Developing your Creative Practice: Romalyn Ante

Romalyn is a Filipino-born British poet from Wolverhampton. She applied for the Developing your Creative Practice fund to work towards producing a full collection of poetry. She tells us more about the benefits this fund had on her work.

“My project started in January 2019. One of the difficulties I faced was the timing of my planned international travel. I initially planned the travel in January 2019, however, two things did not allow me to do this. First was the timing - I had had extra commitments at work; secondly, the fare ticket at that time unexpectedly went beyond my budget due to peak season. However, the delay did not affect my project as a whole as I committed that time to writing more poems, communicating with my mentor online, and doing my planned research at the British Library in London.”

Romalyn wanted to use this fund to take the time to develop her creative practice by being mentored by an award-winning poet, Marjorie Evasco, and completing a period of research. She will also work towards her first full collection of poetry. To achieve this, she planned to dedicate 2 days per week during the 9-month project to DYCP work. The over-arching themes of her writing will be migration, cultural identity, and memory.

“I applied to DYCP as I needed financial support to focus, within a specific length of time, on working towards my first poetry collection under the mentorship of poet, Marjorie Evasco. I am working on a project which I believe will be a real step-change for my career as a poet.”

Romalyn wanted to spend 2 weeks in the Philippines researching and writing, with her mentor providing regular feedback on her poems, as well as artistic advice and guidance.

During Romalyn’s travels she discovered one aspect of indigenous Filipino culture which is no longer being practised - the use of Baybayin, an ancient writing script.

“I felt that a piece of work that references this would significantly contribute to my collection, so, I self-studied the script and managed to write a poem in which this script is featured.”

“The project is designed to help me work towards my first full collection. I believe this work will solidify my writing career as a poet. With my DYCP project, I can give my best skills and utmost care and attention to produce and craft work. I believe that having a full collection will also act as a ‘door’ that allows me to become a fully-fledged poet.”

As a result of the work Developing your Creative Practice funding has enabled her to complete, Romalyn’s first full collection is due to be published in 2020.

Top tip

“DYCP is not just about allowing you to create ‘new work’, or supporting you financially while in that process. DYCP is also about your development and ‘step-change’ as an artist. My advice to other applicants is to ensure that you can show how you will be able to improve as an artist with the award. For instance, undertaking bolder endeavours, such as working with other artists or a phase of further learning.”

Thinking of applying?