This month as Stirling Makar has been a particularly interesting one. I've always been busy, but at a certain point, I didn't have to work so hard to push a rock up a hill. Then, suddenly, that rock took on its own gravity and rolled, sometimes faster than I could keep up with! Requests and fun opportunities came - and they keep  on coming...

I'll always be grateful to to the Stirling Makarship for all the challenges and chances to learn that it has brought. But it's fair to say that I was pretty terrified when I got it. Physically shaking, in fact, when I came off the phone. Up to that point, I hadn't shared much of my poetry at all. I had a collection in the works with the wonderful Sheila Wakefield of Red Squirrel Press, but I hadn't submitted much of my poetry to magazines (to be fair subbing work takes a lot of time - and could almost be a full-time job in itself). 

I applied because, for ten years, I'd been active in the writing community in Stirling and had a few ideas about what could be done to help. But it's not easy putting your head above the parapet, and I knew, after the stooshie that happened when the last Makar was appointed (a lovely, quiet gent called Clive Wright), that there would be a fair amount of criticism. I'd also be more in the public eye than before, under scrutiny and under fire. Thank goodness for all the great friends who've supported me along the way! 

The poetry world is an intimate one. A small pool, full of fishes, and, as funding dries up, it's getting smaller. Inevitably, in these situations - those fishes nibble on each others' fins. A few have had a good chomp on mine over the years.  

I've done what I've always done in the face of people who doubt what I might manage to achieve. I planted my feet, put my head down, worked bloody hard, and tried my best to prove them wrong. And I hope I have. The Makarship forced me to raise my game and I'm prouder of my writing than I've ever been. But I'm even more proud of having helped bring more poems by others into the world. 

My term as Makar ends later this year and for a few months, I'll help the next Makar find their feet. If you'd like to help shape what they might do, please fill in the following online survey. It also gives you the chance to let us know what has worked (and not worked) for you over my tenure.

https://engage.stirling.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/stirling-makar-consultation 

I normally, semi-jokingly - subscribe to the philosophy of 'Ask not what you can do for your Makar, but what your Makar can do for you.' - but in this case, I suppose I'm basically asking people to review what's been a huge part of my life over the last three years. Which is almost as terrifying as having applied in the first place. 

There's a lot more goes on behind the scenes than people realise. While Stirling Council, the fantastic libraries staff, and other organisations have done their best to find funding to support the additional work I do: extra workshops, performances and writing, a sizeable portion of each week goes on what I voluntarily do to support and promote Stirling's writing communities. Meetings, emails, events, social media and advice. 

There's a lot more I still want to do, and more that I've tried to do and been unable to fit in. Things I've tried to chivvy up funding for that haven't yet been successful. Sadly, there are only so many hours in the day and there's only so much one person can do. Despite that, I've been so chuffed to have had the chance to meet, write and perform with lots of wonderful folk. Being Stirling Makar has fairly broadened my horizons - and been a huge amount of fun! 

In amongst all the commissions that have inspired me beyond my comfort zones, performances (including the chance to represent Stirling poetry at the Scottish Parliament!), and the singular moments, like having a poem projected up onto the Wallace Monument, there's been one thread that has woven through it all and pulled me ever-onwards. The importance of helping new and struggling writers. Of building a community of writers that support each other. I do it because I've been there too. I still feel like I'm a beginner, to be honest. Even a couple of decades in, the blank page still intimidates. I know that vulnerability of opening yourself out to others, sharing something you've felt strongly enough, moved enough, to write about. I know how important it is to have someone there to support you on those first new steps. If I've helped you in some small way, please take the time, a few minutes, to fill out the survey  

If you're thinking of applying for to be the next Stirling Makar, go for it!  It's truly been the most amazing experience. 

Aye, okay then, Martha! 

It's just not always that easy. Life is definitely complicated, and we human beings have an uncanny knack for making it even more complicated than it needs to be. 

