Creative Writing - By Simon

Today's blog post has been contributed by Simon. Simon is a brilliant writer and creates not only poems, but short stories and scripts too. Below, Simon talks about how he feels writing benefits his well-being. We're also lucky enough to have had a poem added as an excellent example.

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Creative writing for me has always been about harnessing chaos. When the world around me seems to be so hectic that it doesn't make any sense, I pluck out some of the interesting ideas that present themselves. It's feels as though they want to be heard. I will then arrange these bizarre thoughts in a way that makes sense. This creates a small sanctuary of sanity amongst these chaotic storms. Sometimes finding a problem and then solving it in a way that rhymes and hopefully inspires. Other times I will express my feelings in as clearer way as possible. The results usually surprise myself and my best ones seem to come from beyond me.

These ideas usually take the form of a poem, however I also write essays, short stories and scripts. The process of pouring my head over a page can be a relief when my obsessive thoughts can clutter an already busy mind. I encourage others to do the same, especially if they are going through difficult times. After all some of the best art was created by artists during difficult times in their lives. So why not try to see your current problems as a source of inspiration to write something yourself, you may be surprised at what you can do. A touch of madness is great for boosting creativity.

“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.”

Friedrich Nietzsche

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Memories of the 80's

There are things I still remember,

like going back to school in September.

A year older and slightly wiser,

Gobstoppers, Push-Pops and Tizer.

I remember Trapjaw, thick lips, grazed knees,

sweaty pits in a summers breeze.

Daisy chains and grass stains,

Wobbly loose teeth and fights,

the smell of matches on bonfire nights.

Wax crayons, dead fish and Calpol

screaming with the power of Greyskull.

Avoiding the cracks and a full eclipse

eating fish and chips

and looking out for spaceships.

Hot Wheels and meals on trays,

being forced to sing in school plays.

In Mario I beat King Cooper.

Alton Tower's Thunder Looper.

Walkie Talkies, Morse Code

“You know when you've been Tangoed.”

I used to bully Daddy longlegs

smash open my Easter eggs,

and pick my nose.

In winter my toes froze.

99's from the ice cream man,

Batman '89, throwing stones at a can.

I tried to build a Flux Capacitor for my go cart,

But couldn't get the thing to start...

...but 'Don't you open that Trapdoor'

Because there's something down there!

probably Hulk Hogan and Rick Flair.

Golden Axe, Bruce Lee Nunchucks

remote control Monster Trucks

Key to the Kingdom, Ghost Castle, Buckeroo!

Gel for my spiky new hair do.

Headbands or anything florescent,

was the 80's equivalent to the antidepressant.

Back when trying to construct Mouse Trap

would always result in a brotherly scrap.

With Timmy Mallett you mustn’t pause.

I waited up all night for Santa Clause.

The Yellow Brick Road, Mr Toad, Skeletor,

The smell of Playdo and a Minotaur.

Cereal toys, Fraggle Rock

Valuable advice from Mr Spock,

3D glasses and Jelly sweets.

Screwball Scramble, Halloween Treats

Back when Michelangelo was the party dude

and Bart was the best for being rude

I used to play for hours in my room

battling figures, trying to figure out

what this world was all about

from Mumra's Tomb to the Super Flume

It all seemed to end too soon

so, to cracker jokes and telescopes

I'm sorry to say 'That's all folks!'