Char March

I started as an Environmental Scientist, and fell into creative writing completely by chance. I've won a shed-load of awards for my poetry, playwrighting (for radio and stage) and short fiction writing. I've had five poetry collections and a short story collection published, plus six BBC Radio 4 plays broadcast, and seven stage plays produced.

My short story collection - 13 competition and award-winning stories – is 'Something Vital Fell Through' published by the excellent Indigo Dreams. Be great if you ordered this either direct from me, my publisher, or your local indie bookshop - rather than from Amazon which is a multi-national that doesn't pay tax and is destroying any possibility of writers making a living from their work. But - t'is up to you! :-)

My Mum had a lot of late miscarriages, so used an experimental drug (that was later banned) to keep me full-term. (Read the story in the excellent creative non-fiction anthology 'Some Girls' Mothers' published by Route.) This drug wrecked my immune system, so I've had a lot of major health problems which I've found “terribly character-building”. I've been active in the Disability Politics Movement throughout my adult life. This drug also - according to my Mum - 'turned' me into a raving lesbian. My Mum phoned the police when I came out to her aged 14, and Mum was incandescent when she found out being a lesbian wasn't illegal in Britain. All great material for a writer!

www.charmarch.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/char.march
Twitter: @charmarch2

Credentials

Char March in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

Falkirk.

What do you love about short stories?

They pull you into a complete world and the characters and their dilemmas carry on ringing through your head for weeks after a really good one.

Do you write in other forms?

Poetry, plays for radio and stage.

What distracts you from writing?

Everything!

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Heritage interpretation, walking, chocolate eating, having great conversations.

What is your favourite book?

I hate this question cos it's too restricting - I love way too many stories and books to even pick my favourite 100! :-)

Who are your favourite writers?

AL Kennedy, Rosie Garland - her poetry and her novels and Alison Lock - her short stories.

Where is your dream location?

Anywhere I can get on with my writing.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Nigel Farage - and all his cohorts.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

JFDI - Just F***ing Do It.