Carmen Nina Walton

I love to write short stories and write them often - and also read those by a variety of writers. Some of my work has been featured in anthologies and I sell stories to women's magazines. My writing experience has been varied and I've had Radio plays broadcast and a couple of script in hand theatre plays performed too. For a while I wrote articles and have penned a few sketches for TV and radio. Some years ago I had performance experience which was great fun and a useful experience.

For the past few years I have been teaching creative writing in adult education. This has been an interesting experience because of the people I've met, some of the venues I've worked at and the range of fantastic stories and insights I've been privileged to share.

I like to go to theatres in studios and pubs to see new plays and I love stand up comedy. Live performances where the writers and actors and their ambitions and concerns are somehow present in the room are of continued interest me. I wish I could see more films and read more books. I enjoy the intelligence of others in books and films but in equal measure I suspect, enjoy slightly trashy stuff too.

Credentials

Carmen Nina Walton in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

What do you love about short stories?

What's not to love. They're short. I can read them in one go before I nod off at bedtime. Some of them are explosive and wickedly clever. They are brief and beautiful glimpses of other worlds and people.

Do you write in other forms?

Scripts, articles, non-fiction.

What distracts you from writing?

Cooking, keeping my house in a reasonable state, pairing socks, all manner of drudgery which I do quickly and badly in order to return to my pen.

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Textiles, talking, films books and performances.

What is your favourite book?

The Penguin Collection of British Short Stories edited by Malcolm Bradbury is full of good stuff. I've enjoyed this book as a reader and a creative writing tutor. The stories in it have started a few interesting discussions in class.

Who are your favourite writers?

I can't answer this. One minute I read everything by an author, love them, recommend them to people , and

Where is your dream location?

Brittany - at Dinan airport with a large coffee and sunglasses to shield people from my curiosity.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

People who congregate and stand still or who have intense conversations in doorways, stairways and the bottom of escalators. Why do they do that? Put them in the bin.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Don't talk about writing too often or read too many how-to books before you get started. Just get started. Write most days. Think of ways to improve and back your knowledge up with well written novels, scripts and poems.