Researching for a novel is always a joy, although it can be problematic. What to use, and what not to use? In Notes from the Lost, two captured soldiers, Alfie and Frank, escape from the train taking them to a WW2 POW camp in Germany.
I based the story on the experience of my friend Martin’s father. Captain William Wright was sheltered by a very brave Italian family who lived in a mountain village near Avezzano. Eventually, he was recaptured, but in my story the young soliders have a very different fate. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happened to them. This different outcome meant that I couldn’t use one of the most touching things I found amongst William’s WW2 letters and journals. It was a letter written by the man who had sheltered him to William’s father in 1944. Clearly whilst in the German camp, William had written to his father about the Italian family and his father had then written to them. What we have to remember is that one day William left the Italian family to try and make his way to the Allied line. Whether he lived or died, they didn’t know. This is the reply, and it still brings tears to my eyes. Captain Wright did return to Italy after the war, and the photo of the family group was taken during that visit.
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I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked when there was going to be a literary festival in Exeter. Every other city, town and village has one, so why not us? Well, that's one of the problems, especially as we have the reknowned Dartington Ways With Words and Budleigh Salterton festivals practically on our doorstep. The other major problem, is who on earth would take on such a mammoth task? I first met the amazing Maggie Bonfield when I gave a talk to the U3A way back in October 2017. To my surprise and delight, she announced to the audience that there would be a literary festival the following year and would I be willing to help? Yes, of course! Maggie and her tech whiz husband, Rob, assembled a steering group that reflected the broad range of literary knowhow in the city. Todd Gray, Simon Timms, Emma Dunn, Lee Rawlings and lucky me all volunteered to do our bit.
What soon became apparent, was that the Festival was going to be HUGE! Not only author talks by a famous few, which are the backbone of most festivals, but a celebration of the literary talent and enthusiasm that abides in and around Exeter. Major cultural venues across the city hosted events - the Cathedral, D.E.I, Central Library, Barnfield Theatre, the University to name some. Those aged tiny to ninety, and of every diversity Exeter has to offer, took part in listening, reading and writing. Yes, it was a lot of work, but when the seats began to fill up, and the enthusiastic responses came loudly and from all quarters, I could not have felt more proud to be involved. Exeter, you are a wonderful city! Roll on next year! The festival website is HERE and there are lots of photos from all the events HERE
The announcement came after one of those strange periods of time that seem to go by quickly, and yet last for ages. It was Philip's name written on the slip in the envelope, and I am delighted for him. He was so thoroughly shocked to have won, and nearly fell off the staging. Afterwards it was photos, lots of lovely networking and chat with fellow writers, especially Chip Tolson, Liz Shakespeare, Kathy Shuker, Laura James and Gail Aldwin, and also some of the competition readers, who said such nice things about Secret of the Song, I was very touched. In fact, that has been one of the wonderful things for me - how many people wished me luck and wanted me to win. I wish I had won almost more for them than me!
Now I know what it's like to be in a line-up! Although it is certainly nerve-wracking, it has also reaffirmed my belief that competitions are A Good Thing. If you have a story then why not give either the Exeter Story Prize or Flash competition a go. The old adage: you won't win if you don't enter, is relevant here! Ps I've had a boost so am hoping Secret of the Song will have a boost too. It's 99p on Kindle all this week. I've been involved in running competitions for many years now, and although I'm always encouraging writers to send enter their stories, I have to admit to being slow at sending out my own work. My excuse this last year is that I've been finishing another novel, and there's a third textbook on the way too. I did, however, send my novel, Secret of the Song, to the Dorchester Literary Festival competition. It has a long name: The Hall and Woodhouse DLF (see previous sentence) Writing Competition. This was a rare competition, one for independently published books, fiction and non-fiction with a connection to the South-West of England. I posted a copy of the book to them before last Christmas and forgot all about it.
It was a wonderful surprise to hear I was on the long list of seven a few weeks ago, and an even more marvellous surprise to be in the final three. There's to be an award ceremony in July, when the three of us will read and be interviewed by the wonderful journalist and presenter, Kate Adie. Gulp! I am both excited and terrified. I'm sure all those who have been shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize and attended our ceremony are laughing behind their hands now! I'll be back with a blog about the event whatever happens. I'm absolutely chuffed to have got this far, and it will be lovely to meet the other finalists, Chip Tolson and Philip Browne and the competition organisers in Dorchester. I'm sure we'll get on very well. The festival itself isn't until October and they have lots of fantastic events. Do check out their website: Dorchester Literary Festival Being placed in a competition is such a thrill, but (note to self) you won't get anywhere if you don't enter. The Exeter Story Prize and the Exeter Flash are both open for submissions now, and we look forward to reading your stories. The very first winner of the flash competition was Martin Sorrell. You can read his winning entry HERE. Martin has written for radio, and recently, a memoir about his French/English family during the 20th Century. Paulette, published by Impress Books, is a beautifully written book.
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