I've taught as a modern languages teacher for 20 years, but have always enjoyed writing - primarily short, fantasy stories for children, but in the past few years I've also discovered the joys of writing poetry for adults - and my first two books, 'IT'S A TEACHER'S LIFE...!' and 'FAMILY AND MORE - ENEMIES OR FRIENDS?', are collections of poetry. You can find out much more on My Shelfari Author page, where you'll find Bookbuzzr widgets for both my books with extracts, reviews, media mentions, purchasing info and much more. The information below will give you a flavour of what you can find on My Shelfari Author page, but not in such a neat, modern and interesting format!
'IT'S A TEACHER'S LIFE...!' (no prizes for guessing why I wrote that!) is available from Amazon, and if you ever read it, it would be wonderful if you could write a review! The links for the book are below.
http://tiny.cc/6xdms (amazon.com)
http://tiny.cc/Dm3ek (amazon.co.uk)
========================================================================
Review by Don Blankenship, Top 100 Reviewer on amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars A WORK WITH FEELING, February 28, 2009
"Free verse has become a universal mode for expressing thoughts, feelings, reality and unreality for many. Some writers write very bad verse (I find myself in this category), while others have mastered its form and are able to use it as a sharp tool, a soft pillow for pleasing landings and most importantly, sharing the many little pieces of their world with others. Helena Harper is quite obviously one of those with the skill and the feelings to accomplish the last mentioned.
“It's A Teacher's Life” is a small volume of free verse telling her story; her experiences and her thoughts during the time she taught at an all girls school in England. Now I judge poetry, in any form, by a few simple standards. First, is the author conveying her or his true feelings about and for the subject being addressed? Secondly, does the subject touch me; can I relate to what the author is trying to tell me. Thirdly, does the author use metaphors and similes that are realistic?
Fortunately for me, and for all of us, Ms Harper has fulfilled each of my requirements and given us an understandable work that most of us can perfectly relate to, even if all of us are not in the teaching profession. I have to admit that without exception I enjoyed each of the twenty offerings in this wonderful little book...
Readers should not expect that each and every image presented here is a "happy' little glimpse into the life of a teacher, there are very realistic and rather whimsical "down" moments... On the other hand, there are many light moments expressed in this work to which I could also relate. That is one of the strong aspects of this collection as a whole; we get a taste of both the up and of the down. I must warn you though; due to the small size of the little volume and the author's propensity to use, at first glance, simple and easly understood language, a reader may be tempted to rip through this one. That is a big mistake as there is much more here than meets the eye!
This is a wonderful collection of poems that were written from the heart. This work would be an absolute wonderful gift for any teacher in your life; it would be a wonderful gift and read for anyone wishing to understand not only teachers, but all people who dedicate their lives to service. Love this small glimpse into a remarkable woman's life, and I do hope more is to follow.
==========================================================================
'FAMILY AND MORE - ENEMIES OR FRIENDS?' is a memoir in verse and is heavily influenced by my German/English background. In it I recall the people who have touched my life and taught me precious life lessons, the most important being that every encounter in life can be a force for good and, if we see with the heart, our man-made divisions will seem both absurd and insignificant. It is a celebration of our common humanity. Here is a review by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning writer of ficiton and poet:
"Family & More...is like a poetic synopsis of a wartime saga, the life of a family with a backdrop of history, a memoir told in poetic blurbs. The author encapsulates characters and events breathtakingly. There is so much here to think about once one turns the last page. I was left wanting more! More!..."
Now available in paperback from Amazon and all major online outlets, can also be ordered via any good bookshop. Amazon links:
http://amzn.to/doduYA (amazon.com)
http://amzn.to/9PgNyk (amazon.co.uk)
« less
