How I started Writing

I grew up in a combination of boomer Australia and expat Hong Kong. Attention disorders weren't known about in the 1950s, so I sort of fell through the cracks. I was lucky to get into computer programming, which I still feel is an art form. Perhaps this lit the urge to write that I'm feeling now.

I retired a few years ago and took up walking soccer to keep fit and have contact with others my age. It's wonderful how a short conversation yields core aspects of another person's life. I'd written the occasional poem in the past and started to write one a week about different people in the group. This was well-received by the 'lads', and we had a weekly recital at the RSL after our game. As the example on the right demonstrates, you need to know the people involved for the poem to make sense.

Let’s stop for a moment to mention a NOBB
He’s older than me and he’s older than Rob
He’s really quite tall for a bloke on the field
And you’d think from just looking - he’s harder than steel

But that’s where it ends mate – the lookin I mean
A two-metre dash and he’s puffing out steam
If he touches the net he’ll break out in rash
The slightest to-do leaves him bust, bruised and bashed

It’s not really funny - medicinal needs
But for pranking and joking they make darned good seeds
It’s Phil who’s the butt of the references here
I think it’s my shout – better get him a beer

I compiled a booklet of the poems collected over six months and gave them to the group for Christmas. Not sure if they read them again, but it was an enjoyable exercise for me and my first 'publication'.

The poetry inspired me somehow, and I decided to write a short story that featured a few of the lads in a science fiction adventure. 'Walkers in Space' was the result and was well-received by the poor blighters named in the piece. I plan to expand the tale and turn the idea into a space opera but that's for later.

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