Dark Angels Note 62
Dearest friends,
Welcome back to our writerly thoughts to distract, inspire and reassure you. Be well, keep reading, keep writing and know that we’re always here..
1 Writing
So much of our writing energy is devoted to good beginnings, but let’s not ignore a great ending. Quite often it’s the last part that sticks with a reader the most. It’s even been said around a Dark Angels writing circle that some people read the last page of a novel first — don’t knock it till you’ve tried it was the advice.
This week try writing an alternative ending to your favourite book. It doesn’t have to be clever or surprising. The simple act of remixing a familiar piece will be a helpful shortcut to experimenting with form and style.
2 Reading
A Blessing
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
James Wright
From Selected Poems. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2005.
3 Workshopping
Foundation Course
This autumn we’re very excited to be running the four-week online version of our acclaimed Foundation Course for the second time. The course is limited to eight places and will be led by Neil Baker and Jamie Jauncey, with spot visits by guest tutors from the Dark Angels family.
Two-hour sessions, twice a week, for one month
Each Monday & Thursday, 13 September to 7 October UK 5.00–7.00pm
US East Coast 12.00–2.00pm
US West Coast 9.00am-11.00pm
Fee: £795, €895, $1095
Limited to eight places
Interested? Drop Susanne an email to save your seat.
4 Gathering
We’ve paused our Tuesday night gatherings for the summer months. Many thanks to all of you who’ve taken part over the last year. We’ll be back on September 7. Same time (7.00–8.00pm in the UK), but a new Zoom link.
From everyone at Dark Angels
Originally published at Dark Angels.
