DIANNE MCPHELIM

2023

Inspiration for my poetry, essays and fiction comes from observation of the small narratives that unfold about us. Be it in a cafe, graveyard, or supermarket, I collect overheard conversations and random sentences to explore, develop and reimagine later. Death and the natural world always find a way to feature throughout my narratives, and many draw on vignettes from memory or place. I’ve always found the process of creating both grounding and stimulating, and, as a child, my stories were always bookmarked by drawings. Art still continues to play a considerable role in my writing, my work is illustrative, using colour to influence imagery and create depth of feeling. The creation of rich visuals that impacts all senses greatly inspires and enhances my writing experience. I hope for others to find meaning, comfort, or beauty in their reading of my work.