I’m thrilled to announce that I have been selected for Season 2 of the Blackbird Foundation’s Protostars Microgrants.
Over the next few months, I will be developing and delivering a children’s poetry workshop for primary schools around New Zealand.
Author: Loredana
am a medical student, poet, and blogger based in Aotearoa New Zealand. I write to capture moments and memories, and I believe that poetry is a “snapshot of the soul.”
Many of my poems are inspired by the beautiful nature of New Zealand, and my medical studies. When I’m not writing or talking about poetry, I am campaigning for endangered native birds.
Earth Day Poetry
Yesterday was Earth Day, a time to celebrate the beauty of our planet and the importance of protecting it. I have compiled my best conservation-themed poems from across the years, including one written specifically for Earth Day 2022.
How To Overcome Writer’s Block As A Poet
ve all felt it. That musty sense of gloom when we go for weeks and months without writing a poem. They call it writer’s block, but I often refer to it as a “poetic paralysis” because when I can’t write, I feel powerless to express myself.
How can you overcome writer’s block as a poet? There is no single, perfect solution, but here are a few approaches which have worked for me over the years.
Some of these tips are also applicable to writers of any kind, while others are poetry-specific.
Instagram Giveaway: What Are You Made Of?
For New Zealand Children’s Day on the 6th of March, I am holding an Instagram giveaway for 1 copy of What Are You Made Of? on my poetry Instagram page. The giveaway is open until midnight, NZST, on Thursday, 10th March
5 Classic Poems About Hope To Help You Survive 2022
There are a lot of bad things happening at the moment, and understandably, a lot of negativity floating around.
Here is a list of my favourite 5 classic poems about hope to help you survive 2022.
Using Photos For Poetic Inspiration
Something that is on the rise with the boom in Instagram poetry is the use of photo poetry prompts. I really enjoy participating in some of these, and I’ve certainly got the poets’ habit of taking a photo to use as inspiration at a later date. Today, I will be discussing the various ways in which poets, including myself, are using photos for poetic inspiration.
Dreaming of Dragons — Emerging Aotearoa Podcast S01E04
I’m so excited to have my poem “Dreaming of Dragons” shared in the Emerging Aotearoa Podcast! S01E04 has a “coming of age” theme, kicked off by my poem “Dreaming of Dragons,” and followed by the short story “The Long Night” by Robert von Garrett and the song “Lumini Ciudate” by Samuel Barriball.
Preorders Launch — What Are You Made Of?
Preorders are now open for my self-published children’s book, “What Are You Made Of?”
I’m Presenting In The Blackbird Protostars Season 1 Exhibition!
I will be doing the first live reading of What Are You Made Of? at the Blackbird Protostars Season 1 Exhibition on February 9th, 2022, 7pm NZT (5pm AEDT). The Zoom exhibition is free to attend, and will feature a selection of fellow Blackbird Protostars with a wide range of fascinating passion projects.
Entering A Poetry Competition? Here Are Some Tips.
I’ve entered my fair share of poetry competitions, and probably placed in fewer than my fair share. I’ve also been part of the organising committee for three of the UoA Poetry Club competitions. While I’m certainly not an expert in either organising or winning competitions, here are some tips I’ve come up with along the way.