Aha! Finally made the leap from sofa + notebook to office chair + my pc. I even opened a new folder and wrote the date + working title (very pretentious so I’m not going to tell you what it is). Strange to think that all these notes and random thoughts might be a novel after all. At the moment I have two unconnected voices, one of which I prefer so I may go with that one. But it’s exciting to see that after only a week I’m on page 19. OK some of the dialogue is clunky but this is the First Draft and it can all be revised. Or binned.
Reading: Echo Hall by Virginia Moffat. Crowdfunded by Unbound. Three generations of women experience love, loss and conflict in times of war. So far it’s a very good, old-fashioned ghost story (I think) like Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black.
Travelling: to Leeds again. For birthday celebrations tomorrow with my daughter.
Exercising: a good way to think, come up with ideas. Jogging, walking and swimming.
Ali Thurm 
Ali-
I am a poet in Minneapolis, MN and a friend of one of your fellow Troubadour poets. I read your poem “Quickening” on the Troubadour Poetry Prize 2017 site (congrats on the honor!) and wanted to let you know that it resonated deeply with me and gave me a measure of comfort. I am the mother of a 14-year-old daughter and the poem gave me some perspective, both backward- and forward-looking. I am printing out the poem and taping it inside my writing notebook. Thank you for writing it.
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Hi Christine
that’s very kind of you. I’m glad you enjoyed my poem – it was very exciting to win a prize! My three children are all in their 20s now and time really does go quickly, so I hope you enjoy spending time with your daughter. 14 can be a difficult, even challenging age. It’s the sort of thing you don’t forget. Just keep a sense of humour!
Which is your friend’s poem?
All the best, Ali
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Thanks for the message!
My friend is Michael Werner and his poem is “The Viewing.”
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