Today we welcome Lorraine Marwood to the blog — Lorraine writes verse novels and poetry and you would have read several of her poems in Alphabet Soup!
When did you first start writing poetry?
I began as a teenager, so probably 15 years old, but before that I was writing down ideas and little stories for many years.
What sort of poetry do you like writing best of all?
Poetry that doesn’t rhyme but shows in different ways a moment in time or an emotion, and still has all the strong features of poetry, like rhythm, strongest words, images, sensory details, emotion.
What sort of poetry do you like reading?
Contemporary poetry written by Australians; poems in The School Magazine, NSW; anthologies like 100 Australian poets, so I read many poets in the one book. Also poetry by young writers and I enjoy reading the results of the Dorothea Mackellar poetry competition.
Where can we read your poetry?
I have had six collections of poems published — the most recent one is Guinea Pig town and other animal poems with Walker Books Australia. I’ve had lots of poems published in magazines, here in Australia, UK, USA and Canada. And I always love to be published in The School Magazine and of course Alphabet Soup — well, I wish that was still going.
Here’s one of the poems from Guinea Pig town and other animal poems:
[click on the image to enlarge it]
How often do you write?
I’d like to say everyday — well I do write but some days its emails, administration or reworking a piece, then other days it’s intense writing, but always I’m thinking about my poems, an idea, a story, what happens next …
Do you prefer to write with a pen and paper or straight onto the computer?
That’s a good question. I like to write poetry with a pen in one of my current notebooks. I often write when traveling or out for the day. I can jot down ideas I see or an idea that strikes. Poetry to me needs this special touch, but for stories I type right onto my laptop.
What’s your number one tip for budding poets?
Keep a notebook you can take with you. Jot down anything that catches your eye. Train yourself to be observant, because the strongest writing uses those details that others skim over.
—
Lorraine’s Poetry Prescription
IF YOU’RE HAVING A RUSHING, BUSTLING DAY — read the following poem:
‘Wilderness’ by Carl Sandburg.
—
To find out more about Lorraine Marwood and her books and poetry, check out her website and read an earlier post featuring Lorraine.
alphabetsoup.net.au 
Thank you Rebecca and Lorraine. I was lucky enough to participate in one of Lorraine’s on line poetry courses some time ago and I loved it. Will you be running something like that again Lorraine?
Tricia