July and August are strange limbo months for many of us and it can be a struggle to stay on top of things, especially if you have holidays and children to juggle, as well as work.  Time just runs away from you.

I've a couple of hours to myself today that I'm going to use to try and get on top of a few things, because frankly, I've not been able to find the time to write and I'd love to!  So below are some reflections on the kinds of things I find help me feel organised and on top of things (which, admittedly, is far too rare a thing!)

Bur first: events around Stirling and online...

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Tonight! 7.30 (free)
Federation of Writers: Fb Live - editing poetry 

I'm thoroughly looking forward to chatting tonight with this gregarious pair: Morag Anderson and Mark Turner about editing poetry. I always find it - fascinating (and enlightening) - to compare processes. Mark and Morag are not only wonderful folk that I'm incredibly fond of, I'm also a huge admirer of their work and artistic integrity. So this is going to be a fun one.

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Poetry workshop: 27th July: (a steal at £5) 
Buy tickets for Federation of Writers (Scotland) (tickettailor.com)
- a fun and relaxed session on how to spark ideas for your poetry. Inspire, surprise and invigorate your writing practice. This is the first in a series of three workshops. You'll leave the workshop with at least one poem to take with you onto the next stages. 

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Donald S Murray - in conversation with - Friday 4th August, 7pm

I had a Zoom chat with Donald just this week about his writing and it was so enjoyable, I honestly can't wait to talk with him again. He's such a lovely, generous chap with a wealth of wisdom and experience to draw on - which I'll be taking full advantage of on the audience's behalf, in order to find out more about his life as a writer, and to gently grill for writing tips. This will be a very open and relaxed conversation with myself and the audience. I'm reading his books just now in preparation and they're stunningly good. 

This will be the kind of treat you can sit back and enjoy. It's just a shame the Book Nook doesn't have a fireplace and a set of wingback chairs.  

Donald S. Murray Event Tickets (thebooknookstirling.co.uk)

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Advance Notice: 26th August Forth Fridays Open Mic - Book Nook
(£3 ticket price, refreshments provided)
Headlining, Billy Letford with his exciting new book

Writing Retreat -  Mindful writing and Journaling

Sunday 11th September - Friday 15th September

Perfect for those with no experience of writing or meditation, as well as those who wish to enrich existing projects and practices with greater depth, insight and perspective.
Having studied Buddhism for over ten years, and having tutored writers of all ages and experiences for nearly twenty, our tutor Laura specialises in running warm, welcoming and supportive retreats.

Throughout your time here, you’ll engage with sources of inspiration across a broad spectrum! We’ll use mindful exercises and journaling to encourage your creativity, boost your imagination and nurture your wellbeing.    

This break is suitable for writers who enjoy working on poetry, novels, stories and/or non-fiction (including memoir). Cultivating a mindful awareness of the world and your reactions to it brings greater sensitivity, compassion and intimacy to the writing process  - and to life! Come along and learn a wealth of gently transformative, artistic and fun journaling strategies to use at home.

Laura draws on an abundance of knowledge and experience in order to support writers on their individual journeys. Writers with specific projects in mind may, by all means, contact Laura before they arrive to request sessions on specific aspects of writing, related to novel writing, poetry and memoir (eg. character, structure, description). You'll gain a greater understanding of how to overcome blocks, so often caused by fear, perfectionism or self-criticism. You’ll leave Gartmore House feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, because you’ll have written exciting new work and gained more confidence than you ever thought possible. 

Book by contacting the wonderful Gartmore House team here: 
01877 382991 
mail@gartmorehouse.com
Gartmore House, Stirling | Art, Craft & Activity Holidays in Scotland

​Okay - now that I've sorted out my events calendar, I feel a bit more prepared for the next few weeks.  Taking a little time, as I just have, just helps with the stress levels and prevents any guilt about having let something slip through the cracks.

