Alberta Wood

'A rose by any other name.....smell as sweet....etc.' Alberta Wood's parents thought they were going to have a little boy and did not have a girl's name in mind when this Lancashire writer was born on a damp, dark, autumnal day, in the same year as the National Health service was founded. The local librarian knew her well; as a child she was an avid reader and also liked to tidy the bookshelves, which greatly irritated the librarian. Alberta wasn't very old before she understood that, with siblings to be provided for, the family was not wealthy and people felt entitled to be unkind and exclude her; being 'left out in the cold' was a literal experience. As soon as possible, Alberta started to work after school and at weekends; she would clean houses, babysit, walk dogs and undertake any honest work. Over the years, Alberta studied at nightclasses to further her education and advance in her employment, mainly in administrative roles. Now she is free to show, through her writing, the environment, the social and cultural structures and the invisible barriers that existed to those known as 'Working Class' through the years of 50's, 60's and 70's. Alberta's hope is that the detail of her writing will enable her readers to feel for, understand and have compassion for the characters and relationships in her books. You may laugh and you may cry, but you will know the reality of the times.

Credentials

Alberta Wood in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

Many years of my working life have been spent in writing bids, proposals, reports, summaries, but now I have the time to write to express what is deep inside.

What do you love about short stories?

As people have such busy lives it is easy for readers to make the most of short periods of rest, or during travel, to have mental escape from work and home responsibilities. The end of the story is soon reached so there is no long commitment to a book.

Do you write in other forms?

I write longer works and I occasionally write poetry

What distracts you from writing?

Housework responsibilities. I was brought up to carry out duties before doing what I wanted to do.

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

I love flower arranging and am a slow learner of playing the 'cello

What is your favourite book?

The book that stays in my heart is one that I read as a girl. It was called "Mullion Cove". When I was in my 30's I visited this Cornish Cove and it was exactly as the writer had cunjured up in my mind. I hope I can paint true pictures like this with my writing.

Who are your favourite writers?

Jane Austen, Conan Doyle and Hugh Walpole

Where is your dream location?

Cumbria - with sunshine

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Politicians who insult our intelligence by telling us our views will be taken into consideration when in fact they have already made up their minds.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Write whilst you can. You never know what may prevent you from doing so in the future.