Andover Poet Releases Book

Andover poet Angela Wybrow has just had her first book published – a collection of her poems – and it is now on sale at Waterstones Andover.

We caught up with Angela, who lives on Pilgrims Way, and asked her a few questions.

Q) How Did You Get Into Poetry?

I dabbled in writing some poetry about ten years back, when I was running an unofficial Fan Club for the BBC TV serials ‘Casualty’ and ‘Holby City’ – which I ran for 12 years.  I often featured a poetry corner in my monthly newsletters, and featured some programme-specific poems, which I felt really proud of.

I only returned to my poetry writing again about a year ago, when I was required to research some poetry for an educational project that I was undertaking.  As well as reading other people’s work, I decided to have a go at writing my own, and posted my poems online on Poemhunter.  I have received some really encouraging comments from people all over the world, which always puts a smile on my face! People have commented that they like the way my poetry rhymes, and also that I write from the heart.  I have also received some really nice comments from family and friends.

Not too surprisingly, I chose to go down the poetry route when I was required to do re-workings of two Shakespeare speeches for two of my exams, and both times, I felt extremely pleased and proud of my finished work, as were the examiners, who described my work as ‘imaginative’ and ‘very impressive.’

Q) What Inspires Your Poems?

Anything and everything inspires me! I have written poems on numerous subjects.  I get ideas from things that I read, see or hear.  A poem may stem from one little comment which someone has made! I often compose poems when I’m sat on a train or out walking, and always carry a pen and notepad with me, so as I can jot down ideas, as and when they occur to me.  Sometimes, I just like to capture special moments and memories – such as an exciting atmosphere or a particular feeling.  Each time I think I have exhausted every avenue, something else suddenly inspires me!

Q) Do You Feel Your Work Has Improved?

I feel my work has improved over time – I am now a lot more aware of rhythm and rhyme, and can often be seen counting syllables on my fingers! I’m a big fan of rhyming couplets, and nearly all my poems are written in this format.

Q) How You Managed To Get Published?

It was late last year that I began thinking about getting a poetry book published.  Out of the 300 poems that I had written, I chose a selection of the shorter poems to include in the book. When the finished product arrived back from the Publishers in January, I felt a real sense of achievement, and even more so, when Waterstones in Andover agreed to sell my book.

‘Through My Eyes’ by Angela Wybrow, is available now at Waterstones, Andover. Price: £3.99.