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:
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There were probably a few things I could learn (!!!)
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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!
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.
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.
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.
My writing credits to date:
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I have written several books (see my 'books' page)
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I have edited and published a number of books for others
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I have won a couple of internal writing competitions with the Swansea & District Writers' Circle.
Competitions & Publications:
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A short story published in The People's Friend, titled: 'The Summer of '59'
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'Highly Commended' in the King Lear Prize 2020 for 'The Dance' , July 2020
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Long-listed by Flash 500 competition for 'Time & Again' (short story) April 2022
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Short listed by Flash 500 competition for 'Perceptions' (flash fiction) May 2022
My qualifications:
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Master of Arts in Creative Writing (current)
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Batchelor of Arts ( Teaching of Mathematics; Adult Education)
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Certificate of Education (Infant & Junior): Maths & Biology
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3 'A' levels, 9 'O' levels
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Various Leadership & Training quals
Previous & Current Careers:
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Lecturer & Manager in Further Education (30+ years)
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Politician:
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B&B owner & proprieter
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Owner of 2 Dollshouse shops and a Baby & Nursery shop
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Sewing & crafting
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Writing & Publishing