In this second episode of season three The Mindful Writer, I talk to Anna Mae about her debut poetry and prose memoir and hear about her experience teaching creative writing in schools, prisons and mental health units, where her dyslexia proved to be a great leveller. But before I introduce you, a quick update on my writing journey.
I’m deep into editing The Evacuee’s Secret. Ideally, I would love to hide myself away and just write. Writing retreats are great for this. No other demands on our time or distractions. But that is a luxury I cannot indulge in right now. Too many other commitments. So, I squeeze in a couple of hours writing each day and spend all the time between thinking about my characters, desperate to return to them on the page.
I met Anna Mae at a local writers’ group – one of several I attend. Spending time with other creatives is inspirational. It has led me to read my work out loud in local spoken word events, take part in book fairs, and facilitate creative writing with community groups.
Participating in community life is important to me as clubs and organisations can help people to feel included and valued, particularly when life changes through bereavement, retirement, moving home, or having a baby.
Anna Mae is active in the local community, attending writing and poetry groups, and is passionate about self-empowerment. Previously she’d worked for Women’s Aid, facilitated creative writing workshops in a prison, a mental health unit, secondary schools, and bereavement groups. So on to the interview.
Anna Mae, originally from Hertfordshire, now lives on the Essex Coast. A Bit of Spirit and a Lot of Spit is the emotional and empowering true story by Anna Mae, sharing with you her life experiences of love affairs, life observations and personal loss.
You can listen to the podcast here : Episode Two Season 3 Why Dyslexia was a gift for author Anna Mae
Or read a summary of the transcript below:
Deborah: I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of A Bit of Spirit and a Lot of Spit – a moving story of emotional courage, spirituality, and hope. What inspired you to write this memoir of poetry and prose?
Anna Mae: My inspiration for writing poetry came after the breakdown of a relationship, as it triggered a flow of poems about bereavement. This came many years after losing my baby boy to a cot death. On what would have been my son’s 30th birthday, in 2009, I went on a roadshow performing my poetry in pubs and clubs to raise funds for cot death research.
People kept asking me if they could buy a book of my poems.
When I came to prepare a book of poems, I also wrote the story between the poems. This mix of poetry and prose made it hard to find a publishing home for the book, but I felt they had to be read together.
Deborah: I should state here that despite the dark subject, your book is uplifting and inspiring with the expression of strong spiritual beliefs and faith. It is beautifully written and I am sure it will help other people experiencing emotional trauma.
Anna Mae: Thank you, Deborah. At life events,
people often said to me, ‘You put into words how I felt.’
Deborah: I think a balance is reached because the poems were written when you were in a dark place, but the prose reflects your learning and how you became stronger. It was brave of you to read your poetry to the public. What would you say to other poets who may be nervous about doing this?
Anna Mae: Don’t think. Just do it! It’s so important. Go to poetry reading groups and get used to reading your poems out loud. At a poetry event there will be like-minded people.
Deborah: There was a long gap between your son’s death and the time you started writing. Why do you think that was?
Anna Mae: I’m dyslexic. In the late 50s and 60s when I went to school, there was little understanding about this. I was considered stupid, and so I stopped writing. I left school at 15 with an RSA typing certificate and cycle proficiency. Computers changed my life. I started studying for a creative writing degree in my sixtieth year. You are never too old.
I finally felt as though my voice could the heard.
Deborah: I’m interested in empowering people to be heard. How did creative writing help the people you worked with in prisons?
Anna Mae: My dyslexia helped me in prisons and schools as it is a great leveller. I start by saying, ‘I’m dyslexic, so if I write something on the board that is spelt wrong, tell me.’ Students would say, ‘How can you be dyslexic, Miss?’
I show them that being dyslexic doesn’t mean you are stupid.
One day a prisoner said to me, ‘I’ve written a poem, but I don’t think you’ll read it out loud.’ The poem was scathing of the criminal justice system. I did read it, and with his permission, entered it in a competition. That prisoner won the competition. When he finished serving his sentence, he was flown to Paris by the competition sponsors, where he went on to complete a degree.
Deborah: Do you think as writers we serve a purpose in helping to get other people’s voices heard?
Anna Mae: I do. Prison wardens would join in the creative writing sessions with prisoners. For a short period of time, they connected with one another on a different level.
