Brenda Despontin
Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself...
I was born and educated in Wales, where I also spent most of my working life. A teacher of English and drama for twenty years, I then spent a further twenty in school leadership. I retired in 2011, after which I travelled extensively before returning to university full-time to study Human Rights Law for the LLM. I have one married son and two granddaughters, and I live with my husband and dog on the Welsh coast.
What first inspired you to start writing?
I have been writing stories since I could hold a pencil and consider myself lucky to have found great joy throughout life reading the stories of others and sharing them with my students. More recently, whilst learning Italian, I read In altre parole by the extraordinary writer Jhumpa Lahiri, and started to think seriously about committing to print the life story of John Frost, whose life I had been researching for years. I joined an online Creative Writing course, which I found inspiring, and read Stephen King's On Writing. Finally, Hilary Mantel’s Reith Lectures on the writing of historical fiction influenced me greatly. They are an absolute must for anyone contemplating that genre.
What made you want to work with Rowanvale and be published?
I sent the usual required submission to a few publishers and soon realised that the likelihood of acceptance was minimal. It could take years of trying, and some publishers did not even have the courtesy to reply. During a writing weekend, I chatted to the two published authors there—Barbara Erskine and Katherine Stansfield, who were quite positive about self-publishing, so I decided to do some research. Dr Stansfield, my creative writing tutor, advised me to consult the AIA and on their website I found Rowanvale, which came highly recommended and was based in Cardiff.
When you’re not writing, what are you reading?
It may be because of a lifetime spent teaching English, but I always have several books to turn to at any one time. My Kindle is invaluable for train travel, holidays and the hairdresser’s, but I still love paper books, and my bedtime routine always includes a chapter or two of actual pages. I am currently revisiting Hardy because my next book revolves around his early life, and I really loved Hardy Women, the new account by Paula Byrne. Other books I have also enjoyed recently include The Whalebone Theatre (Joanna Quinn), The Story Spinner (Barbara Erskine) and Absolutely and Forever (Rose Tremain). My son has just bought me the latest Jodi Picoult--she always provides a great bedtime read.
Which work are you most proud of?
I am proud at 74 to have completed Some Hidden Thunder, my account of John Frost’s life, written as a historical novel and the culmination of years of research. I was also proud when one of my course essays on Human Rights Law was published in the Cardiff University Law Review. Similarly, in July 2006, an article written by me was published in The Times on the same day as a different article from me in The Telegraph. Neither had been edited in any way.
What’s your best advice for handling writer's block?
When I am at a loss on where to go next with a chapter or even a piece of description, I take a walk with the dog and think of other things. I invariably find that I will suddenly get an idea—and then have to rush home a bewildered dog to commit said idea to print. The “Voice Memos” facility on my watch has been useful too when an elusive word finally surfaces, usually when I have nowhere to write!
What’s one thing you always have with you when you’re writing?
I always have classical music with me wherever I am, and in my handbag a notebook and pen. I see things and hear comments that are too good not to include in a story. Most recently, some dying sunflowers.
What is the one book you would take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
I would probably take with me The Complete Works of Thomas Hardy. I completed a master’s on Hardy in the early 80s and often taught his novels and poetry. What interests me, though, is how my attitude has changed to some of his characters as I have aged. It’s the same with Shakespeare.
What is the best part about being an independently published author?
I think I was extremely fortunate to have found Rowanvale. The team who managed my book was extraordinary—professional, talented and efficient, a joy to work with. I liked the freedom to have an input in the cover design, font and blurb, etc. Furthermore, the follow-up support has been very good indeed.
What’s next for you?
I am promoting Some Hidden Thunder at an event in Newport to celebrate 185 years since the chartist rising in the city. It was led by John Frost and forms a key part of my novel.
I am now researching a new book, another historical novel based on an early muse and sweetheart of Thomas Hardy. It is set in Dorset, where I have spent many holidays. Very much a hobby for me, it will probably take two years to complete and is a labour of love.
