MARY BELFIELD

Here goes with my brief autobiography.

I’ve no ‘claim to fame’ although I have appeared twice on the local tv channel promoting the achievements of two of my pupils. I think my only attainments are in the field of perseverance. Firstly, in my private life, I’ve recently celebrated my ruby wedding anniversary and the second is in my professional role. After working for Derbyshire County Council for 37 years, 10 as a teacher and 27 as a head teacher, I finally retired a couple of years ago. Teaching is a challenging, stressful, demanding profession but it is also rewarding (not financially), interesting, stimulating and enjoyable. A well used quote of mine is; “I’ve often been stressed and exhausted but never, never bored.”

In past times, I’ve written and shared many children’s stories with my daughter and pupils and these were usually favourably received. On retirement I joined a creative writing group and have enjoyed the weekly sessions. I have great admiration for the other group members who seem to produce such interesting and well-written pieces on a regular basis.

Please read my contribution first so that ‘it can only get better’!

Happy reading

Mary

To read Mary's story The Babysnatcher , click here.
To read Mary's story Cry Wolf, click here.
To read Mary's story The Gaffer, click here.

 

SYLVIA REEVE

Sylvia is retired, and now has more time to pursue her love of writing. She has been writing for most of her adult life, and had some children’s stories published many years ago. She also writes poetry, and had one included in a Derbyshire anthology in 2005. Over the years, she has had articles published in local newspapers, and been editor of a caravan quarterly magazine.

Her first love has always been writing for children, but encouraged by her tutor, himself an author, she branched out to different genres, finding this very exciting. At present, she is working on her first novel, about a young girl who is taken back in time to the 14th century.

Sylvia lives with her husband Len, himself an author, in the beautiful setting of the Derbyshire countryside. She also loves to paint, and is very interested in computer work with digital imaging, especially in 3D. Tucked in a corned of her garden is a small shed, which is ‘home’ to a dolls house. Sylvia has been building this, and making the furniture, for a few years, and it is a long way from being finished. The biggest problem she has is finding time to do all she would like.

To read Sylvia's story For Elizabeth, A Rose , click here.
To read Sylvia's story Donnelly, click here.

 

JANE CROFT

Jane Croft has had several short stories and articles published in magazines and newspapers in this country and overseas. Some of her satirical pieces have also been used on regional television. Her background is in education but she now writes full time and is currently working on a full-length novel. She is widely travelled, having lived and worked in places as diverse as Sierra Leone and Bermuda, and her experiences have provided the background for much of her writing. When not pressing a hot keyboard she enjoys reading, cinema, and theatre as well as exploring the beautiful Peak District where she lives, either on foot or on horseback, although these days she is content with a quiet hack through the fields rather than riding at high speed towards solid obstacles.

To read Jane's story Unholy Terror , click here.

 

COLYN BROOM

 

Hello.

My name is Colyn Broom.

I was born near Chesterfield, Derbyshire in 1964 and it was probably raining.

I drive an old Mini (which I love) when it’s not in the garage being repaired; I’m married to Sally and we have an adorable young daughter named Eryn.

I trained as a mechanical engineer and have been working in this field for the last twenty-seven years, give or take, and I don’t think I’m going to like it. I’ve always fancied doing a spot of writing but couldn’t get my head around it, so I enrolled myself on a creative writing course. The Tutor was an inspiration to the entire group and as a result, I found the writing to be quite fulfilling.

I sometimes write lighthearted fiction, although it doesn’t usually start out that way, so I never really know at the start, whether it will be serious or not.

When I’m in comedy mode, I write under the name of “Billy Jampot” so, you can see the state of my mental health.

I’d like to thank everyone who takes the time to read my work,for taking the time to read it, and I hope that you enjoy it. I am optimistic that it will appeal to everyone.

Many thanks to my tutor, Paul Bamford, and all the Holymoorside gang.

To read Colyn's story An Office and a Gentleman , click here.

 

SUE PACEY

Sue Pacey was born in the heart of the Peak District of Derbyshire, where she still lives and works as a Midwife. ‘A real country girl’ at heart she loves to watch the wildlife.

Sue began writing twenty years ago for her own amusement and as a way of staying awake on night duty and it all escalated from there.

She has written for local magazines and professional publications in the past.

Sue has written many short stories, often with a supernatural theme, which is very much her genre but likes to try other styles of writing too.

She is, at present, working on her second novel (in between delivering babies) and shares her life with her close family and five extremely lazy cats.

To read Sue's story Avenge The Children, click here.
To read Sue's story The Blue Butterfly, click here.
To read Sue's story Grandma Lila's Button Hook, click here.

 

ANGELA TRUELOVE

Angela was born in Sheffield but has also spent some years living in Kent. She now lives in the picturesque village of Ashover in Derbyshire with her husband Philip and has two grown up children.

Her poems have been published in two anthologies. One of the poems was also read on Saga Radio. Some articles and poems have been published in a national weekly newspaper and in her local parish magazine. Her poetry is inspired by observation of people in everyday life.

 Mobile Old Traveller was published in May 2004 in an anthology named “Verse and Style” by Poetry in Print in their National Open Poetry Competition in Devon.

Losing My Memory (or IT for the Elderly) appeared in the 1st Annual Templar Poetry Competition, Derbyshire 2005 anthology “Arnemetia”.

Apart from poetry, biographical novels are her favourite genre although she enjoys writing short stories and drama scripts too when she is not gardening, ringing church bells or teaching music to local school children on handbells. She sometimes finds time to draw and paint – mostly watercolours.

To read Angela's story The Three Sisters, click here.
To read Angela's story Fagin's Nose, click here.

