The Poetry of Staffordshire

So proud to have my poem, Cannock Chase, published in this beautiful new anthology - The Poetry of Staffordshire, from Offa’s Press. Alongside works by Dame Carol Ann Duffy, Jean Sprackland and some of my favourite OP poets. Finally, I feel that I am a well-established 'British' young woman and that I belong somewhere - I'm a Staffordshire lass! ;-)

 

To order a copy of this anthology of exquisite poetry, click HERE

 

 

Poetry prize-presentation at the House of Lords

I'm so excited to receive my invitation to the House of Lords for the prize-presentation of The Yellow Book. My partner receives an invitation too. Apparently you can't go into the Palace of Westminster without an invitation.

I'm really excited! I'd never really been invited to prestigious places like this... until now :-)

To read more information about this creative project by Rethink Your Mind, click HERE

I'm in Tamarind Magazine

It is so funny how you come across your work in a magazine when you least expect it. Today I visited the lovely Tamarind Magazine and found out that the haiku I submitted last year was actually published in their issue #12.

I am so delighted to see my work in it as it is my first publication in Australia and it has also left me with a feeling of 'Hang on, that author is me!' and 'That's my poem!' It's such a sweet surprise!

 my haiku in response to rosellas painting (bottom left):

morning birdsong -
the promises
we never keep




 

Survey: What poem to read for International Women's Week?

Hello everyone. As I have mentioned in my previous post, I will be performing my poetry at City Voices for International Women's Week.
I've got the list of what I want to read. But I just want your opinion on what kind of poem to read for my 'closing' performance.
So please help me :) See that survey at the top right corner of this blog? Would you kindly pick an answer?

NOTE: If you are using mobile, click 'view desktop version' at the bottom first, then look at the top right and answer the poll

Thank you very much,
Roma

Health MUST really come first

I have been very frustrated. I have been ill with chest infection/shortness of breath for the past three months. I'm still under investigation with my gp and respiratory consultant. This is the third time I have been sick from work. It took me 3 months (during my previous 2 episodes of sickness) before I recovered. But now, this time, it's been 3 months and I am still unwell.

 

I can't even go out , meet with friends, or go to the gym because a little bit of cold or physical exertion gives me phlegmy chest and shortness of breath.

I feel like a stagnant water. Not moving, not achieving anything.

 

 

Sometimes I ask myself, 'What can I do?' I had been careful with my health. Never smoke, don't drink, exercising 3 times a week, eating healthy, sleeping properly, and oh, taking A LOT of vitamins.

But still, my body gets tired, I experience too much fatigue and infections from work (nursing), from waking up early or staying late at night, and driving in cold and snow. And no matter how many times I try my lungs still give in.

This is the third time I'm sick - my gp once told me I was only 25 but had the immunity of a 65 year old woman.

I MUST REALLY take care of myself first. Don't worry about work, about achieving anything just yet. Focus on your body first, Romalyn.

I hope to share with you my journey to recovery.

Coming Soon

As a recent Offa's Press' mentee, I'll be performing my latest poems at City Voices for International Women's Week! So if you find yourself in Wolverhampton at the time, please come by.

Our Own Future

I am delighted to take part in Our Own Future and Black Country Writers Project and perform my poetry at their launch on Valentine's Day at Wild Bytes Café.

 

Editing Poetry

Guess what. I am sick again. With chest infection and asthma. Can't go out, can't do anything, can't do my Christmas shopping. I'm just at home, trying to drink plenty of fluids, lemon juice, and take my medications.
Poetry is what entertains me during times like this. So, I am editing my first draft of my poem, 'How to make sushi'

I am not expert in editing a poem. But below is what I have learnt so far:
1.)Words - every word in the poem must earn their spot. If there are words or lines that seem or sound staggering to you, then chance is, it will be staggering to your readers too.
2.)Form - Rhythm, structure, free verse or how the poem appears on the page - they all matter. Is there a near rhyme of a full rhyme? Assonance or alliteration? How the poem is read and how it is presented must be justified.
3.) Are any of my lines memorable or they are just a bunch of rumbling cliché? - It is very important for me to create vivid and memorable images. That is my soul as a writer. We all need to find our 'soul'.
4.) What is the topic of this poem? Can I summarize it? Does the ending suffice and make an impact?
5.) Take a break if you're really stuck. :-) Going back to it after a while may bring new ideas or a new way of looking at things.
6.) Enjoy the process - nothing is worth stressing really. I am still learning this now.



Presenting Poetry: The Last Christmas Carol

I'd like to give my avid readers and followers an early Christmas present, so I have decided that each month, I will share a poem written by me, whether it is published or not. And I will call this section in my blog, "Presenting Poetry".

 So for the month of December, I'd like to share with you my poem, The Last Christmas Carol, which was published by Ink, Sweat, & Tears last year.

 Please enjoy and I hope that this simple poem brings you joy this holiday season!

 

 

The last Christmas carol

 

She sits on the cold asphalt -
In the middle of a square,
Strumming a wooden guitar
That will brittle soon.
Velvet poles are dazed,
A copper centaur listens
And the glimmer of distant houses
Are her thousand spotlights.
Perhaps this would be the last year
She’ll breathe the icy air
Or see the stars melt
Across the silky sky.
Life is the tiny candle
Flaring beneath her face
But tonight her music will reach -
The edges of the winter moon.

 

© Romalyn Ante, 2014

I am in Firewords Quarterly

My latest publication is in Firewords Quarterly, a magazine that showcases "fiery new writers". Surely, this magazine looks and feels good. From its bold design to powerful poetry and fiction in it.

I am so delighted to have my work included in this magazine.

 

The lovely magazine, autumn edition



I am one of the contributors in this issue!



The beautiful design accompanying my poem, The Bicycle



A mini author's bio

 

A literary e-zine that will take you as far as South-east Asia

Two of my poems are recently published in Anak Sastra Literary E-zine.

So what is Anak Sastra?

They say that they're 'a quarterly publication which hopes to provide a venue for Southeast Asian writers to promote their writings in English. The magazine also encourages expats, tourists, and regional connoisseurs alike to submit writings that share their experiences (real or imagined) living or traveling in Southeast Asia. '

Their recent issue is out now and can be read HERE.

If  you want to try writing in the theme of South east Asia, this ezine is actually a good platform on which to start.

 So go on, read this issue to get a taste of what they publish and get submitting!

I am in Shamrock Haiku Journal

I have  just started writing haiku a few  months ago and I am very lucky that the the two submissions I have  done so far have both been accepted. A few months ago I had a haiku published in Haiku Journal (Prolific Press) in America and this month I have two haiku published online in Shamrock of the Irish Haiku Society. So it makes me a happy bunny :-)

You can view my haiku on Shamrock's current issue HERE

My first (unpublished) novel, Chasing Deimos, has been short-listed!

Yes! The first draft of my first novel, Chasing Deimos, has been shortlisted for The Asian Writer Chick-Lit Competition, among seven other novels. It did not win, but I am still glad! It just goes to show that my first ever novel has a potential! I am out of this world at the moment! :-)
The judges have also sent a brief feedback on my novel. One of the good things they said is this:

"Love the concept and how it is really international. I feel there will be a lot of soul searching and every girl that has felt lost in their life will be able to relate to it. Above all you can feel the love. Written very eloquently."

I would not post all the comments as they are for me to keep and most of them just state what can be improved. I am really happy with this. It gives me a boost of confidence! You never know what I might be doing next ;-)