The Next Big Thing!

The Next Big Thing is an online blogging chain where writers get to answer a series of questions about their next big project or book or whatever it is they intend or hope to achieve in the coming months or, even further out and brings a focus to that if only for themselves, though hopefully others!

Tagged in by Orla Fay  who was tagged by James lawless and back it goes. Orla is vice-chairperson of The Boyne Writers Group in Trim and is a member of the editorial board on their literary magazine "Boyne Berries". Orla is a winner of numerous awards for her poetry and short stories and is published widely both at home and abroad. 

My Next Big Thing

Man proposes eh... well for the next year I'd like to get the Meath Writers' Circle up and running again, since Tommy passed away things have been quiet. Also I'd settle for one good poem for the year and a project I'd like to get off the ground is a "good" video of Meath poets and writers, or at least the ones in the group. 

What is the working title?

Let it find its own if it happens or maybe I'll borrow from one of the poems. I'm sure something in the content will decide that one though I have an idea in mind.

Where did the idea come from?

Well someone was foolish enough to give me one of those digital cameras and over the past two years I managed to record most people who came in to the group even when the light wasn't great! Posted on the blog and if you scroll back some there's all sorts of shapes and shades. At our last meeting in November I recorded Tommy reading one of his poems and worth a look. Also managed to record Orla reading at the launch of her chapbook "Drawn to the Light" at the Knightsbridge Village back in June or July 2012. "The Burial of Alice de Fir"  Go look see, on the blog.

What genre would it fall under?

What indeed, "Poetry and Place" Good enough!

A one sentence synopsis 

A selection of poems on people and their place.

What other projects would you compare it to?

There doesn't seem to be anything else of its type out there at least not in DVD form, not what I have in mind anyway which may not count for anything. But it is an idea that would make a lovely book as well if anyone was prepared to go to the trouble. Something for the coffee table, for those who can afford one.

Who or what inspired you on this project?

That's a good question, maybe things just happen or you tend towards them, a season for everything.  I wrote a poem or two on that and what you think might be your own ideas or whatever.... Marionettes..The stall laid out, trinket and tawdry fare, marionettes dancing, and one blind to another threatening...Anyway still sure it was your idea?

What else might pique the readers/viewers interest?

It's nice to see people reading their poems as well as hearing them or reading them off the page yourself. You can get a better feel for them when the artist is involved. Too often when others read a poem they miss that certain something that brings it to life. As well as that you get to see the author!

When and how will it be published/pressed/copied/ready.

I wish you hadn't asked me that, in the summer or when the light is good, or when I acquire a little more technical competence or the money holds out, or if it is meant to be, over to you Michael!

Tagging out! Michael Sheils 

Michael "The Sheriff" Sheils who comes from Navan Co. Meath left school as a youngster in 1962 aged 13 years. Michael has had a colourful life, you could say he attended the school of hard knocks having laboured on building sites throughout London in the 1970's. Michael has also been a soldier and later a hard rock miner. He is a member of both The Meath Writers' Circle and the Small Impact Writers' Group who are based in Navan. In 2005 Michael self published a book "Short Trousers Days in Navan" looking back on his early days in the town and he also mentions his days as a member of the: FCA, the British Army and Tara Mines. Michael is currently writing a collection of short stories and poems that he hopes to publish later in this year and he is also working on a work of fiction. Looking  back at what they said about his book there  are more that a few interesting comments especially from Noel Dempsey on schooling in Navan and that some of the stories explained to him why the campaign for the ending of corporal punishment started in the town.