My Writing.

(a blog, Yorkshire, 29\7\2010, 16.00 – 20.20).

I see myself as a “closet” writer. People say that I am blessed with talent. I do indeed seem to have a wealth of imagination and a happy knack with words. Although I only have a smattering of French, I often answer quiz questions by spotting roots etc. I’m “lexic” and a dreamer for sure.

Someone recently pointed out that to be “published”; all you need to do is post your work on line for all to see. That’s true, and rather comforting. Yet it’s one thing to be “posted” and quite another to be “read” by many, highly rated or famous, or well paid.

I’ve posted 119 poems on the “Poemhunter” and received some nice comments. In fact I’ve posted most of the poems I’ve written. Unfortunately there are no statistics on the total views for each poem. I have also posted on “Voicesnet”, “Neopoet”, “Triond”, “Poetry and Friends” etc.
Neopoet are currently offline, but Voicesnet provide statistics on my total “hits”. For the record some of my most popular (viewed) pieces are:

“Champion” (poem) 4314 (is this correct?), “Territorial Animals” (blog), “The Meerkat Empire” (story) 300, “Man U Script” (joke poem) 575, “Seashore” (poem) 536, “Nothing Lasts” (poem) 243, “Humber Connexions RIP” (poem) 157, “Twin Warning” (poem) 133, “For Ever” and “Vista” (both poems) 121 each. Actually I have singled out poems mainly here, to compare like with like. I have some other well-viewed blogs, stories etc. too. “Well-viewed” for my stuff, that is.

As for money, well I once “received” £5 from “Forward Press” for a poem but they donated it to an animal charity. Meanwhile, over the past year or so I have “earned” the princely sum of 35 cents from “Triond”!

Actually I first started writing “compositions”, as they then called them, when I was an eight year old junior scholar. One teacher described my stories as “imaginative” and “colourful” amongst other things. At about nine I wrote a space story opening, “Five, four, three... Lift Off!” I vaguely remember writing stories about a “gladiator”, and “The Loch Ness” monster. Unfortunately the exercise books containing these gems vanished many years ago.

My first “published” piece was the non-fiction “Holiday On a Smallholding” in “Cadmus”, the “Cow Close County Secondary School” (later “Farnley High”) magazine. That was in my first year there, when I was about eleven. In my fourth year (now known as Year Ten) I had my first story published, again in “Cadmus”, entitled “Tramp”. (Around that time I had my only drawing published (in Cadmus again) called “Bikes”. Around this time I compiled numerous short stories, firstly football, then space, in my old exercise books and finally some loose-leaf folders. To be honest I achieved the “number” but not the quality!

From about sixteen I tried to write poems but struggled hopelessly with the technicalities. It was only when my English teachers at West Leeds Boys’ High Sixth Form explained about iambic metre, metaphor, assonance etc. that I started to produce anything acceptable. The first stanza of my poem “The Sea” (later reworked as “Seashore”) was published in the school magazine.

From 1970 to 1980 I achieved a third class Honours B. Ed. English Literature Degree at the now Huddersfield University (then under Leeds University) and spent six years teaching the then 16+ Qualification (later GCSE) English in a South Yorkshire 13-18 Comprehensive. Frankly, I hated teaching. I was left with no time for writing I’m afraid. No. That’s not true. I wrote endless journals, diaries and so forth. Yet nothing was published in any shape or form, until 1996!

In November 1995 I saw an advertisement in “Grimsby Target” (in a “The Phoenix” Chinese Takeaway, Cleethorpes) for poems required for a new anthology. I submitted my poem “Her Eyes” (amongst others), which was published in “Inspirations from Eastern England” (Anchor Books, Forward Press). Encouraged by this, I had a few poems, plus a story (“Power”), published with Forward Press, Penhaligon Page, “The Poetry Guild”, “Poetry in Print” (formerly “PIBI”), “The International Library of Poetry” etc. Later I was told that at least one of these is a “vanity publisher”: another lesson! (To be fair, real vanity publishing involves paying hundreds or thousands to have your novel in print...).

The highlight of this “phase” was when I had 15 poems published together called “A Storm of Perceptions” (1997 – Forward Press). My last poem published in print was “Poem” in “Poetry Now” magazine (1999 Forward Press).

