I am a writer two days a week and an Early Childhood teacher three days a week. (In truth the writing overflows into other days of the week far more so than the teaching does.)
I have had two poetry books published, 'Feeding the Dogs' (which won the Jessie McKay Prize for Best First Book of Poetry at the New Zealand Book Awards, 2003) and 'Made For Weather'.
I have written for as long as I can remember, having poems and stories published in the children's pages of the local newspaper when I was a young child. I have had articles published in magazines and newspapers. Lately my focus in writing has been on creative non-fiction; whether poetry is classed as this, has yet to be established I guess. In my case, it probably is as I tend to write about daily life and family, childhood memories and place (landscape, nature ...) rather than bringing fantasy into my poetry. You could say I am pretty grounded as a writer. I find I can't be anything else!
I have a blog found at: andbottlewasher.blogsot.com
My passion is ...
Writing and family
I know too much about ...
How to enjoy winters
My parents always told me ...
Never feel sorry for myself
My childhood ambition ...
To be a teacher
My favorite memory ...
Reading outside
Why I write ...
To express myself and make clear my thoughts. Capture and recapture memory and place.
What I am reading/watching/listening to ...
'Black Rain' by Masuji Ibuse Listening to 'Bittersweet Symphony' by The Verve
My first job ...
Teacher
My best moment ...
Falling in love.
My inspiration ...
Nature
When you write a sympathy note don't just sign your name and let the words of the card (often quite impersonal and Hallmark-y) speak for you. if you have memories of the person who died, even if it is that they smiled a lot, say so. The people who receive the card will appreciate the personal note. Your words, however seemingly unimportant to you, will mean the world to those grieving, because it keeps the memory of that person alive. The reason I know this is because I lost my father when I was fifteen years old and the cards that meant the most were the ones with a personal sentence or t...
More..Kay Cooke
Member since: August 2009
Articles Written: 3