Perth Words... exploring possibilities.

2 x RE-BLOG: Fairy Tales & Coloring Books for adults.

April 16, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

10 Reasons Kids Need to Read Non-Disney Fairy Tales.

Coloring Books for Adults top Amazon Bestsellers lists.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #FairyTales #Disney #KidsReading #AdultColouring #Books

Posted in Children's stories, COMMUNITY, Writers, Writing | Leave a Comment »

Red Umbrella 2

April 15, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

“Red Umbrella Series” by Jessica McCallum from ‘Raincheck’ Exhibition 2010

Ripples merge you and I

into a private existence

mirroring each other;

different shades of blues,

silver rings of protection,

white dots of hope,

green patches of communication,

blue background of love.

Until someone else

jumps in with both feet,

splashing and spreading confusion,

drenching our safeness

with questions, green jealousy

and blue moon moods,

holding a red umbrella.

After a while calm silver

reflects our feelings,

reminding us what we had

in our perfect puddle,

holding a mirror to our faces

before rubber boots intruded.

Until we realized what we had

before…

‘Raincheck’ an exhibition in case of showers… 2010

Artworks by Mixed Media Artist, Jessica McCallum

Held Aug 23 – Sept 10, 2010 at Subiaco Arts Centre Gallery, Perth, WA.

(Poetry postcards from exhibitions available from JESSICA McCALLUM)

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #ArtAsTheSpark #Raincheck #ARTIST:JessicaMcCallum #Poetry #RedUmbrella

Posted in Art, Art as the Spark, Poetry, Raincheck, Romance, Writing | Tagged Art as the Spark, Artist: Jessica McCallum, poetry, Raincheck Exhibition, Red Umbrella | Leave a Comment »

Songs Seduce…

April 14, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

The last couple of hours have been spent enjoying my favorite songs playlist on YouTube (and more) and adding them to my Pinterest board called ‘Ear Pieces’.

Previously it was favorite ‘Tummy Treats‘ (must be something to do with lunchtime) and before that updating my ‘Poetic People’ and ‘Children’s Book Writing’ boards.

It’s very seductive!

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #Pinterest #PoeticPeople #TummyTreats #EarPieces #Children’sBookWriting #MusicMemories

Posted in Books, Children's stories, Illustrators, Music, Pinterest, Writing | Tagged Children'sBookWriting, EarPieces, Memories, Music, Music&Memories, Pinterest, PoeticPeople, TummyTreats, YouTube | Leave a Comment »

1968 Notebook: Never

April 13, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Never

What can you say when a dear friend passes away?

That they were good and kind and loved by many?

That they were respected and stood by their beliefs

And are sadly mourned by the ones who weep?

Though we realise this must come to us all

Inevitably ~ how hard to accept when death

is so final ~ when someone you’ve talked to and

done things for has suddenly stopped replying…

The face that grew so familiar will never again

express thoughts. The eyes – so wise, though

getting faded now ~ are closed forever…

Never…. never… never and forever…

Never to see… or feel… or touch again…

Never to walk through fields or hear the rain…

Never to watch the seasons change each year…

They have gone forever and just left us here!

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #1968Notebook:Never #Poetry

Posted in 1968 Notebook, Poetry | Tagged 1968Notebook:Never, poetry | 2 Comments »

1968 Notebook: Mamba

April 11, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Another from my teenage notebook:

Mamba

A snake that wraps

it’s slimy body

around your

good intentions.

It has a bite

that transmits itself

into the other person.

How to ward off

it’s terrible grip?

Best to stand still

heart, bite your lip.

Best not to move

or show when you’re

in it’s grasp,

though your eyes

are green and all

around…

and it’s eating up your heart!

Frances Macaulay Forde @ 1969

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #1968Notebook:Mamba #Snakes #Poetry

Posted in 1968 Notebook, Animals, Poetry | Tagged 1968Notebook:Mamba, poetry, Snakes | Leave a Comment »

Sphinx Productions, 1985

April 9, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

In 1985, I met Peter Aquilina through production & direction courses at FTI and set up Sphinx Productions to gain professional experience in our chosen careers of film and video.

We worked well, Pete was technically amazing I had loads of admin experience but both of us wanted the freedom to direct and produce our own stuff. On our ‘zero’ budget, we knew we had to start small.

As Functions Manager of the Riverton and Kelmscott Hotels and High Road Tavern in the early 80’s, I ran a talent quest ‘Best in the West’ to attract patrons into the venues. On top of the $1000 cash prize, I offered the winning talent a promotional video – a big deal in those days.

