The learning bit

Learn how to write 'it'

Readers of this blog will know how much I love Anthony Anaxagorou's work. I have all of the British poet's collections on my bookshelves, have attended several of his workshops and watched his glorious videos on YouTube. Yup, I'm a fan.

Then, before the summer, I found out that he'd written a book on writing in general and grabbed a copy. It's published by Merky Books, a division of Penguin and has an original format. It's only 150 pages and about A6 size, so it's cute as a button. Small and perfectly formed, that's pretty much like Anthony's poems.

The content is unique too, because, rather than a book focusing on the practical elements of a normal 'how-to', it's mostly memoir, taking the reader on the journey of a London-born Greek-Cypriot unable to speak English when he started pre-school. A chap who grew up in a bookless home and became an award-winning poet. It's incredible that his voice, his writer's voice, is erudite, articulate and brimming with words and wisdom that, like the finest platter of mezze must be eaten slowly and savoured. 

Each chapter ends with tips that are unlike any others I have seen in a book for writers. His are ideas about how to get ideas, starting points and triggers that are unique and ingenious. He has some exercises too and these are worth doing.

It's a book that inspires and through the authenticity of his voice it somehow encourages us to be braver with our language, to go for it and be more literary.

It's a perfect stocking-filler and I'm set to buy a few myself.

You can find an video of me In Conversation with Anthony on the Virtual Events page of my website. It's down at the bottom the page.

Would you like to write a how-to book or memoir?

If you think you would like to have a go at writing a how-to book based on your expertise or a memoir about a portion of your life then why not join one of my Book Writing Coaching Programmes? Six two-hour online sessions take place over 12 weeks in small, supportive groups. After three months you will have a plan, a road-map and have written a chapter or two. Take a look at my Virtual Events page and ask for a course description.

Two new courses will start in the New Year.