Claudette's Pen To Paper

In this episode I talk more about what influenced my journey into writing. It also features poems by nonagenarian Jean Harding, a member of both Bridgend Writers' Circle and Bridgend u3a. I also read one of my early science fiction stories 'Adamstown' brought about by one of my favourite quotes from Miles Davis in reference on how to playing jazz: “Don't play what's there, play what's not there.”  This can easily be translated to writing as “Don’t write what you see, write what you don’t see!” 

My podcasts are all about putting Pen to Paper and creating something new and exciting; giving a new angle to fact or generating absorbing fiction. I'm Claudette Evans, and putting pen to paper is exactly what I’ve been doing all my life, be it writing songs or stories. I love writing fiction best, although I have been know to turn my hand to poetry, enjoying the challenge of a writing group's prompt as this can take you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to think outside the box. I also use my previous life's skills to record writings and interviews other writers from within one of my three writing groups.In this first episode I explain why and how my writing journey began, in the hope it will inspire you the listener, to put pen to paper . Moving to Wales in 2015, my intention upon retiring from my ‘day’ job as a professional musician, music teacher and sound engineer was to write. However, before embarking on this enterprise, I decided to do some Creative writing courses, to help me prepare and brush-up on the basics of grammar. So, I joined both the Bridgend and Porthcawl U3A writing groups and Bridgend Writer’s Circle, and now I’d like to share with you a selection of stories and poems to encourage you to put pen to paper.  

In this special Podcast I’m featuring the winner of Bridgend Writers’ Circle’s winner of the Saviker Shield, which for the 2nd year in succession was myself. 

In this special Podcast I’m featuring a recent conversation I had with Bridgend Writers' Circle's last season's winner of the Railton and Endeavour Competitions,  past winner and the 21/22 season’s runner-up of Bridgend Writers’ Circle’s Saviker Shield, Mike Hayes. Mike gives us an insight into his thought process and reads the winning entries.

During lockdown and through Stronger Together Bridgend, I was introduced to a gentleman who has written many, many poems about the mining community and life in the valleys. Now, thanks to Awen Cultural Trust Kevin has published a children's Christmas story about Dewii the Dragon, and more recently a book of his poems.

Fear comes in many shapes and forms. Could you find inspiration in the thing or things you fear most? In this Halloween special I explore the thoughts behind writing a good scary ghost or horror story

In this episode we’ll be exploring the world of fantasy, with readings from Bridie Banwell and Kevin Bryant.

I am delighted in this my seventeenth Podcast to be sharing with you an interview I recently had with local author and member of Porthcawl u3a, Malcolm Cowper. Malcolm talks about his early life, how the books came about and includes readings from his third book, 'Reluctant Warriors' the stories of those men conscripted into the various branches of the armed services to do their National Service.

Do you like to write autobiographically? I think we all do – to some extent!’ So, in this episode I’ll be exploring the art of autobiographical writing. 

Our first contact with a villain or villains, is most probably in a comic book form and there are plenty of villains to instil fear, chills, and terror in the hearts of the citizens of the DC Universe.  After all, if everyone was always nice and good and honest all the time, in the words of Villanelle, from the 'Killing Eve' books and TV series, we’d find literature ‘boring’! 

Often the first thing we learn in creative writing, is all about ‘Show NOT Tell.’ So, being able to use all five senses in a piece of writing is a sure-fire way to draw your readers into the story. In this episode I'll be exploring how sprinkling in specific details that appeal to readers’ five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) will bring your scenes to life and make them feel richer and more interesting. 

Writing for children is just as challenging as writing for adults. In fact, it’s more so because not only do you have to include all the same elements as you would in a book for adults, you also need to write it in a form that’s suitable for children. They love a good opening, middle and ending in the same way that any adult does. No-one wants to read a story that makes no sense and leads nowhere! This episode explores poems and stories written with children and young adults in mind.