 

CLAIRE WALKER

Claire’s passion for writing started during a dreary English class when she was 11. Her teacher bestowed upon her some advice, along with a high speed chalk missile. 'Why don't you write about the make believe world you live in, and then we can all share in your daydreaming.' Claire has followed those words ever since, and now enjoys writing about anything that pops into her head, whether that's murderous gargoyles that come to life, ocean mist settling over a calm sea, or the smell of bacon frying.

Claire is a contributor for Award winning magazine Re:play. Her passion, however, is fiction writing, and she aspires to authors such as James Herbert, J R R Tolkien, Stephen King, Rose Tremain and Tony Parsons. Claire’s aim as a writer is to achieve what they do; make you think, make your spine tingle, and take you to another dimension.

Claire is 35, and lives with her daughter in Sheffield. When she’s not writing, she’s delivering library books to the housebound, walking in Derbyshire or training for the marathon.

To read Claire's story Well Being, click here.
To read Claire's story First Snow Steps of the Day, click here.

 

NICK HALL

Born in 1946 near Lymington Nick was the youngest with a brother and sister, the eldest. The family also lived in Salisbury and Slough, moving with his father's work.They arrived in Chesterfield when he was a sweet six year old and have remained there since.

'O' Level English Language and Literature were the only relevant achievements plus a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradford University. His earliest recollection of reading a novel was in the late fifties with Ian Flemming's Dr.No - death by guano has never been forgotten. Not a great reader, however, and favours thrillers and mysteries that don't tax the brain. His preferred genre for writing has yet to evolve.

Interests mainly are canal narrow boats and choral singing. Married with a son and daughter but luckily no mortgage.

To read Nick's story My Brother's Keeper, click here.
To read Nick's story Three Deaths, One Murder, click here.

 

JEAN MALLENDER

Throughout her life she has written – verse, song, stories and plays, but now there is more time to indulge and expand this creative urge. She enjoys trying different genres, and particularly likes the challenge of writing exciting, fun stories for children. Attempting to see events as perceptively as they do, often helps produce original ideas in all areas of work. Her husband and three grown-up daughters tolerate, criticise and encourage her.

To read Jean's story Directions, click here.
To read Jean's story Lost, click here.
To read Jean's story The Fiftieth Edict, click here.

 

CAROL VARDY

Over the years, for my own pleasure, I’ve written stories, usually about my family. My husband has had his ear bent on numerous occasions. Wednesday night is a ‘must go to the class.’ I consider the group and Paul, our tutor, as friends. Paul is very understanding and guides us in the right direction. I enjoy writing stories with an unexpected ending. Having grandchildren has encouraged me to attempt writing children’s stories. My nine-year-old grand daughter, Clare, also enjoys putting pen to paper and we regularly hold conversations via the phone. She encourages me as I encourage her.

To read Carol's story Wrong Song , click here.
To read Carol's story Route 66, click here.
To read Carol's story Forever Young, click here.

 

LEONIE MARTIN

The Scottish family motto on her father’s side is ‘Late...but in earnest!’ This sums up Leonie’s attitude to her fledgling writing career…

She was born in South Africa, but grew up in Stockton on Tees and Sheffield. After a very complicated childhood, including spending several years in care as a foster child, she didn’t go on to university after her ‘A’ levels. Instead, she began a career in the financial services sector, saved up, and bought herself a house in Sheffield. A few years later she moved to Chesterfield, after meeting her husband. They now have a daughter and a son.

Although always a keen wordsmith, she first joined a creative writing group in 2003 after a diagnosis of MS forced a change in career and lifestyle. She now writes short stories and poetry instead of crunching numbers for a living. She has had items published locally, as well as letters and articles for national publications, and has appeared in national publicity media for the MS Society. An autobiography is also underway.

When her batteries are fully charged, Leonie also does occasional voluntary work with young offenders, talks at conferences for a fostering agency and teaches people how to make memory albums with their photographs and family anecdotes.

To read Leonie's story Born Winners, click here.

 

GAIL BOLLANDS

I know, an unfortunate name. You can guess what variations I’ve been called - it’s my husband’s fault for asking me out in a cookery lesson in 1977. Thirty years on, I’m still stuck with him. We have two teenage sons, who I still cannot understand despite their braces being removed.

After leaving secondary school I completed a secretarial course at Chesterfield Technical College and went on to work as a clerk/cashier in a local building society. I currently work part time as a clinical typist at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

It’s only during the last few years that I discovered my love of story writing. I tend to swing from one extreme to the other with my genres; either comedy or tragedy. My inspiration generally comes from the things I see and hear in everyday life. When I joined Paul’s classes two or three years ago, I hadn’t a clue how to put the stories in my head onto paper technically, or in the format expected of a writer. Since joining, I have learned so much and met some really lovely fascinating people. Each week my peers continue to astonish and mesmerise me by what their imaginations can produce.

To read Gail's story Going Home , click here.

 

ROSIE GILLIGAN

It’s come as something of a surprise to find myself in a writers’ group, although I’ve always wanted to write. I taught business studies for 25 years and left to study fine art. During the completion of my MA in Printmaking, I discovered that what I had enjoyed most of all was writing the final dissertation. Greatly encouraged by how this had been received by the examiners, I resolved to start writing seriously.

I enjoy reading psychological thrillers, where the writer creates a sense of unease, as best seen in the work of Patricia Highsmith. In my own work, I try to create this tension through the use of characters who are “on the edge”, within a strong plot. With the support of our group, I’m currently writing short stories and am trying to broaden my range.

I’m still making prints and artists’ books, but now they have to compete for my attention with my writing. As I have quite a busy life, this doesn’t leave me much time for other pursuits, as my story: “Wilful Neglect” reveals ….

To read Rosie's story, Wilful Neglect , click here.

To visit Rosie's website, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

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