Caroline Walling, the Curious Ink-Smith, is about to be the very first TWP poet-in-residence at DRAKE the Bookshop, so we thought we’d ask her what’s it’s all about and how people can get involved…

What does a bookshop poet-in-residence do?

I wasn’t entirely sure at first, but I had a LOT of ideas about things I’d like to write, and activities I’d like to do to get other people writing. After talking with my mentor Jo Bell, and lots of conversation with Mel at DRAKE, we’ve come up with some ideas for drop-in conversations and little writing prompts that people can try out – although there is no pressure to pick up a pen, you can simply come in to chat, and leave the writing to me!

What will you be talking and writing about?

I think that a bookshop is full of stories, but they don’t just lie between the pages and beautiful covers. Every person crossing that threshold has their own stories. It doesn’t matter if books are your thing or not.

On my first day, Friday 24th November, I’m taking inspiration from the bookshop’s self-help section and asking people to share their best and worst advice so we can create The Ultimate Manual of Life (Northern edition); and on Mondays 4th and 11th December we’ll be giving the Biographies shelf a run for its money when the conversation is all about life stories.

In between those sessions, there’s a special day on Saturday 25th November for re-writing the Twelve Days of Christmas with much more interesting, weird, surreal and silly gifts – perfect for children and Inner Children of all ages!

What’s the vibe for your time at DRAKE?

Well, I call myself the Curious Ink-Smith because I’m always curious to know where a wordy adventure will take me. For this residency, I want to get silly, let go of any pressure to be the perfect poet, and encourage other people to give seriousness a miss too. I’ve even made myself a special Poet Hat, complete with ribbons, berries, and toadstools!

A lot of people get put off poetry at school – and I say that a a teacher – they end up thinking all poets are windbags, or long-dead, and definitely not for them. But I’m inspired by funny, irreverent and living poets who write about everything from prime numbers to dinosaurs to poo!

DRAKE are dedicated to opening up their shop to everyone in the community, even people who don’t think of themselves as readers, and I’m here to give people permission to try something without any pressure, have some fun and rebel against ideas of what poetry should be. It will be joyful.

Which poets and poems are you using as your inspiration?

Warning by Jenny Joseph

They Should Have Asked My Husband by Pam Ayres

Paper People by Harry Baker

and many more, by Maya Angelou, Hollie McNish and others!

What if I can’t make it when you’re there?

There will be chances to mooch the marvellous Wishing Stars and Genie Lamps in the poetry nook – you can write on them when I’m not there, or even when I am there (if you’re not feeling sociable!)

What does this residency mean for your poetry career?

It’s been amazing to be mentored by Jo Bell, who has really encouraged me to relax into the residency and leave lots of space for unexpected outcomes. I’ve been in education for so long that it’s really incredible (and a bit scary) to be on the verge of NOT teaching – I have no curriculum, no standards boxes to tick, no-one setting learning outcomes and deadlines. It’s better, even though it also asks me to set my own goals and try to match energies and expectations with DRAKE as my host.

I’ve always looked at some of the wonderful residency opportunities advertised for poets, and never felt they were for me. I hope after this residency, with the support and mentoring given by the TWP, I’ll be one step closer to applying for other chances as a professional writer.