Speaking of missing things: responding to emails and messages can be surprisingly tricky, especially the ones that require a bit of extra thought or coordination before you reply. If you're anything like me, you read them, promise yourself to respond when you have more headspace, then sometimes forget. So I'm trying to leave them marked "unread" - so that they're still there waiting for me to check off. 

​Know yourself. Use your own rhythms - I talk about this often when it comes to setting up a regular writing practice. But it also works for organisation. When I'm on the ball, I use a Sunday to set out my various to-do lists for the week ahead - 4 columns, colour coded for priority, dated with deadlines.

Use your own strengths and weaknesses to your advantage: I work better in the mornings than the evenings, so I try to bag an early night so I can get up before the rest of the house. I front-load my days as much as possible: hydrate, exercise (ha! - maybe not so much, but when I do, I feel so much better for it), and a bit of Wellspring writing.

I also know I work better with a good allowance for flexibility, so I don't ringfence my time too much. I do - however, when I'm doing well - try to prioritise my writing time. I have to, otherwise everything else encroaches and it gets left to the bottom of the pile. It might feel completely contrary paradoxical to schedule in time to play, but sometimes, it's necessary to escape the busy tick-tick-tick of the to-do lists. Come back refreshed. 

Speaking of... I'm away to find a peaceful picnic bench somewhere. Off I go to spend some quality time with my favourite notebook and pens. 

Happy writing all,
Laura

​Below you'll find an exclusive offer I've arranged with Gartmore House for writers. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at all.

For now though, let's think about how to establish writing time and space for yourself. 

find and make those hidden pockets of time

eg. when travelling on the train, or turn up early to appointments or meetings

decrease distractions

put your mobile phone away, find a place where you won't be disturbed, ring-fence that time and let everyone in the house know that's a time when you are NOT to be disturbed - and be firm in maintaining that boundary

routine

I love a "when and then chain" to help embed your writing into your routines. Know your own rhythms. If you're a night owl, place it into your chain of bedtime routines. If you're a morning person, write as soon as you wake up, maybe in bed or get up a little earlier and write before the day gets busy, setting it before anything else begins. 

decrease the friction/ get a jump on it

Make it as smooth and easy as possible for yourself to write. Give yourself no reasons to excuse yourself from writing.

• Prepare your surface: if you write first thing in the morning with your cup of tea, set up your notepad or computer next to the kettle and a prompt ready to go.
• If you find it intimidating or scary to sit down to the page then sneak up on it - tell yourself it's just for a few minutes, or it's just a couple of hundred words. Then, if you want to do more, then you can keep going. Every tiny word is another step on your writing journey.
• If you find the blank page (or new chapter or even a new sentence) intimidating then leave your last sentence of the day unfinished then pick up it up again the next day.

want it

when you're struggling with motivation, focus on the positives: remind yourself how you feel when you experience flow, when you solve a plotting tangle or an exciting idea appears from out of nowhere!

There's nothing else like it. 

Happy writing all, and read on for an exclusive offer...

I’ve recently discussed, with friends, some tutors who have provided less-than-ideal experiences and have felt incredibly disappointed. People invest time, money – and hope – when they book onto a retreat or workshop.  I’ve been there too and experienced some out-and-out rude and hurtful tutors too. It’s awful that they don’t realise or respect the trust put in them. And a travesty that writers, at their most vulnerable when revealing their work, suffer as a result.

So - here’s my take on what to look for in writing mentors, workshops, and retreats.

Often people will embark on a retreat with an admired author and hope that some magic will rub off: you’ll soak up their wisdom and something will click and your words will finally flow free and effortless into your future as a celebrated writer.

Ha. It doesn’t work like that.

If a course promises you this, run fast, run far! No matter how great this writer is, no matter how much their advice clicks for you – to achieve your writing dreams, you’ll still have to put work and time into your own writing, both on the course and when you return home.

Writing isn’t always easy but be reassured, it’s in tackling a challenge that we find the greatest sense of achievement.
 
