Wednesday 7 December 2011

More horrible weather.

When the farmer took the dogs round the fields this morning at 8.15 (as he does every morning) he set off in bright sunshine. By the time he got half way round it was absolutely dreadful. I have never seen such weather conditions. The sky was black and an angry red sun was pushing through on the horizon; the sleet was horizontal and the wind was howling. Man and dogs sheltered until the worst was over. The farmer said that there was a fantastic rainbow against the black sky. I'll take his word for it!

It has been our Writers' Group meeting this morning and what a splendid meeting it was. Twelve people turned up in spite of the weather. We meet in the Golden Lion where it is snug and warm. We have coffee (and this morning they brought samples of their new menu too for us to try). This month's topic was 'A Childhood Memory' and it was so interesting. For a start our ages spread from 80 up to early 20's so the memories covered a lot of ground. Each memory triggered off other memories in all of us. There were memories of sea journeys, games on the sand, special rooms in grandparents' houses, climbing trees, childhood games - all kind of things. We managed to stick to the rules more or less - i.e. to discuss the construction of the piece rather than talk about the memory itself. I got such a lot out of the morning - I am sure others did too.

This 'trigger' thing is important I think - for that is where we get our ideas. At the Poetry launch I went to the other evening the poet said she got her ideas from various triggers - sentences in the newspaper, phrases on the TV News, things she heard in the street. If we want our writing to improve (and don't we all?) then I think we have to learn to be particularly sensitive to this idea - would you agree?

At present what the farmer would call a 'Glishy Sun' is shining - that sort of sun usually lasts only a few minutes and then there is another downpour. Guess who is taking the dog for her evening walk???

13 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Weather vilely dramatic!
Gosh, I wish I could join your writers' group.
I'm going to run a little workshop at a local library in the new year. 'Memories and Reflections...stories for our children and grandchildren'........I'm really excited.

PS can you believe there was a HAWK about 15 feet from our window yesterday perched on the lamp post?
First hawk sighting from the apartment in twelve years!

Heather said...

Hope you didn't get too wet walking the dog. The morning's dreadful weather must have looked very dramatic.
It's amazing how one person's reminscences will trigger memories we thought were forgotten. It must be hard to keep to the rules and not allow the meeting to become a general exchange of times past.

Irene said...

The weather is just as awful here on the other side of the Chanel. It changes from minute to minute. It's completely unpredictable. Brrr...

angryparsnip said...

When you post about your writers group I am always in awe. I wish I could be there to. I can see it in my mind.
How wonderful that it is somewhat close that even in the horrible weather you all can still make it.

I would love to join Elizabeth's workshop (I just bough two of her books) but I am to far from both of you.

Stay dry !

cheers, parsnip

Rachel Phillips said...

Yes, the trigger thing is all important to both the writer and the visual artist. A few words in a book, a snippet of conversation overheard on a train, pictures in newspapers and magazines can all start something off that may end up as a painting, a short film, a poem etc. I keep cuttings and I also carry a notebook to jot things down especially when I am on the train. I call it "my research".

Gerry Snape said...

what a lovely morning at the writers' group and I was very reassured to read that the poet was inspired by little triggers from books and papers...I'm sure you've guessed that I am. I keep a little black book and every time something sets off an alarm I write it down.....however poorly!!
Sorry about the weather ...ours is bad but I think not that bad. Hope you are alright!

jill said...

Hope your weather doesnt get any worse,its very cold here tonight but dry.Keep yourself warm,love Jill xx

Cloudia said...

British Winter Rainbows?!

Who knew? Not me!



Aloha from Waikiki

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Midlife Roadtripper said...

Weather doesn't stop writers. When I read, I more often than not wonder where the writer found his idea. Triggers. Good description.

I miss my writing group and timed writings. Need to get back on that wagon.

Anonymous said...

I cannot imagine a wintry December. Ours are always so hot.Each time I have visited England it has been blazing beautiful Autumn colours. Would actually like to see the fields covered in snow, but the driving conditions look scarey.

steven said...

weaver i've been reading about britain's weather and it seems somewhat ironic that i am still able to bike to and from school while you people are struggling through major storms!!! be safe!! be warm!!! steven

Dave King said...

Totally agree about the importance of triggers. They vary in kind, I think, from writer to writer, but we all need them. Hope the weather improves for you soon.

Titus said...

Oh yes re the triggers, and a forced one every now and then does me the world of good!

The Hurricane is here! Schools shut, trees down, power out.