During December 2000 I posted my poem “Liverpool” onto “poetry.com”, which I later discovered to be run by “International Poetry Library” (above). “Liverpool” has since vanished and “poetry.com” has become “Lulu.com” under new ownership. My first “permanent” posting was poem “Earth” onto Poemhunter (7th January 2007). The rest is history as they say.

“Neopoet” remains offline tonight (unusually). The conclusion to this story? Not sure really. Will just mention that I’ve entered the odd short story competition and reached the last few hundred or so, to be offered a “writing course”. Generally I’ve shied away from competitions to be honest. The notion of “competing” in a personal activity like creative writing seems abhorrent to me. I am happy to keep writing, or rather typing (!) and posting, for now.

Paul Butters

Just What Am I?

“What am I?” (A Blog) Yorkshire. Thursday, 29th July 2010.

13.50. (From my Confidential Journal). Not making many entries here these days. Good...

... Been reflecting. In my late teens and early twenties I became “The Silent One.” All because of a casual remark, “You’re quiet tonight Paul!” Yet at around the same time Edwin Wildman “read” my handwriting and found me to be, “An Introverted Extrovert.” As regards being “Quiet”, like Brian Wilson I could rightly have said, “That’s not me!” For it wasn’t me. Once I went to Cleethorpes I became pretty “normal” really. I never became an outrageous Extrovert, but at least I spent most of my time “out of my shell”.

So just what am I then? Frankly I don’t know. Do I have to have a label? Does it matter? I’d like to think I’m an “Ambivert”. However, that would imply I usually operate appropriately as an Introvert, Extrovert or whatever. Probably nobody can claim to be flawless in that respect. We’ve all acted too silly in public or failed to speak up at the right time.

Of the two extremes, Introversion seems easier because it takes no effort. Just keep your mouth shut, your head down and daydream. Seeing as I’m reflecting, I would say that overall I’ve tended to behave more as an Introvert. I tend to keep myself to myself and write. Like I’m doing now. Am prepared to blog openly on this later or even share these very words.

To be self-critical, I strongly suspect that more Extroversion on my part would do more good. Perhaps I could take more interest in what others are doing and saying. Might even learn something. And that can’t be bad. Well, overall. Could Listen better, if I’m honest. Read more too. Not to neglect myself or my “projects” of course. It’s all a matter of balance. Nuff Said. Out.

Paul Butters

King Arthur and the Police.

Yorkshire. Monday 26th July, 2010. 10.40. Yesterday I saw an interesting telly documentary about King Arthur. Most people believe that his home fortress, called Camelot, was located somewhere near Cornwall. The Welsh, of course, insist he lived in Wales. There is a further belief, by the way, that if Britain is ever in dire trouble from invasion or whatever, the mountains will open up and Arthur and his knights will emerge to save us.

However, according to that programme, recent scientific investigation suggests Camelot was in... Chester! Their argument is that Chester was in fact one of the larger Roman city forts having a great “coliseum” in the centre. That coliseum is said to have inspired the legend of the “round table”. Arthur was a British Christian who fought twelve major battles against the invading Saxons. He fought at locations ranging from Scotland to West Wales and Cornwall. Apparently Arthur won his final battle, but after he’d gone, the Saxons eventually took all of England and pushed most of the British resistance into Wales.

I think this is a most convincing account of events. They say that history is written by the victors and “spun” accordingly. Little wonder that those Southerners would claim Arthur as their own! I think he were a Yorkshireman lol, who settled for a base in Cheshire. Seriously though, Arthur could indeed have been a Northerner. However, famous Northerners such as Richard The Third and those who supported Cromwell for example got very bad press. I rest my case.

Changing the subject: over the weekend I found myself driving Mum down from Baildon Moor into the outskirts of Bingley. Just before I reached a cattle grid, an elderly gentleman driving up from Bingley waved me down. Yes, I thought, better go slow over this grid. But no. As I turned a corner I was confronted by two police ladies, one aiming a big camera at me. I glanced left. A thirty sign. At my dashboard: about twenty three. Phew! Then again I would not be surprised if I receive a speeding ticket and loss of licence points. All the subsequent signs said twenty. Did I misread that first sign? We’ll see.

At a time when the government are threatening big cuts to police personnel, were they out chasing dangerous criminals and terrorists? No, these ladies were hiding behind an obscure country-road corner, harassing decent motorists to fill the police coffers. Again I rest my case. Enough for now.
Paul Butters

Well Chuffed!

