MONICA ATWOOD

During childhood my parents would often tell me stories about their lives, about my grandparents and great grandparents, uncles and aunts, of how my parents met in war-ravaged Hamburg and of their respective war experiences as British soldier and German draughtswoman. These stories were fascinating; they set out an intriguing family history and also helped me form a sense of my own identity.

In 2013 my son and daughter-in-law emigrated to Australia, and my grandsons were born there. I realised that our family history would probably never be passed on to them. With this in mind I began to write down the stories told me so many years ago, and to research the history of long-dead ancestors. This on-going project is now in its fourth year and I’m sure I would have given up by now without the help and support of the Writers’ Group.

KATHRYN BARTON

Kathryn Barton left school as soon as possible, only too happy to hang up her slate and chalk, vowing to eschew any form of further education, but always wanting to write. A decade ago Kathryn made a complete volte face, now possesses a BA (Hons) and an MA (Distinction) in Creative Writing and is a Master of Philosophy.  For the MPhil she produced a collection of short stories set in the New Forest, together with an academic thesis.

Kathryn prefers to write light humorous pieces:  she would rather like to be the next P G Wodehouse.

CLAIRE BUCKLEY

Claire, with a background in teaching, enthuses about history, music and the environment. After her M.A. (Distinction) she published learning materials and co-founded Waterside Writers, co-ordinating the programme for many years. Her fiction explores themes such as betrayal, love and survival through periods of rapid social change. Successful in both poetry and prose competitions, she was inspired by her students to write a novel set in pre-revolutionary Russia.

Short-listed for the Yeovil Literary Prize last year, she is currently seeking an agent and writing another novel, set in Southampton.     

BARBARA CLARIDGE

Barbara recently completed a MA in Wild Writing, Landscape and Environment (University of Essex), joining Waterside Writers in 2018.  She had a long career as a Hampshire Primary Headteacher, where outdoor learning was a passion.  Wider experience includes short-term voluntary work in Ghana and Namibia (Primary Education Adviser) and with the British Council in Beijing and Pittsburg (International HT Programme).  Part of her year is now spent in Brittany gardening!  

She tweets @56190bjc and @WatersideWrite1

GEORGINA LIPPIETT

Although Georgina always loved reading, she only came to writing a few years ago. Luckily she found the Waterside Writers, and with their advice, patience and encouragement, she went on to study the MA in Writing for Children at Winchester.

She’s currently helping to organise this year’s SCBWI-BI conference, and is thinking hard about re-drafting her latest full-length story.

ED NICHOLSON

Ed Nicholson has been writing as a journalist for too many years to think about. He joined Waterside Writers in 2018 and has found the camaraderie, counselling and critiques invaluable. He has previously written scripts, articles, briefing papers, research papers, tweets, reviews, pitches, bids and technical books - anything and everything except the novel he really wants to write. He considers “The screen door slams, Mary’s dress sways” to be the finest first line ever written. After a decade of prevarication Ed is finally working on his first novel, a contemporary thriller.

MIKE SMEARS

Mike Smears loves writing and is now on his fourth novel, the first three are unfortunately still in search of a publisher. Identity and the Irish ethnicity of Liverpool is a favourite theme.

Mike is also interested in poetry, both as a means of expressing passing emotions and reflections, but as a narrative form.

PETER THORPE

Once upon a time in a little place not so far away, there lived a man called Peter. A man with a laptop, who’s imagination stretched far and wide. He discovered a realm where fiction ruled. That was in the early 1980s and he wrote his first story.

It wasn’t bad but it was a stepping stone for things to come.

The fiction he wrote stemmed from horror, supernatural, fantasy and science fiction. A good starting point, he thought. In 1991 he began a writing class; in 2006 it moved to Marchwood.

Comedy became his forte a few years later.

That fateful day in 1991 led to all this. He has enjoyed it ever since.