{guestbooks_dataset::firstname} {guestbooks_dataset::lastname}
{guestbooks_dataset::businesstitle} FROM {guestbooks_dataset::origin}
{guestbooks_dataset::time}
The trouble with groups like this is that you know at some point you are going to have to read out something that you have written, and have your peers decide if you’re any good. For most people this is reason enough to stay curled up in front of ‘Greys Anatomy’, that is of course unless you’re very good - and Julie Ko is very good. “I am a poet”, no ”I would like to bes” here. “When I was in California I studied creative writing but ended up in a sole destroying technical writing job. It was mid-DotCom bubble so I spent endless days writing mind numbing computer manuals. I’d have to chat to computer geeks and translate their thoughts into plain English - as you can imagine it got to the point where I couldn’t even look at a keyboard.”
“That’s when Richard, stepped in and said, look if you want to be a writer then go for it. Quit and write full time.” Richards the college sweetheart who evolved into a husband and father while Julie jostled between keyboard and one more rejection letter.
“It’s tough to get stuff published, and they pay you nothing- 5 cents per word if you’re lucky. I don’t want to sound like the struggling artist, but it was really tough - still is I guess, especially with poetry”.
“Who do I like? Well Robert Haase is great, but even though he was the US Poet Lauriat nobody has heard of him - what chance have I got! I heard the poem before the Obama inauguration, not too keen on it and the delivery was so-so. It’s so much the case with poetry, that everything is in the delivery. Look, it doesn’t make bad work good, but it makes good work better.”
So how did she end up in Dubai? “My husband’s job” is the matter of fact answer, “… but it’s funny when you’re in the States and you tell people that you’re moving to the Middle East - there are still massive mis-conceptions, but I love it here. It’s only been a few months, but it’s great, nice people, good company and I love the Palm. We’re very happy, and the community is fantastic - now maybe I can write more. Let me read you this, fearlessly she begins a piece on her arrival in Dubai.
Her talent is obvious and like any writer she politely asks for the criticism that she doesn’t want to hear. “… it’s like my baby, and you can’t say my baby is ugly!” and I wouldn’t. The vivid imagery of THE Dubai landmark through the eyes of a ‘Burj virgin’ is perfect, and her skill and craft are immediately obvious to all. I’m sure that she can teach me to write and I can take her to places where doubles are standard
The writing group meets about once a month. The next one is on Feb 18th, and if you would like to come along then please see the EVENTS page and sign up.