Review of “Frenetic Genetics” on “mstliteracy” website (found 26\7\10):
a “wiki” by Biology (and other) teachers of California Education Dept .

“Frenetic Genetics
Poem written by Paul Butters
Posted by: Dianna Gregg

Genetic engineering’s here to stay
Possibilities are endless, scientists say:
Men mixed with anything we can find:
Oak trees, wasps, ants and elephants combined.
Satanic horror armies sweep their enemies away
And Frankenstein’s monster’s little but child’s play
Compared with this lot.
Yet with Good intent,
And wisdom heaven sent,
Utopia or Paradise could be on its way:
Bumper bug-free harvests every day,Giant fruit and docile, friendly beasts.
Food for all, and endless feasts.
All manner ofGoodOr EvilIs withinOur grasp.
It’s down to us.

Text Source: This poem can be found at the following link:http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/frenetic-genetics/
Summary: Just a short poem about genetic engineering

Favorite Part: “All manner of good or evil is within our grasp”. I don’t claim that this poem is great literature or anything, but it is pretty thought provoking.Connection to Instruction: I would use as a means to encourage discussion about the potential benefits and risks associated with genetic engineering.

Use of Literacy Strategies: I would use this as a pre-reading piece to introduce the topic of genetic engineering.”

(PB – I take it Dianna is an American\Californian Biology teacher. I personally don’t claim it’s “great” either, though maybe “good”. Am dealing with thoughts rather than beauty here. Chuffed to think it may be used in lessons, Biology or otherwise).

Serenity.

PREFACE.

The following story is written, or rather typed, in a mixture of Free Verse and prose. The author has allowed himself a fair amount of “poetic licence”. Dialogue is typed in the author’s own format, rather like a play or script. Grammatical “liberties” are taken. Most of what follows is loosely autobiographical, with any “gaps” filled in by the author’s imagination. Enjoy.

CHAPTER ONE: SCHOOL DAYS.

Mankind has long since conquered Space.
Well, at least half our local group of galaxies.
Hundreds of years ago.
The other half is mainly occupied by the “Slykon”:
An alien race that makes the ancient fictional “Daleks” and “Borg” look like fluffy kittens by comparison.
We remain at war with them, as we have been for generations, in one of the longest stalemates on record.

****************************************************************

Mother and son sit nervously in the school foyer. The boy is called Paul White and he is three years old. He is about to meet his first teacher, Ms Night. Both son and mum are natives of the terraformed planet known as Serenity. A world located in a relatively minor galaxy of our local cluster of galaxies.

Serenity was terraformed, i.e. artificially made earthlike three hundred or so years ago. Indeed the year right now is 312 AS – the AS standing for “Anno Serenity”. Frankly this planet is one of the most boring in the universe. The terrain is mostly flat and the weather is mainly temperate but drizzly. The terraforming companies have achieved some startling successes over the years, creating some lovely paradise-worlds, but sadly Serenity is not one of them. Not much else to say about the place really.

Paul, his parents and his one year old brother Dave live together out on an arable farm, about forty old-Earth miles from Metrolee, a city of about 300,000 individuals. Mum has dragged him to the nearest school today. Unfortunately he has missed the start of term as the family have been offworld, on a fishing trip.

Ms Night appears, a little flustered.

Ms Night: “Oh no, not another boy!”

She does go on to introduce herself, but as they say, first impressions last! So Paul joins Ms Night’s class.

****************************************************************

A short while later Paul is with his classmates, each one of them sitting at an old-fashioned computer station. Straight away Paul boots up his allotted PC and accesses his home page. He scans all the material in front of him.

Paul (thinks, brightly): “Oh, I get it. She wants us to personalise our home pages, starting with our names at the top.”

Promptly he starts to type in his name. (Infants are very advanced these days)!

Suddenly his whole body is jolted by an electric shock! Ms Night has employed the “social harmony” device that every teacher now possesses. There she is, standing scowling over him.

Ms Night: “I did not tell you to touch that computer!”

Paul just turns in fury and thumps her on the knee!

So much for showing initiative, if not brightness.

And so ends Lesson One.

****************************************************************

End sample.

Perfection.

As I just said to someone: "Perfection" may actually mean very little. Soon I will "perfectly" leave this website with almost no effort. We have to dream, strive for higher things and make our mistakes on the road to worthwhile Achievement. Aim higher. And higher. Not Merely be a "perfectionist". Point made.

Creative Writing.

(Long Lee. Mon. 10\11\08. 11.20). It might be about a year since I worked on my “best seller” – “Uniscape”. Have just checked: it is! Not to worry. Do I really need to write a best seller? Having taken early retirement (through ill health) I now have a pension of just over £10,000 per year. Do not need any funds from best sellers to support me. May write whatever I like. Without wishing to be arrogant, “getting published” is not the be all and end all of writing. From what I’ve seen of published literature, publication as such is only a minor endorsement at best. When I see authors getting published just because they are celebrities or for other dubious reasons, it almost makes my blood boil. I might as well self publish indeed.

Yet what to write about. That is the question. Sci Fi is really just my canvass. For what though? Maybe for me it’s all about Being Human. Existence. Religion. About exploring and asking questions. In many ways I am Mr. Average. Other ways I am not. My journey through life has been very typical, yet also unique. My “Paul White” idea looks relevant.

When I say “Mr Average” I of course refer to being male, heterosexual, white, middle to working class, ex professional, and so on. In fact I belong to many groups that have been favoured over the ages. I live in a relatively rich country too. My ethnic background is rather vague actually: but still good old Anglo-Saxon. I cannot honestly write from experience about being downtrodden etc. Only that my Mum’s ancestors were Huguenots. And my dad’s lot were “boat people”. For real angst you have to read the work of black female lesbian disabled ex slaves!

So what’s unique about me? That would be telling! I am of just above average intelligence and very lexic. Good at the arts and humanities but also at some of the sciences. Bad at woodwork, number, practical and mechanical\technical things. Sometimes useful with people, at other times inept. Still single.... Hints of autism it has been said. Lover of music. Frustrated at not being a father etc. Not one for Relationships yet fundamentally Caring. In some ways rather complex: that’s where it could get interesting. Nuff Said Fer Now. Out.

Football: For The Better.

Just watched Chelsea beat Man. U. Bliss! Re football generally, the rules could still be better! For one, defenders should not be allowed to screen the ball over the goal-line without first touching the ball. To me screening the ball like that is obstruction. Touch the ball and you have possession.

Secondly we need to have an offside area, say a quarter pitch-length. Outside this area, a forward cannot be offside. There is also an argument for not applying offside once the ball has entered the offside area. And for getting rid of this non-participating nonsense. If you are offside you are offside, simple as that. You could also stop players from entering the goal area before the ball arrives there. In other words, remember we need to prevent “goal waiting”. Nuff Said. Out.

The Nature of God.

I remain very interested in Philosophy and Religion. Been Thinking. Could it be that as individuals we are all linked with one great soul, namely God? Are we the eyes\cameras, ears\recorders, touchers\probes, noses\sensors, tasters\samplers, even emotional “feelers” of God? When We Die, do our experiences remain With God, so that in the end just God remains? Or do we remain individuals, as part of The Dream Team? It would be “Nice” to think so. All Our experiences united into one fabulous Existence! Amen.

Yet according to Darwin (in my interpretation\view) the only species that have survived have done so through procreation, i.e. Sex! No Individual has yet achieved Immortality. Rather Depressing really! Individuals seem but flowers or leaves that eventually dry out and die! Even old trees and microbes do not last forever! Not surprising then that most Religions claim there is more to Life than this! I Hope the religions are right. I Fear that Darwin may be correct after all. Better to Dream perhaps. Or just Believe. Amen.

Freedom of Spirit!

Am fed up of all the Bureaucrats with their meaningless Targets and so forth. Any Challenge is Met with a new form or documented procedure or whatever. You see this in too many walks of life to list here. Let's not get bureaucratic! This is all about not having to think, about just following procedures. Why am I depressing you with this? Life Can be Fun! We can All be Individuals with our own unique thoughts. Let's all Rebel together!

Middle of the Night.

Well, I accidentally created this blog, and might as well use it! Am using my sister's laptop and it is past 2AM. Been a pretty average Saturday really. The recent hot weather has really broken up now. Showery and a bit squally. Will put some words on "Butland Times" - my first blog - I think. My sister and her husband are at a big posh wedding tonight, somewhere up north. Over and Out.