My name is Pippa, and I’m a writer.
pause for applause 
I haven’t been writing long. I always feel like the odd one out during the first session of any class, when everyone introduces themselves, and everyone else has been writing since they were foetuses. Then I think, ‘Well, it’s a reason for not being as good as the others.’ And then I think, ‘Not a valid excuse to slack off though, I’m going to be as good as I can be.’
I was a computer programmer, then a manager of computer programmers. Serious geek credentials. I’ve always loved reading. I grew up without TV, was taught to read by my parents, and by the age of 4 was getting through several books a week. I knew all the local librarians by their first names. But for some reason, I never got round to writing, although I always thought it would be a Good Thing To Do.
At the end of 2007 I went a bit strange. Being a geek was driving me nuts. My therapist, bless her forever, bullied me into joining a creative writing class. So I did a couple of terms of evening classes, and loved them. I met some wonderful people and got some great feedback.
I was made redundant in April 2008, which was a disaster at the time, but as so many people told me would be the case, was in fact one of the best things that have ever happened to me. The recession meant I couldn’t get another job – everyone’s busy laying off middle managers – so I decided to take the plunge. I signed up for the Creative Writing BA at Nottingham University (part-time to start with, but full time from October 2009). I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.
I’m still learning about writing. I’m trying out all sorts of genres and styles, reading how-to books, taking a wide variety of classes, and talking to anyone and everyone I can find who might be able to help me. I’ve entered short story competitions, written poetry, had a go at a radio play, and I’m working on a novel. I’m building up an on-line presence, reading hundreds of useful blogs, twittering and facebooking.
This blog is really the story of my journey towards becoming a real proper published writer. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please feel free to leave comments or contact me at pip(at)oldbat(dot)co(dot)uk – I’d love to hear from you!
