A little bit about me and my writing ...

For as long as I can remember, I've written stories and poems. And every new year, I made a resolution that 'this year, I'm going to write a book!' I was spurred on by friends telling me, on hearing about some bizarre events in my life, 'You should write a book'.

 

Well it took a long time - but eventually I started to write my life story. And then the beginnings of a novel. And that's when the doubts crept in. Mainly - am I any good at this? Thanks to some family encouragement (you know who you are!) I enrolled on a year-long Creative Writing course with the Open University. There were two things I hoped to get out of the course:

1. There were probably a few things I could learn (!!!)

2. Was I any good at writing?

It was a lot of work - I hadn't really expected that. And it turned out that there were many, many things I could learn!

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It also turned out that I wasn't bad at writing. I achieved good grades, and I had excellent feedback from tutors who were impartial and wanted me to succeed, but whose reputations were at stake, so they weren't likely to throw accolades around for no reason.

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The course gave me the confidence to write - really write. And to accept that not everyone would like my books, just as I may not like every book I read. There are so many styles, so many genres, but I had to find my 'voice'. And I think i did - though i'm still trying to perfect it.

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I have now embarked on a new venture - I'm studying for a Masters Degree in Creative Writing at University of Wales Trinity St Davids. After all, I still have a lot to learn.

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My writing credits to date:

• I have written several books (see my 'books' page)

• I have edited and published a number of books for others

• I have won a couple of internal writing competitions with the Swansea & District Writers' Circle.

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Competitions & Publications:

• A short story published in The  People's Friend, titled: 'The Summer of '59'

• 'Highly Commended' in the King Lear Prize 2020 for 'The Dance' , July 2020

• Long-listed by Flash 500 competition for 'Time & Again' (short story) April 2022

• Short listed by Flash 500 competition for 'Perceptions' (flash fiction) May 2022

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My qualifications:

• Master of Arts in Creative Writing (current)

• Batchelor of Arts ( Teaching of Mathematics; Adult Education)

• Certificate of Education (Infant & Junior): Maths & Biology

• 3 'A' levels, 9 'O' levels

• Various Leadership & Training quals

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Previous & Current Careers:

• Lecturer & Manager in Further Education (30+ years)

• Politician:

• B&B owner & proprieter

• Owner of 2 Dollshouse shops and a Baby & Nursery shop

• Sewing & crafting

• Writing & Publishing