Rae of Light

                     Caroline Natzler Caroline Natzler is a poet and creative writing teacher. Her first book was a collection of autobiographically based short stories, Water Wings , published by Onlywomen Press. Her poetry collections are Speaking the Wetlands (Pikestaff Press), Design Fault (Flambard Press), Smart Dust (Grenadine Press) and Fold (Hearing Eye). She teaches at the City Lit in London and also runs small private classes.   At Last                                       I slip along the organised, brimming canals                                       remember no dreams                                        aware of the holes in the sides                                        water bubbling in and out                                        the growing rings within the trees as I pass.                                         I know how to steer, hold true.                                         All I have to do is gi

While on a writing holiday in Skyros (2005), I made the conscious decision to leave teaching and become a full time writer. During this time I've attended a plethora of writing courses and have had the privilege to meet several fabulous poets. One of these , Caroline Natzler , has graciously agreed to be interviewed for my blog. I met Caroline about two years after my decision to take my writing more seriously when I joined a writing class at City Lit . The large group environment didn't suit me. So I signed up for Caroline's privately run small group sessions. Cover photograph: Nathan Vidler It is mainly due to the critique and support I found in these sessions that I completed my first novel, Six Dead Men and began sending it off to agents. I had little joy in this department but as many of you know I subsequently published it as an e-novel through Autharium . Now the sales of my book have not made me millions. But the sense of pride an

It always fascinates me that while I'm almost OCD about my filing and work area. I can be a total mess in some parts of my home. I'm fastidious about the kitchen and bathroom.   But a sort of clutter can accumulate in other areas, namely the living room, kitchen counter and my bedroom.   I sort of just forget to put away clean laundry or hang things over the chair by my dressing table instead of putting them back in drawers and wardrobes. I also seem to sort of forget to hoover as regularly as I should. Do I have some sort of split personality?  This summer I've done more writing than ever. I have completed the first draft of a new novel in a month and a half.  Yes, completed! Thank you. The applause and fireworks are much appreciated. And I put this down to the OCD side of my nature and reading stuff . I read several things in June and July which may have prompted this side of me to emerge in a