The Pen to Print - How Writing Changed My Life event, as part of Women's Empowerment Month, on 31st March 2016 was possibly the best experience I've had thus far as a budding collector of words. Wonderfully organised by Lena Smith at Barking Learning Centre with, quite possibly, THE best selection of biscuits I have ever seen. My fellow Book Challenge winners, Jessica McLean with The Vidents and Farzana Hakim with Sweethearts of Ilford Lane, and I sat before a small, yet perfectly formed audience answering Lena's insightful Q&A's and each of us read a small extract from our books. Here is the interview.
What drove you to start writing in the first place?
A love of reading encouraged me to start writing my own books when I was little. They were probably all awful but I really enjoyed writing my own stories especially when sometimes a book can be disappointing. I stopped writing for a long time and it was only when I saw the advert for the Pen to Print competition in the Library window that I decided to try again.
Can you tell us about how writing has changed you?
I think writing helps me to express how I'm feeling and coming second in the competition made me realise that I'm not terrible, it's given me the confidence to keep going and write more.
What do you think is the most important thing you have learnt about writing?
One of the things Ian Ayris told us in our writers workshops was that we should only be writing for us, we don't write for anyone else and nothing we write is wrong because it's ours. I think the realisation that you have complete freedom is important.
What do you want to get out of writing?
I want someone to meet me one day and realise I wrote a book they loved. I want to give someone else the pleasure I get out of reading.
Can you describe your emotional journey?
Early on in the competition Ian, who was my mentor, and I spent two of our mentor sessions sat in a coffee shop just drinking coffee and talking about everything else apart from the half finished manuscript on the table. I was so scared of making a mistake or being told I was wrong that I didn't want to look at it. When I realised that nothing bad was going to happen then the words really started to flow and I felt more confident about the whole process. I went from this is great to this is rubbish about 17 times – and still do.
Where do you go from here?
I am trying to take writing seriously. I've started a twitter account @grasshopper2407, created a Facebook page as a writer - https://www.facebook.com/busswriter/ and a website – cbvisions.co.uk. I have a blog that I try to write in regularly and I'm reading books about writing. I figured if this is something I want to do properly then I need to know more about the craft. I've sent off The Gaia Effect to 44 literary agents and had some positive rejections. I'm finally plucking up the courage to go through it again with a fine tooth comb and then I'll send it to the few publishers who do take submissions. I also decided to start writing two new stories and enter them into the 2016 Pen to Print competition so we'll see what happens.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Write for you – it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Who is your favourite character and why?
My favourite character....probably Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld because she knew the power of real magic.
Have you considered writing in a different genre?
My first novel was post apocalyptic/sci fi/crime so clearly I'm keeping my options open. The other books I'm writing – one is a memoir, not mine and the other is a crime novel. Although I don't really read much crime so who knows what's going to happen.
What are your top three recommended reads?
Stephen King's On Writing – I haven't read it yet but everyone I know raves about it and I know I need to read it! I don't like these types of questions very much because I haven't read everything that is out there so how can I possibly recommend something? But I did really enjoy Seveneves by Neal Stephenson this year and I'll always suggest Pratchett.
Have you got any advice for new writers looking to get published?
Don't give up.
Quick Fire Questions
Shoes or Handbags? Books
What is your first childhood memory? Reading and being around books
Like your job? I'm a writer and a mum so yes
What is your favourite sport? Basketball although it's been years
Morning, Noon or Night? Depends on what I'm doing
Gold or Silver? Silver
Hard or Soft? Soft
What is your pet hate? People who come up to you when you are sat reading, stand there for a moment and then say 'Whatchadoin?' Really? You want me to answer that?
Weapon of Choice? Bow and arrow
Always wear your seatbelt? Yes
What car do you drive? Mother in law's
What is your favourite colour? Blue
Where would you most like to live? Hawaii
What drove you to start writing in the first place?
A love of reading encouraged me to start writing my own books when I was little. They were probably all awful but I really enjoyed writing my own stories especially when sometimes a book can be disappointing. I stopped writing for a long time and it was only when I saw the advert for the Pen to Print competition in the Library window that I decided to try again.
Can you tell us about how writing has changed you?
I think writing helps me to express how I'm feeling and coming second in the competition made me realise that I'm not terrible, it's given me the confidence to keep going and write more.
What do you think is the most important thing you have learnt about writing?
One of the things Ian Ayris told us in our writers workshops was that we should only be writing for us, we don't write for anyone else and nothing we write is wrong because it's ours. I think the realisation that you have complete freedom is important.
What do you want to get out of writing?
I want someone to meet me one day and realise I wrote a book they loved. I want to give someone else the pleasure I get out of reading.
Can you describe your emotional journey?
Early on in the competition Ian, who was my mentor, and I spent two of our mentor sessions sat in a coffee shop just drinking coffee and talking about everything else apart from the half finished manuscript on the table. I was so scared of making a mistake or being told I was wrong that I didn't want to look at it. When I realised that nothing bad was going to happen then the words really started to flow and I felt more confident about the whole process. I went from this is great to this is rubbish about 17 times – and still do.
Where do you go from here?
I am trying to take writing seriously. I've started a twitter account @grasshopper2407, created a Facebook page as a writer - https://www.facebook.com/busswriter/ and a website – cbvisions.co.uk. I have a blog that I try to write in regularly and I'm reading books about writing. I figured if this is something I want to do properly then I need to know more about the craft. I've sent off The Gaia Effect to 44 literary agents and had some positive rejections. I'm finally plucking up the courage to go through it again with a fine tooth comb and then I'll send it to the few publishers who do take submissions. I also decided to start writing two new stories and enter them into the 2016 Pen to Print competition so we'll see what happens.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
Write for you – it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
Who is your favourite character and why?
My favourite character....probably Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld because she knew the power of real magic.
Have you considered writing in a different genre?
My first novel was post apocalyptic/sci fi/crime so clearly I'm keeping my options open. The other books I'm writing – one is a memoir, not mine and the other is a crime novel. Although I don't really read much crime so who knows what's going to happen.
What are your top three recommended reads?
Stephen King's On Writing – I haven't read it yet but everyone I know raves about it and I know I need to read it! I don't like these types of questions very much because I haven't read everything that is out there so how can I possibly recommend something? But I did really enjoy Seveneves by Neal Stephenson this year and I'll always suggest Pratchett.
Have you got any advice for new writers looking to get published?
Don't give up.
Quick Fire Questions
Shoes or Handbags? Books
What is your first childhood memory? Reading and being around books
Like your job? I'm a writer and a mum so yes
What is your favourite sport? Basketball although it's been years
Morning, Noon or Night? Depends on what I'm doing
Gold or Silver? Silver
Hard or Soft? Soft
What is your pet hate? People who come up to you when you are sat reading, stand there for a moment and then say 'Whatchadoin?' Really? You want me to answer that?
Weapon of Choice? Bow and arrow
Always wear your seatbelt? Yes
What car do you drive? Mother in law's
What is your favourite colour? Blue
Where would you most like to live? Hawaii