The writer/tutor
 
Now, admittedly, I’m biased – I’ve no Nobel Prizes or Man Booker nominations to my name. But I’ve a lifetime of writing, twenty years of teaching, over ten years of mentoring writers, and Masters degrees in education and creative writing under my belt. As an eternal student, I’m also a writing workshop addict (both leading and taking part). So as well as pride and respect for the profession of teaching, I’ve got a fair bit of experience to draw on. And what that experience has told me is that writing and tutoring are two very different skills, sometimes at odds with one another.

Generally, great writers are great writers because they are supremely focused on their own writing. Often in one specific genre. That’s a good thing.

For a writer. It doesn’t always make for a good tutor.

Five days of being “on” requires dedication and passion – for helping others as well as for writing. It takes a lot of nurturing energy that many writers would rather put into their own work.
 
Who and what to look for
 
Someone who’ll consider your needs and care enough to respond and adapt, a tutor who can anticipate and balance up the desires for rigor and success with the very real need to relax (creativity needs all of these). You’ll have others on the retreat at the same time and it takes great skill to facilitate and allow space for the many voices in the room.

I’d also hope for a tutor who is knowledgeable but unpretentious, as well as supportive to your interests, whether that’s Literature with a capital “L” or romantic fan-fiction (hey, fan-fiction worked out quite spectacularly for E.L James, whatever your opinions of the standard of writing in 50 Shades). I chat with groups and individuals about my experience of traditional vs indy publishing and the wide range of novel genres I have written, in varying stages of completion. Of course, as Stirling Makar, I support poets too.

To help you decide on a tutor and retreat, research a range of word-of-mouth experiences. Realistically, not every tutor will suit every person. Find out from those similar to yourself whose opinions you respect. You could also ask about contacting the tutor before you book.
 
Why consider a retreat?
 
Writing in your own dedicated space at home, or in a coffee shop or library can be brilliant. But your writing time can still be easily disturbed by the usual hustle and bustle. Nothing refreshes your creative energies like a writing retreat. You can set one up on your own for yourself or with friends, or you can book one in an organisation.

I’ve just returned from Gartmore House. It’s a uniquely beautiful place and perfect for writers. Just imagine – days with all your needs catered for. The food is hot and hearty, the people warm and friendly. Comfortable beds, no distractions and inspiring views.  You have your own space, professional advice and peer support.

Writing retreats hold so much potential when handled well. You’ll get a great rest, but you also produce new writing, meet new friends (even long-term writing allies), and receive professional advice and feedback.

You might overcome the barriers that have been preventing you from starting or finishing a novel, or you might simply have a little fun with the writing exercises provided. When you find the right place and the right person, you’ll pack up on your last day, refreshed and ready to set off fearlessly for new horizons.
 
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I truly-madly-deeply love helping writers. Soothing the emotional vulnerability that so many of us struggle with. Addressing, with sensitivity, fun and humour, the barriers that cause procrastination. Being there at the genesis of a new writer, story or poem. It’s incredibly rewarding to have helped light a writer up again with confidence and enthusiasm!

I’m grateful to have had the chance to support so many writers over the last twelve years. Thank you for placing your trust in me.
Happy writing!
Laura

P.S. If you’ve attended my workshops or retreats in the past, please do pop a review on Facebook here:
Laura Fyfe - a Page in the Life of a Writer (facebook.com) 
or on this Google form: https://forms.gle/gdBr7fhBErvGoCof6.

It’s important to me to do my job as well as possible and feedback is essential in helping me do this. It also helps other writers see whether what I offer might suit them or not. 
 
P.P.S. I’m also lucky to be invited by writing groups to lead the odd workshop (contact me for details or see the Scottish Book Trust to book a partially funded workshop).

P.P.P.S. I also thoroughly enjoy helping writers one-to-one. Contact me to book a session or series of mentoring sessions.

P.P.P.P.S. Here's a great online article with writing retreat advice:
https://screencraft.org/blog/7-essentials-for-a-perfect-writing-retreat/