A Writer's Journey
Finnian Fitzpatrick
Author, Creative Writing Teacher, Entrance Examination Tutor for 11 plus and 13 plus.-
A Writer's Journey
When did you first start to write? Can you remember what you wrote about? I remember being rewarded for my creative writing by being in the termly school magazine at Moor Park, the school featured in ‘Harry’ and those were generally recounts or poems. My first attempt at a novel was at about ten. A friend, also featured in ‘Harry’, Philip Crosthwaite-Eyre and I started the first chapter of a book.?
We set the events in East Germany, far away and obscure enough for us not to worry about getting details about. Someone was tied up in the back of a van that had cobwebs clinging to the seams. Started on a rainy day, we never developed the story, school Ife and exams got in the way.?
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My next attempt was more successful, writing a novel Vive La Difference, set in France, where my middle sister, Georgina lived. I could write to her for details and a school trip to the Le Mans 24-hour race, helped me to get a feel for France. The book was written over two terms, my sisters, Catherina, Georgina and Fiona typed up all 200 pages and we sent it off to publishers after photocopying it painstakingly.??A rejection letter and kind praise from Macmillan fuelled our enthusiasm but the three copies were lost, and the project died.??At fifteen, I was ready to start the life of a writer, but school and ‘A’ levels stymied the sequel.
Leaving school, I wrote a few plays and even took up acting briefly, but a proper job came along in the guise of working for the brewery that Patrick, my middle brother had started in 1977. Coming back from sailing with my middle brother Anton, I worked my way up from drayman to sales manager until the brands were sold to Gibbs Mew, and I left to help run a company in New York. Sadly, Gibbs Mew sold their brewery, which became a car park.?
Returning to England at the birth of my first son, I went to university and retrained as a teacher. I wrote The Taint Gallery and Waterwitch followed by Switch, all of them published by small independents and I have not looked back since, writing when I can.??
Anthony M. Grimaldi - Unifies illustration & digital art to design with unlimited creativity & visual imagination.
2 年Hello, Finnian! My name is Anthony Grimaldi of JourneyManDesigns: Illustrator & Graphic Designer from New York City. Thank you for inviting me to join WRITING. Though not a writer, as an illustrator & graphic designer I eagerly seek to collaborate with creative writers who may wish to add visual art and design to their artistic expressions, be it poetry, music, books, short stories, children's books, etc. Beyond that I look forward to communicating with other members and share knowledge, experiences, and guidance. You can visit my portfolio at https://journeymandesigns.artstation.com/. Hope to hear from you all soon.
Book Editor and Proofreader
2 年This is very inspiring. I tend to feel bogged down with obligations like that too. I want to do my very best just like you! Thank you so much! If you ever need any assistance proofreading, editing or creative writing please let me know and I'll be happy to help!
Freelance Musician at Cute Cat Production Working with Assisted Living
2 年Hi Finn. Hoping you and family are well. When you have a moment, send me a list of your books that I can buy. Would also be great to catch up before July. Take good care.