Author diaries

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6 April 2008 Entry: "Launch of the Ropes"

When I was a girl, I got sixpence pocket money (six old pence). I could buy a Jamboree Bag - I think they’re called Lucky bags or sixpenny mixups now. It was always exciting anticipating what would be inside: Sweeties, yes, but which ones? sometimes there were also little toys,

I wanted The Ropes to have a similar appeal - a little package of surprises - Yes poems, but what kind? All Kinds. Funny, serious, one or two making you reach for the dictionary or google the internet.

I want to lure younger readers in, especially those who never read poetry outside school, and who think Poetry is Not For Them.

I want readers of any age to see that words are wonderful things and we can enjoy them in thousands of different ways - and even have a go at writing themselves.

I think the Ropes has achieved that allure - Brendan Kennelly wrote to me and said: “the actual physical book itself is a delight to handle and turn about.” he then showed it to a teacher friend who declared it one of the ‘friendliest’ books she has known. He also said the poems were really good. So I am delighted.
I thanked everyone at the launch but it was Melanie Ashby of Ashbydesigns who really helped put this book together - this is equally her vision, and she helped me enormously.
Also the poets were very generous, writing their poems and hunting out obscure photographs of themselves for the inside pages (I think these photos plus the 50 words that go with them are one of the favourite things about the book)

It is thanks to Seven Stories for hosting the event and all their behind the scenes work - it all makes doing this easier, rather than doing on my own.
My next plan is to get the ropes website up and running with some workshop ideas from poets so those writers out there can get some ideas how to go about writing their own poems.

Please any of you who read this diary, please buy the book, tell your friends, teachers, librarians and young poetry lovers - get the book out there and talked about.

Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks - watch this space.