Ghost stories have a close focus on evoking feelings of terror and dread, building them up into a horrifying climax. Most hauntings are tied to locations, especially the place where the ghost lived, died or was buried. In this Podcast our locations are a town centre, an east coast town and a newly finished recording studio.

Sci-Fi explores the potential consequences of scientific, social, and technological innovations and deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as space-exploration, time-travel, parallel-universes, and extra-terrestrial life. With Sci-Fi, our characters often find themselves dealing with disturbing or unusual events, sometimes with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, with an unexpected twist ending.This podcast features stories covering all of the above, so sit back, relax as I take you on a trip through space and time, featuring stories from members of Bridgend Writers' Circle.

The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 who decreed it be celebrated on February 14th to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial, which probably occurred around A.D. 270. In this podcast you'll readings from three new voices, all members of Bridgend Writers' Circle along with some old favourites. I hope the varied stories and poems on offer will give you inspiration to put 'Pen to Paper' and get writing.

We have the Victorians to thank for many of our most loved festive traditions, including sending cards and decorating Christmas trees. However, much of our understanding of a merrie old English Christmas has more to do with the writings of Charles Dickens, because before the 19th Century, Christmas was barely celebrated in Britain. In this episode, you’ll hear writings from Bridie Banwell, Kevin Bryant, David Watkins, and a new 'voice' Pat Forster, all stories and poems with a Christmas theme. Todays Podcast ends with a poem, one I originally wrote as a song, aimed as a warning to pet owners to be 'Mindful and Careful' at Christmastime. 

In this my eighth episode, you’ll hear writings from my fellow scribblers, in particular the runners-up of Bridgend Writers Circle’s Saviker Shield. Runner-up  was Mike Hayes, his crime story taking second place. Entitled ‘I Didn’t Mean It To Happen’ – a story of the requisition of farmland at Slapton Sands during WWII and a young man’s sweet revenge. Full of interesting details with a bittersweet twist.This is followed by my memoir entry ‘My First Days At School’  and then Gerry Ezard's very different 'My First Days at School', which earned a special mention. Finally, you'll hear my 'Stranger in the Night'. This took second place in the Poetry section of the Saviker, Ray Humphries thought this poem was ‘A difficult subject tackled boldly.’ 

Celebrated on 31st of October, the tradition of Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.  In this episode I’m concentrating on the popular genre of ‘Horror’; speculative fiction whose purpose is to create feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, and terror in the reader, featuring stories and poems from Bridgend Writers Circle. For further information regarding Bridgend Writers Circle, go to www.bridgendwriters.org or visit my website: www.claudette evans.com 

In this  episode, you’ll hear writings from my fellow scribblers, in particular the winning entries of Bridgend Writers Circle’s Saviker Shield and Keith Cole Poetry Competition. Although this year’s judge of the Saviker Shield didn’t feel a short story was the correct vehicle for a piece of crime fiction, he chose my ‘A Winter’s Tale’ as the winning entry. The second category was won by Mike Hayes, with his memoir 'My First Days', recounting those early school years. The final category was won by Rich Greenwood with his sensitive poem ‘Last Weekend’. Illustrating the chaos produced by the Lockdown in the attempts to block the spread of Covid19, and protect us all., Mike Hayes won the Keith Cole Poetry Competition with 'Call to Arms'.Although winning a competition is often down to what the actual judge is looking for, exploit your niche,  give it a go and put Pen to Paper.

In my fifth podcast I’m exploring how song titles or lyrics can be used to create a story. When I asked one poet I had pleasure of putting music to her words what inspired her writings, Dillian Patrick told me ‘Song lyrics, poetry and a love of words can be exhilarating. I did not discover this until I became adult so, I hope to encourage young people to try exploring their thoughts and write about them.'So you'll hear a song, lyrics by Dillian Patrick and stories inspired by song titles from myself, Jean Harding, Bridie Banwell and Rich Greenwood.