One poem written by a prisoner has stayed with me. I cannot remember its entirety, but there were a few lines like: I know what morning you’ve had by the way you turn the key. I know what day you’ve had by the way you say goodbye. It finishes with But you don’t know that you are my poem. I can’t remember the exact words. The memory of that poem still sends shivers through me.
Deborah: have you any words of wisdom to pass on to listeners – maybe to your younger self?
Anna Mae: Find your clan. For lots of my life, I was a square peg in a round hole. It’s only in the last year I really immersed myself in a social circle of writers and I am the happiest I’ve ever been.
Deborah: I think a balance is reached because the poems were written when you were in a dark place, but the prose reflects your learning and how you became stronger. It was brave of you to read your poetry to the public. What would you say to other poets who may be nervous about doing this?
Anna Mae: Don’t think. Just do it! It’s so important. Go to poetry reading groups and get used to reading your poems out loud. At a poetry event there will be like-minded people.
Deborah: There was a long gap between your son’s death and the time you started writing. Why do you think that was?
Anna Mae: I’m dyslexic. In the late 50s and 60s when I went to school, there was little understanding about this. I was considered stupid, and so I stopped writing. I left school at 15 with an RSA typing certificate and cycle proficiency. Computers changed my life. I started studying for a creative writing degree in my sixtieth year. You are never too old. I finally felt as though my voice could the heard.
Deborah: I’m interested in empowering people to be heard. How did creative writing help the people you worked with in prisons?
Anna Mae: My dyslexia helped me in prisons and schools as it is a great leveller. I start by saying, ‘I’m dyslexic, so if I write something on the board that is spelt wrong, tell me.’ Students would say, ‘How can you be dyslexic, Miss?’ I show them that being dyslexic doesn’t mean you are stupid.
One day a prisoner said to me, ‘I’ve written a poem, but I don’t think you’ll read it out loud.’ The poem was scathing of the criminal justice system. I did read it, and with his permission, entered it in a competition. That prisoner won the competition. When he finished serving his sentence, he was flown to Paris by the competition sponsors, where he went on to complete a degree.
Deborah: Do you think as writers we serve a purpose in helping to get other people’s voices heard?
Anna Mae: I do. Prison wardens would join in the creative writing sessions with prisoners. For a short period of time, they connected with one another on a different level.
One poem written by a prisoner has stayed with me. I cannot remember its entirety, but there were a few lines like: I know what morning you’ve had by the way you turn the key. I know what day you’ve had by the way you say goodbye. It finishes with But you don’t know that you are my poem. I can’t remember the exact words. The memory of that poem still sends shivers through me.
Deborah: have you any words of wisdom to pass on to listeners – maybe to your younger sel
Anna Mae: Find your clan. For lots of my life, I was a square peg in a round hole. It’s only in the last year I really immersed myself in a social circle of writers and I am the happiest I’ve ever been.
Writing is who I am.
ISBN: 9781916668850 Price: £8.99 The Book Guild Publishing
I asked Anna Mae to read one of her poems from the book.
The Sweetest Rose
It’s a
crazy living nightmare
from which
there’s no escape
somehow
you get through it
bravery
doesn’t come into it
There’s nought I know to help
apart from this
this advice
I’ve given others
It’s not a cure
but it’s how I handled it
The touch
and the smell of them
hold it close
inhale deeply
into their toys pillows
blankets their clothes
like you’re
dragging the scent
from the sweetest Rose
Breathe in
the heavenly scent of them
deeply in
through your nose
letting it
fill your whole body
your heart centre
your arms fingers
tummy and legs
right down to your toes
You need to get
the essence
of them
the all encompassing
energy
of them
Breathe them in
then let them go again
breathe them in
then let them go again
Cuddle cushions
dolls and teddies
rock away
cry curse
scream and shout
don’t be afraid
to let it out
Use your friends
it’s what
friendship’s about
join a group
there’s not many
but they are about
Shock is
Mother Nature’s way
cocooned in it
for your protection
you’ll stay
Until someday
that may be near
or far away
you may like me
pick up a pen
and try to write it away
One thing’s for sure
someone
will ask you in time
how did you
get through it
how ever
did you handle it
I hope for them
you’ll remember
my rhyme
The touch
and the smell of them
hold it close
You can find Anna Mae on:
Instagram anna_mae_poet
TikTok @annamae_author_poet
Beautiful! So, until next time, take care of your beautiful self and trust the journey.
You can find all episodes of The Mindful Writer podcast here: https://themindfulwriter.buzzsprout.com
Deborah Klee 