Ten years ago, as I was becoming serious about my writing, I attended my first Arvon residential course - Writing Poetry for Children tutored by Carol Ann Duffy. It was a wonderful week and it marked a turning point in my writing career. I left with a handful of new writing friends and an enthusiasm and determination to continue and improve. I was beginning to take myself seriously as a potential poet and was encouraged that others thought so, too. It was such an affirming e