EEC

I've linked to Jen Campbell (otherwise known as aeroplanegirl on twitter) and her blog many times now. Among other things, she brought us the hilarious "Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops" series, which is soon to be published as a book.

Jen has a condition called EEC Syndrome, which causes gradual blindness in those affected by it. You can read about her experience of it here. She is fundraising for research into degenerative eye conditions in a very cool way - writing 100 poems over the course of one weekend in November - and you can sponsor her at this link.

This is a cause that could radically change the lives of many many people, but it's hardly well-known, or sexy, as charitable causes go. Why not support research in a new and interesting way and support Jen's poetry with as small or large a donation as you can muster?

poetry from a pile of books

This is an idea stolen/borrowed/taken from Jen of This is Not the Six Word Novel. Before that it came from a long list of other people which I won't repeat here but it originated with the writer Tahereh Mafi.

I'm so ridiculously bad at poetry. But this idea was so cool that I ended up doing it anyway. I encourage you to do the same. I'm sure yours will be much better.

My RUSSIAN WINTER

is no WINTER OF FIRE.

OUT OF THE STORM we inhabit

a DARK CONTINENT,

in SUBMISSION to THE BIG SLEEP.

FROM UNDER THE OVERCOAT comes

THE WOMAN IN WHITE.

THAT EYE, THE SKY, looks SOUTH,

but WHEN THE DARKNESS WILL NOT LIFT

I think of THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN APPLE.

I think of SOMEONE ELSE'S GARDEN,

and then TENDER IS THE NIGHT.

customers in bookshops

I recently came across this lovely blog: This Is Not the Six Word Novel. Jen Campbell is a writer who works in a bookshop in the UK, and whose blog series "Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops" has recently scored a book deal.

I won't reproduce any of the quotes here, for fear of copyright et cetera, but trust me - they are GOLD. Check them out. In order to whet your appetite, here are some hints of what you might find: