About our writers - The Incorrigible Rogues
Who knew there were so many talented writers in and around Bridgend? Most of our number met at a creative writing course organised by the local council. When our tutor (the brilliant Stephen M Jenkins) left for pastures new, we were determined to carry on.
At first, we met at people’s houses, but as our membership grew, we were lucky enough to find a free venue. Now, many years later, we have become editors, alpha readers, constructive critics, reviewers and supporters of the others work, but best of all, we have become friends.
There is something about the writer’s psyche, I think, that is generous and encouraging. Because we are all lovers of literature, we want our peers’ writing to be the best it can be. We celebrate their successes with genuine “good on yer-ness” and give confidence where it was lacking. Whether one writes for fun (and it is the most fun you can have without being splashed on the front page of a red-top), or harbour dreams of being published; whether you write poetry, memoir, fantasy, children’s literature, screenplays, history, comedy, Sci-Fi or shopping lists, it is much more fun to do it en masse.
Why The Incorrigible Rogues? It was lifted from a memoir by one of our number, of course. It’s all about the words!
At first, we met at people’s houses, but as our membership grew, we were lucky enough to find a free venue. Now, many years later, we have become editors, alpha readers, constructive critics, reviewers and supporters of the others work, but best of all, we have become friends.
There is something about the writer’s psyche, I think, that is generous and encouraging. Because we are all lovers of literature, we want our peers’ writing to be the best it can be. We celebrate their successes with genuine “good on yer-ness” and give confidence where it was lacking. Whether one writes for fun (and it is the most fun you can have without being splashed on the front page of a red-top), or harbour dreams of being published; whether you write poetry, memoir, fantasy, children’s literature, screenplays, history, comedy, Sci-Fi or shopping lists, it is much more fun to do it en masse.
Why The Incorrigible Rogues? It was lifted from a memoir by one of our number, of course. It’s all about the words!
Laura Foakes
I grew up in a South Wales mining valley, where, I started to write fiction at the age of seven. My first attempt was the bizarre tale of a serving girl whose hand became trapped in Franz Liszt’s piano (my dad was a classical music buff). I don’t recall what happened to the other hand! Anyway, the story was critically acclaimed, but only by Mr Hodges, my teacher. Alas, publishers were thin on the ground in Glyncorrwg, which is why I worked my way up in the Mental Health/Learning Disability Sector, instead. Life and mortgage stood in the way of writing for several years, actually, that’s not true – I was too much of a wimp to put pen to paper in a meaningful way – fear of failure paralysed my hand, but I never forgot my teacher’s words. Hence, in 2012, after running out of excuses and giving myself a stern talking-to, my entry, The Countess and the Mole Man won the South Wales Short Story Competition. A year later, I had completed my first children’s book, The Liars’ and Fibbers’ Academy, and it was commissioned for publication. I live with my family and three random Lurchers. Their daily gallops across the fields (the Lurchers, not my family); give me plenty of time to develop characters and conflicts. I am currently working on a mystery novel, which has been shortlisted for the 2016 Richard and Judy, Search for a Bestseller competition. If I can do it then why not you? Go on, give it a go, put pen to paper, open a new document, and rewrite this chapter of your life. |
Phil Jenkins was born in South Wales. After travelling extensively, he is now happily settled in Ogmore-by-sea. He is a retired businessman, who now persues his many interests which include writing and photography. Phil also enjoys designing websites and he created this site. Tracey Hughes
I was born in Birmingham in 1964 but have lived in South Wales for half of my life. I am very happily married and have two gorgeous step-grandchildren and a woolly dog called Rufus. I joined the Incorrigible Rogues two years ago and have two full folders of stories and memoir that I would never have written without the encouragement and interest of my fellow writers. I work part-time and love looking after our baby granddaughter one or two days a week. I enjoy walking, writing and reading and the company of small children and dogs of any size. I have lived in Wales 26 years since my husband died to be near my son. After having two mini strokes, I started writing many stories for children
just as a hobby but I've just had two small books of funny witches for all to enjoy published, and still writing stories of Mysteries, and Magic from my word of WONDER. |
Bill Lenihan returned to South Wales in October of 2012 after spending thirty years overseas, working on major construction projects as a site manager. The Projects consisted of mainly shopping centres, resorts, Hospitals and high rise buildings. Now resident in Porthcawl, Biill enjoys writing, playing lawn bowls and Photography.
Linda Jones hailed from Bedfordshire, needed a holiday so got married and headed off to Germany for a couple of years. Having learned how to ask in German for beer and donuts, she arrived back in the UK and has since lived in Wales for the past 28 years with her
husband, border terrier dog and inherited cat. She runs her own gardening business with said husband and loves to read, walk - oh and to write. New author coming soon.
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