Daffodils are already opening in the community roof garden where I volunteer. Those yellow trumpets certainly lift the spirits, heralding the promise of spring just around the corner.

I’ve had a quietish start to the year and have used this to reflect and think about how I can build on the workshops and walks I delivered last year. In other words, I’m trying to grow a business head, enough of one to keep my creative head above water.

Happily, I already have two events to look forward to. For one night only, the irrepressible Agnes Meadows is reviving Loose Muse, the popular women’s writers night, on Wednesday 22nd March, 7.00-9.30 pm, a the Sun Pub, 21 Drury Lane, WC2B 5RH. There are six featured writers reading on the night: Racheal Joseph, Charlotte Ansell, Sue Johns, Joolz Sparkes, Agnes and me; plus four one-short-poem open mic spots you can sign up for on the night. Only £3 entry.

Agnes ran Loose Muse for over 15 years, and supported, promoted and encouraged so many women writers. Loose Muse was one of the first poetry evenings that Joolz and I went to and where we read early versions of poems that ended up in our collection London Undercurrents. It was always an uplifting and inspiring evening, an empowering showcase of women’s writing. Do join us if you can for one last dose of that Loose Muse magic.

And on Saturday 1st April I will have a stall as part of Wandsworth Art Markets, a joint initiative from Citizens Art London and Wandsworth Art. The markets are taking place on both Saturday and Sunday that weekend, from 1-5pm, at three locations in Wandsworth. As it’s my first time running a stall I thought I’d try one afternoon and see how that goes. I’ll be selling copies of my books and pamphlets, plus a few surprise items. There’ll also be some free poetry postcards. I’ve been allocated a table at New Union Square, Nine Elms, and I’m looking forward to meeting other local artists and of course local residents and visitors. I’ll post more details of the markets soon.

Spring should be in full swing by then. In the meantime I have a couple of other initiatives brewing, and more work to do on cultivating that business head. Poet in Residence for Dragon’s Den or The Apprentice? I think not. . .