sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: What is poetry?

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It’s Poetry Friday and I am excited, because it’s also February, and that means in just four weeks the poetry anthology I co-edited, Right Way Down, will be released and head out into the world.

As a result, in between grinning in wild anticipation, I am going to be thinking and writing and talking about poetry A LOT from now until then (and beyond).

I thought I would start this series of posts with some thoughts on what poetry is. I discovered back when I was completing my Doctoral thesis, that while most people have opinions about poetry, few people can neatly define what it is. So, I decided, the easiest way for me to define it was with this poem:

A Poem

A poem

is a whole lot of words

a plethora of words

a smattering, a scattering

a shattering of words

thrown on a page

in carefully created

chaos

to make you wonder.

(Copyright Sally Murphy 2016).

 

Later, when I wrote Poetry for Pleasure and Purpose, I  still couldn’t find a better definition, so I put the poem in there as well, along with a shape poem about how poetry makes me feel. This poem had first appeared here on my blog way back in 2014, looking like this:

 

Poetree

has lots of branches

goes out on limbs

takes lots of chances.

Leaves you breathless

when you twig

the poet’s skill

(it’s quite a gig!)

It boughs to nature

oftentimes

leaves you marvelling

at its rhymes.

Grows on you

after a while.

Poetree

you make me smile

(Copyright Sally Murphy 2014).

(You’ll be pleased to know that the amateur drawing I did was replaced in the book by a professionally made one).

While these two poems are different, I think they highlight the two things which, for me, are key in good poetry – the ability to make the reader marvel or wonder at something, and the ability to make the reader feel something.  I  can’t wait to share this book with the world. It will make you marvel at the cleverness of the many poets whose work is featured. It will make you feel all kinds of things, too – you might laugh out loud, you might cry or you might sigh at the perfect way a moment is captured.

I almost can’t wait for it to be released, but because I HAVE to wait, I plan to spend the month sharing lots of poetry related goodness. First, I am off to see what my Poetry Friday friends are up to. The Roundup is hosted by  Mary Lee.

 

One or two (or more) goals for 2024

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Happy Monday!

Like so many people, I have been thinking about what it is I want to  achieve in 2024. Although I am not a big fan of the idea of setting a single resolution – which just feels like a way of feeling like a   whole year can be a pass/fail depending on whether I quit something, or achieve something specific, what I do like to do is to think about goals for the year ahead – things I would like to focus on throughout the year, whether they are measurable or not.

I already posted about my guiding word for the year: Pause (or, as I explained in Friday’s post, paws).  But as today is the official start of my work year,  I thought it might be helpful to share what it is I am working on and towards this year.

Firstly, the things I have scheduled:

  1. The release of Right Way Down in March. I am so proud to have co-edited this anthology with Rebecca Newman, (illustrated by Briony Stewart and co-published by Fremantle Press and Alphabet Soup) and cannot wait to share poems by some amazing children’s poets with the world.  I hope to sing the wonders of this book, and the words and images far and wide – and to spread the love of poetry wherever and whenever I can.
  2. The release of The Riding Gallery mid year. This is a verse novel, illustrated by Martina Heiduczek and published by Waker Books. In something a little different for me, it is a historical verse novel, set in St Kilda and using multiple voices.   I can’t wait to share this story with the world. It is based on a true story, that of a German immigrant and merry-go-round proprietor, and I really look forward to  sharing it with readers of all ages.
  3. I have had two conference papers accepted for conferences in May – one in France and the other in Singapore. I am just waiting for word on funding before I start planning this trip and writing these papers – one about children’s poetry and the other about juvenilia, and a book I wrote when I was in primary school.
  4. My study leave. I am lucky enough to have six months of academic study leave from my job at Curtin University. This is such a wonderful git of time and space to work on a new project – I am planning to research and write a historical novel. More details on this as I go, as it is still a little nebulous – I have a time period, a setting, and some real events, but am still working my way into the storyline as I deep dive into the research part.

Onto the things then that I want to achieve in that time, and the year as a whole:

  1. The completion of that historical novel with a goal to have it drafted before I go back to my regular work in July.
  2. The finalisation of the middle grade prose novel (My Remarkable Year) I drafted on my May Gibbs Fellowship in in October. This is close to being ready to submit, so I really hope it might find a home this year.
  3. A new verse novel contract. Whether this happens is, as with every publishing contract, out of my hands, but I have two contenders here and would dearly love to see one of them be my next verse novel.
  4. A picture book contract. It’s been quite some time since I had a new picture book, so in 2024 I really hope to break back into this space. I’ve been fine tuning and submitting a couple of manuscripts over the past few months, and will keep plugging away at this, with many fingers and toes crossed. I love the magic of picture books. I am also investigating the possibility of doing a small self-publishing project to bring one or two of my out of print picturebooks back to life.
  5. An academic book chapter. I have a proposal accepted and due this month. So that is a priority over the next few weeks. Once that is completed I also hope to look at some other academic writing ideas, all about aspects of children’s literature.
  6. More poems. I aim to draft a new poem every week. Sometimes I share these on Poetry Friday, but I also submit to the School Magazine, anthology call outs and other new markets and contests. I Last year I had nine poems accepted (most of which will be published this year) and I would like to maintain that level of publication.

