I remember a compulsory visit to the school library. I chose a book: ‘Lord Billy Bunter’. For some reason I attempted to read it, and found a new type of enjoyment – reading. Little did I know that this somewhat fortunate, and humble beginning was eventually to launch me into the world of libraries and books.
By the late 1960s, I would wander around bookshops with friends. I learnt as much as I had at school, and I soon began to dream of writing a book of my own.
The book's subject was to be science fiction, my favourite material. I thought up ideas and put pen to paper on a tale that evolved as I wrote. A friend was keen to read it until he did so. I had no idea how to structure a long piece of work, so ended up filing it away in a box where it gathered dust as other tales joined it.
In the real world I became a shipwright at 'Devonport Royal Dockyard' in Plymouth. My main work was on surface ships from frigates to air craft carriers, but in the last six years I moved to boat repairs. Most of this work was challenging and rewarding. I married and forgot the stories, by and large, but not completely. Then in 1990, with a three-year-old son, a large tumour developed in my head. After some unpleasant operations and several months rehabilitation I began a new life as a volunteer worker for Social Services.
I enjoyed this work too, and offered welcome support from Plymouth to Tavistock, (12 miles). I taught adult students with learning disabilities and I gained teaching qualifications culminating in a ‘B.A.E.T with Honours’.
I took up story writing again, even binded and self published books from home; a satisfying hobby. On the Internet I joined – writing.com – to hone skills for fiction writing. Today I have a small platform on twitter: @bookwrite1
Ebooks today allow updates and edits after publication so my books have improved. Once I'm fully satisfied I'll utilise 'Publish on Demand'. With an enjoyable line of work and an awesome hobby I have much to do.