Author diaries

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25 March 2004 Entry: "Titles and covers"

Well, last night was the New Writing North Awards, and I'd just like to say thank you to David and Robbie for coming along for what was not really their choice of evening! Still, I think they enjoyed the canapes and the chocolate truffles.
It was really interesting seeing the mix of people there. Going to poetry events that are frequented by the same core of people, it's easy to forget that the writing scene in the North East is much bigger and many of the people who were receiving awards were new to me.
Getting the Northern Promise Award to give me time to work on my next collection has suddenly made it seem much more real. Last night Peter Mortimer asked me what kind of cover I want, which made me realise that I'm going to have to grapple with titles again.
Even with poems, I either find a title that feels right at the beginning or I struggle for ages. When I take a poem to our writing group at the Bridge it's usually the title that is causing a problem (often other things too). Trying to choose a title for a collection is even more difficult.
Last year on my MA, I decided on "Knowing the Colour of Thrums" for my porfolio, which was a line from one of my poems.
Covers are also difficult. How can I choose something without knowing the title? I would really like to use one of my dad's paintings. Practicalities might dictate which one. His largest painting is "in the round", so you can stand inside this circular painting. It is wonderful to experience it, but at the moment that painting is in storage. So, anyone who can think of a venue that might be interested in exhibiting this, please let me know!
Like Ellen, I was also working for the short story deadline. A few years ago I decided to give myself regular targets. For instance, each month send poetry off to another magazine or competition.It really motivates me and gets me writing. I have a notebook that records each piece of writing, where it's gone, when/if it came back and then a massive tick on the page when it gets published. At the back of the book I have a list of magazines and competitions, so I can easily see who has been sent what.
I feel a real sense of achievement in meeting each target - anything that gets published or wins a prize is a bonus.