





If you enjoy space travel and discovering new worlds, this is one to try!





View all my reviews

Touch - 7

The harsh feel of the carpet
against my bare feet;
Summer is here
and the carpet needs cleaning. 

Wednesday 2 November 2011

EOTE - Masks & Mirrors!

EOTE is the 'zine that publishes some of my poetry. They have recently posted that they're looking for submissions for their April issue in 2012. The theme is Masks & Mirrors and you can find more details here

Touch - 5

The cool breeze
stirring the hairs on back of my neck
like cold fingers
just caressing my skin.

Touch - 4

The gentle rap of rain
on my waterproofs
drumming rhythmically on my hood
like a drum-beat
accompanying my swift walk
past the windmill.

Touch - 3

Golden breakers
crashing
on the shores of my body
uplifting, delighting
taking my breath away.

Touch - 2

The firm, pliable texture
of elastic-like dough;
combined flour and oil
seasoned with yeast, salt and sugar
drawn together by hand
responsive
alive to my touch.

Touch - 1

The feel of soft tomato leaves
trailing over my skin
as I weave through the greenhouse jungle;
gone now 
with the fleeting summer.