By Spring Wise. When I was ten, there was a school disco. My auntie took me shopping and bought me the most beautiful dress I could imagine. It was black velvet and made me feel like an Old Hollywood movie star. I chose it, no one chose it for...
Creative writing
Creative writing – poetry: “That’s Silly”
In Common has a platform for people to share creative writing – short stories, observations, poem etc. Today, we’re sharing a poem from a local writer. Please get in touch if you would like your work to be featured: editor@in-common.co.uk. By Gavandeep Chahal. ‘That’s Silly’ what’s that on your...
New Forest poet Damian Kelly-Basher appointed Hampshire Poet Laureate
After a countywide search, the hunt for the Hampshire Poet is over. Damian Kelly-Basher from Brockenhurst was selected from a very strong field of writers from all over Hampshire who applied for the sought-after post. The appointment of the Hampshire Poet takes place every two years and is jointly...
Book Review: Vague Wisdom by Will Vigar
By Anita Foxall Will Vigar’s new poetry collection, Vague Wisdom, should be top of your shopping list if you are looking for a good poetry book. It is rich in images and memories, some borrowed from art and cinema, some very personal. Poetry has always been present in his...
Winchester Poetry Festival 2023 attracted participants from across the globe
Image: Isabelle Baafi – Winchester Poetry Prize 2023 winner. The first full Winchester Poetry Festival weekend since the pandemic proved that poetry still excites and delights people of all ages. Almost 1000 tickets were sold, with many events reaching capacity. This year attendees travelled to Winchester from all over...
New writing group comes to October Books in Southampton
A new writing group, The Portswood Writers Circle, has recently launched at independent bookshop October Books. The group will next be meeting on Monday 22nd May. The aim of the group is to create a welcoming and encouraging environment in which local writers of all genres, styles, and experience...
Meet the author: Tamar Hodes
by Carolyn Thomas. This occasional In Common series introduces authors with a connection to Southampton or Hampshire – they may have been brought up here, or live here now, or use the area as a setting for their work. Kicking things off is Tamar Hodes, currently living in Bassett,...
Short story: Love Among the Branches
by Tamar Hodes. Love among the Branches, by Southampton author Tamar Hodes, was originally commissioned for Radio 4 back in 1999. Look out for an author profile on In Common, coming soon. Richard stood at the open door, planks of timber stacked at his side like skis. “I’ve come...
Short story: Automatic Zen Garden
by Damian Bemben. “One can accomplish something only so long as one cannot accomplish everything” – Stanislaw Lem, The Cyberiad swish swosh swash it felt at peace. the motor slowly turned. Methodically. Within the large garden next to the perfectly uniform bonsai trees, cut by the artificial gardener and...
Short story: Beauty by algorithm
by Damian Bemben. Its beauty was evident in the photograph. Her looks were perfect. A poreless face upon a soft landscape of a calm sea. The sunset in the background was without fault too, the sky creating a perfect burnt ember to crystalline twilight. He had high cheekbones, a...