Ally Aldridge Goals, Writing

Reflecting on NaPoWriMo

30 days of NaPoWriMo

These images are snippets from the 30 days of poems:

The challenge is over and I did it.  It’s time to reflect on how it went.

Three things I learnt:

  1. Reading the blog posts on NaPoWriMo.net has enabled me to learn so much and the prompts have challenged me to try things I wouldn’t have thought to do myself.
  2. I found posting every day a real challenge with my schedule, however, I was late only twice.  I’m really proud of what I achieved and can see the possibilities if I make time for my writing.
  3. Posting daily has increased my followers and engagement.  I hadn’t expected so much support – in fact, I feared I’d scare people off.  In addition, I have discovered new bloggers to follow.

Here are some statistics for you:

Most liked poem:  Day 15 – Grim Reaper (20 likes)

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Most commented on poem:  Day 11 – Flipped (5 comments)

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Most viewed poem:  Day 12 – Haibun (32 views)

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Increase of followers

It was so unexpected and I wish I’d paid attention to how many followers I had before I started. Each day, I have gained a few new followers. Now, I have 100 plus!

Wattpad – Poetry Collection

I have been adding the poems to a book on Wattpad to create a collection. If you’d like to read them all in one place in full, please click here.

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Would I do the challenge again?

I think I will give it another go in future but don’t think I will do it every year.  Poetry isn’t really my forte although I think it is a useful learning tool for any writer as it encourages you to think about your use of words and the English language.

I am relieved the challenge is over and the pressure of a daily post is off.  However, I am delighted at how much I produced and proved to myself that if I make time each day I can make progress on a project.  I want to apply that logic to complete another novel.  Novel writing has taken a back seat since starting my CIPD course at work so once that is finished in June, I am going to get back into novel writing.

I was pleasantly surprised by all the support from other poets and NaPoWriMo participants. I didn’t feel like I was doing the challenge alone. The increase of followers and engagement was unexpected but I am so happy to have connected with you all. Thank you – it helped keep me going.

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Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 29 – Locomotive

Pintrest - Poem April 29.pngDo not go off track

You will reach your course in time

Stay on the iron rails

*****

 Day 29’s challenge

For Day 29 the prompt is to write a poem ”based on the Plath Poetry Project’s calendar. Simply pick a poem from the calendar, and then write a poem that responds or engages with your chosen Plath poem in some way?”

Strangely, I enjoyed Slyvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar.  However, it’s the weekend and her writing is really dark and depressing and although that matches the weather today (rain, rain and more rain), I don’t want to go there.

I’m breaking against the prompt and I am going to do my own thing.  For inspiration, I am going with the first ‘Free Image’ I found on Canva.  It is a picture of trains.  I also want to have a go at writing a Haiku as I’ve never done one before.

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Ally Aldridge Writing

Day 13 – Idiom

Pintrest - Poem April 13.pngBeat around the bush

Her steps were grace

Her movements like fluid 

She circled the bush

Like a hypnotic druid

*****

He held her gaze

Causing her heart to race

His stick in hand

As he gave chase

*****

Her laugh a song

As she smacked the bush

Her heart’s true desire

Kept a silent hush

*****

He followed her cues

Pride kept him steady

Protecting his heart

Unsure she was ready

*****

Their hearts called

To one another

Dared not admit

Never to be together

*****

Day 13’s challenge

 

For Day 13, the challenge was to write ” a poem in which the words or meaning of a familiar phrase get up-ended. For example, if you chose the phrase “A stitch in time saves nine,” you might reverse that into something like: “a broken thread; I’m late, so many lost.” Or “It’s raining cats and dogs” might prompt the phrase “Snakes and lizards evaporate into the sky.” Those are both rather haunting, strange images, and exploring them could provide you with an equally haunting, strange poem (or a funny one!)”

Today, you get two poems because I wrote “Bear in mind” on Opus a few years ago and I think it is perfect for this prompt.  Opus was an iPhone app but is now a website called Opusia available for all to use.  It is very popular with poets, although they welcome all types of writing.

However, I feel it cheating NaPoWriMo to use an already written poem.  The challenge is to write a poem every day.  So, ‘Beat around the bush’ is the poem for today’s prompt.

These phrases are called idioms.  To discover more idioms, please visit www.smart-word.org.

Bear in mind

Bear in mind
That’s what she said
And in that moment
He climbed into my head

His fur was brown
The colour dull
With not much space
Pressed against my skull

He was not happy
The grizzly chappie 
He could not get comfy
For it was not roomy

How it got in there
I’ll never know
Through my ears
Or up my nose

But once he was in
He could not move
So squashed in
He couldn’t groove

Squished up he was
Against my brain
He began
To complain

He moaned
He groaned
He infected me
Soon I too was grumpy

I had to get him out
Making me scream and shout
As the sound left my mouth
A little bear managed to get out

So bear in mind
When you hear the phrase
A grumpy bear 
Might get inside

But now he’s escaped
And he is free
Looking for more brains
To be displeased

 

 

Ally Aldridge Writing

Poems for April

April appears to be the month for celebrating all things poetry.  I am aware of two groups promoting poetry celebration in April so I shall start by introducing them.

April for Poetry

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Academy of American Poets – National Poetry Month

The Academy of American Poets founded National Poetry Month in April 1996.  The celebration is used to acknowledge the achievements of American poets, share poems and encourage support and awareness of their work.

Click here to find out more about the celebration.

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Maureen Thorson – NaPoWriMo

It was started in 2003 by Maureen Thorson, a poet living in Washington, DC.  She was inspired by NaNoWriMo – hence the similar name.  It stands for National Poetry Writing Month.  The challenge is to write one poem a day for the 30 days of April.

Click here to find out more about how to participate.

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Taking the challenge

So, I am going to dare to take the NaPoWriMo challenge.  It might not be great to start with as it is a while since I’ve written any poetry but I hope we will see an improvement towards the end.  I also hope that I find time to participate everyday.

Please let me know if you are taking part or have a poetry blog. It would motivate me to see what you are doing and I would find it inspirational.

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