My Writing Life by Liz Manning

I am pleased to welcome writer Liz Manning to my blog today to discuss the trials and tribulations of her life as a writer. I have always said that becoming an author is a marathon, not a sprint and it is interesting to learn about Liz's journey.

Thank you for inviting me to your blog today, Val. As you can imagine, it was a big deal to give up a 30+ year career to go back to university and become a writer. I naïvely believed that by the end of my Creative Writing MA, I would have a book ready for publishing.

A year on, I still don’t have a book finished, let alone a book deal. I’ve had a tiny income – from anthology royalties and a poetry vending machine I contributed to – but less than the cost of competition entries. I’ve had a few poems accepted for publication but more rejections.

So what kind of writing life is this?

Poet and writer, Padraig O’Tuauma, in an interview with the London Writers Salon, described poetry as “the only career that pays worse than jazz!” He went on to advocate not to try to make a living out of writing but to “build a life around words.” I’ve taken that as my mantra. But how does that translate into practice?

I spend my time on conventional writerly tasks like researching and creating new work. A small poetry collection with an astronomical theme for a chapbook competition didn’t get placed but I’m still pleased with it and the poems have been well received elsewhere.

I completed a ten week novel writing class, focusing on readiness for publication. I was able to develop the dementia novel I started in my course, was encouraged by supportive feedback, and realised I have a whole lot more to do on it before it is anywhere near submittable! But it’s going to be a better novel for all that. I have ideas for future novels too.

I read regularly at my local Poetry Group. I continue to write my weekly blog. I aim for two competition entries or journal submission every month. I’m working on a visual poetry project using anatomy and psychology textbooks to explore how different cultures believe the soul to be situated in different parts of the body. Originally, for exhibition but now I’m planning on publishing it as an online series, linked to my website, which I’ve developed to showcase my work.

I got involved with launching a new literary festival in our town. I had no idea a chance conversation a year ago would lead to chairing a group of volunteers to plan and run a fully booked week-long event. At times it was overwhelming, and frustrating that it took time and energy away from my own writing. But the plus side was taking part in writing workshops and making contacts with other writers and publishers.

This month I was a guest reader at a launch event for my friend Ben’s debut poetry book. From talking through our work over dinner afterwards with another friend and guest reader, Paul, I’ve now got plans to film three of my poems.  And Ben has encouraged me to start putting my own longer collection together and talk to his publisher.

My life as a writer is not the stereotypical image of being desk-bound, coffee-fueled, tapping away on a keyboard for hours each day. OK, the coffee bit is true! My progress isn’t as linear as I had imagined. And sometimes I wonder if I am getting anywhere at all. But when I get the chance to take stock, I realise that brick by brick I am building a life around words.

The Author

Liz Manning was born in London, brought up her family in Hampshire, and now lives in Cornwall. She used to be an occupational therapist, specialising in mental health and palliative care. She graduated last year from the University of Plymouth with an MA in Creative Writing and now writes full-time. She has had work published in Inkfish, Harpy Hybrid Review, the Plymouth Art Vending Machine, INK, The Jesse Tree Anthology, and Merry Christmas Everybody. She performs at local poetry nights and is one of the organising team for the Looe Festival of Words.

The Links

You can find more of Liz’s work at:

https://lizmanning.me/ or follow her on social media:

@lizmanningwriterpoetartist on IG

@ Liz Manning Writer Poet Artist on FB

@lizmanningpoet on X