That is a lot, but I also have some aspirations for this year, which I will keep bubbling away as I try to figure out whether I have the time and the talent to pursue them.

  1. I have not one, but two nonfiction book ideas for the adult market. Both of these are topics I really really want to explore and write about – but as you’ll see from my list above, I do have a lot planned this year, so realistically may not be able to achieve these. But neither idea will leave me alone, so at present I just keep making notes and pondering, and will see what happens after I have ticked off my study leave priorities.
  2. A podcast. Again two ideas, one related to one of the nonfiction ideas and another one. I have things to say, ideas to share, BUT little idea of the realities of putting together a podcast. So, we shall see. In the meantime, I would love to be a guest on more podcasts this year.
  3. More stories. Like so many writers, I have a  list of stories that I simply MUST write, or revise, or find homes for, and in my ideal world I would achieve all of the above plus give each of the stories on my list the time and energy they deserve.  This goal sits at the end of a long list not because it doesn’t matter, but because choices have to be made about what to prioritise. But I know that before the year is out one or more of these projects will put its hand up and demand to be worked on, NOW.

To help me achieve some of the above – especially around getting the word out about Right Way Down and The Riding Gallery, I am very much hoping to get and about and do more speaking this year. I love speaking at festivals, schools, libraries, conferences, events of all kinds and sizes – and if you are reading this and are looking for a speaker, drop me a line.

I’m also hoping to keep up with sharing my writing and life journey, as well as my reading and learning, here on the blog, via social media and more.

With so many things on my list, it would look like a busy year is planned, and it is – but, with the blessing of  six months to write, and the reminder of my word for the year to pause,  what unites all of this is not a need to hurry, but to savour the writing, the reading the speaking and the living. I hope you’ll savour it with me.

Poetry Friday: A Gift in the Mail and the Gift of Time

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Happy Poetry Friday. Today is a  happy day for me because it is my last day at my university job for the year AND after I have taken my annual leave, I have been gifted six months of time to write courtesy of academic study leave.  In some places this is called a sabbatical, but whatever you call it, I feel very very blessed that for the first six months of 2024 I will be focussed on researching and writing a historical novel, as well as new poetry and a chapter for an academic book. Apparently this is work, but to me it feels like a precious gift of time to do the thing that I am best at – and I intend to treasure the experience.

Another happy thing this week was a gift in the mail, courtesy of the annual Poetry Friday holiday swap, where Poetry Fridayers from around the world swap poems and other small gifts.  My gift came from Tabatha Yeatts, who moved me to tears with her thoughtful poems – yes, that’s right, not just one poem, but four. Each poem was a six word poem, (or hya(na)ku) which  was a lovely thing as I have shared this form a few times here on my blog . Even lovelier though was the thoughtfulness of the topics, from dogs to beaches and more.

Of course George loved this one best:

humdrum

triumphs, disasters

pup celebrates everything

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

with the beach poem a close second:

sea

water knows

most fathomless self

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

This one made me feel that Tabatha was connecting with my propensity to write about tough topics, and I love the idea of adversity providing rich compost for future growth:

 

adversity

buried in

imagination’s compost heap

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

But, although it’s hard to have a favourite, this one took my breath away:

big

bang – story

explodes from core

(Tabatha Yeatts, 2023)

Why this one? Because Tabatha didn’t know it, but I am currently working on a story where an explosion is a central plot point. I had to browse my blog to double check whether or not I had shared this fact – but it would seem one of those lovely moments of serendipity.

So thank you Tabatha for the gift of poetry, and for also connecting Poetry Fridayers through this annual exchange. And for the unplanned inspiration to keep working on that story!

And speaking of inspiration, I am off to browse the other Poetry Friday posts. Today’s Roundup is hosted by Janice.

 

Poetry Friday: Narelle

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It’s Poetry Friday and my mind has been filled this week with thoughts about Queen Narelle, my new verse novel which is released next Wednesday. I am counting down the days, and have been busy coming up with fun ways to share Narelle and Maddie’s story with the world. I’ve also spent time this week doing edits for my next verse novel, The Riding Gallery, which will be released in 2024.

So, hopefully you might forgive me that I haven’t written anything new this week. I thought instead I might give you a tiny taste of Queen Narelle – and, perhaps, an insight into why you might call a cat Narelle.

Na-re-eeeeeelle!
I shout my name to the moon.
the house behind me is peaceful
and the portal has beckoned me outside
where the full moon
above
smiles down,
wanting to know my name.
Na-re-eeeeeelle!

(Queen Narelle, p.. 50)

Did you guess? Yes, she’s called Narelle because that is the sound a cat makes – and, when I was a child we had a cat with just that name, too. She didn’t look much like the Narelle in my book, but I like to think she would have liked to have a book named after her.

I’m off to see what my Poetry Friday friends are up to. Tricia will be hosting the roundup, so you can follow the fun too.
And, of course, come back her next Wednesday for the launch of Queen Narelle.

Poetry Friday: Where the Pelican Builds Her Nest

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It’s Poetry Friday. Last week I shared Dorothea Mackellar’s famous ‘My Country’  and it had such a lovely response that I thought I might share another classic Australian poem this week.

This one is perhaps less well known. It’s a ballad, by a Scottish-born Australian poem Mary Hannay-Foott. It’s a little haunting, but one I’m very fond of – enough that I included it in my Teaching Poetry book.

Where the Pelican Builds Her Nest

The horses were ready, the rails were down,
But the riders lingered still
One had a parting word to say,
And one had his pipe to fill.

Then they mounted, one with a granted prayer,
And one with a grief unguessed.
“We are going,” they said, as they rode away
“Where the Pelican builds her nest!”

They had told us of pastures wide and green,
To be sought past the sunset’s glow;
Of rifts in the ranges by opal lit;
And gold ‘neath the river’s flow.

And thirst and hunger were banished words
When they spoke of that unknown West;
No drought they dreaded, no flood they feared,
Where the pelican builds her nest!

The creek at the ford was but fetlock deep
When we watched them crossing there;
The rains have replenished it thrice since then,
And thrice has the rock lain bare.

But the waters of Hope have flowed and fled,
And never from blue hill’s breast
Come back – by the sun and the sands devoured
Where the pelican builds her nest!

Mary Hannay-Foott (1881)

That last stanza is a wee bit heart breaking, and I believe that the poem was written about two brothers who went off searching for fertile farming land (the pelicans build nests where there is water and food) and never returned. There is more about the poem here.

Coincidentally, I shared earlier this week, a lesson idea for guiding students to write sad poems. It is only as I write this post that I realise this poem is a really good example.

I’m off today to a small literary festival not far from home, so I’ll be checking in on the rest of the Poetry Friday fun a little later. Heidi will be hosting the roundup. Have a great Friday!

Happy New Year and My One Little Word for 2023

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Happy New Year!  This is my favourite time of the year because it’s summer and I can visit the beach, and swim, and because I have fewer commitments in my day job, meaning more time for family and friends – and reading.

Receiving my medal from the Governor

It’s also a good time to take stock. 2022 was a really busy year for me, personally and professionally. Perhaps the biggest thing was a bit of both – the recognition I received in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, with an OAM for my services to children’s literature and education. This was the most unexpected honour, but what was so wonderful wasn’t the medal, or the letters after my name, or the fancy reception. It was being blown away by all the love I felt – from friends and family, but also from peers, colleagues, readers and complete strangers.  I had no idea that so many people would be happy for me, or see me as worthy of such a thing. As a result, I have been left with a stronger sense of what I do, and what I still want to do, in my work life, as well as a personal sense of being seen.   It was also a wonderful reminder to me of the value in letting people know when you are happy for their achievements, or when you value what they have done, big or small. I still don’t know who nominated me, and maybe I never will – but whoever you are, thank you.

Lots of other stuff happened in 2022. I worked hard, spent time with my husband, children and grandchildren, and with friends and extended family. I swam (not as much as I’d like, but enough to keep moving), walked on the beach and welcomed my gorgeous new puppy (George) into my life.  I wrote – including finishing a verse novel and having it accepted, and also finalising work on a previous one – meaning I have one coming out in June this year, and another early in 2024.    I spoke at festivals and at schools and other events.  I read lots of wonderful books. We had a wedding in the family and, like every family, lots of highs and lows/challenges.

And now it’s a new year, and I have been thinking about what it might hold, and how I’d like it to look. I used to write lists of resolutions or goals – and I think these can be useful. But I prefer to try to narrow those goals down to a theme – or, as I’ve heard it described – one little word. This year, my word came easily – and here it is (presented on my new toy, a lego dots noticeboard):

 

That’s right – my word is healthy. And what it means to me is that I would like to focus on all areas of my my health – physical and mental health of course, but also making healthy choices about boundaries, and time, and the way I treat myself, others and the planet.  I started the year with a few niggling little physical things – back pain, fatigue left over from a bout of Covid, some stress and sleep problems, a feeling that there are things left undone in my writing and academic work, a sense that I sometimes don’t commit fully to being present with people I love – and  a hope that I can do more to change the world, in small or bigger ways. I feel that my word can serve as a direction for the choices I make and the things that I do and I have propped my sign next to my desk so that I can see it and be reminded on a daily basis.

So here’s to a healthy year – for me, for you and for the whole world.

sallymurphy.com.au