So, the first music video I wrote, produced and directed was named for the song called ‘Shattered Windows’ – remember, this was 1985 and music videos were all the rage.

The song was written and performed by two excellent (and very cute according to my 8 year old daughter) Break-Dancers. But they didn’t want a dance video, they wanted to showcase their music.

I wrote a script, weaving a visual story but also to work professionally with a blueprint. Over about 5 or 6 weekends spent with friends and borrowed equipment, we got it all shot and edited just in time to enter the FTI Film Awards.

While shooting the zero-budget video, we used four locations; a street in North Perth, The Old Perth Railway Station, the burnt-out Swan Brewery (with permission) and the Mid-West TV studio where Pete worked at the time.

Although it’s not a perfect copy I’m still pretty proud, all these years later. I’d love to know what happened to the talented Break Dancers.

My film-partner, 18 year old Peter Aquilina won the FTI Young Filmakers Cinematography Award in 1985.

He’s producing amazing screen work all over the world but with much bigger budgets, now…

@FrancesMForde ##FrancesMacForde #PeterAquilina #VIDEO:ShatteredWindows #FilmTVInstitute #Mid-WesternTV

Posted in Film Friends, MOVIES, Perth City, Scripts, Sounds, Writing | Tagged FilmTVInstitute, Mid-WesternTV, PeterAquilina, VIDEO:ShatteredWindos | 2 Comments »

Film work – Vikings

April 7, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Any of my Irish friends interested or available as Viking Extras ?

Just a thought…

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #TheVikingsEXTRAS #FilmedInIreland

Posted in COMMUNITY, Ireland, MOVIES | Tagged FilmedInIreland, TheVikingsEXTRAS | Leave a Comment »

Monday-itis.

April 6, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Kitwe, Northern Rhodesia, 1963.

Feeling melancholy today.

I haven’t organised the usual Easter Egg Hunt, my daughter did it instead while I was working.

Haven’t in fact, seen my children or grandchildren this long weekend because they’re all away – perhaps that’s it.

It’s Easter Monday and for us, the only distinguishing event over the long weekend was bacon for brekky yesterday – a real treat! Oh, and the chocolates on Friday.

I’m also missing my parents.

Unconditional

You always helped me move

on to new adventures,

strengthened by your love.

That moment

when I realized

you weren’t asleep,

I couldn’t cry.

I wanted to,

thought I should,

but I couldn’t shed tears

for all those years

when I was loved

unconditionally.

When I knew

no matter what I did

or said, you would always

love me – be there for me.

Put a plaster on my hurts,

fix me up with kisses, give

words to make me feel better.

I’ll never forget your strength.

How your arms encircled me,

the safeness of a oak tree,

dense, caring and complete.

I need that care now!

I need to feel safe again,

to sail into your harbour of care,

find you there, waiting

with open arms, accepting

all my faults, all my mistakes

and letting them go.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #EasterMonday #POEM:Unconditional

Posted in Africa, Love, Poetry, Writing | Tagged EasterMonday, KitweNorthernRhodesia, POEM:Unconditional | Leave a Comment »

So Where Has All The Reading Gone?

April 5, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

I have to agree with Nick – I am reading less books. My reading time is swallowed up by judging (lots of reading), research on the internet, blogging/reading/writing, Pinterest, grandchildren, day-job! Not so much Facebook anymore and I am certainly buying more e-book (less shelf space needed) but find I have to take a screen break quite often… Loved this article – has made me re-evaluate. Thanks Nick.

Nick Earls

I’m on the road at the moment with a book for younger people – 8-12-year-olds my publisher says, and they would know more about that than I do (though it already has some adult readers too). Like anything I write, at some level it got written because the urge to write it was an itch I couldn’t scratch any other way but, at a pragmatic level, it’s no bad thing it’s being targeted to that demographic.

Why? Because they read. They have time to do it, many of them like to do it, people buy them books and they read. I don’t mind what platform they choose to do it on – whether the book be e or p – but most of them still opt for the paper version. If a child shows an interest in a book, if the family has money for it, there’s every chance that…

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Posted in Writing | 1 Comment »

Easter Parade

April 3, 2015 by Frances Macaulay Forde

Whether you wear your favorite Easter bonnet, take part in a parade, travel to some exotic place or simply stay home and share this long weekend with family and friends, stay safe.

@FrancesMForde #FrancesMacForde #EasterParade