Write On! 23, sponsored by the Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation, is out today.
This issue explores the power of creativity to explore and communicate ‘Difference.’ The theme reminds us that, though we like feeling the same as other people (i.e. shared habits, characteristics, ideas and values), with the many challenges facing us today, we need to be able to readjust our perspectives around how we see ourselves and others.’
Our lead interview illustrates this perfectly. Inaugural British-Library-In-The-Community poet, the multi-award-winning Jenny Mitchell, speaks to Eithne Cullen about who we are, how we heal and why poetry is at the heart of both – making difficult conversations possible by giving people a voice. We might not always agree, but if we lay out our truths for others to see in a way they can connect to, we’re far more likely to find common ground, even in the most unlikely of places. Says Jenny:
“Poetry isn’t just about beautiful phrases. It’s about sharing our emotions, our humanity and our history. I facilitate workshops on poetry and freedom because I think part of what happens with class is that we get locked into a certain mindset where we’re in opposition to the people we should be in solidarity with.”
The Showcase Pages – drawn from the online Write On! Extra and podcast Write On! Audio, these pages feature wonderful contributions from our readers.
The Big Debate – Lucy Kaufman explores creative compromise.
Write On! 24, out on 16 April, is themed ‘Misunderstandings’ we feature global bestseller John Marrs as our lead interview. It is sponsored by Hay Festival. This theme will also inform content for the digital Write On! Extra (accessible through this website) and Write On! Audio. (This podcast can be accessed on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Just type pen to print into your browser. Alternatively, find us via our Spotify Podcast hosting site.
